Lack of sensitivity in male genitalia and MS

[myshoeisonfire]

So I'm going thru the process of seeing various doctors and trying to diagnose if I have MS or not...

ive got at least 15 symptoms that seems to go along with that diagnosis..

my question is, about 3 days ago, I lost all feeling / sensation in parts of the penile area...
Its got me really freaked out... I'm only 31 years old...

has anyone heard of this being MS related?
anyone else have any similar symptoms?

I really dont know what to do.. its REALLY frustrating!!
ive got an appointment with a new neurology clinic in just over a week... but I dont know if I can mentally last that long!!

here's a link to a post in another forum here that has my background info...
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/Lack-of-sensitivity--tingling--numbness-in-arms---legs/show/1614307#post_7338811

any advice, or experiences with this would be greatly appreciated!!!

[myshoeisonfire]

cool.. thanks for all the info!! its good to hear from people that have ACTUALLY had the LP done!!

The new clinic im going to seems super friendly, and the neurologist seems to have a good head on his shoulders!!

it wont be next week till I have my MRI's done.. then depending on what that comes up with, they may do the LP.  

He did the initial exam, and said that possibly there may be more than MS going on... ive got over 25 symptoms that are unexplained, and seem to line up with the MS diagnosis... but he wasnt 100% sure ms was a good fit...

this has been going on for years and is getting substantially worse at time goes on... hopefully these NEW MRI's show up something.. or as a last resort the LP shows something...  ive has 3-4 negative MRI's over the last 10 years

I also have wedged vertebra, which im sure doesn't help my mobility at all.. (I cant stand more than 3-4 minutes at a time)

but mostly the title of this post is what really has me worried... if anyone wants to send an email or whatever if they have had issues / experienced with this.. feel free! I could use some encouragement!!

the past week, and the next 2 weeks have been / are going to be hard to cope with!!

thanks all!!!

[myshoeisonfire]

uh oh!!! didnt think about google searches showing up stuff!!!! hmm I better change my username to something less identifying!!!

[kwarendorf]

Hi Dan- Any apprehension about the LP procedure was more than out weighed by my desire to find out what was going on :-) I am in the group that had absolutely no problems during or after the LP. Mine was done at about 3:00 in the afternoon. I lay on the couch that evening and went to bed. The next morning I got up and went to work. No Problems!

Kyle

[sllowe]

Belated welcome to you, DanP.

I hope you take the men up on the good advice ref. the numbness. It is something most all of us can relate to.

I had an LP also. I wasn't scared for the procedure, but do feel after having it there are a few must do's and not do's that are not always mentioned by the staff at the facility you have the procedure at. Incase you end up having one....

-  Plan on doing nothing for the days that follow the LP. i.e., no up and down steps, carrying items, bending, lifting, etc. Get some movies and park it!

- Stay super hydrated days prior, and after the LP (spinal fluid is slow to replenish itself - 2 x's daily only I think)

- Lay flat "longer" than they say - especially if you only layed for a couple hours and then sent home

- Call the doctor asap if you experience extreme pain in your head, jaw and neck (it will be nothing compared to anything you've experienced) that is not relieved by laying flat.

Thanks for joining us. Hope the docs discover what is going on with you.

[JaneK1975]

I had an LP in December of last year. The procedure was a breeze. I did get the post-LP headache, though, which was livable h-e-l-l for five days. Not very many people get the headache, but I think it's worth being forewarned about so it doesn't scare the crap out of you if you do. Also, I would recommend that (if possible) you schedule your LP such that if you have to miss a few days of work afterwards, it won't be a major issue. I couldn't have worked in the few days following mine, because I had to lay completely flat to stem the headache pain.

Many believe that ensuring you take it easy after the procedure and lay flat for at least a few hours reduces the possibility of the headache. I think ensuring you are well hydrated before and after the procedure helps as well.

Good luck and keep us posted. I'm glad to hear that you're in good spirits.

- Jane

[figuerpa]

The scariest part of the spinal tap is thinking about it. It really isn't that bad, drink plenty of fluids the day of the tap and make sure to lay flat for a day or two, only getting up when necessary.

Some people get headaches from them but I didn't get a headache or have any problems. I was really nervous about my LP but I followed directions and it went well.

My sister had a friend who got one and decided to go shopping afterwards instead of home to bed and ended up in bad shape so just be sure to follow what they say.

Also, I hear that caffiene helps too, I did not hear about it until after I had mine.

Just remember they are taking fluid from your spine and you should lay flat and hydrate to help replenish the fluids that are taken.

Good luck,
Paula

[TLC_31]

I suspect most folks here have had a spinal tap … it’s been eight years for me, and I’m not dying to relive the old times, but it wasn’t a bad experience. I was on my side, curled up with my knees to the chest. After a bee-sting feeling of a numbing shot, my neurologist went in with the long needle that I never saw. I could feel some pressure and pulling, but I don’t remember discomfort, and I remember complimenting the doctor when he was done. I lied in the cargo area of my parents’ SUV for the ride home, then relaxed in bed, but never had more than a mild headache.

I'm curious how many of your friends telling you it's a bad thing have actually had it.

To the original subject of the thread, I might have some comments but this forum comes up on Google searches and there are some things I’d rather not talk about. I probably say too much as it is.

[myshoeisonfire]

went to new neurologist today.. they seem to have a plan of attack! and they are actually friendly!!  Going to have some lab work, and more MRI imaging of brain and spine, and if all else fails a spinal fluid analysis...

hopefully something turns up!!

anyone had a spinal tap before? some friends are telling me its a bad thing...  whats the procedure like?

thanks!
-Dan

[tingletingle]

Hey Dan,

Yes, there are some pretty average symptoms with MS but this one in particular takes the cake for average. I absolutely relate to it and look forward to the day that everything feels normal again down there.

This is a sensitive subject so I'm very happy for you to message me. You will get through it though so don't lose hope.

Blessings
Alex

[HVAC]

It can be nerve issues and/or medication. I am a girl but it turned out to be medications. I was taking things for nerve pain and muscle spasms both of which were blocking sensation. Antiseizures, anti depressants, anti spasmotics, and pain killers can all be a problem. Especially with more than one medication. Timing and medications can help.

Alex

[JaneK1975]

I'm a girl, so I can't comment on penile numbness, but I can comment on genitalia numbness since I've had it before.

While I was going through the diagnostic process, I had both my feet and my genitals go numb. I called my doc because I was totally freaked out and part of me was scared they would never come back. My doc knew I was going through testing and told me, "Look. If you do have MS, numbness is about as severe as a headache, so we don't treat it". I wanted to tell him that I hoped his penis went numb someday, but I kept my cool.

The feeling in my genitals came back within a couple of weeks. My feet are still numb, however, and the numbness started in December, so I guess numbness can last for an extended period sometimes. Also, there could be something else causing the numbness, so it's good that you're going through testing. You want to figure out what's going on, and if it can be treated, you want to treat it. But unless the numbness starts progressing rapidly, I think a week's wait for an appointment shouldn't make things worse.

I know that is probably not very helpful, but I just wanted to say that I understand your frustration. You are not alone and I think it's more likely that your feeling will return than be gone forever. I don't usually like to think about penises other than my fiance's, but I will wish yours a full recovery. I understand how scary it is. Best wishes.

- Jane

[kwarendorf]

It can be a symptom of MS, to varying degrees. I have ED and some loss of sensation resulting from MS. The ED is overcome with Caverject. My loss of sensation is not complete. It just takes us a little longer to get where we're going.

Kyle