Wondering if my symptoms are PN or PNE or could it be PFD?

[Ashley2486]

In Jan I had a missed miscarriage. I had to have a d&c. Not sure if that is what caused this, because I also fell outside my house on ice about a month after the d&C. That's when I started noticing the really weird symptoms. It started out with frequent urination and a mysterious soreness around the opening of my vagina...doctors can see the sore, raw area as they describe, but no infection is present...the urinating symptoms were I would not drink much of anything and would have to pee like every 15-20 minutes. It was a constant urgency and a burning feeling almost. It would come and go. I also started noticing issues going number two. I have pain with intercourse. It burns during the act, but goes away shortly after.
In the last month, I have had different symptoms. The urgency to urinate has gone, but now it's almost like I cant even feel when I have a full bladder, if that makes sense. I also notice that I dont have the movement or sensation in my vagina on the left side. I also now have been experiencing pain when sitting. Its not terrible pain, but it gets uncomfortable. When I sit, that side of my vagina burns but gets numb I believe. I also feel pain in my tailbone area. It's more like a muscle pain to me. I really dont know how to explain it. When I go number two, it hurts every time. It feels like I pushed out a really hard one even though its soft and shouldnt hurt. The pain subsides shortly after going to the bathroom. I am scheduled to go to my gyno tomorrow and hopefully start figuring out what is going on with me. These symptoms are really starting to get to me. I feel like I cannot go to the bathroom normally, or have a normal sex life. It is really ruining my self-esteem. My husband has been great through all this, but I feel so bad. I just want to know whats wrong and how to get my life back if that is even possible at this point....

[stephanies]

Ashley,

I am sorry you suffered a miscarriage followed by a bad fall. My problems began after a really hard fall down icy steps. I have often described it as so hard that I felt my teeth rattle when I hit the ground. You may want to ask your obgyn for a referral to a pelvic physical therapist. The therapist can check your muscles and your alignment and this can hopefully give you some information about what may be causing your pain.

Sincerely,
Stephanies

[Ashley2486]

Thanks for the response. I am going to see what my gyno says tomorrow and see if he can refer me to a good physical therapist who might know what is going on with me. I am not in horrible pain, but it's definitely uncomfortable to sit during the day at work. It also really hurts to have a bowel movement, whether my poo is soft or not. I have never experienced anything like this and I am very worried and scared. I hope it is something that can be resolved.
I will keep you posted if I get a diagnoses.

[Violet M]

Given the history of your fall and other symptoms, including numbness, it might be important for you to have an MRI to rule out any impingements on the spinal nerve roots. Has your physician ordered an MRI yet? Some doctors want the whole lumbosacral, lumbosacral plexus, and pelvic area imaged. You might want to browse through the MRI/MRN section of the forum to educate yourself on the different types of MRI's available so you can get the right imaging done the first time around.

Violet

[Ashley2486]

Violet,
I did have an MRI done but I don't know if it was the right one. It was of my lower back because when these weird symptoms started, I was afraid I had cauda equina. Would that type of MRI show anything in the pelvic area that may be contributing to my symptoms? Like the nerve being impinged?

[Ashley2486]

I noticed the pain is going away when I sit, but I can feel pain in my hip while I sit. I am wondering if something is off with my hip alignment that could be contributing to my issues. Would a physical therapist be able to recognize this and possible help it?

[stephanies]

Yes, a physical therapist would be able to evaluate your hips.

[Violet M]

Violet,
I did have an MRI done but I don't know if it was the right one. It was of my lower back because when these weird symptoms started, I was afraid I had cauda equina. Would that type of MRI show anything in the pelvic area that may be contributing to my symptoms? Like the nerve being impinged?

Not necessarily. I actually never had a pelvic MRI so I'm not sure how important it is compared to the lumbosacral and lumbosacral plexus MRI. Some of the PNE surgeons don't put a lot of stock into MRI's showing PNE. It's important to have the spinal area checked for any radiculopathies though.

Since you have hip pain, you might want to have a look at Lernica's most recent posts regarding femoroacetabular impingements or labral tears and ask your PT about that possibility. If you think that might fit your situation you could go to an ortho surgeon who specializes in FAI's and acetabular labral tears because they can cause hip pain as well as pelvic pain.

Violet