Embarrasing Health issue

Bolex

Hi I'm putting this out there if anyone had similar issues

Background

Been cycling for nearly 2 years and am 37 years old I have steadily been increasing my cycling to approx 55 miles a week from the recent summer to Christmas 2018 when I started having the following problems

In November I started to get left sided testicle pain which I felt after cycling I wondered if this may have been variocle related due to a prominent vein on my testis but it would go within an hour of cycling and i bought an athletic strap first mistake as it stopped the pain but just in the middle of January this year I finished a 17 mile evening ride in the cold and when I took my bib trousers off my penis was very painful and numb obviously this scared me and I stopped using the athletic support a week later and in hindsight I wondered whether pain may have been chatting as I had lost a stone in weight and bib trousers fit had changed I tried to go on a 20 mile ride the next week and was unable to sit for long due to the pain I was getting in my penis the pain with extreme urges to urinate whilst cycling even after the ride seemed the pain seemed to linger even standing or sitting I then when for a bike saddle assessment and was told I was not putting any excess pressure where it should not be and had some minor adjustments made I have a servo saddle with cutout but was advised middle nose has lost slight bounce in internal padding when compressed and was recommended a ism performance long saddle but the cost of 140 pound was funds I did not have . I have seen two doctors I do not have a urinary tract infection the first told me that the pain may be a result of a irritaton to a calcaneal nerve in my heel which happened just few weeks before this all started but then calmed down and I was advised the c3 nerve from the heel runs to the penis and could be linked the second doctor suggested that this seemed unlikely and had never heard of it before he said from my symptoms of no penile discharge and pain in penis made worse when bladder full with repeated urgency that it was cycling related prostatitus inflammation and was advised not to cycle but he was perplexed because he said my cycling was not excessive but may have to give up. On top of all this I have slight coccyx pain and the months leading up to all this I had very slight pain on urination.Interestingly I have had an anal fissure for the last three years which causes daily spasms as the body tried to stop blood loss when defecating and I have had a recent Botox two weeks ago to paralye the muscle to he!p relax the area the surgeon said he could see no link between the two when I advised him what had been going on prior to having a Botox . Obviously it is not something you would obviously discuss with other cyclists due to embarrassment. My research also bought up pudential neurologia or cyclist alcocks syndrome which can be caused by repeated trauma from cycling to the nerve and some research signifies the cutouts in saddles make matters worse as pressure is forces elswhere?? All I know is that I had pain after a recent bike ride and not been the same since and am seriously considering giving up

PhilipPirrip

Hello.

You've only posted 7 posts over the past 2 years. We're not unsympathetic but we have trolls on this forum and we know who they are.

Can you prove yourself a true cycling fan?

Bolex

Yes I ride a aluminium Scott 30 speedster road bike and last year rode the sportive Norfolk tour de broads. 25 mile and 50 mile routes in April and August respectively .my resting heart rate is 57 beats per minute so I am relatively fit .

cougie

Can you post a picture of your bike so we can see how your position is set up ?

Cheeseface22

Do you have or had recurring low back pain, sciatica?

Research cauda equina syndrome (doesn't exactly match your complaint, but something to rule out).

C3 is up in your neck area. Completely irrelevant. Also, your foot issue is unlikely related, but possibly as a consequence of your on-going symptoms. You might have misunderstood C3 with S3 nerve, which comes out of sacrum (closer to your coccyx). S3 is associated with sensation and muscle activation around the groin area, including bladder and penis control.

As cougie mentioned, perhaps it might be related to how you're sitting on the saddle and how your back is positioned. Longer the ride, longer the compression (if that's the culprit) or some sort of nerve irritation, thus your symptom on your penis.

If I were you, I'd stop cycling until you're given a clear diagnosis and effective treatment. If you must cycle, then I'd keep it short and do the distance you know you can stay asymptomatic.

Any pain or numbness in groin area is a red flag so take it seriously.

Take care of yourself.

OnTheRopes

Bolex - Your name is quite appropriate for your problem really

Ben6899

Please tell me the docs examined you properly and ruled out anything sinister.

Wayne Plunger

Have you tried massaging the area?

pinno

Ben6899 wrote:

Please tell me the docs examined you properly and ruled out anything sinister.

This ^. Don't muck around - go and get a diagnosis.

However, I ride with cut out saddles. Without which. I would probably be riding far less, so don't discard the idea until you have tried it.

Bolex

Hi I'm starting to think I may have developed cyclist syndrome

http://www.pudendalhope.info/node/34 see link

Ben6899

If that's the case, why not try a saddle like the Selle Italia SLR Superflow?

bonzo_banana

Stinging nettles are excellent for urinary health and reducing the size of the prostate. There is good science behind it and it's not difficult to find a free source of nettles here in the UK. Just a matter of taking some scissors, protective gloves and a plastic bag with you on your travels. Can just be mixed in a with a smoothie. Start off with a high concentration for a couple of months and then perhaps reduce to once a week after that.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... ng+nettles

Pross

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Stinging nettles are excellent for urinary health and reducing the size of the prostate. There is good science behind it and it's not difficult to find a free source of nettles here in the UK. Just a matter of taking some scissors, protective gloves and a plastic bag with you on your travels. Can just be mixed in a with a smoothie. Start off with a high concentration for a couple of months and then perhaps reduce to once a week after that.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... ng+nettles

Thought you were suggesting using them to line your shorts at first :shock:

bonzo_banana

Pross wrote:

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Stinging nettles are excellent for urinary health and reducing the size of the prostate. There is good science behind it and it's not difficult to find a free source of nettles here in the UK. Just a matter of taking some scissors, protective gloves and a plastic bag with you on your travels. Can just be mixed in a with a smoothie. Start off with a high concentration for a couple of months and then perhaps reduce to once a week after that.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... ng+nettles

Thought you were suggesting using them to line your shorts at first :shock:

I can see why you went there especially if I hadn't put the youtube link in.

pinno

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Pross wrote:

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Stinging nettles are excellent for urinary health and reducing the size of the prostate. There is good science behind it and it's not difficult to find a free source of nettles here in the UK. Just a matter of taking some scissors, protective gloves and a plastic bag with you on your travels. Can just be mixed in a with a smoothie. Start off with a high concentration for a couple of months and then perhaps reduce to once a week after that.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... ng+nettles

Thought you were suggesting using them to line your shorts at first :shock:

I can see why you went there especially if I hadn't put the youtube link in.

It's funny what people's initial thoughts are. Especially seen as it was Pross.

stueys

Pinno wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

Please tell me the docs examined you properly and ruled out anything sinister.

This ^. Don't muck around - go and get a diagnosis.

However, I ride with cut out saddles. Without which. I would probably be riding far less, so don't discard the idea until you have tried it.

This for sure, go and see an expert.

For me, I always ride with a cutout saddle and I'd recommend a bike fit. It doesn't take much to be out to put pressure in a place you really don't want it.

jgsi

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Stinging nettles are excellent for urinary health and reducing the size of the prostate. There is good science behind it and it's not difficult to find a free source of nettles here in the UK. Just a matter of taking some scissors, protective gloves and a plastic bag with you on your travels. Can just be mixed in a with a smoothie. Start off with a high concentration for a couple of months and then perhaps reduce to once a week after that.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... ng+nettles

Anyone who suspects enlarged prostrate ( and the symptoms are pretty damned obvious), go see your GP who may will refer you.
If it is something or nothing then you can go on a nettle hunt at your leisure.
Yes, I personally do have a diagnosis and the repeat prescription to go with it for a year.
Funnily enough, my consultant failed to mention nettle soup.

Wayne Plunger

Deleted by mod.

pinno

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Deleted by mod

You'll have to elaborate.

bonzo_banana

JGSI wrote:

Bonzo Banana wrote:

Stinging nettles are excellent for urinary health and reducing the size of the prostate. There is good science behind it and it's not difficult to find a free source of nettles here in the UK. Just a matter of taking some scissors, protective gloves and a plastic bag with you on your travels. Can just be mixed in a with a smoothie. Start off with a high concentration for a couple of months and then perhaps reduce to once a week after that.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... ng+nettles

Anyone who suspects enlarged prostrate ( and the symptoms are pretty damned obvious), go see your GP who may will refer you.
If it is something or nothing then you can go on a nettle hunt at your leisure.
Yes, I personally do have a diagnosis and the repeat prescription to go with it for a year.
Funnily enough, my consultant failed to mention nettle soup.

It's well researched to be beneficial to those with an enlarged prostate or those of an age who may start to get one, it's not a don't have or have scenario the prostate can enlarge over time and only when it reaches a certain size creates symptoms. Nettles have lots of health benefits and nutritional value. Obviously it's not a substitute for prescribed medication for a full on medical condition but I personally don't think its benefits should be overlooked, many medical conditions can be improved or even cured by the right diet.

https://prostate.net/articles/stinging- ... -treatment

pinno

I suppose the equivalent terminology in Guatemala wasn't offensive?

Was this empirical research, is it documented?

Frank Wilson, MD. Who would have thought?

pinno

Were Wellington boots involved?

Wayne Plunger

Pinno wrote:

Were Wellington boots involved?

Don't really understand your last couple of posts to be honest.

Bolex

After extensive exhaustive research ! After speaking to experts in the medical world from different specialists has led me to the conclusion that bike saddles cutout or not are putting your nerves and circulation at risk !due to unnatural pressure so down the line be it years or decades you are going to have issues !in the same way my father who has been driving buses for thirty years now has developed permanent pain in his hands when going to pick something up due to nerve damage from steering .Some of this is defined my genetics build etc other cobormities however for example diabetes .recumbant cycles are definitely the way to go from my rsearch as the human anatomy of the sacrum is designed for pressure to be redistributed over the entire sacrum and not in any one point and the recumbant allows this equal distribution in the same way as sitting on a recliner chair at home. One point saddle .cutouts may sound ideal but all they do is position pressure elsewhere. As human beings we are not designed for sitting down for long periods of time period on any type of chair!! which is why we develop pressure sores more seen in the elderly and immobile chair bound Bedbound patients as subcutaneous tissues are first compressed leading to redness non blanching that if left with no pressure relief will ulcerate leading to cavities that can do to the depth of seeing visable bone in cases where a person has sat in a chair for days on end without moving there are four grades of pressure sores and pressure relief is essential all the equipment in the world is not going to prevent that I'm not saying here cyclists are going to develop extensive pressure damage from cycling because the hours one spends on the saddle will not do it unless you stayed in a saddle for days on end without getting off at all which is highly unlikely however there will be damage which is unseen due to the unatural pressures places on the tissues arteries and nerves occuring bit by bit over days months and years .I have therefore decided to sell the bike and look at recumbants problem is finding one !!many thanks for all the replies

thistle_

Only just seen this thread....

I think it was last year I was getting lots of pain in one boll0ck. After previously ignoring problems down there and suffering the consequences I MTFU and went to the doctor who was also concerned when I told him.
I got sent for an ultrasound by two lovely lady nurses (which isn't as nice as it sounds) and they found varicose veins. Nothing serious but just needs keeping tabs on, and they did some other tests to make sure nothing else was wrong. The pain mostly went away by itself after a few months.

I also started getting numbness in that area and in one leg after 20 miles on my commute home (no issues on commute to work) but always on the same section of road. I found that lowering my saddle 5mm, less padded shorts and avoiding that particular section of road helped.

A recumbent is one solution, but don't totally write off an upright bike yet as you might just have one that is the wrong size and you need to experiment a bit. I trust you're aware of the n+1 rule?

pinno

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Were Wellington boots involved?

Don't really understand your last couple of posts to be honest.

You don't really understand much really, do you?

#openturkeyshoot

Wayne Plunger

Pinno wrote:

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Were Wellington boots involved?

Don't really understand your last couple of posts to be honest.

You don't really understand much really, do you?

#openturkeyshoot

Perhaps more than you think.

pinno

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Were Wellington boots involved?

Don't really understand your last couple of posts to be honest.

You don't really understand much really, do you?

#openturkeyshoot

Perhaps more than you think.

Unfortunately, you cannot go back an edit your insulting, foul mouthed post as it has been quoted.
So that horse has well and truly bolted.
How long you will last in this particular guise will probably be dependent on what time the admin log on on Monday morning. Guaranteed, someone has flagged it.

Ciao bella.

Wayne Plunger

Pinno wrote:

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Were Wellington boots involved?

Don't really understand your last couple of posts to be honest.

You don't really understand much really, do you?

#openturkeyshoot

Perhaps more than you think.

Unfortunately, you cannot go back an edit your insulting, foul mouthed post as it has been quoted.
So that horse has well and truly bolted.
How long you will last in this particular guise will probably be dependent on what time the admin log on on Monday morning. Guaranteed, someone has flagged it.

Ciao bella.

Really no idea what you are going on about "this particular guise". I contributed to a thread with some real life research I had been involved with and you take it upon yourself to rip me the shreds based on your perception of who should be allowed to post.

You stay "king of the virtual world" mate I will get on with my real world life.

Wayne Plunger

Pinno wrote:

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Wayne Plunger wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Were Wellington boots involved?

Don't really understand your last couple of posts to be honest.

You don't really understand much really, do you?

#openturkeyshoot

Perhaps more than you think.

Unfortunately, you cannot go back an edit your insulting, foul mouthed post as it has been quoted.
So that horse has well and truly bolted.
How long you will last in this particular guise will probably be dependent on what time the admin log on on Monday morning. Guaranteed, someone has flagged it.

Ciao bella.

Really no idea what you are going on about "this particular guise". I contributed to a thread with some real life research I had been involved with and you take it upon yourself to rip me the shreds based on your perception of who should be allowed to post.

You stay "king of the virtual world" mate I will get on with my real world life.

Do I have to spell it out you rude, (probably autistic). homophobic cretin?

Wayne Plunger wrote:

...was much greater amongst the bummed than the bummers.

So now you think it is fine to single out and abuse people with autism. What a fine example of a bigot you are

darkhairedlord

Bolex wrote:

After extensive exhaustive research ! After speaking to experts in the medical world from different specialists has led me to the conclusion that bike saddles cutout or not are putting your nerves and circulation at risk !due to unnatural pressure so down the line be it years or decades you are going to have issues !in the same way my father who has been driving buses for thirty years now has developed permanent pain in his hands when going to pick something up due to nerve damage from steering .Some of this is defined my genetics build etc other cobormities however for example diabetes .recumbant cycles are definitely the way to go from my rsearch as the human anatomy of the sacrum is designed for pressure to be redistributed over the entire sacrum and not in any one point and the recumbant allows this equal distribution in the same way as sitting on a recliner chair at home. One point saddle .cutouts may sound ideal but all they do is position pressure elsewhere. As human beings we are not designed for sitting down for long periods of time period on any type of chair!! which is why we develop pressure sores more seen in the elderly and immobile chair bound Bedbound patients as subcutaneous tissues are first compressed leading to redness non blanching that if left with no pressure relief will ulcerate leading to cavities that can do to the depth of seeing visable bone in cases where a person has sat in a chair for days on end without moving there are four grades of pressure sores and pressure relief is essential all the equipment in the world is not going to prevent that I'm not saying here cyclists are going to develop extensive pressure damage from cycling because the hours one spends on the saddle will not do it unless you stayed in a saddle for days on end without getting off at all which is highly unlikely however there will be damage which is unseen due to the unatural pressures places on the tissues arteries and nerves occuring bit by bit over days months and years .I have therefore decided to sell the bike and look at recumbants problem is finding one !!many thanks for all the replies

You could try BMX.