Pudendal Nerve Entrapment

[beth5646]

Hello all. I am a new member and am glad to have found this group. I recently (June 2010) had my 2nd successful laminectomy and at five weeks out was getting ready to go back to work, when suddenly I experienced what felt like a lightening bolt enter at the bottom of my spine, go down my right leg and out my right heel. It felt like a 10 on the pain scale. I almost passed out. I was rushed to the emergency room by ambulance, and when it was all said and done my right inner thigh, vaginal and rectal area on the right side only was completely numb--no feeling at all. I was left with urinary and fecal incontinence and unbearable pain. I was taking up to 40mg of Dilaudid and 3600mg of Gabapentin around the clock every day. Over the last four months I have been slowly getting a little bit better every day. Two weeks ago I was finally able to move back into my home and I am starting to be able to take care of myself. The incontinence Is slowly getting better also. Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? I have been passed from doctor to doctor and none of them seem to know exactly what happened. The pain management doctor I am seeing now seems to think I may have an entrapped pudendal nerve. From what I have read the prognosis is not very good for this. I can't help but think this problem is related to the laminectomy I had just 5 weeks before. Does anyone have any idea what happened?? The pain I have experienced with this has been much, much worse than either of my back surgeries. If anyone has any ideas or information about this I will greatly appreciate it.

Thanks so much.

[runagain]

Beth,

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have had a heck of a time with your back. I just wonder did they clear you for cauda equina, which means "horses tail"? Cauda equina can cause urine and fecal incontinence and numbness also.
Cauda equina syndrome is when the nerve roots at the end of your spine are compressed or paralyzed.

Also the shock through the leg is experienced by some people with severe sciatica. I get 10/10 shocks here and there but they are in my back and usually are brought on by a way I move and how much back pain I have been having. I can step forward and scream from the pain and then it usually subsides. I too take Gabapentin for sciatica and radiculopathy.

Whenever I have seen a spine doctor they have always asked me if I have any incontinence or saddle anesthesia as doctors are usually on the look out for cauda equina syndrome as it needs to be treated and is considered an emergency.

I am sure there will be other people who will stop by and say, "Hi." What tests did you have in the hospital?

Again Welcome,

Runagain

[KBear]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry for the circumstances that bring you here. I haven't experienced that pain or numbness/ tingling. I do know that there are a few on here who have and I'm sure they will pipe in soon. I've never had a laminectomy, but have read about a few others who it was working great, then all of the sudden, boom something happened and they were back in pain and required more invasive surgery. Once again, not much help, but sure the people with more experience will chime in soon. I hope you are able to find answers and some of our other members can help you out.
Best of Luck,
Kathy

[Justin]

Hi Beth,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? I have been passed from doctor to doctor and none of them seem to know exactly what happened. The pain management doctor I am seeing now seems to think I may have an entrapped pudendal nerve. From what I have read the prognosis is not very good for this. I can't help but think this problem is related to the laminectomy I had just 5 weeks before. Does anyone have any idea what happened?? The pain I have experienced with this has been much, much worse than either of my back surgeries. If anyone has any ideas or information about this I will greatly appreciate it.

I'm glad you found us. My gosh, you have been through a lot. Your symptoms lend themselves to pudendal nerve entrapment. Wikipedia is not the greatest medical source, but it provides an easy-to-read/understand article on pudendal nerve entrapment. Here's the link --> click here.

Dr. Aaron Filler's (a neurosurgeon) website has a great page about Pudendal Nerve Entrapment Syndrome.

I hope the above helps. Please keep us posted on your progress, as we do care.

[beth5646]

Hi everyone
Thank you all for your replies. I am trying so hard to get better. My short term disability from work runs out at the first of the year. I have to go back to work by then or I will go on long term disability and my position at work will not be held for me. I am a clinical pharmacist and sit at a computer 8 hours a day. This job was such a blessing after my first back surgery because it left me unable to stand for any period of time so I was no longer able to stand behind a counter and dispense medication. There is a possibility I may be able to work from home. I must figure out a way to go back to work. I am single and have a mortgage and a car payment etc and it is just me. I am really so scared about this. Who ever heard of not being able to sit down??? Sorry to be so whiny--I just don't have anyone to talk to about all this. Thanks for listening.

[Justin]

Hi Beth,

You're not being whiny at all. You have a lot on your plate and you have legitimate concerns. Is there a way to adjust your work station so that you can sit and stand when needed? They do make adjustable tables that move up and down with ease.

My heart goes out to you. Reading stories like yours truly break my heart. The "hurry up and heal" society that we live in doesn't really allow any "wiggle room" for prolonged recoveries.

Who ever heard of not being able to sit down???

Yes, I've spoken to many Spine Patients that are "unable" to sit down. I do believe we have a couple that post here at SPS.

I do hope that your company can find a way for you to work from home until you are able to return to work. Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Vanessa]

Hi Beth

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such a horrible time right now I can tell you from present pain, I understand how much the pain shooting down your leg can hurt. My pain is normally a 9/10 on a daily basis. Before my surgery, I had temporary tingling and numbness on my right side leg, but it did subside after injections and then eventually surgery. My doctors did make sure that I did not have any more serious issues such as cauda equina.

As far as sitting down, I'm one of those people on here that has a hard time sitting down. I can do limited walking, sitting and standing before my leg starts feeling like your pouring lava down it. I understand your work circumstances as well, since I am now unable to return to the field I love. I really hope they are able to help you through this and work with you on your limitations.

I hope you get to feeling better, and like Justin said earlier, we are all here for you

Vanessa

[Cindylou]

Beth, my heart goes out to you as well. You have really been having a rough go of it. I also hope you can get this resolved in a timely fashion so you can return to a life of independent living. I wish you only the best. Hang in there,

Cindylou

[Paulette]

Beth,
I just read your history on what appears to be pudendal nerve entrapment. I had the almost the exact same symptoms after having a scoliosis surgery. Right after surgery, I had numbness in the rt. saddle area, but no problems with incontinence. A couple of months later, I had the electricity down the leg you mentioned. After that, I developed pain in the ishial tuberosity when sitting. No one was concerned with cauda equina. I don't know why. I have come to the conclusion that i have piriformis syndrome and pudendal nerve entrapment. One might be causing the other. on Monday, I am going to have a pudendal nerve hydrodissection. I hope it helps. Where are you in your recovery?

[kitmcdowall]

If you want lots of good info on Pudendal Nerve Entrapment, go to the TIPNA site and read the forums. I have had 2 pudendal release surgeries. Your situation does NOT sound like pudendal stuff. I suspect you are right in guessing it is related to your last surgery.