Health knowledge made personal
Hi Jacob
I'm 28 and have a bulging disc at the L5 S1 (lumbosacral junction). I have been experiencing numbness down the back of my left leg all the way to my heal, I've lost my ankle reflex and also have numbness in the saddle area - half of my vagina is numb and like yourself I find it quite distressing and depressing. I'm also worried about sexual function and satisfaction so I feel your pain.
From what I've researched numbness is usally caused by nerve compression. I think your injury is probably in the L5-S1 like mine, not in the L1 region. This is where the sciatic nerve leaves the spinal cord and if you look up what areas the L5 and S1 nerves control you'll find they are the same areas where you are experiencing numbness.
Apparently if the compression is lifted off the nerve then the feeling could come back in time. I have been told though that long term compression can cause permanent nerve damage and that nerve damage (rather than nerve compression or bruising) could cause permanent numbness. But everyone is different, many thing affect recovery, one thing you have on your side is age. You're still young. The human body is amazing and can heal itself in ways not even doctors can explain sometimes.
I'm scared about permanent numbness and the effect it will have on my life, in particular my sex life too. I totally understand your worreis and concerns, I'm also depressed about my situation. At the moment all I can do is stay positive, believe that I can heal and hope that in time I will feel again. If you need someone to talk to who shares your pain feel free to contact me.
Have you asked your doctors about your numbness? If so, what do they think? I'm trying to look for studies done on nerve or numbness recovery statistics. If I find any I'll let you know.
Kind regards
Lill
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Posted by Jacob B.
Hi, I'm new here so I hope this is the right place to ask this. What I'm going to share is very personal and I hope not to be judged by it.
I was in a motorcycle accident back in April and I broke by back in the lower area (I believe L1) Ever since, I have had numbness in the saddle area. The numbness, immediately after the wreck, stretched down to my upper calves. The numbness still reaches to right above my knee(under, not on top of the legs, the tops have complete feeling). I have trouble going to the bathroom but do not need a cath.
What I'm very concerned with is sexual function. I am a 19 year old male and I feel this is very important. I can still maintain an erection, but the feeling is almost completely gone.
What I would like to know is, without sugar coating it, how likely is it that I get complete feeling back? Having being limited in those three things is very frustrating and depressing. My girlfriend of 6 months has been very patient with me and has stood loyaly by my side and it hurts not being able to do things I used to with her.
I have been healing well and they will take the rods and screws out in September, if this helps with anything. Again, please do not judge me on this because I'm very sensitive to it. I can't think of anything more, I appreciate anyone's help, and, please, only people who know what they are talking about.