Health Organization for Pudendal Education

Hi Sweet Ellie,
I sincerely hope you'll start to feel better soon! It was very nice of Dr. Chambi to call and check up on you. Dr. Chambi is right - Dr. Antolak is not a neurosurgeon. Most who perform the PN releases aren't. However, the reason why most PNE'rs have their surgeries with Dr. Antolak, Dr. Conway, Dr. Marvel, Dr. Hibner, etc .... is because they can't find a neurosurgeon to take their case. For the most part, I have very positive feelings about Dr. Chambi. However, I'm not sure I agree your surgery a year and a half ago was for naught. Unless of course, your only site of entrapment was at the piriformis level. Does he have any evidence of that?
Well, at least you have some explanations for your pain, hon. Hoping you see some improvements soon!!
Oooodles of love,
Karyn

Karyn he is going to send me an operative report. He said he saw the piriformis pressing the nerves on the pelvic bone floor. The piriform muscle was so badly damaged from an old injury. From a fall or something.-He gave me a picture of the damaged piriformis.It looks awful. It was pressing and making the nerves flat. Now the are round as they should be. Henhas been decompressingn nerves for 25
yearss. I think i am repeating myself. Better quit. Ellie

If you look at Dr. Beautrant's website, you can see what Dr. Chambi meant by releasing the nerves proximally. As Karyn, said, the TG route does not allow the surgeon to visualize the area where the pudendal nerve tunnels under the piriformis. It is very high. I saw this on a diagram on Dr. Beautrant's website. Dr.Chambi does have an advantage with the surgical microscope. It allows him to visualize the entire pelvis, beginning proximally as he would say. He is then able to continue distally, to the clamp. I don't know think he attempts to decompress anything at the Alcock's canal, and I seriously doubt that he tackles the dorsal nerve root. We just keep learning.

From what you have described from this latest surgery Ellie,it was very necessary and I'm sure you will feel even more benefit with time.
I remember reading about Dr Chambi some long time ago when I first started learning about piriformis syndrome, PN and pelvic nerve entrapments. I suppose he is a little like Dr Filler (both neurosugeon's) without the hype attached (I may be way of the mark, and anyway, I do like Dr Filler).
I will champion anyone who is willing to step outside the medical box in order to help us. I think that this is exactly the surgery that I need (think I mentioned that earlier, but am a bit excited)
Hope you are progressing too Paulette and Karyn. My heroines, each one of you .
Every best wish,
Helen

paulette wrote: Dr.Chambi does have an advantage with the surgical microscope. It allows him to visualize the entire pelvis, beginning proximally as he would say.

Agreed! This is one of the things I find most interesting about him. If he see's pathology with another nerve (besides the sciatic or PN), he actually addresses it!

paulette wrote:He is then able to continue distally, to the clamp. I don't know think he attempts to decompress anything at the Alcock's canal, and I seriously doubt that he tackles the dorsal nerve root.

Well, this is where I think Dr. Chambi is a bit short sighted. We have a mutal friend, Paulette, who consulted with Dr. Chambi for a PN decompression. Our friend was discouraged with following through with him because Dr. Chambi informed our friend that it was extremely rare to have an (PN) entrapment in the ST & SS ligaments.
He didn't come right out and say he wouldn't go there, but our friend got the impression it was something Dr. Chambi wasn't experienced with. I'd be very interested to know just how much of the PN he can actually decompress.

helenlegs 11 wrote: I think that this is exactly the surgery that I need (think I mentioned that earlier, but am a bit excited)

I'd be excited if I were you, too, Helen! Heck, I'm excited for you!!!! I do agree with you that this particular surgical approach may suit your needs.

This morning we went out for breakfast. I sat for an hour without that horrible stabbing pain.--burning yes . Afte I took our dog for a half hour walk. Dear Lord I believe I am in heaven. Still have sciatic pai but that is improving in leaps and bounds. Surgery was a weak ago today. My nerves are reay free this time. Thank you Dr. Chambi. :

How wonderful to hear, I hope you keep reaching up for the stars!
Janet

Hi Ellie,
Thank you so much for sharing your ups and downs. What a journey you have had. I sincerely hope Dr. Chambi keeps at it, and can help more and more sufferers.
You are an inspiration.
Again, thanks for sharing. Hoping you have more ups now, than downs

Debbie

Today is-more of a down day. Only to be expected. . What a releif to have the trip and the surgery
behind me.. we can all be so grateful for Paulette and Karyn. Their knowledge and compassion surpasses all. The two of them helped me to decide on my choice to see Dr. Chambi. My husband and I decided it would be a good choice. I still need to speak with Dr. Antalok. Praying for all that suffers wth this dreadful disease.Ellie

I really would like o know of anyone that has been helped with-the tg approach. I have so many questions for the Dr.s that are doing pn decompressions. Why could Dr Antalok not see that all 4 of my nerves were pressing on bone of my pelvic floor. Why did not he do further testing to find all of this out..I-just do not want any one else to have to go through what I did. If it would not have been for Paulette I would have gone on just getting worse and worse. . Are there
people out there that have been helped by any of these drs.. Ellie