First post from a non-sitter

Welcome to HOPE. We have tried to provide a place for newcomers to make their introductions. We will try our best to make you welcome and guide you through our website and Forum and assist you as best as we can through any questions you have regarding Pudendal Neuralgia.
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Pompei
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 7:34 am

First post from a non-sitter

Post by Pompei »

I was diagnosed with non-bacterial prostatitis twenty-five years ago. I went to several urologists over the years and never received any treatment or information of value. Eventually I dismissed the diagnosis of prostatitis as meaningless; it is just a name urologists give to symptoms they are unable to effectively treat. In 2006 I started to feel numbness in the rectal area from sitting too long at work. I read various stuff on the internet that led me to an appointment with Dr. Antolac. He diagnosed PNE and did a series of four nerve blocks. They had no therapeutic value for me. I am lucky because instead of the chronic pain most PNE patients have, my symptom is numbness in the rectal area. I decided against surgery after reading many stories online of people with bad outcomes. I am a biologist and after studying the surgery decided the risk was unwarranted. So I took Dr. Antolak's self-care advice and for five years I have not sat down. I stand, lie down or kneel. I only drive minivans and created a contraption for my captain's seat that allows me to "sit" on my thighs with my body angled forward; it works quite well. I have callouses on my knees from all the kneeling I do. I have no doubt the diagnosis of pudendal nerve neuritis or entrapment is accurate. When I first saw Dr. Antolak my most uncomfortable symptom was the foreign body symptom. I told Dr. Antolak it felt like I had a wad of cotton stuffed up my rectum. After five years of never sitting my symptoms are better. Not sitting has had a positive effect and I rarely have the foreign body in rectum sensation but I still feel numbness nearly always. Unfortunately bending over also aggravates my condition and I am less vigilant about not bending over. However, there are many days when my symptoms are minimal.

In addition to the foreign body feeling I also have a constellation of urological symptoms including weak urine stream, weak semen flow, occasional pain after orgasm and erectile dysfunction. Since I also have peyronie's disease (curvature of the penis) it is unclear whether my erectile dysfunction is a symptom of PNE or not. Anyway, I have come to accept all of these symptoms and while not happy about them, I know things could be much worse. I can also say with confidence that the urological symptoms have also improved after not sitting for five years. One thing I have definitely noticed is I rarely need to get up during the night to urinate. Also the painful orgasms have gone away. (I am able to have orgasm despite the erectile dysfunction.)

I intend to continue my "self-care " as Dr. Antolak calls it and hope that with more years of not sitting my symptoms will continue to improve.

I read the book a headache in the pelvis as well as the bad experiences many have had at the authors' "paradoxical relaxation" clinic. I believe the Wise Anderson treatment is valueless, however, after reading the book I did become aware that I definitely tighten my pelvic muscles when I become anxious. So I believe there is a small kernel of truth in the book's thesis. So I do try to be aware of the tension I create in my pelvic area and relax the tension when i feel it.

That is my story.
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Violet M
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Re: First post from a non-sitter

Post by Violet M »

Pompei, thanks or sharing your story. I agree with you that if you can develop a coping lifestyle without too much discomfort, avoiding surgery makes a lot of sense. It can be very difficult if your job requires a lot of sitting and like you say, other areas start to complain including your knees if you kneel a lot. Good for you for keeping a positive attitude despite your limitations. ;)

Violet
PNE since 2002. Started from weightlifting. PNE surgery from Dr. Bautrant, Oct 2004. Pain now is usually a 0 and I can sit for hours on certain chairs. No longer take medication for PNE. Can work full time and do "The Firm" exercise program. 99% cured from PGAD. PNE surgery was right for me but it might not be for you. Do your research.
Pompei
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 7:34 am

Re: First post from a non-sitter

Post by Pompei »

I am retired now and do not have to work, so it is easier to make the life style changes. I am going to do some experimentation with exercise too; I joined the YMCA and do mostly upper body conditioning. This site is great and there is a lot here to explore. I suspect other nuggets of wisdom are here somewhere ready to be found. Already I am much better informed in just a very short time. I have searched medical research myself now and then over the years but see new stuff here I've not come across before. I have accepted my conditions for several years and it helps greatly that I experience numbness rather than chronic pain. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to experience pain every day.
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