How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Many physical activites such as sports, pelvic surgery, etc can all contribute to PN
scaredgal
Posts: 153
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 3:24 pm

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by scaredgal »

Hi Violet,

Thanks for your input. I'm just searching for answers - it seems I just don't have the "typical" PNE - since I don't have entrapments either in the SS/ST ligaments or alcock's canal - but rather the rectal and dorsal nerves. So my thought is if I can't be fixed - then what? Do I just try to be content doing nothing the rest of my sorry life??? No, I'd rather commit suicide.
User avatar
Karyn
Posts: 1655
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:59 pm
Location: Lowell, MA

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by Karyn »

Scared,
I don't understand why think you have to live this way for the rest of your life?!!? You don't!!! Just because one surgeon said he couldn't help, it doesn't mean NO ONE can! And for the love of god - please stop weight lifting!!! You're not doomed, hon. Please lean on us, keep asking questions, and do something with the information you receive.
With love and hugs,
Karyn
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Griff522
Posts: 314
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:42 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by Griff522 »

I agree with Karyn. Stop weightlifting. It may not be forever, but at least until you are pain free. And find an anti-depressant that works for you so that you can continue to be hopeful and search for a cure. Hugs to you scaredgal. You have to believe that we will find a solution to this.
Burning vulva pain began 10/09
Treated for SIJD 9/10 and burning stopped and pain localized to rt side
Surgery w/ Dr Dellon 5/11 - didn't help my pain
2012 - PT, massage therapy, and ART therapy from chiropractor
MRI showed labral tear and US of groin found hernias
2/13 - surgery for sports hernia
5/13 - still have obturator internus spasms
5/13 - appt with ortho spine dr
8/16/13 - Arthroscopic surgery to rt hip for FAI and torn labrum
scaredgal
Posts: 153
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 3:24 pm

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by scaredgal »

Hi Karen and Griff - thanks , but I don't believe in anything anymore.
Griff522
Posts: 314
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:42 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by Griff522 »

Well scaredgal, Karyn and I are on your team now and we'll believe for you until you're strong enough to believe yourself :)
Burning vulva pain began 10/09
Treated for SIJD 9/10 and burning stopped and pain localized to rt side
Surgery w/ Dr Dellon 5/11 - didn't help my pain
2012 - PT, massage therapy, and ART therapy from chiropractor
MRI showed labral tear and US of groin found hernias
2/13 - surgery for sports hernia
5/13 - still have obturator internus spasms
5/13 - appt with ortho spine dr
8/16/13 - Arthroscopic surgery to rt hip for FAI and torn labrum
User avatar
Karyn
Posts: 1655
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:59 pm
Location: Lowell, MA

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by Karyn »

Thanks for rallying with me, Griff! I couldn't ask for a better partner in PNE!!! :lol:
So, Scaredgal - you've got your very own personal cheerleading squad. Well, OK - it's a cheerleading team right now. But I'm sure it'll evolve into a squad any time now!! :D In the mean time, Griff and I are wondering what we can do to help? Is it that you're (understandably) having a hard time with waiting for your appointment? Do you need different meds to help control the pain? Is it that you need a couple of drinking buddies? :lol:
Please notice that I'm not asking, Is it that you feel you can't be helped? That's right - not going there! Because that's just silliness!!! :D And NOT true. ;)
Lets try to figure out how we're gonna get through the next few months. Together.
Love and hugs,
Karyn
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
scaredgal
Posts: 153
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 3:24 pm

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by scaredgal »

Ah, Karen and Griff thanks to you both! Just not sure where to turn now that I've lost so much faith in drs and everyone one I have been to basically says I can't be helped and to take drugs..... You know, you are brought up to trust the medical profession and I have been told by pretty knowledgable drs that I'm not a surgical candidate - I feel like I'm putting all my eggs in the "Hibner" basket... only to be disappointed again... after the long wait.....I don't really know anymore....
Griff522
Posts: 314
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:42 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by Griff522 »

I was at that point about 9 months ago when I went to the Vulvar Pain Clinic at the University of MI. They told me it was a "nerve" problem and since I was already on Cymbalta (thanks to my very caring psychiatrist) they recommended neurontin and they'd see me in 6 months. No recommendation of PT or anything. So I took the damn stuff for 6 months and was basically a moron because I would constantly forget stuff and couldn't have a conversation because I couldn't find the words. It took the edge off the pain a little but did not improve my condition. I had already weaned myself off of the drug the week before my follow-up appt.

These dr's are supposed to be specialists and they tell me at my followup appt "we don't know what causes the pain - all we can try to do is help you find a medication that will help with it." Well, sorry, I don't want any more drugs. I guess I will have to figure this one out on my own. My psychologist once told me that dr's are just "body mechanics". They are taught to look at your symptoms and write you a RX. If you don't fit in their little box, they can't help you. He told me early on that I was going to have to figure this thing out myself. So that's basically what I've done.
Burning vulva pain began 10/09
Treated for SIJD 9/10 and burning stopped and pain localized to rt side
Surgery w/ Dr Dellon 5/11 - didn't help my pain
2012 - PT, massage therapy, and ART therapy from chiropractor
MRI showed labral tear and US of groin found hernias
2/13 - surgery for sports hernia
5/13 - still have obturator internus spasms
5/13 - appt with ortho spine dr
8/16/13 - Arthroscopic surgery to rt hip for FAI and torn labrum
User avatar
Karyn
Posts: 1655
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:59 pm
Location: Lowell, MA

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by Karyn »

Well, I can understand how you could lose your faith in the medical profession. I also understand how you were brought up to believe the doctor is always right. But I think that most of us have learned the hard way that couldn't be further from the truth. Griff is right - You do really have to be your own advocate and try to figure things out for yourself. Luckily, we have this fabulous community so we don't have to figure things out, alone! :)
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Lernica
Posts: 960
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:31 pm

Re: How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

Post by Lernica »

Dear Scaredgal,

Count me in on your cheerleading squad, too! As for exercise, please try swimming instead of weightlifting (so long as you stay away from frog leg kicks). I swim frontcrawl every day or two for 20 - 25 minutes. Every second length I put a floaty between my legs to minimize the leg/hip motion. I could swim with the floaty forever if I wanted to, but I feel that it is important to get some blood circulating in my hips since I can't walk anymore (this is temporary I hope). I used to do some flutter board work (kicking with my legs only, holding the flutter board with my arms) but I haven't been able to do that for a couple of months because of the pain in my hips/lower back. But you might be able to.

Swimming is a great gravity-free exercise that works your entire body but very gently. Even if you swim with only your arms you can get a great cardiovascular workout since the leg arms are the second biggest muscles in your body (after the legs). I can get my heart pumping at a good rate.

If you don't know how to swim, you can find an instructor at the local pool who can teach you. It is important to learn how to breathe from both sides of your body so you do not develop neck or shoulder sprains. I taught myself how to do this and it is by far the trickiest part about swimming the front crawl.

Swimming is also very quiet and meditative form of exercise and can help to calm the nerves. I often find my pain dropping several notches after my swim, and this effect can last for a couple of hours.

We're all here for ya, girl! You are not alone in this. You WILL get better, as we all will.

Love

Lernica
Athlete until pain started in 2001. Diagnosed with PN in Nov. 2010. Probable cause: 3 difficult labors, 5 pelvic surgeries for endometriosis, and undiagnosed hip injuries. 60% better after 3 rounds of shockwave therapy in Cornwall, Ontario (Dec - Feb/12). 99% better after bilateral hip scopes for FAI and labral tears (April and July/12). Pelvic pain life coach Lorraine Faendrich helped me overcome the mind/body connection to chronic pain: http://www.radiantlifedesign.com
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