So what would the general consensus be? Stay away from lower body cardio (almost impossible) until there is some healing? (still negligible).

*What would you guys do in my situation?*

p.s. got a message from an online Neuro saying that after 1 1/3 years if there is no improvement in sensation the effect is most likely permament. Extremely depressing but still trying to maintain hope.. If anyone else could offer examples of nerves taking longer then this I would definitely appreciate it. Would really help with my morale.

no one can answer that question until you know what is causing the problem. Glenn gave you good advice on testing and Dexter gave you good advice on trying some easy to do treatment. Id forego the exercize until i knew more.

Most of us here "baby" ourselves...in some way. Finding special shoes, getting enough sleep, avoiding stress of any kind if possible, not wearing tight clothing. Avoiding any food and alcohol that seems to make things worse. Don't lift or bend much for a while. Use a nice chair pad if you sit alot at work. ( I have a nice memory foam pad I use when on the computer for example)

If something makes you hurt or worse, avoid it. If walking is okay for you, do that instead.

Try not to think about it all... live each day in an effective way and enjoy what you can. I'd consider some counseling for you to help you accept "what is your reality" for you now. This can lessen stress for you, and help you heal what you can, and accept what you cannot.

The body has wonderful restorative powers. Make sure you are providing nutrients for healing, and let nature take its course.

Ok, thanks for the replies.

I have found somewhat of a solution to the exercise thing and that is swimming with a lower body floaty while only using my upper body while doing breast strokes. Also may try a rowing machine. These both cause minor minor irritation so I might drop them altogether maybe not.

I will try and setup an appt for an MRN as well as an MRI of the lumbar/sacral spine areas. Also will try and tackal the pudendal area. Glenn, can all these areas be taken care of with one MRI?

And Mrs D. heres what Im taking right now supplement wise, please let me know what you think:

-Magnesium 400mg
-ALA+ALC
-EFA's through flax oil 2/day
-Sam-e
-5mg b12 empty stomach (as much as possible)
-regular b-complex

Anything else you would add?

Thanks for the list:

Is that magnesium OXIDE? Please look at your label. If it is you need another form. Oxide is not absorbed into the body and remains in the colon and is a laxative there.

I don't see Vit D.... you really need a test to see where you are with this. It is a HUGE issue, with most of the US testing very low. Your minimum goal is 50 at test results.

I have one other suggestion, when the ALA (alpha lipoic acid) is gone, replace it with r-lipoic. The latter is far better and more potent at lower doses. 100-200mg a day would be your target of r-lipoic.

Stay away from sugar and high glycemic carbs.

The fact that changing swimming style, changes your discomfort really points to a mechanical back problem, IMO.

Mag is aspartate.

I take the ALA becuase it comes in a combo pill with ALC due to my limitied $. I may try and look into RLA. How much *ALA* would you reccommend for healing?

In terms of swimming it doesnt completely eliminate it but I believe the excessive movement of my lags while paddling was definitely causing irritation to whatever pelvic/genital nerve that was damaged..

Most of the studies used 600mg a day or more of ALA.(alpha lipoic acid) ALA is 1/2 inert and that inert portion doesn't work. The r-lipoic is the concentrated active portion of ALA. R-lipoic is newer, improved. It is not that expensive either.

Most combo products with ALA and carnitine have much lower milligrams of both.

Look up iherb.com for savings.

Mrs D. I bought R-lipoic. How much would you reccomend I take? 100-300mg?
Thanks.

I'd start at 100mg a day. Some people get jived up by it, and if you are one of those, starting slowly is a good idea.

Ideally 200mg a day should take care of you if you are going to respond. You can raise that 100mg a day to 200 after you see how you react to it.

I use 100mg a day myself.

Took 200 and along with 300 of ALA and I got a small headache. Definitely does "jive" you up as well....

Will try 100. WOuld you reccomend taking ala w/ r-la? Im doing both because my ALA comes with the ALC Im taking...