What Causes Continuous Left-sided Burning And Stinging Pain At Base Of Penis?

Posted on Sat, 22 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 22 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have contnious severe burning. shooting and stinging pain in the left side base of my penis and the tip of my penis. It feels like a bee is stinging the tip of penis about 5000 times a day or more. I am a parapalegic due to a wreck from 2009 with a t12 and L1 burst fracture with conus and caudia burst. Other than being a parapalegic my health is great. I have been on every medication you can think of for this pain with no relief. I have recently had a mri. Caudial block. Radio frequency nerve abliation of the genitial femoral nerve with no relief. The pain is a 9 to 10 and it is contnious except when I go to sleep. I have had this pain for about 4 years and I do not know where else to turn. I cant take this pain every day any longer. It has got to where all I want to do is stay in bed and sleep. I have been to the Mayo Clinic. Shepherds and many other doctors and hospitals. I dont understand why i cant find a doctor who understands this problem and who can help me with this problem. This pain is about to get the best of me. Please give me some advice.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Spinal cord stimulation could help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Definitely your case is a difficult one.

Burning and stinging pain below level of injury in paraplegia is most likely induced by release of inhibition ( damage of posterior cord columns, or damage to sensory pathways ).

First I need more information about drugs you tried to control this pain. (names, doses, duration of treatments, any partial improvement)

One different invasive procedure, besides nerve block and ablation, that may help, in my opinion, is electrical spinal cord stimulation ( neurostimulation above injury level to block pain impulses from arriving to brain ).

Hope you found the answer helpful.

I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.

Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar