Depression... My story

[Bobby]

Well I went to the neurologist... $40 I'll never see again. He said he doesn't deal with problems that are related to the pudendal nerve unless the issue lies in my lower spinal region, which I know it doesn't. My issue is directly related to wearing a cup (jock strap) when I used to play football. I can feel the pain in my scrotal region, it gets very sensitive when I smoke or drink (alcohol, coffee, soda, ect) and causes pain throughout my lower body. my symptoms have been dramatically lessening since ive stopped my partying and weightlifting, in fact I am going to return to work much sooner, maybe even next week. That way I will be able to afford treatment. I unfortunately can't have an MRI done... When I was younger I was shot with a led pellet in the face and the pellet now rests next to my optical nerve behind my left eye so if I were to have an MRI the pellet may just come ripping through my face and that would probably suck. So that makes things much more difficult... I am almost 90% sure the problem is in the scrotal area as that is where the damage would be done from wearing a cup. In any case my discomfort is going dormant I believe... Although my pelvic floor mucsle still seems to be giving me trouble but I am hoping physical therapy will be able to fix that. Sitting only seems to hurt or bring on symptoms when my scrotal area is inflamed from bad habits so I guess I will have to put aside fun until I am able to hopefully get this permanently fixed. I'll keep you guys informed but it probably won't be until like February next year until I am going to be able to afford Dr. Jordan in Santa Monica... Maybe not though, maybe January. I still miss my ex but I am a little better now that I'm feeling "normal" again. I use that term very loosely lol.

Sincerely,
Bobby

[helenlegs 11]

Yes I always found it annoying to say the least, when the job description didn't match what you actually got for your money.
Neurologist, neuro(n) nerve logia study of but only half of the nerves in the body? I know they are very clever people and we should be happy to pay up, just for a touch of their non healing hands, but it's almost deception!
The distinction needs to be made between central neuro people and peripheral neuro people. We need the latter but they are in short supply, at least that's my experience. Sometimes, because of their inability to admit that some areas of the body are outside of their own area of expertise, patients get diagnosed wrongly (me) as they get so stuck in their own speciality they can't see beyond it (2 neurosurgeons) or labelled bonkers (not me, yet!). I am very glad that didn't happen to you (I bet you would get sacked though Bobby if you only did half of your job!)
Very pleased to hear how much you have improved, lifestyle changes can make such a difference. I know it isn't ideal at your age but you could put your health living to good use and study instead of living it up. . . Neurologist , perhaps I will stop being facetious now.
I am very glad to know how much you have improved, well done and long may it continue. At least you do know where to come if things don't improve fully for you, we would all like to know how you get on.
Take care,
Helen

[Violet M]

Sorry about the 40 bucks, Bobby. My neurologist was a total waste of money also. Glad you are feeling better.

[emilyb]

couldn't help but read your story, and i noticed how very much alike both of ours were! instead of football, however, i sailed, but it also started for me around fourteen years of age- its very rough to have such a personal kind of pain at such a young age, so i understand the emotional trauma that comes with it entirely, especially in the dating scene
one thing i can say is, keep your chin up. i know how hard it is to conceive that there could be another person out there who could comprehend what living with chronic pain is like, especially in the inguinal region, and that being said there are a lot of romantic disappointments that are rooted in your partner's lack of understanding what it is you're going through.
but there are always diamonds in the rough, and while i was in high school i managed to find two guys who respected my problems and helped me immensely through the struggles of pudendal pain. now, at eighteen, i have been with the same boy for a year, and it amazes me everyday that i found somebody who can stand by me through this. my advice to you is pray for someone or something to be able to give you the support you need as well as the romantic affection, and i have no doubt good thing will come your way. as often as there are people who disappoint you in the world, i have found that there can be as many cases where loved ones can exceed your expectations.
and with regard to your depression, i found that talking to a cognitive psychologist helped me. I don't have depression, but i do have ptsd due to the trauma regarded to my pelvic pain, and the long term exposure therapy she guided me through has helped me to achieve a much healthier and happy mindset. i truly hope that you find the right person to talk to for you, and additionally there are many medications on the market that help- i saw earlier on this thread somebody mentioned cymbalta, and i think that could be an excellent solution as it also doubles for relief for neuropathic pain as well as functioning as an anitdepressant.
best of luck!!
Emily

[Bobby]

couldn't help but read your story, and i noticed how very much alike both of ours were! instead of football, however, i sailed, but it also started for me around fourteen years of age- its very rough to have such a personal kind of pain at such a young age, so i understand the emotional trauma that comes with it entirely, especially in the dating scene
one thing i can say is, keep your chin up. i know how hard it is to conceive that there could be another person out there who could comprehend what living with chronic pain is like, especially in the inguinal region, and that being said there are a lot of romantic disappointments that are rooted in your partner's lack of understanding what it is you're going through.
but there are always diamonds in the rough, and while i was in high school i managed to find two guys who respected my problems and helped me immensely through the struggles of pudendal pain. now, at eighteen, i have been with the same boy for a year, and it amazes me everyday that i found somebody who can stand by me through this. my advice to you is pray for someone or something to be able to give you the support you need as well as the romantic affection, and i have no doubt good thing will come your way. as often as there are people who disappoint you in the world, i have found that there can be as many cases where loved ones can exceed your expectations.
and with regard to your depression, i found that talking to a cognitive psychologist helped me. I don't have depression, but i do have ptsd due to the trauma regarded to my pelvic pain, and the long term exposure therapy she guided me through has helped me to achieve a much healthier and happy mindset. i truly hope that you find the right person to talk to for you, and additionally there are many medications on the market that help- i saw earlier on this thread somebody mentioned cymbalta, and i think that could be an excellent solution as it also doubles for relief for neuropathic pain as well as functioning as an anitdepressant.
best of luck!!
Emily

Hey Emily, thanks for the reply. My depression has lessend and lessend the farther away I get from my break up, I suppose I am getting over it. I have scheduled an appointment with Dr. Jordan in Santa Monica but it's not until February as I need to save some money ($618). I am completely supporting myself at 22 and money is hella right now so Unfortunatly I just have to deal with the pain. I have high hopes for this appointment hoping a nerve block will cure me or at least give me months of relief. I have an appointment with my gp on Monday and am just going to beg him for some painkillers until I have my appointment with Dr. Jordan. I am finding myself less and less concerned with my love life rather stressing if I am ever going to have a normal, pain-free life again. I have great friends and family who know of my condition and look out for me and also I am grateful to have everyone here who understands what I am going through to talk too. I am actually looking at this break up as a sign that I need to get on top of this and fix it so right now I hope I don't find the right girl for me, until I am cured. Emily you seem to be handling things very well and I am happy for that. I feel as though people who deal with chronic pain are far more humbled and kind hearted that those who don't. Anyway I am remaining optimistic and do hope I can keep my spirits as high as you have yours.

[Bobby]

Just wanted to report in. Feeling progressively better with moment-to-moment relaxation as well as paradoxical relaxation of the pelvic floor muscle and daily stretches described in a book I picked up. Also seeing a physical therapist who specializes in internal and external trigger point release therapy every Friday. Cancelled nerve block appointment with Dr. Jordan, don't think I need it. PT seems to be going pretty well. Anyway wish me luck.

[Violet M]

Glad you are doing a little better, Bobby! Thanks for the update.

[BEEZIE]

Bobby,

I hope your treatments is going well. You were optimistic last time we communicated. I've had a few better days but no rea l lasting progress, at least so far.

BZ