Saturday and All's Well, So Far

I just dropped the kids off at their uncle and aunt's house so my wife and I can get the last projects done today. Nothing strenuous, just replacing a light and some electrical outlets. I had a great night's sleep. I really feel rested now. I still have that right inguinal ache but much less intense than earlier this week. My left side feels "normal". I did have some nerve pain at the tip of my "johnson". I haven't had that for a long time. It only lasted about 2 minutes. But it was an uncomfortable 2 minutes.

Still debating over whether I should try the 4 mg rapaflo or just take tylenol every couple of days. They both provide the same thing, which is nerve pain relief. However, one positive side effect of the rapaflo is a stronger erection. Not sure if that's the best way to describe it, but it seemed more like when I was in my twenties. Since my vasectomy it is guessed that I can a comcommitant reduction in my testosterone levels. As a result, my erections have been less than desirable. Lots of men with PVPS describe decreased libido, performance and not coincidentally, testosterone. But while I was on the rapaflo, it was like my honeymoon 17 years ago. No problems. So maybe I will call the uro and get the script - wink!

Well, I guess I better get back to work. Outlets to change out you know.

Where I am Mentally

I had some amount of pain on my right side yesterday. But it was like an overused muscle ache in that same right inguinal area. Luckily, the ache has been confined to the inguinal area, but it had its moments yesterday and I eventually had to sit back in the recliner for a while. That seemed to help. I'm going to try to sit down less today. See if being on my feet more helps. Left side is its normal self. I get this occassional "full" feeling in my left scrotum, but it doesn't last. I did have one 5 second episode of nerve pain, but that was it.

I really feel like I'm ready to go back on the rapaflo, but at a lower dose. I want to see if I have the same pain relief, but without all the other side effects (lightheadedness, palpitations, etc.). I guess it's that or I can take tylenol or ibuprofen every day or so. I haven't quite figured out which is the lesser of two evils.

My five month reversal anniversay is coming up in three days. I'm wondering if my reversal will take. I'm hopeful it will. But I know it may occlude and become obstructed. I try not to think about that too much though. After all I've been through this year, I just don't want to think about the possible negative outcome. I really feel like I've done what I was supposed to do regarding my epididymitis.

Meanwhile, today has started okay. But, I haven't really done much yet. I'm having the kids pack their toys and stuff in boxes now and getting de-cluttered for our potential house sale and move. So I'll see what the rest of the day brings.

Just Marking Time

Today is about the same as yesterday. I've noticed that tylenol gives me about a 48 hour window of improvement. The same is true with an E.J., on my right side anyway. However, my right side is bucking that previous trend. I'm still having this right inguinal ache. I'm starting to wonder if it is related to my reversal or my inguinal hernia repair I had when I was 23 years old. Of course, it would be coincidental for that to start hurting at the same time of my reversal nerve pain.

So here I sit, doing about the same. I may call my uro up in about a week and see if I can get a 4 mg sample of the rapaflo. I really didn't like the way 8 mgs made me feel, cardiovascular wise. The decrease in pelvic pain was good, but the rest, not so much. But maybe a 4 mg dose will have less side effects and still give me the pain relief I had with 8 mgs.

Or maybe, I'll continue to improve and not need any of it by next week. Progress for me can really be measured in months, rather than days or weeks. If I look back to my recovery at post-op month number 1, 2, 3, 4 and now 5, I can say the pain has been less by each monthly anniversary. However, it's still annoying because I want to see immediate improvement. It's like comparing a second hand to an hour hand as they both sweep around a clockface. One is immediately noticeable, while the other isn't.

Left side feels okay today. I did some stretching last night along with very, and I mean VERY, light duty abdominal/leg exercises. Most people wouldn't even consider what I did as exercises. I learned my lesson from before though. I need to ease into things. So I'll do them again tonight and hopefully repeat them for a few weeks before I even think about advancing in them. I'll keep you posted.

Bothersome Right Inguinal Pain

Today has been okay. I feel pretty normal except for this bothersome right inguinal pain. It doesn't radiate into my scrotum, although it does refer directly under by belly on the right side. It's a mix of nerve/congestion-like pain combined with muscle pain. Like I did too many sit ups or took the stairs when I should have taken the elevator. Every once in a while, I get a little knifing-like pain, but it's not too intense. Nothing I think I need to take pain medicine for.

Meanwhile, I had to take a trip to the store to buy more condoms. Did you know Kroger keeps them under lock and key? You have to get a pharmacist to open the cabinet so you can buy them. Isn't that crazy? So in an effort to keep everything on the DL, I went to Tom Thumb instead.

We'll see if I actually get the chance to use them this week. :) If my wife and I do get together, I've noticed a trend. My right side feels better but my left side starts to ache. That lasts about 3 days, then my left side starts feeling better, but my right side starts to ache.

PVPS is the craziest thing. I still haven't decided if I want to go back on the rapaflo. I might try the 4 mg strength, especially if I'm going to be having this right sided inguinal pain. Maybe it is something I can take for a couple of weeks, then stop, then start back up again. I'm not sure what that would do to my body, generally speaking - it being an alpha blocker and all.

But right now, I might just grab a tylenol as I slept pretty badly these last two nights. I think it might have something to do with the pain.

Will Insurance Pay for Vasectomy Reversal

Will insurance pay for vasectomy reversal? That's a good question. In my case, I think this is what happened. The insurance company told me "no", but because of my pain, they would have to look at from medical necessity. Apparently, the insurance company should have told me they don't pay for reversals regardless of the reason. But because I was given a letter of eligibility and every representative told me they'd pay, the insurance company eventually decided to honor what they told me. Even though, what they told me was incorrect.

So does insurance pay for vasectomy reversal? Not if it's for infertility. Now if it's for post vasectomy pain, you might have a case. However, if the reps say there is a medical necessity clause in your health plan, get something from the insurance carrier in writing, stating they'll pay for it.

Okay, the last 24 hours have been decent without the rapaflo. My left side has the usual post-E.J. ache, my right side feels pretty good. I'm still have little sensations on my right side that radiate into my abdomen. I've had those for as long as I can remember. I think I'm not noticing them as much though.

It's kind of like my back pain. When I first had it, it hurt real bad, every day. Now, 10 years later, I have to really do something before I notice it. Hopefully, my nerve pain will turn into that. Well, that's it. I just wanted to talk a little bit more about the question of will insurance pay for vasectomy reversal.

Disappointment

The last 24 hours have been very disappointing. Since my last post, the ache on my right side has become more intense. It even was keeping me awake last night. I just couldn't get comfortable. Nothing like the sharp knifing pain, but rather just that ever present, almost tingling sensation radiating into my right lower abdomen, right about where my belt would be. Meanwhile, my left side was bothersome as well. It felt like the old spermatocele was pushing on stuff again on the left, causing that racking sensation.

Could this be a result of my recent sexual activity with my wife? Could it be present because I'm no longer taking rapaflo? I think it's more related to the rapaflo and that is why I'm so disappointed. I was really hoping my improvement with the rapaflo was just coincidental. After all, I had noticed the swelling in my scrotum continue to decrease in the last couple of weeks. I actually looked normal down there. Not perfectly normal, just more normal.

Today, my right side is all bumpy again and I can make out definite landmarks, like the epididymous, scar tissue from the reversal, etc. I'm going to give it another several days though, before I become 100% convinced I need to go back on the rapaflo. We'll see how today goes, but I think it's going to be like yesterday. Which means, I won't feel like doing anything active for fear of hurting myself. However, I will try to go for a light walk around the neighborhood and then do some stretching afterwards.

The vasectomy side effects really plays games with your head. You feel good one minute, then like crap the next. You're afraid to do anything out of fear. Even sex with your wife can become a mind game, because you might hurt yourself or she may be thinking she might hurt you. That's a less than ideal way to share your love together, always worrying that somebody might get hurt.

I've said it a lot, but I'll say it again. Please don't have a vasectomy. It just isn't natural and chances are if you do have problems from it, they won't be minor. They will be life-changing and in MANY cases, completely debilitating.

Vasectomy Reversal Insurance Coverage

Before I tell everyone what happened with my insurance coverage for my vasectomy reversal, let me tell everyone how I'm feeling first. Last night was a decent night. I can't say I have any complaints about pain. I had various sensations yesterday, but no nerve pain and nothing so serious that it bothered me. I did notice that the sensations I did have on my right side, just below my abdomen, were constant. As a side note, I had 2 E.J.s yesterday. That makes 3 in 24 hours. That probably sets a personal record for me in the last 6 years. I'll be curious to see if that has any impact on my sensations or pain.

Also, I'm not taking the rapaflo anymore. I didn't wake up to pee last night, which is good. Hopefully, I'll feel okay without it, because I really didn't like the way it made me feel, in general. But, if I have to take it, then so be it. I'll keep you posted how I feel without it.

I'm trying to adopt the philosophy that the continuous pains I have are like when you work out too hard and have that lactic acid build up. So, if I can just trick myself into thinking that, then I think it helps me deal with it better. Now that I'm pretty much recovered from my weekend of sod, I'm going to try to get back on the treadmill. Nothing too strenuous, just get back in the habit of going to the gym and getting on the treadmill.

Okay, now about the insurance. Before I had my vasectomy reversal, I called the insurance to see if they'd cover the procedure based on medical necessity. After checking with them a total of 4 times before my reversal, I was given the clear impression that it would be covered based on medical necessity. One month after my reversal, they denied the claim. Many phone calls later I found out that the pre-reversal letter of eligibility and all the info the representatives told me was given to me in error. They told me there was nothing that could be done and I would have to appeal our employer to see if they'd cover the procedure.

I was somewhat confused, but mostly furious that they would tell me it was eligible beforehand, and then say it isn't eligible afterward. Well, for whatever reason, the insurance company called me yesterday and said they had changed their mind. They would, in fact, cover my reversal as if it were any other surgery allowed by the plan! All I can say is, "Thank you God!". We've been praying for this ever since we first discovered the claims were denied.

Interestingly, this change of mind came after our first appeal with the insurance company - after they told us there was nothing more they could do. But we really feel the Lord's hand was upon this situation. Before I had made my decision to have the reversal, I actually prayed that God would help us through the decision making process and guide us as we pursued a restorative solution to my vasectomy side effects. This is the first, maybe second, time we've really ever just turned something like this over to God, asking Him to help us. Usually, we just make decisions and hope for the best. Not surprisingly, that hasn't worked out very well for us.

We've gone from what amounted to a $50K medical bill to something much more manageable. Now don't ask me why things worked out so well in this area for us when it doesn't for others. But I really think God wants me to let the world know that He's there for them too. I think He just wants people to trust Him. I'm the first to tell anybody that I'm not sure how to do that sometimes. I don't have the answers, but I do feel compelled to write on this journal every day and let people know that Jesus is a huge part of my life. I couln't get through this PVPS thing without Him. Certainly, we wouldn't have been able to get through this insurance thing without Him. Even if they decided not to pay, my wife and I feel like it all would have worked out, some way. Maybe it would have just taken longer or maybe we would have been able to negotiate a lower bill. I don't know what that would have looked like, but the hope would still be there.

I guess this was a little preachy and I apologize for that. But I wanted to share what Jesus is doing in my life. How he's helping me get through this. How there is no other explanation for the insurance changing their minds, after our appeal and after they said there was nothing more they could do for us. It's just remarkable if you think about it. That is why I wanted to share it with whomever might read this journal entry.

Last Day of Rapaflo

I took my last rapaflo pill last night. Here are my impressions so far.

- my nerve pain was still present, although, not as frequent
- it made me a little lightheaded and may have had slight impact on my heart disease
- semen almost became non-existent (weird side effect)
- was able to have greater activity

I just don't know if it was the rapaflo or the fact that more time had passed since my surgery. I'll be curious to see what happens in these next couple of days without the rapaflo. I'm also curious about my hormone levels. I should know my test results in a couple of weeks.

Last night my wife and I got together. I don't feel any better or worse as a result. No next day pain on my left side, like I would normally have with an E.J. My right side didn't feel very "congested" before and it doesn't afterwards. So, overall, I'm encouraged by this.

Also, I woke up to pee last night. That is the first time since I've been on the rapaflo that I've woken up to urinate at night. Then I had to go again at 7:00, then at 8:30. I don't think I drank all that much last night and everytime I went to the bathroom, a lot came out. It wasn't like I had trouble emptying or anything.

Another thing, I have noticed a new pain on my right side, at the location of the surgery. It feels like something is getting tangled up in my scrotum, at the reversal site, and it's causing a racking sensation. To make it go away, I just stand up. I had that sensation about 3 weeks ago for the first time and then again just a few minutes ago, while I was sitting down, helping my daughter with her spelling words.

Yet another weird pain associated with scrotal surgery. You know, before I had my vasectomy, I had this real fear about it. Inside, I didn't want to have it done. But I let my pride get in the way of this fear. I eventually talked myself into it for the greater good (read my vasectomy story to find out what that is). I've learned to stick to my gut on these things. It seems to be right most of the time.

Annual Physical

I just got back from my annual physical. Funny, but everyone there said I looked great and was "healthy as a horse". Meanwhile, there I am taking heart medication for cardiomyopathy and having a flash of nerve pain because the examination table I was sitting on was as hard as granite.

My doc didn't seem to interested in having a conversation with me about my urology woes. He just told me to exercise more. It's like he missed the part about me being in pain every time I do physical activity. Despite this, I was able to ask him to check my hormone levels, both testosterone and DHT. Although, he did say that procedures on my testicles shouldn't impact my hormone levels.

I guess these docs just get something in their minds, and despite the growing evidence to the contrary, they just can't open their eyes to what's going on with their patients. I'm even more convinced now that we need more doctors who are either older and seen it all, and are therefore willing to listen to you - OR - are younger, fresh out of residency and are willing to take what they see at face value and try to figure it out. Those docs in-between are not my favorite.

Anyway, I've been taking the Rapaflo for almost two full weeks. I had a little nerve pain at the doc's office today. Again though, I think it's because I was sitting on what amounted to a flat rock. I also had about an hour drive in rush hour traffic (stop'n go) which never helps. But overall, I'd have to say that I have improved, pain-wise, while I have been on the Rapaflo. I'll be curious to see what happens when I stop taking it.

Outside of that shot of nerve pain at the doctor's office and a little nerve pain that lasted about 30 seconds last night, I've been feeling okay. No more manual labor for me. The big projects are pretty much all done around the house. Hopefully, things can settle down and I can start walking on the treadmill again. I really miss that activity and how it gave me confidence. I think I could use some of that confidence now.

Another Sunday

I've got two Rapaflo pills left. Then I'll see what I'm like without them. The pain hasn't been as bad as I thought, given all the sod work I did on Friday. I did take some tylenol yesterday afternoon, but not for stinging pain, just achey legs, groin and scrotum. I just didn't want to be annoyed by it and thought tylenol would help.

Thankfully not much to report today, other than a little tug just above my right groin, in my lower abdomen. I get little sensations like it's going to hurt more, but it hasn't yet. I'm thinking that's a left over from the yard work.

I have my annual physical tomorrow. I'm going to ask for a hormone test. I'm sure I'll have something to post about it then. So, here's hoping for an uneventful rest of the day, Lord willing.

Happy mothers day to all the moms out there.

Laying Down Sod

Sadly, I am forced to do manual labor today. I'm not sure how my body is going to react. It's 85 degrees and I have to put down about 40 square yards of sod. Will I be in pain tomorrow? Will I be taking tylenol or ibuprofen? I think we all know the answer to that. But somethings can't be avoided, no matter how much you want to avoid them. Life goes on regardless of vasectomy side effects and pain.

Yesterday was a good day though and so far today, I'm feeling pretty decent. I have about 4 more days of Rapaflo left before I run out. I'll be curious to see what happens when I stop taking it. Will the daily nerve pain return? I just don't know.

However, these last 10 days or so have been welcomed. Except for some intermittent pain, I think I had the most normal 10 days since my vasectomy reversal. I've been tempted to mention the Rapaflo on the forum but don't want to post anything until I see how I do without it.

Still have lots to do, so I better get back. But before I leave, let me give you this warning. Unprotected sex is not worth the pain and suffering that many of us go through after a vasectomy, reversal, etc. Better to just leave that area alone like God intended.

If he wanted us to turn our sperm off, he would have put a switch on our navel. Condoms and the pill aren't horrible methods of birth control. Please talk to your doctor about other alternatives and leave the vasectomy talk alone. It just isn't worth risking. I can't be any clearer. Try reading the forum to see what real people are having to deal with. It will blow your mind.

Vasectomy side effects blog

This blog has been a useful tool for me. It has helped me track my symptoms and vet my ideas about vasectomy side effects. Since my vasectomy reversal for epididymitis, I have discovered that recovering takes time. I've also learned that Rapaflo seems to help a little with the daily pain and helps me to have periods of normalcy throughout the day.

However, I only have 5 Rapaflo samples left and am tempted to let them run out and see what happens. Will the constant and excruciating nerve pain return? Will each day hold its own terrifying experiences of crazy and unpredictable symptoms? I'm not sure, but I probably need to find out.

Today, I feel okay. There is a little twinge developing on my right side that migrates up into my abdomen, but again, it doesn't really hurt per se'. Rather, it feels like I did too many sit ups.

I did spend a lot of time sitting at the computer yesterday trying to get my insurance appeal letter in order. I sent it to an attorney friend of mine for his review. I think we're just about ready to start our last appeal, once he returns it with his comments. Then, it's truly in the Lord's hands. Our last appeal didn't even make it to their appeal board, because it got auto-kicked out since it had the keywords, "reversal of sterilization" in it. I thought that was the whole point of doing an appeal, but I guess they don't see it that way.

Anyway, wish us luck and say a prayer for us if you would. Until tormorrow, thanks for reading.

Vasectomy Related Pain Starting to Settle Down

I'm still taking the Rapaflo. I received word from my cardiologist that I can take this medicine. I guess that's good. I still had remnants of nerve pain from my overdone weekend yesterday. Last night, I was in a little pain while sitting down in the recliner. Usually, it doesn't hurt when I'm in the recliner, but for some reason, my left side was pretty upset with me and was giving me little sharp nerve pains. Again, nothing I needed pain medicine for. After having those 3-4 good days of no nerve pain, it was a little weird to start having nerve pain again. It brought back a lot of emotion, regret and overall self-pity about my decision to have the vasectomy in the first place.

I did have an E.J. two nights ago, which seems to really make my right side feel a lot better. However, it does seem to make my left side ache a little more. Probably has something to do with that spermatocele. Hopefully, it will go away on its own in the next month or so.

Today though, I feel pretty good. No aches or pain that I can notice, although, it's still early. I have to help the kids with their homework all day today and I'll probably be doing a lot of sitting today. It's also my wife's birthday, so here's a shout out to her.

"I love you honey, thanks for supporting me and trying to make my life easier while I suffer these vasectomy side effects. You are doing just about everything around the house because I can't do much. Thanks for going above and beyond the call of duty. You're the best. Happy birthday."

Another Day of Pain Relief With Rapaflo

Humph? Well, it's now been something like four days in a row with very little pain. I think perhaps that Rapaflo was an answer to prayer. Although, I've also had some cardiac side effects like shortness of breath and my heart has been faster than normal. Today, I've also had some chest palpitations. I'm just not sure if I can take this medicine because of the cardiomyopathy I have. It's an alpha blocker and I'm already taking Coreg, which is an alpha-beta blocker. So, I'm waiting for my cardiologist to call me and let me know. In the meantime, I'll keep taking it.

I should note that yesterday, I did notice some pulling sensations in my scrotum and had a couple moments that were uncomfortable. But again, it wasn't pain. Unless I hear from my cardiologist to the contrary, I'll keep taking Rapaflo until my samples run out. Then if the nerve pain returns, I'll know it was because of the Rapaflo.

I still wonder if my increased activity should be tempered somewhat. If I'm doing something I shouldn't be, but I don't know it because I don't have the sensation of pain to tell me...then could I be hurting myself further?

These are the crazy thoughts you have when you have to manage around the side effects of the vasectomy. So please don't have a vasectomy in the first place. It's just not worth all the stuff that goes with it, if it goes bad.

The Roller Coaster Hit a Plateau and a Prayer

Okay, if I thought I was nervous yesterday, I'm even more so today. For whatever reason, my vasectomy pain syndrome was kept at bay again. That's now over 48 hours with hardly any pain at all. A very slight twinge here and there, but that's about it.

The only thing I've done differently is I've taken this medicine called Rapaflo which is for people who have stream difficulties with their urination. I casually mentioned to my uro that I was having some dribbling issues when I went to the bathroom and that my stream wasn't what I thought it should be. He felt my anatomy was causing some challenges and gave me some samples of Rapaflo. I didn't take them because I didn't want anything to interfere with my epididymitis, plus I just didn't feel like taking another medicine, on top of everything else.

But now I've taken it for three days and coincidentally, my pain has all but disappeared. I've heard of other people taking this type of medicine and then their post vasectomy pain went away also. Not a lot of people, just 1 or 2. Anyway, I gave it a shot and so far so good. Again, it's too early to attribute my improvement to the Rapaflo, but I'll take whatever I can get.

Rapaflo is an alpha-blocker that supposedly relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder. Perhaps, my prostate muscles have been fairly bound up because of my epididymitis and swelling after my reversal surgery. I'm not really sure. I'll have to ask my uro more about it the next time I see him. Meanwhile, my pain has been all but not existent. The pain I had on my left side that I had after my e-jac has also disappeared. It also looked like, at least for a few hours the other day, that my spermatocele had shrunk in size. However, last night it looked like it always has.

Hopefully, my wife and I can get together now that my pain is a little bit better under control. There are a few guys I'll be praying for, S and A in the group. So won't you join me and asking our Lord to help those two ment out?

Lord God, please help these two guys out. They didn't ask for this pain, but they have it. Give them healing and relief of their pain. May they come to know You better as a result of these experiences. Help us all to see you better as you work in our lives. Please don't turn away from us, but continue to show us your mercy and grace during these trying times of pain and frustration. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.