Thanks Kathi,

I am only a week and a half into the pelvic floor but have to say I was surprised.

A month or so back I was up all night with pelvic pain and pain up and down my lower right side and I was in tears. I thought oh no a cyst or perhaps the endometriosis was back.

SO I went to the gyn and explained the pain. He said no way the endo was back but he felt around on the outside and tried to find the pain. He could find it but then when he was internal with the exam he pressedon a spot and I almost jumped off the table and was like yeah thats it what is it a cyst. I swear it even affected me gastro wise.

He was like nope its a very bad muscle spasm in your levator ani muscle and other muscles in the area.

Now I have a small to moderate disc bulge at L5/S1 but the doc said it does not look like there is pain from it so I ruled it out as the source of my pain.

BUt boy was I surprised that it was a muscle problem not a female problem. Although I do think the hormones aggravate the area sometimes.

But yep pelvic floor who would have thunk it.

I agree Curious....
Not all symptoms in this region need major drug therapy.

If the original poster okay's it, I think a copy of this to the
women's forum is a good idea.

Curious,

I think it is a great idea to post it under the Women's Health forum if Jess cares to have it moved over there.

Shelley,

I am glad you are having success. I will be honest, it took about a year to get this all figured out. And, yep, I have issues with L4, L5, S1 AND two fractured areas in my tailbone that are arthritic. One of the very first things my Urogyn said was that it was possible it was all being caused by nerve damage. I took this information or rather the 3 page report (testing he had done) from my Urogyn to my PM and he was in full agreement. So, it just took off from there. It is and was completely amazing to me how much it helped. Nowdays I can sit without much problem at all; every once in awhile I have a pain in the tailbone but that is to be expected. Oh, forgot to add I also had endometriosis for years...until my hysterectomy 8 years ago. So, I know that feeling too! And I keep forgetting things LOL. I also had her release the Piriformis muscle since it was causing sciatica type of pain down my left leg.

Okay, I will stop here...just saying it is very much worth a try for anyone having this type of pain.

Hi, thank you for your responses. Besides medication, I am looking into pelvic floor therapy as well. I appreciate the help. Since I am new to the forum, I didnt know where to post, but it would be great to move this to the women's issue thread.

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. Since I was new, I wasnt sure where to post my question, it would be great to move it to women's issue thread. Thank you for your help.

That's okay Jess. And, after all, your original post was about the medications. I SOMETIMES think, though not always, that Neurologists are notorious for tossing meds at you. I have a good Neurologist but there were a couple of times she wanted me to take the meds. However, when I showed her my cervical spine MRI she INSTANTLY changed her mind; needed surgery instead. Anyway, long story.

As for the Neurontin or even Lyrica. I took Neurontin for several years and just never got past the SE's. That's not to say it doesn't work. I am just too sensitive to a lot of meds. A lot of people have success with it and/or Lyrica or even others. Elavil is another med I tried. But anyway, I would try the meds just to get things calmed down and then try the PT if inclined. I really do think it is worth a try. Hang in there and I hope you can get this all addressed.

i left a link in the medication forum, so others will see it there too.

I have had PNE for almost 4 years. I contacted a dr in France who referred e to MN. The clinic is MAPS in Mnneapolis. The dr name is Antolak I think is the spelling. I had my first injection a month ago and had over half a month of pain relief. I had my second one today and am expecting good results. I will have the 3rd on in April. Believe me this has been my answer. Phone number for the clinic is 1=763-537=6000. This is best I have felt in years. MY hubby says I am like a new person. Good luck. Sandi

Good Luck to you ! That is wonderful. I am very familiar with the drs for PNE as I belong to pudendalinfo.com as well,, and was at a point last year I thought I was going to have surgery. I have my PN stemming from my pelvic floor so I have been going to physical therapy and have improved since last year. That relaxation techniques, dilators and yasmin birth control to help with the extreme burning i used to get with the period and PN and there is improvement. Still plugging along, and I also take 2700mg of Neurontin and 35 of Elavil which works for me. I wish you continued health in dealing with the PNE.
jess

Hi,
I am new to this chat. I was diagnosed with Vuvodynia October 2007 by Iowa City Vulvodynia clinic. They were no real help.
Recently I joined the NVA and they are wonderful.
I found Dr. Meltzer through them in NorthBrook Il. He found a rare yeast and helped me get rid of it. I now have neuropathic pain. He told me to find a pain clinic with a neuropathic doctor who could give me a pudental nerve block. I have had 3 so far. The first two were not given into the pudental nerve correctly. Yesterday's block got to the vulva area and has lessened the pain a little and I will have another next week.
I use an ice pack on the vulva area a lot which is annoying.
I tried neurotin before and went off of it for my hysterectomy in Feb 2008.
I am going to try amitripilyn starting at 25mg tonight and may retry neurotin later. Hope I am helpful
lbayless