So with my neuropathy injury in the genital area, it feels like any kind of cardio or movement with my legs (swimming, jogging, elliptical, biking,) seems to irritate the area and make the numbness worse. I am very much attached to my elliptical and swimming as it reall yhelps with depression and I dont know how I could give that up. But I much rather not make things worse. I dont know what to do and its driving me crazy.


Looking for advice from any vets out there.

Could anyone possibly chime in on their thoughts with this?

--line something in your sacral spine, where the nerve roots that give rise to the pudendal and penile nerves originate (at the S2/S3/S4 levels), may move when you do, and compress/irritate the nerves and produce symptoms.

Or, you may have compression further down the pubis--one site that is prone to this is Alcock's canal, which the pudendal nerve passes through (between the ischial spine and the bones you sit on) on the way to splitting into **** and penile branches.

Do you do a lot of sitting with bad posture? A lot of cycling? There is an entity known informally as "bicycle seat neuropathy" that involves pudendal nerve compression:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/91896-overview

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11531032

And, have you had imaging studies of the pelvis/pudendal area?

John....,
I'd seriously consider what Glenn has to say.
Don't know of anyone on this BB that could
offer better advice.

glenn thanks for the feedback.

I try not to do much cardio that involves using my lower body. I try to stick to swimming while using a hind flotation device and just using my upper body.

I do sit for good periods of time and I guess my posture isnt great so I will try and improve that.

Whats frustrating is that the situation seems to keep getting worse. Even the most feather light touch stimulation of any place on the genital makes the numbness worse and doesnt come back. Even getting an erection for too long seems to make things worse. It seems like my nerves are barely hanging on for life waiting for that 1 little thing to push them over the edge to die off completely. Best way I can describe it.


Could you reccomend the imaging studies I would need for the pudendal/pelvic area? MRI/CT? Would that be able to find compressed nerves?

John...

Have you had a glucose tolerance test...the long one?

Diabetic problems can show up where you are having difficulties long before the severe blood sugars are found.

Also, I don't know if you know we have a sister forum that has a "men's only forum" room, to discuss men's issues.
Your problem is complex, some physical and then there is the stress it is causing you. Perhaps some of the men over at our sister forum have some experience/insight for you?

http://forums.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41

Well, I can't speak for pain in the genital area, my PN is mainly down my legs. My only suggestion is ice. It has worked wonders for me in trying to deal with my PN and being that it's not a pill, or anything invasive, I recomment it highly. Generally if you place the ice where the pain originates and do 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for a few hours the difference can be astounding. No guarantees, but it's simple, non-invasive and the best part it's free. Wishing the best of luck to you and all of us!

Yes, I love ice too.

I wouldn't put it directed on the genital area for John tho...but on the sacral part of the back instead.

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.