pudendal nerve entrapment

[cmermier]

I have been recently diagnosed with pudendal nerve entrapment. It is very painful and the only solutions I have been given by doctors is to stop cycling altogether for some unknown amount of time, and to take neurontin (an anti-seizure druf that helps with nerve pain). I have not ridden for 3 weeks, and the pain remains. Upon researching this condition, it seems somewhat common in long distance cyclists, and 2/3rds of cases are women, according to one source.

Anyone ever dealt with this issue,and/or have any suggestions to help me get back on the bike? Thanks

[mimitabby]

sounds like a fancy name for bad saddle fit syndrome.

Have you tried different saddles ? have you been professionally fit to your bike?

I'm sorry to hear this.

[cmermier]

Thanks for the reply. I've had 2 professional fits, tried many saddles, ride with 2 pair of bike shorts, have 2 different bikes with different saddales and have have deep bruises on my ischial bones anyway- this is different though - it's an intense burning pain in the groin area that is constant....

[makbike]

Have you considered a recumbent?

[cmermier]

I am very resistant to a recumbent. I just want to ride my regular bikes. I feel like it is already dangerous enough riding a little higher up here in a big city, but down low seems suicidal (sorry to those who ride recumbants). Also, when I have ridden a recumbant stationary bike, I have been very uncomfortable- it seems to cause me low back pain....

[KnottedYet]

Can you get to a Pelvic Floor physical therapist? There are treatments for pudendal nerve entrapment, and they don't require you to quit cycling.

Google Pelvic Floor Therapist, Pelvic Pain Therapist, and Incontinence Therapist in your area. Not that this causes incontinece, but most PTs who have advanced training in incontinence will also know how to treat pudendal nerve problems.

If that doesn't prove fruitful, try contacting the folks at this website and ask for a list of their trainees: www.pelvicrehab.com

It would certainly help if the pelvic floor therapist you find is also a cyclist! (we are out there, just gotta find us!)

[cmermier]

Hello all- An update on this condition...someone replied that it sounded like a fancy name for a bad bike fit. It is the end of Jan., 2008. I have not ridden my bike since mid-September and am still in excruciating pain. I am taking several medications for nerve pain and have had one steroid injection with no relief. There are several Pelvic Pain centers throughout the country that help women (and some men) with this condition. It is real and not a fancy name for anything.

If you have chronic pain in the perenial area, don't write it off as just saddle sores as I did. I hope that someday I can ride again, but right now just sitting is painful. As background, I increased my mileage from 125-150 miles/week to close to 200 miles/week. I also lost weight during this time. These things may have been the staw that broke the camels back (so to speak) that made this nerve become inflamed. Be careful out there and have fun.