donut cushion?

[Chex]

sigh..I bought a donut cushion to try for work but it did not help. Presently I am trying a neck travel pillow but it is not helping either. the problem seems to be that my pants tighten around the area still when I sit and put pressure causing the pain. So I don't understand how such devices are helping others. I am fine on a toilet seat with no pants on or standing up. it is not suitable for me to wear a skirt and pull it up so that I can sit unencumered in that area. Maybe I am missing something with this simple thing that seems to be helping others to sit. Please any advice? I apoligize if this is a dumb question.

[PaulSa]

If in fact your pain is related to your Pudendal nerve you would need a U shaped type cushion. Not easy to find on the market but they are out there, you can try and make your own using the right type of foam for your weight and cut it in a U shape.

[konedog4]

When my pudendal nerve was particularly inflamed, I tried sitting on cut-out cushions and the tightness of my clothing on my perineum was enough to cause discomfort. I bought a boat cushion (the cheap kind with foam wafers inside), took it apart, and cut out the middle of each wafer until I had a simulated toilet seat configuration. Then, I cut the fabric in between the "U" cut-out, and sewed and taped the cut fabric around the horseshoe shape. Then I wore really loose-fitting baggy underwear and a pants size larger (waist size 2 inches larger than normal) than what I am used to. This allowed for some slack in my clothing between the horseshoe cut-out cushion, and it worked. I still limited the time I sat to a minimum. I also bought a u-shaped neck rest that is really soft. I sometimes put that on top of my custom cushion for even more perineal clearance and additional cushion. It has worked for me. I hope it might work for you too.

Jim

[Violet M]

Chex, there was a time when nothing worked for sitting and I just had to avoid it. A cheap egg-crate wheelchair cushion worked about as well as anything before I had surgery.

[donstore]

I use the IC Network cushion when I can lean back and the Togu Airgo seat cushion from UK Amazon (two inflatable bladders cut out in the middle) when I have to sit up.

Don

[birdlife]

Chex, you'll find you'll have to invest in underwear that's a couple of sizes bigger than usual, no harsh seams or tight legs. Try french knickers or even thongs (but make sure thongs are a lot bigger and are cotton, not stretch nylon!). Also if you wear tights (pantyhose) with a skirt, make sure they are a bigger size too. Some PN'ers just dont wear any underwear, Marilyn Monroe style ~ difficult when you go out to work though.
My first donut cushion (round) didnt help me much but this second one is more an elliptical shape and is my best cushion at the moment. It's memory foam too. Pity they dont make it with a bigger centre cutout though, I think that would help a lot. I even tried one of those cushioned vinyl toilet seats and put it on a chair - good for my PN and bad for my very tight hamstrings. You'll have to experiment what's best for you out of coccyx cushions, donuts, pool noodles, home-made, or the much more expensive ones online. All cushions only give a brief respite and avoiding sitting is the best way to go. Hope you find something, please post if you do! Chin up girl ..

[mom]

there is a ball chair ( at the APPLE store at their computer tables) My daughter who has PN symptoms..sat on it and the first thing she said was "I can't feel the itch"...don't know what it is about the ball but it gave her relief.....it is like 400 dollars.....there is NO other that is cmparable except this one mad by soem italian designer.. I called the store to find out who made the chair..you might look into it...don;t know if ins may cover if it is prescribed by doc..... FYI