Pudendal nerve and Interferential??

[kiffy313]

Hi
I am wondering if anyone knows if interferential stim is ok to do if you have Pudendal nerve inflammation? I have been in PT for PFD, IC, VV for about 1 year with the exception of Oct 2008 to April 2009 as my PT had to have surgery. We had tried a TENS unit, before her time off, and after resuming in April, decided I would try the EMPI IF 3 Wave stimulator with the IC protocol settings...PT and I had discussed that some of my symptoms seemed to indicate Pudendal nerve inflammation...but we really had been concentrating on the IC and Vulvar Vestib PFD...as we have been going along, it seems I am having more problems with pain rectally, and in sacral area, more on right side and right hip and down right leg...and pain like aching, throbbing, deep like something is going to fall out of my privates, or I need to "push"...I also feel like "wet" , but most times I am not...and clitoris is verrrry sensitive and painful feeling, especially on right side if even brushed against, post BM it is all worse, especially right side areas and the feeling of "burning" in bladder area and need to "push" (which I know pushing just undoes everything I am trying to help), it also just feels "raw" and sometimes "itchy" ( no yeast, no infecton-and I have had this part before with the VV/IC)...I started using the IF 3 Wave last friday, and it seems like the above symptoms are the same if not worse...also last friday, PT had to do a re-eval and internal release which always "flares" me, then we put the IF 3 on...so I don't know if it was the internal stuff got it started, and now the IF 3 is hurting...or it may help??...I see PT again in next 2 weeks, and will talk to her for sure...Just wondering if any of you have any experience. I have read some of Kara's posts, and fixing to read more...Kara if you read this, I am so sorry for all you have gone thru, I hope you are feeling better, and I want to thank you for being an inspiration and a source of info for us...:pray:
Thanks all,
Kif

[Kara29]

Kif,

Welcome to the PNE Board!:welcome:

I don't know anything about that sort of stim and how it relates to the Pudendal Nerve. Your symptoms sound so much like PNE. I would contact one of the specialists on the list which is on the "sticky" note of the beginning of this page. If you need help just let me know. I hope that the stim will make your life better and your pain will decrease as well as your symptoms. Maybe someone will come along who knows more about your particular stimulation device.

I'm here for ya! :hi:

Kara:smile tee

[kiffy313]

Thanks for the fast reply, Kara!
I guess I should have explained about the IF 3...it is similar to a TENS unit, only much stronger and the electric currents go deeper and "cross" over the areas where you place the pads that have the pain...it stands for Interferential...it has 4 leads/pads and you place them externally...it has a specific setting for IC and in my case I am placing the pads 2 on the lower abdomen and 2 on the lower back...I am just not sure that "stimulating" a nerve that may be "inflamed" is a good idea...or would it be similar to the interstim where it supposedly "breaks" the pain cycle up where it is placed...including the nerve pain/inflammation??...I know these are questions for my PT and DR...it is just such a new modality around where I live that I am the first one to try it...and my PT is the only PFD specialist for approx 400 miles...She is wonderful and so willing to work with me...we had actually tried a TENS unit before, and she suggested giving it a "longer" go...as she was not sure she wanted me to be the "guinea pig" for the IF 3 as I have a high pain tolerance and I am not very good at saying when I hurt (her words) She is right, tho...I don't know why that is and it is definitely something I need to work on! I am usually pretty strong and independent...I think all of this is just finally "wearing me down...I am just now starting to learn more about the pudendal nerve and ALL it can affect...and I am continuing to read up on what I can...I spend a lot of time in what my family and I refer to as my "office"...(restroom :toilet:)...I have to make jokes so I can have a break from the tears...I often say if there were a market for toilet seat testers...I would be rich!! Thanks again!!
Take Care,
K

[Kara29]

Kif,

I will be really interested in what they tell you! I am thinking of you and keeping you close to my heart and prayers. :angel:

Kara

[kiffy313]

Thanks Kara, for all your help, and especially the prayers...I sure need them. My PT has been out, I have left a message for her on her voice mail, and hope she will be back in tomorrow so I can get some answers..??...My pain has been pretty severe, actually I am having to take my pain meds a lot more than usual, and that is not even working much...It almost even has felt like I have another kidney stone...used to before my IC diagnosis, I could tell if it was a stone, but now...sometimes I have been so sure I had a stone, and it has been a bad flare...anyways, thanks again...and, how are you doing?
Prayers,
K