sitting on one cheek damaging?

[anniepie1976]

I am wondering if the fact I sit on the same cheek all the time because of how painful it is to sit if it is nerve damaging? My butt bone area on that side is really sore and I hope I haven't contributed to nerve/muscle dysfunction? Does it put more pressure on the pudendal nerve? I'm just really curious because it's really hurting on that side.

[Kara29]

Not sure about this one, good question to ask a Doc. The Pudendal Nerve goes all over the place down there, it's not just in one spot which is why it is so hard to treat. It like a web of nerves that keep going and going. Some of us with PNE tend to favor one side of the butt than the other, kind of like a dog favors the hurt leg. It's almost automatic. I've been doing it for years, sitting more on one side (the right) and lifting myself off the left. It's like autopiolot. I don't even know I am doing it. However I have both sides of the Pudendal Nerve that are trapped so my Doc will be decompressing both sides of the PN. It just means he won't have to go back in later and do the other side. That's what I like about my Doctor.

Good Question. Maybe someone else will have something to contribute, but I would still write down that long list of questions to ask the specialists of PNE.

If you find out, let us know what they say so we can benefit from understanding it better.

Well Wishes,

Kara

[ICNDonna]

I agree with Kara. You really need to ask your doctor.

Donna

[Briza]

Ugghh, I do the same quite often esp. when the VV is flaring but don't favor one side over the other, just whatever is most comfortable. I've told my doctors about it but never have thought to ask if it could damage anything or make things worse...I do now try to remember to sit on a pillow and straight up and forward...that seems to best relieve the pressure for me and it's got to be better for my posture than slumping down or leaning to one side or the other.
This definitely sounds like a good question for your doctor...please share any info you get, as I know there are many of us here who have a hard time with finding a healthy, comfy sitting position. Best wishes! :)

[Kara29]

Lifestyle Modifications – Avoiding activities which worsen the condition is crucial (cycling, sitting, etc.). Sitting pads, especially those designed with cutouts to transmit pressure away from the perineum, can be very helpful.

Unfortunately, it will be a matter of trial and error. I found a page the devotes itslef to sitting questions but pay special note to the fact that different people may have different opinions about PNE. Just to keep in mind some of the info can be debatable (again something to talk over with your Doctor)
http://www.pudendal.info/faq/IntroductoryFAQ.htm#WhatFirst

The ICN Cushion may possibly help. Also I use a Pudendal Nerve Cushion. I have two of them, one for driving in my car and one that I use on regular hard chairs. The PNE Cushion that I use for my car is self inflatable and you can change the amount of air in it, thus changing it's firmness. Sometimes I need it to be more firm than others depending on what kind of day I am having. It also self-deflates and can be folded for storing in a purse or diaper bag, or whatever. I had to get it from Austrailia. It was around 45 Dollars not counting shipping and handling which was outrageous but well worth it in the end. The other PNE cushion came from the UK. It's just a basic donut made out of foam with a cover.


One of my Doctors suggested getting the material they use for kneeling in the garden. That way you can customize it to your size.


Jill has some info on PNE: http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/selfhelp0103.html

Again, Here's a list of North American Physicians that diagnose and treat: http://www.spuninfo.org/index_files/Page771.htm

This is also a great subject you could ask a physical therapist. You want to be ergonomically correct no matter what cushion you are using.


(Make sure you ask if they both, diagnose and treat PN/PNE because some of them only do the diagnostic part but not the decompression surgery) So you don't fly to across the country for several trips. The international physicians are listed on this page as well.

If you want more information on the cushions I use, feel free to private message me.

Hope this helps some of your concerns and gives you something to talk with your Doctors about.

Kara