Post traumatic clitoral nerve sensitisation

[Twinny22]

Just joined this great forum this morning and really hoping someone can relate and/or offer some comfort. My nightmare started 11 weeks ago when I developed clitoral nerve sensitisation after rubbing of clitoris during intimacy caused a brief microbleed then 6 weeks of constant baseline unprovoked exposed nerve feeling in clitoris with intermittent zaps which changed to constant baseline unprovoked soreness with occasional zaps. The zaps have become less frequent but the nonstop soreness is very intense.

I am stunned that this constant pain has been caused by rubbing. One week after the incident I saw a gynaecologist who said there was no visible tissue trauma. He made no mention of nerve sensitisation, I found that out myself on chat gpt. It seems as if the nerve endings were irritated and are now hypersensitive, misfiring and refusing to calm down. I've worn loose joggers since it happened and am now terrified of any intimacy. I am post menopause, also have sensorimotor OCD so no stranger to fixating on body parts.

Chat gpt suggests that nerves in this area can take 3-6 months or longer to settle. I just know from experience my brain has latched onto the pain and I cannot differentiate between actual physical nerve irritation, sensitisation and possible TMS.

I have severe tinnitus that started after microsuction. I had a globus sensation which started after a painful nasal endoscopy which I now recognize was TMS.

This clitoral nerve pain is on another level though because tinnitus and globus are at least painless whereas I can't ignore a ln ailment which is generating pain every waking second.

I hit a real low point yesterday, 11 weeks of nonstop pain in such a delicate area is taking its toll mentally.

I would be grateful for any thoughts on whether this latest fixation is likely TMS even though the trigger was an actual injury and also any similar experiences. Thanks!

 

[Rabscuttle]

Yes this sounds 100% like TMS especially since you wear cleared by a doctor.

Post vasectomy pain syndrome was the first symptom that derailed my life and led me to the TMS world. Not exactly similar to yours but pain in a a sensitive area from an elective surgery was utterly mentally ruinous, so I can commiserate. Totally recovered from that now.

what’s your TMS knowledge like? Have you read any books, done any programs? The structured educational program on this site is a good place to start?

what’s your inner world like, how do you treat and talk to yourself. What was your emotional states like in the lead up to the generation of pain. It’s rare that we just get chronic pain out of nowhere. I obsessed about my scrotal pain post vasectomy but I was in a lot of emotional turmoil leading up to it, so my brain latched on to the pain as a distraction and I just couldn’t let it go.

take it easy on yourself, things can get better. Accept this isn’t permanent! Start meditating if you don’t already!

 

[Twinny22]

Yes this sounds 100% like TMS especially since you wear cleared by a doctor.

Post vasectomy pain syndrome was the first symptom that derailed my life and led me to the TMS world. Not exactly similar to yours but pain in a a sensitive area from an elective surgery was utterly mentally ruinous, so I can commiserate. Totally recovered from that now.

what’s your TMS knowledge like? Have you read any books, done any programs? The structured educational program on this site is a good place to start?

what’s your inner world like, how do you treat and talk to yourself. What was your emotional states like in the lead up to the generation of pain. It’s rare that we just get chronic pain out of nowhere. I obsessed about my scrotal pain post vasectomy but I was in a lot of emotional turmoil leading up to it, so my brain latched on to the pain as a distraction and I just couldn’t let it go.

take it easy on yourself, things can get better. Accept this isn’t permanent! Start meditating if you don’t already!

Yes this sounds 100% like TMS especially since you wear cleared by a doctor.

Post vasectomy pain syndrome was the first symptom that derailed my life and led me to the TMS world. Not exactly similar to yours but pain in a a sensitive area from an elective surgery was utterly mentally ruinous, so I can commiserate. Totally recovered from that now.

what’s your TMS knowledge like? Have you read any books, done any programs? The structured educational program on this site is a good place to start?

what’s your inner world like, how do you treat and talk to yourself. What was your emotional states like in the lead up to the generation of pain. It’s rare that we just get chronic pain out of nowhere. I obsessed about my scrotal pain post vasectomy but I was in a lot of emotional turmoil leading up to it, so my brain latched on to the pain as a distraction and I just couldn’t let it go.

take it easy on yourself, things can get better. Accept this isn’t permanent! Start meditating if you don’t already!

 

[Twinny22]

Thanks so much for your reply. I worry that although the gynaecologist saw no obvious tissue trauma, the fact that nerves aren't visible and I read that gynaecologists don't address the nerve aspect there is no way of knowing what effect the rubbing had on the nerves - irritated? Damaged?

Had not heard of TMS before seeing this site but I have ordered 'the way out' by Alan Gordon.

In terms of stress leading up to and post injury, my nervous system is always on high alert because I have a severely disabled son who often doesn't sleep through the night, needs constant supervision (profound autism, nonverbal, severe learning disabilities, incontinent etc) so I can never relax.

From what I have read, TMS generally moves around the body whereas my pain is firmly localised to clitoris ie site of injury and is constant at 11 weeks. Also, I thought pain generally has no trigger in TMS whereas mine started as result of injury.

I really hope it can still be classed as TMS as otherwise I fear this is my new normal.

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

From what I have read, TMS generally moves around the body whereas my pain is firmly localised to clitoris ie site of injury and is constant at 11 weeks. Also, I thought pain generally has no trigger in TMS whereas mine started as result of injury.

My pain didn't move around for the 6 years I had it and mine started with an injury also, but injuries heal. Not all TMS indicators need to be ticked for it to be TMS - I'm not saying it is TMS for sure but don't let that put you off

 

[Twinny22]

My pain didn't move around for the 6 years I had it and mine started with an injury also, but injuries heal. Not all TMS indicators need to be ticked for it to be TMS - I'm not saying it is TMS for sure but don't let that put you off

 

[Twinny22]

Ah, understood. A major source of anxiety for me is not knowing if the nerve sensitisation/irritation is a medical issue or TMS. I have found chat gpt to be more useful than the gynaecologist in explaining what might have happened to the nerves after the friction injury but obviously it is conjecture. All I can think to do is treat it as if it's neuroplastic pain. It's all I think about 24/7 and driving me nuts!

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

I have found chat gpt to be more useful than the gynaecologist in explaining what might have happened to the nerves after the friction injury but obviously it is conjecture.

I mean chat gpt is very suggestible from experience, so unless you ask it something that is absolutely false or that only has one answer (e.g. do humans have a brain? - stupid example but off the top of my head), you'll usually get the answer you're looking for based on the question (i.e. If you ask it what is wrong with you based on the symptoms, you've given it the task of finding what's causing it, so it will achieve that task regardless of whether it is correct or not or regardless of the % chance that that's what is actually happening - it has to achieve what you've asked it).

Although most doctors/medical specialists don't know about TMS, and I appreciate that this may damage trust, they are experts in finding structural issues (even if these things don't explain the pain). So the all clear from a doctor is always the best TMS evidence (and you should always have things checked).

If you need to check for nerve damage for peace of mind, then I understand that and I would do so, but your body isn't that fragile. It can handle a micro bleed and there's no reason to me why that would result in chronic nerve sensitisation (I'm not sure how beneficial this "diagnosis" is) in the absence of nerve damage. The biggest bone in your body (the femur) would heal in the time you've had these symptoms, so your body is capable of that but can't handle a microbleed? Sounds highly unlikely (in the absence of an infection) for the most evolved self-healing mechanism ever to exist (the human body).

I am stunned that this constant pain has been caused by rubbing.

Exactly - your intuition knows that this is ridiculous - but unfortunately (like we all have been) you've been unnecessarily terrified by a medical system who insist on explaining every single system based on a scary pathology. The fact that you have (had) other TMS symptoms is a massive indicator also (if you have multiple symptoms, it's more likely they are all TMS, especially if one or more have already proven to be - that doesn't mean you shouldn't have new symptoms checked, but if you've shown an ability to have TMS then it's highly likely that's what's going on for all of them).

 

[Alouqua47]

Yes, it is very likely TMS, especially if your tests keep coming back clear. My brain did the exact same thing to me. In my case, it fixated on the ulnar nerves inside my elbows, created a pathway there, and I started feeling nerve pain, like the shock of an exposed nerve. Fear kicked in, and everything got worse in a matter of months: the intermittent pain became permanent and started radiating along the entire path of the nerve.

It literally feels like an amplification of normal nerve signals, as if the brain turned up the volume in that specific part of my body. In fact, Alan Gordon explains that central sensitization works just like this: the brain creates pain by duplicating normal signals. Well, I don't know for sure, but at least in my case, it definitely seems like it.

 

[Twinny22]

I mean chat gpt is very suggestible from experience, so unless you ask it something that is absolutely false or that only has one answer (e.g. do humans have a brain? - stupid example but off the top of my head), you'll usually get the answer you're looking for based on the question (i.e. If you ask it what is wrong with you based on the symptoms, you've given it the task of finding what's causing it, so it will achieve that task regardless of whether it is correct or not or regardless of the % chance that that's what is actually happening - it has to achieve what you've asked it).

Although most doctors/medical specialists don't know about TMS, and I appreciate that this may damage trust, they are experts in finding structural issues (even if these things don't explain the pain). So the all clear from a doctor is always the best TMS evidence (and you should always have things checked).

If you need to check for nerve damage for peace of mind, then I understand that and I would do so, but your body isn't that fragile. It can handle a micro bleed and there's no reason to me why that would result in chronic nerve sensitisation (I'm not sure how beneficial this "diagnosis" is) in the absence of nerve damage. The biggest bone in your body (the femur) would heal in the time you've had these symptoms, so your body is capable of that but can't handle a microbleed? Sounds highly unlikely (in the absence of an infection) for the most evolved self-healing mechanism ever to exist (the human body).



Exactly - your intuition knows that this is ridiculous - but unfortunately (like we all have been) you've been unnecessarily terrified by a medical system who insist on explaining every single system based on a scary pathology. The fact that you have (had) other TMS symptoms is a massive indicator also (if you have multiple symptoms, it's more likely they are all TMS, especially if one or more have already proven to be - that doesn't mean you shouldn't have new symptoms checked, but if you've shown an ability to have TMS then it's highly likely that's what's going on for all of them).

 

[Twinny22]

Thanks Adam, that's a great analysis. I agree that my rational mind tells me that nerve damage is highly unlikely from rubbing and microbleed. In fact, chat gpt(!) states that nerve damage would much more likely be possible from a surgical procedure or major trauma or accident. I'm in the UK and I think the general attitude among medics here is that if the area looks normal then it's 'file closed', I doubt they would try to test the nerve and I don't know how they would do that. My dominant symptom is constant soreness almost as if there is tissue irritation or an open wound where none actually exists. It's the constant element that disturbs me although admittedly the pain does fluctuate intensity. I don't think my brain has got the memo that the clitoral area is no longer injured which is where the TMS could apply. My starting point will be Alan Gordon's book.

 

[Twinny22]

Yes, it is very likely TMS, especially if your tests keep coming back clear. My brain did the exact same thing to me. In my case, it fixated on the ulnar nerves inside my elbows, created a pathway there, and I started feeling nerve pain, like the shock of an exposed nerve. Fear kicked in, and everything got worse in a matter of months: the intermittent pain became permanent and started radiating along the entire path of the nerve.

It literally feels like an amplification of normal nerve signals, as if the brain turned up the volume in that specific part of my body. In fact, Alan Gordon explains that central sensitization works just like this: the brain creates pain by duplicating normal signals. Well, I don't know for sure, but at least in my case, it definitely seems like it.

 

[Twinny22]

Sorry you're also experiencing chronic nerve pain. In terms of tests, there doesn't seem to be an option to explore whether the clitoral nerve endings are sensitised or irritated but the quality of the pain has changed over the 11 weeks which suggests it's not a static condition. I do fall into the trap of thinking pain equals damage but it could well be a situation like yours where there was an actual minor trauma which resolved but my brain is generating lingering pain because the signal is amplified by a sensitised nervous system. I also have severe tinnitus and sensorimotor OCD which add to the overall joy of this situation....

 

[Cactusflower]

@Twinny22
Considering Tinnitus is also considered TMS and that you have OCD which is often another TMS symptom, your brain is most likely being very protective of your emotional world.
TMS may or may not move around and/or change. Consider that ChatGPT has been found to have incorrect information at times, when people use it on this forum. The way AI is designed is to collect the most recent postings (correct or not) and gather them as "information" and present that to the person searching. A great way to get a more solid understanding is to read a book by someone experienced with TMS - there are many (audio, E-book or pages). You might really enjoy Nichole Sach's books I think they might touch on some areas that could be meaningful for you. Another option is to try Alan Gordon's The Way Out which is a slightly different approach and then use the booklet one of the therapists he works with has written called the Pain Reprocessing Workbook by Vanessa Blackstone. Vanessa's booklet seems to touch a little more on emotional work than Alan Gordon's book does. Nichole Sach's book is all about the emotional side of TMS.

All you need to do is choose a method and begin, and see how you do.
We also have a free program on this website called the Structured Educational Program - that has worked for many.

Best wishes!

 

[cafe_bustelo]

Just joined this great forum this morning and really hoping someone can relate and/or offer some comfort. My nightmare started 11 weeks ago when I developed clitoral nerve sensitisation after rubbing of clitoris during intimacy caused a brief microbleed then 6 weeks of constant baseline unprovoked exposed nerve feeling in clitoris with intermittent zaps which changed to constant baseline unprovoked soreness with occasional zaps. The zaps have become less frequent but the nonstop soreness is very intense.

I am stunned that this constant pain has been caused by rubbing. One week after the incident I saw a gynaecologist who said there was no visible tissue trauma. He made no mention of nerve sensitisation, I found that out myself on chat gpt. It seems as if the nerve endings were irritated and are now hypersensitive, misfiring and refusing to calm down. I've worn loose joggers since it happened and am now terrified of any intimacy. I am post menopause, also have sensorimotor OCD so no stranger to fixating on body parts.

Chat gpt suggests that nerves in this area can take 3-6 months or longer to settle. I just know from experience my brain has latched onto the pain and I cannot differentiate between actual physical nerve irritation, sensitisation and possible TMS.

I have severe tinnitus that started after microsuction. I had a globus sensation which started after a painful nasal endoscopy which I now recognize was TMS.

This clitoral nerve pain is on another level though because tinnitus and globus are at least painless whereas I can't ignore a ln ailment which is generating pain every waking second.

I hit a real low point yesterday, 11 weeks of nonstop pain in such a delicate area is taking its toll mentally.

I would be grateful for any thoughts on whether this latest fixation is likely TMS even though the trigger was an actual injury and also any similar experiences. Thanks!

My TMS also began with trauma to a sensitive area during intimacy. I'm male, so my symptoms are different, but I was also scared for a long time about nerve damage/irritation/sensitization as I had crazy sensations and sensitive areas all throughout my pelvic region. The best way for me to reframe this has been to see it as a volume issue; basically my brain/nervous system freaked out about something being wrong in that area and turned up the volume of normal sensations to 100 (in my case clothing sensitivity was a huge trigger, which has greatly improved). It had nothing to do with any damage from the initial trauma, which probably healed within days or weeks.

I read in Steve Ozanich's book The Great Pain Deception that true nerve damage would result in not being able to feel or even use a part of your body, whereas what I and it sounds like you have experienced is the opposite: heightened sensitivity. The brain can totally do this and this is TMS. Your symptoms most likely have nothing to do with the nerves and are simply caused by your brain being in a state of fear, and as you begin this work you will gather more evidence that supports this.

To give you some more hope and encouragement: I had very strong symptoms and tried to wear the loosest clothing I could for months before beginning this work. After I started doing TMS work I was back to wearing normal clothes within weeks, and soon after returned to being intimate with my partner.

I'll echo others in saying that Chat GPT will only increase your fear by raising more medical things to be scared of that you hadn't thought of. Instead, read a Sarno book (Mindbody Prescription was my first) and start the SEP on here.

 

[Alouqua47]

Lo más probable es que tu lesión inicial no fuera la verdadera causa de tu síndrome de dolor miofascial (SDM). La única forma de que los síntomas se perpetúen es a través del estado emocional con el que reaccionaste a ellos, o debido a problemas emocionales que ya estabas experimentando antes y durante ese tiempo; tu cerebro simplemente manifestó esa sobrecarga en tu cuerpo al elegir un área para activar el dolor.

Mis síntomas aparecieron tras un largo periodo de problemas emocionales relacionados con la salud, incluyendo ataques de pánico. De hecho, fue durante uno de estos ataques cuando mi cerebro reaccionó y sensibilizó mis nervios con una sensación de frío. Con el tiempo, apareció el dolor, que se vio exacerbado por el terror que sentía hacia el síntoma en sí.

Por lo tanto, te recomiendo que mantengas la calma a pesar de las sensaciones desagradables. Sé que es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo, pero no tienes que ser perfecto. Intenta mantener tu mente ocupada con otra cosa y explora también las emociones que te hayan traído hasta aquí. Muchas personas sanan abordando el aspecto emocional, pero parte del proceso consiste en reeducar tu cerebro para que comprenda que estás a salvo y que no necesitas este dolor.

 

[Rabscuttle]

Thanks so much for your reply. I worry that although the gynaecologist saw no obvious tissue trauma, the fact that nerves aren't visible and I read that gynaecologists don't address the nerve aspect there is no way of knowing what effect the rubbing had on the nerves - irritated? Damaged?

Had not heard of TMS before seeing this site but I have ordered 'the way out' by Alan Gordon.

In terms of stress leading up to and post injury, my nervous system is always on high alert because I have a severely disabled son who often doesn't sleep through the night, needs constant supervision (profound autism, nonverbal, severe learning disabilities, incontinent etc) so I can never relax.

From what I have read, TMS generally moves around the body whereas my pain is firmly localised to clitoris ie site of injury and is constant at 11 weeks. Also, I thought pain generally has no trigger in TMS whereas mine started as result of injury.

I really hope it can still be classed as TMS as otherwise I fear this is my new normal.

I developed TMS from a vasectomy where I obsessed over the post op pain. Developed TMS from a jaw dislocation where I obsessed about the pain afterwards. Try not to be so rigid in your thinking of what can be TMS. You don’t need total belief right now. But as you put in the work your belief increases.

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

in fact, chat gpt(!) states that nerve damage would much more likely be possible from a surgical procedure or major trauma or accident.

Correct! Damage is very rare without those things.

I'm in the UK and I think the general attitude among medics here is that if the area looks normal then it's 'file closed

Same here in Australia (but I think that's most places) - whilst frustrating, it is actually a great starting point when it comes to TMS.

I don't think my brain has got the memo that the clitoral area is no longer injured which is where the TMS could apply. My starting point will be Alan Gordon's book.

You have more control over that than you think Great! That was my first TMS book - I am keen to hear your thoughts afterwards

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

I do fall into the trap of thinking pain equals damage but it could well be a situation like yours where there was an actual minor trauma which resolved but my brain is generating lingering pain because the signal is amplified by a sensitised nervous system

I would say that's highly likely!

 

[Twinny22]

@Twinny22
Considering Tinnitus is also considered TMS and that you have OCD which is often another TMS symptom, your brain is most likely being very protective of your emotional world.
TMS may or may not move around and/or change. Consider that ChatGPT has been found to have incorrect information at times, when people use it on this forum. The way AI is designed is to collect the most recent postings (correct or not) and gather them as "information" and present that to the person searching. A great way to get a more solid understanding is to read a book by someone experienced with TMS - there are many (audio, E-book or pages). You might really enjoy Nichole Sach's books I think they might touch on some areas that could be meaningful for you. Another option is to try Alan Gordon's The Way Out which is a slightly different approach and then use the booklet one of the therapists he works with has written called the Pain Reprocessing Workbook by Vanessa Blackstone. Vanessa's booklet seems to touch a little more on emotional work than Alan Gordon's book does. Nichole Sach's book is all about the emotional side of TMS.

All you need to do is choose a method and begin, and see how you do.
We also have a free program on this website called the Structured Educational Program - that has worked for many.

Best wishes!