Health Organization for Pudendal Education

Im 61 yrs old and two and a half yrs ago my dog got between my legs and lifted me up.That was the end of my golden retirement era.A week later im sitting on a burning lump of pain and wondering what has happened to me.I visited two doctors and a urulogist who had no idea what i was talking about.Luckily my very smart wife who is an ex nurse said,(you have had an xray and an ultrasound but nothing is showing up.I think this must be a nerve problem.)She googled nerve damage and came up with PNE or PN.I then went to see our family lady doctor who seem to know about what my wife had found out.What a relief to find a doctor who believed us.Next came the visit to the neuro specialist who said i did not have PNE.That was a big blow to our findings.By this time ACC were ready to wipe me off their books.My doctor said we have one last chance to prove its PNE and sent me for a CATSCAN at Dunedin where they used the big injections with Cortisone.It worked with about 30% relief,but after about 10 week it had worn off.Back to Dunedin again for the same,with the same result.The good thing is it proved i had PNE orPN.So much for the Neuros findings.My doctor started me off with Tegrotol (some relief) then Amatrip(no relief)now im starting to use Gabapentin.Some relief but im only on 1 300mgs a day at moment.600mgs to go.It does your head in but the pain is a bit better.All of this because of our dog.Unbelievable.Where to next,I have no idea.The company i work for are great,even buying me a Roho rubber air filled specialized seat for the forklift i drive.What happens next.Any ideas.Thanks for listening. Kevin.

Welcome Kevin,
So sorry the dog gotcha! You are on a good start Gabapentin is one of the common medicines to help with pain while you get treatment. Physiotherapy is one of the things to try early on. If it is muscle related and not PNE you have a chance at loosening up any tightness. They can sometimes give you a better idea of what is wrong. There is a list of PTs off the homepage as well as FAQs about what to do and not do. Glad you have a roho that has allowed me to continue working after my PNE surgery. Best of luck.
Janet

Hi Kevin

Another next step may be that your doctor refers you on to Pain Management. I was told 900mg Gabapentin was the first effective dose - pain consultant took me up to 2400mg (800 x3 a day) to see if that made any difference to the pain, which it didn't so i came back down. I would say take care operating a forklift truck if you go to a higher level - i was struggling to recall simple things on high doses. Your wife will know more than i do about this.

A combination of Amitriptyline and Gabapentin is said to be more effective.

Rosemary

Hi Kevin,
I'm so sorry to hear about your predicament, especially as you must sit to work. I was interested in your mention of the ACC (I am also from NZ): did a medic in NZ confirm your pudendal nerve injury, and was this diagnosis accepted by the Corporation as related to the accident involving your dog?
All the best, Stephanie

Hi Kevin,

Welcome to the forum. My suggestion would be to contact Peter Dornan who is listed under the Australian PT's on our website and see if he knows therapists who treat people with PN in New Zealand. Since your problem started with an injury it seems important to try PT as Janet said just to make sure there isn't a musculoskeletal component to what is causing your pain. Have you had an MRI to rule out any spinal injury or abnormality?

Violet