Health Organization for Pudendal Education

Hi

Glad to find this forum and web site. I have been suffering for about 10 months with a low level aching which comes and goes and effects the perenium and surrounding areas. I also get a constant sore feeling in the anus area which is worse when sitting. I gave had blood, urine, ultra sound of testicles, anus examination etc and everything is normal. I am getting no help from my GPs who see to be guessing at the problem. Last time I visited the GP they subscribed an Anti Depressant called Amitriptyline hydrochloride. Which I refuse to take as I don't want to get hooked on any anti depressants.

The only cognition that seems to fit my symptoms is PNE.

Wondering what my next course of action should be??

Please check out the faqs on the home page for a list of steps to take. One is going to a PN PT which can be found off the home page. Another would be medicine and actually you GP was in the right place since anti depressants are used for nerve pain although I thought just straight amitriptylene so not sure about the hydrochloride. Good luck
Janet

I take Amitriptyline, it will help you, it helps most people, but not forever, you need to see a physical therapist who specializes in internal trigger point therapy. Also you need to relax your pelvic floor, I assume it's tight, its not a symptom of your condition, it's the cause. Break the cycle and force yourself to relax it, make it a habit to always relax it and in no time you will start to involuntary relax it. You can PM me if your interested in more tips.

Hi Erazered and welcome to the forum

Sorry to hear about your pain and difficulties.

Your GP may be guessing at the problem but does seem to be making sensible guesses actually. The prescription of amitriptyline is first line treatment for neuropathic pain and lots of us with PN have found this med very helpful. If you read the NICE guidelines for treatment of neuropathic pain - here - you'll see what I mean.

This stuff is indeed an anti-depressant and has been around for a long time but these days it is widely used for pain relief of neuropathic pain, but at a very different dosage. (For depression it is around 300 mg daily, for pain relief 10 - 50 mg usually.) Also please don't worry that you'll get hooked on it, it is not addictive. With neuropathic pain, normal painkillers just do not work, so most of us are taking something like this.

I do hope that things improve soon, please let us know how you get on. Have you any idea why your pain started? Is it made worse by sitting?

Welcome Erazered,
Glad you found this forum . I would go along with the above advice altogether and definitely don't let any addiction worries colour your decisions. Getting some well targeted medication is a good starting point, but there are many other things that may help you on the home pages.
Take care
Helen