Is this nerve pain?

R

r.dove123

New member
Hi, my question is, I have chronic back pain, low back pain and I am having pain to where it hurts when I sit. I don't see anything there, but it's mostly on my left side. I thought maybe it was Irritable Bowel but I don't think IBS would hurt to sit. It almost feels like its burning a bit. Can this be nerve pain way down there? If so, what would cause that?
 
I did look this up...I'm not sure because what I described I guess can fall into some different catagories here. I have had IBS for years off and on, I suffer from low back pain (chronic) which can cause symptoms so, I really can't differenciate one from the other. Nothing really stands out for me to say...yep..it's this ya know?? Have you had Pudendal Neuralgia? Is this a fatal disease eventually??? I couldn't find that much info on it. I thought it stated that it was a rare thing so that's why I asked if this was a dangerous disease. I also couldn't find how they diagnosed this problem whether it was through bloodwork or what have you. Thanks for tip...wish I knew more about it though.:dizzy:
 
Sounds like it very well could be sciatica...especially if you are experiencing chronic low back pain. Have you been to a spine doctor yet? With sciatica, it could be a variety of things causing it...such as a herniated or bulging disc, spinal stenosis, a vertebral slippage, way too many possibilities to list. You should really go see a spine specialist and have an MRI done on the lumbar spine to find out what is really causing the nerve pain.

Just thought of something else that it could possibly be...since it's butt pain - piriformis syndrome. Your piriformis muscle is in your butt, and it lies directly on the sciatic nerve that also runs through your butt. When this muscle gets inflamed or spasms, it will irritate the sciatic nerve producing a burning, stabbing sensation in the butt...and is particularly prominent while sitting. Just something else you could look into. Although, that really wouldn't address your back pain.
 
What you are describing is nerve pain. I live with it. There are meds that can be given that will calm it down amazingly quickly. The way that you know it's nerve pain is that your regular meds don't touch it. THat is you take pain meds, and you still have that burning sensation. That's nerve pain. NOthing exotic about it, just plain old nerve pain.... :)
 
does sound like nerve pain if it's burning. you should try to find a very recommended massage therapist, a lot of times it's muscle constricting the nerve...
 
I don't take meds too much. Is there anything dangerous about nerve pain? Can it lead to something fatal?? I just don't know that much about it. One of the posters mentioned "Pudendal Neuralgia". Is that what you have? If so, can you tell me more about it? How did you get diagnosed with nerve pain and did they specifically tell you what kind of nerve pain or where it was stemming from or was it more like a process of elimination?
 
Continuous, untreated nerve pain can result in permanent nerve damage. Not a fatal condition (as far as I know), but certainly not a pleasant one to live with. There are several tests that can be done to detect nerve damage - one is a nerve conduction test...the other is an EMG test. Many times, they are done together in order to exclude or detect muscle conditions.

I saw in another post of yours, where you mentioned bladder pain - are you having bladder issues along with this nerve pain? When the bladder and/or bowels are affected, that is a condition known as Cauda Equina Syndrome. CES is caused by an extreme nerve compression in the lower spinal canal and it requires immediate medical attention because if left untreated it can lead to permanent loss of bladder/bowel control.
 
I wonder if IBS could contribute to nerve pain like from straining or something?? It feels like the pain runs on the one side and even goes on the outside of the groin/vaginal area?? I just don't know if my back is the cause of the pain or the IBS...
 
Hi and thanks for all the info! I read where you said it gets worse and worse and over the last couple of days, the pain seems to be getting better. I did try to see if I could see anything down in that area and I can feel it, I just can't see anything. Right now the pain is one sided and it's around the lining of the vaginal area. Not a big area of pain but it almost looks like it a vein that is hurting but again, I don't "see" anything. It doesn't hurt to sit as much now and the IBS I think is under control. Now with that being said, I really haven't eaten a whole lot the past couple of days because this discomfort that I am experiencing with the added IBS was just too much. I couldn't figure out where it was stemming from. so, at least the IBS has pretty much gone and the other pain is still there somewhat so, I don't know what to think. I would hate to go to the GYN because if I can't see anything they will probably tell me to change soaps or something ya know?? Anyway, I will keep your info in the back of my mind and you're right, most Dr's don't know what that is. I am finding out that Family Dr's are very simple Dr's and have a basic diagnosis guideline or they send you to someone else. By the way...what are you doing to make you fell better? Does it ever go away??
 
Just a thought, i have a condition called pudendal neuralgia. Without a better description of your pain and the area it involves it's hard to say. Do a search on pudendal neuralgia and see if it fits the description. I'd be interested to know.
 
Not really bladder pain...maybe I said that wrongly. I do have IBS and I think that's what's been going on too however, I have noticed that a vein around one side of the vaginal area does hurt or is tender a bit, so I guess my question is, if a vein actually is tender (not painful so much now) can that be due to nerve pain? I do have the lower back pain and my spine is tender at times right in the middle as low as you can get. Hubby rubs it as it hurts so good thinking that he is loosening up whatever in that area but now I am wondering if his intense rubbing is actually irritating something because the next day, it is really sore but I figured it was because he loosened up something that was tight or knotted but now, like I siad, I'm not so sure. Any thoughts??
 
My nerve pain will probably live with me the rest of my life due to my broken back. Your nerve pain will probably subside as whatever was causing the nerve to be pinched against the spinal column to reduce it's swelling and then the nerve isn't irritated any more. Nerve pain isn't fatal, it's painful and irritating, but that's about it. Doctors run specialized tests to determine nerve damage when you start have long continous bouts of nerve pain. They aren't real pleasant, but the tests determine if there is damage to the nerves. The medicines that doctors prescribe for nerve pain differ from regular pain meds in that pain meds don't touch nerve pain. Meds that are prescribed for nerve pain are meds that have been developed for seizures-such as Topomax, Neurontin, Lyrica, just to name a few. These meds will stop nerve pain. But if your pain is subsiding,you are on the mend.

I read what nscrbug wrote and I wouldn't be concerned about CES much. That is a rare condition that occurs with people who have had major surgeries or extensive injuries to their spinal area. You are no way that serious. Some folks jump the gun a bit.

You asked what I do to get better. I am in PT twice a week, use the hot tub, and take meds and a muscle relaxer daily. This regimine, plus staying warm, helps me get through the day. And seeing that I work full time, I need to make sure that I can get through the day. You might try a warm bath and see if that doesn't help some.
 
Hi again, Pudendal Neuralgia is rarely diagnosed by your regular Gyn because they just haven't been taught anything about it, they've never heard of it, not their fault. The pain does come and go, sometimes it just goes away and never comes back. I would have it very mildly for weeks and then it would come back worse than ever, it made sitting impossible. I've had 1 treatment which was an injection of anaesthetic into the nerve through the vagina. This was done in hospital under general anaesthetic, I have been relatively pain free but am having a mild flare up at the moment. The nerve can be being compressed which is called Pudendal Nerve Neuralgia. Fortunately that's what I have. Or it can be entrapped which is called PNE, much worse. Only a doctor who specialises in this condition can diagnose it, that's what makes it so frustrating. You can't see anything down there but it can be tender to touch. If it becomes troubling again, I would advise you to see you Gyn and ask him about PN. Hopefully he will be willing to do some research. The Professor described it to me as the same as carpel tunnel only it's the Pudendal nerve.
 
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