Back pain and genital numbness

[wildaboutanimals]

I have had a slipped disc since I was about 16.  I have two children, one 2 1/2 and the other 9 months.  Recently when I was vacuuming I felt something move in my back on the left side and pain.  When this happened I felt like there was some kind of pressure on my lower back/spine area.  I did experience pain, but not a lot of pain.  During the process of trying to deal with my back problem when I would attempt to bend over, I would feel something move in my lower back and on the left and right side.  The pain would also radiate in the middle and the sides as well.  I would have pain in my legs, but I would not describe it as needle pricking pain.  It felt more like sharp muscle pains.  It would shoot from my back, into my butt, then my legs.  Sometimes, I would just get the pain in my legs.  The pain I experience in my legs is the same as the back pain.  

Before my back went out, I was experiencing genital numbness.  I am numb, from the top, the clitoris, all the way to the vagina.  Also, my vaginal wall was numb.  When I would orgasm, I would not feel my muscle inside contract.  Instead I would feel the orgasm sensation in my clitoris.  All of my muscles work down there, as my husband says he can feel me orgasming, but I do not feel it.  My other muscles work, urinary and bowel muscles. Before the genital numbness started, in the middle of the night my foot fell asleep.  It fell fully asleep where it felt like I did not have a foot at all.  Once I moved it around it started tingling and the feeling came back.  This happened twice.

Since my back has been getting better, it seems at times I have a tiny bit of feeling come back in my genital region, then go away.  I am not sure if this is in my head or what.  I am even unsure if all of this is related or not.  I do have a Gyno appointment and a doctor appoint for my back on friday.  

Has anyone experienced this before?  Was it my disc that went out?  or was it something else?  Is the genital numbness related to my back?

Jennifer

[coping753]

Hi Jennifer,
I have experienced what you are going through all too well.  In 2005 my L5/L6 ruptured and I had an emergency laminectomy.  The day of the rupture I had foot drop and numbness below my waist.  After the surgery I was told I had Cauda Equina Syndrome and it involves pressure on the nerves in the cauda equina region of the back.  Unfortunately these nerves control the bowel/bladder/ and genital areas.  I had neurogenic bowel and bladder for about 2 months and then my bladder function returned.  My bowel still has reduced sphincter tone and my genital region is still numb.  I experience what''s called a phantom orgasm  My partner states he knows when I reach climax but I can't feel anything like before my surgery.  I would strongly advise you to go to the doctor- a neurosurgeon and get an MRI to see exactly what happened.  THe longer you wait the more damaging the outcome.  Good Luck,
Coping with the New Me.

[Barb732]

I have had numbness in the pelvic area due to nerve pain and lower spine injuries. Sounds like maybe you turned and something went out of wack. I myself do not recommend any surgery unless you have tried all options and have gone to the best doctors in a very well known hospital or large city area.

I wouldn't even think surgery until you try massages and natural things first. Can't hurt.

Physical Therapy had not helped me in fact it hurt me because they pushed me too much and too fast. Find a place if you must that will listen to you or walk out. You are the only one who knows your body!

Try everything that is safe first. Try massages faithfully and go to a chiropractor that is highly recommended. See your GYN to see what they think.

Good Luck!