Who is the best person to assess your pudendal nerve please?

[Lovetocycle76]

Hi folks,

I would like to go about getting my pudendal nerve checked out but who is the best person for the job please? Can a physical therapist do it or even a gastroenterologist or urologist do it? Does anybody know if this nerve can become irritated and inflamed by bowel movements? I'm still trying to find answers and think this is one avenue that should be explored. Thank you.

[kalecolbe12]

Yes it can get irritated with bowel movements.... You can get an MRN MRI which shows the nerve and then I'll give you a shot to see if the pain goes away and if it does that means it's your pudental nerve sometimes just the muscles and scar tissue compress the pudental nerve too though... I went to a pelvic floor physical therapist and she assessed me they're usually great at this I went for a year and a half and now I'm phasing out because I'm a lot better but I do take a muscle relaxer everyday and a small dose of gabapentin for the nerve at night... They think I have levator ani which compresses the nerves... So urogynecologist is usually is the one to order the tests for this

[Alaine1 Administrator in reply to kalecolbe12]

For males a urologist would be the equivalent of a urogynaecologist. There’s a lot of information out there about general diagnosis and treatments but not really a consensus as who is the best person to diagnose. A lot of sites do mention that a diagnosis is often made based on symptoms that are characteristic for PN and physiotherapists do get mentioned a lot as part of the management. Could always try a men’s health physiotherapist? I’ve seen a women’s health physiotherapist and think they should be part of everyone’s journey in pelvic pain. The trouble with imaging is that very often with many medical conditions a clear scan, X-ray etc doesn’t necessarily rule out a diagnosis- this is often true with pelvic pain.

[Lovetocycle76 in reply to Alaine1]

Thanks Alaine. I shall try to find somebody who specialises in male chronic pelvic pain. I don't seem to have anyone near me so will probably have to travel once lockdown ends.

[Lovetocycle76 in reply to kalecolbe12]

Thank you for the informative reply.

[Lovetocycle76 in reply to kalecolbe12]

I enquired about private MRN MRI at a private hospital near me and got a call back this morning saying they can do it but not sure of the cost. I would also need a referral letter from a consultant or my GP.

[RobertVerde]

I went to at least 8 docs until I found one that actually understood the issue - Daniel Shoskes at the Cleveland Clinic - he referred me to a PT that was really the only person that understood the issue and was able to help me. Read this book: A headache in the Pelvis. Will give you perspective. Good luck!

[Lovetocycle76 in reply to RobertVerde]

Thanks Robert.

[willemine]

Wich country do you live ?

[Lovetocycle76 in reply to willemine]

The UK.