Sounds to me like you didn't do port forward process properly, at least for LW. There's 3 main steps: setting up static ip, forward a port, & settings within LW.

1. Try deleting your LW Preferences folder whilst LW is closed; instructions here: Point #2 & 3 in Fixes for Limewire (sample image included at bottom of page.)

2. Go here & find your model & be sure you follow the directions carefully: http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm (& netgear's instructions on pf here but check the other 1st to be sure of the correct settings for LW.)

3. (a) Go to LW's menu bar, Tools>Options>Speed & tick disable Ultrapeer Cap. & press apply button. (b) Set both uplds & downlds to autoclear. (c) Reduce uplds to about 70-80% or more. Reduce downlds to 80 or 90%. (d) Don't use the Resume button on all incomplete files. This can have side-fx such as affect LW's connection quality. May queue your files for much much longer. This will also stress LW & your comp. If you use Resume/Find sources then just apply it to a couple or so at one time. (e) After opening LW wait 5 to 10 mins or longer before using. Let it settle down 1st. (f) Tip: Purge the Downloads Queue!

4. Get this patch: http://www.lvllord.de/?url=tools

5. Make sure you have the latest firmware for your router: http://kbserver.netgear.com/main.asp

BTW you must do the port forwarding "from" the computer you're running LW on!!! If you're running more than one LW, then you need to do a separate port forward for & "from" each of those computers & using a different port (not the same port as any of the others!)
Running more than one LW at a time however may cause some problems. One may take most of the bandwidth, & if used with resuming too many files may overcome your router.