Ask Your Doctor About Vasectomy Side Effects

I wish someone would have told me to ask my doctor about vasectomy side effects. I'd been curious about his response. The more I read on the forum, the more I'm understanding how urologists don't typically warn their patients about PVPS before the procedure. It seems that would be something the patient would want to know about.

I'm not sure if I would have changed my mind, but at least I would have known about it beforehand. Some how, that makes it seem better. We all want to make intelligent decisions and we rely on the experts to help us with those decisions.

Next time you go for a physical or check up, ask your doc if they've ever heard of PVPS. It will be the rare doc who is familiar with it I'm sure.

Anyway, my wife and I were together last night - YEA!! That was about 5 days after my last E.J. I have to say, the pain has been better since my EJ and this morning, I feel pretty good. I do not have pain during sex, thank goodness. There are some on the forum who report pain, which I find unimaginable. The bad thing is my wife is back on the pill after a 10 year lay off. But a small price to pay I guess in comparison to the pain that many men and women have from surgical interventions like vasectomy or hysterectomy.

I just have a little pain when I sit in a scrunched over position in this dreaded computer chair. Otherwise, not much to report. Thank God. I hope I'm in another long cycle of no pain. I can only pray that is the case. God bless you for reading this blog and I pray you don't have to experience the pain many of us face. If you are undecided about having a vasectomy, then read some of these blogs or read on the forum. You'll quickly come to a good decision you can live with.

...if it aint broke, don't fix it.

Back From Traveling

I'm back from my trip to the pacific NW. The flight wasn't terrible and I didn't experience much pain. That doesn't mean I didn't have my usual sensations and weird feelings down there. My left side felt like it was being squeezed from time to time and I'd get a little bit of nervey pain every once in a while on that left side. But rest and changing my positions seemed to help.

My right side continues to not hurt. I did have one instance yesterday where it hurt for a second or two, but I'm now over 2 weeks of no significant pain on the right side. Answer to prayer for sure. Now if we could just get that left side from feeling like it's in a vice.

This is the last week in our house before we move out and travel to Washington state to start our life over, sort of speak. Neither of us have jobs lined up. We're just moving and trusting God that He'll provide a way for us. This kind of goes against my style, but time to turn the reigns over to the creator of the universe, you know what I mean?

There are a couple of PVPS docs up that way, one in Portland and another in British Columbia. There used to be one in Seattle, but it sounds like he's semi-retired and not taking new patients. We'll see how it all works out.

I've hired moving truck loaders and unloaders so I won't have to do any moving work, except for driving the truck across country. But, someone from my old church is going to drive with me! Another answer to prayer for sure. I can't imagine making that drive all by myself - all 2400 miles, with car in tow.

Until next time.

Vasectomy Pain

I can't imagine people actually think that vasectomy pain is imagined. Again, it goes to people who do not have the pain syndrome thinking they are the only example of what happens after a vasectomy. Well, I'm here to tell you, there are tons of people who have vasectomy pain.

For some reason, people search 'vasectomy pain 2011'. I'm not sure what they're looking for, but they end up reading my blog. I'm amazed at how many people end up on my blog after searching something to do with 'vasectomy pain'. That should tell everyone right there, that it's not in our heads. We're not making this thing up. The pain is real.

After about a full week of being pain free, I've had little twinges lately. I think it's because I've been a little less active and sitting down at the computer more. I believe sitting places an undo amount of pressure on the nerves which increases their irritation levels. It's amazing how most everyone feels better after a good night's sleep, but then quickly notes the return of pain after driving to work and sitting behind a desk.

So if you're wondering if vasectomy pain is real. It certainly is. Don't let anyone tell you that it's in your head. If your doctor won't help you, then find one who will. You're not alone. Check out the forum link. There is a tremendous amount of information there and people who are willing to stand beside you while you battle this thing.

Working Harder and Feeling Better

If anyone thinks that messing with your scrotum with a surgery is a safe and understood practice, I've got a personal experience that will throw you a monkey wrench. I had my vasectomy and then I started having problems. Every six months, I'd have epididymitis. Then in became everyday and I started having epididymitis on the other side.

So I have a vasectomy reversal and took it easy for a few months while I recovered. Then I start having horrible nerve pain in my inguinal area about 1 month after my reversal. I also had a lengthy period of substantial swelling. I took a medicine called rapaflo and it helped the nerve pain. Why? Nobody knows. I stopped taking the medicine and the pain returned. In fact, it returned with a vengence.

The pain was so bad, I was literally, sprawled out on the kitchen table crying and screaming because the pain was so horrible. I took some major pain medication and started wearing an athletic supporter. Why, I don't know. It just seemed like a good idea.

Now, we're trying to sell our house so we can move. I've had to do a lot of hard work, i.e.: lifting boxes, laying down sod, painting, moving furniture, etc. You'd think the pain would get worse, but it has actually improved.

I can't explain it. But here's what I've learned so far. Recovering from a vasectomy or reversal or any other type of surgery down there can be a frustrating to deal with. In fact, frustrating isn't even the right word. Helpless is probably a better description.

I know I haven't blogged in a couple of days, since my computer is in storage. I'm currently at the library typing this. Basically though, I feel better. I'm working harder around the house. I still have the occassional weird sensation down there, but nothing that hurts for very long or has any teeth. I thank God for where I am today. I just pray it will continue to improve.

I can't explain it. Not sure the smartest doctors can explain it. Bottom line - don't mess with your stuff down there. It's just not worth it.

Horrible Pain

Yesterday was terrible. I got home from church and started having this right inguinal pain again. But this time something was different. The pain didn't just ache. It also wasn't just a flash of nerve pain then lasted a few seconds and went away. This pain was becoming stronger in intensity. It felt like someone was twisting my vas deference with pliars and not letting go.

I would rate the pain a 7 on a 1-10 scale. It did not respond to tylenol or ibuprofen. I thought I might have needed a release because my wife and I had not been together after flirting around with each other a lot the night before. So in the shower I went, thinking that might help. It was painful in the lead up, but then I felt better - briefly. I took a very hot bath afterwards for about 10 minutes. However, nothing  seemed to help. I laid down in bed for about 2 hours, fell asleep. The nap was very restless as I felt I was about to have a real bad case of nerve pain.

Once I stood up, the pain started again. As the evening progressed, I found myself with increasing pain intensity. Finally, around 7:30 it peaked. I was actually crying and screaming because it was so painful. I wish I were joking here, but I'm not. It was one of the worst nights of my life. It felt like something was moving through my vas deference, akin to passing a kidney stone. Not that I've ever had a stone before, but something wasn't/isn't right. I had a bit of swelling on my right side, but now this morning, it seems to look like it has the last couple of months.

I finally had to take some of my post-surgical pain medicine to get some relief. I went to bed wondering how the night would go. I woke up this morning feeling okay. Okay that was, until I stood up. When I got out of bed, I felt the inguinal ache again. Not as bad as yesterday, but it's there. Then I bent my head downward to see if there was any swelling in the region and that made my inguinal pain worse.

So as long as I stand perfectly straight or lay down, I'm good. But if I bend over or look down, the inguinal pain intensifies. I think I'll be calling the doc for some advice.

Might it be my old inguinal hernia repair failing?
Is my vas becoming obstructed?
Is this some crazy new nerve pain?

I don't know the answers. I'm going to ask the people on the forum and see if they have any answers. I'll touch base later if I find out anything.


I finally had to take my post-op pain medicine to get some relief. But before I could take that medicine, I went through a literally "gut-wrenching" 5 minutes.

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 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.

Helpful People on the Forum

Yesterday evening was a better day than Sunday. I had a constant ache on the left side of my scrotum. My left teste structure is once again crescent shaped and it seems like when that happens, it is hurting. It could always be crescent shaped, but this is a very exaggerated shape, almost banana-like. Interestingly, my right side didn't really hurt at all.

Well, I took it easy yesterday - or at least I thought I was. We had some rain the night before which makes it very easy to pull weeds. Simply reach down and pull them out with no straining whatsoever. But I found out that the innocent act of stooping and bending causes testicular pain. I promise, I had no idea that would hurt, but it did. Even without straining. So I stopped at the first sign of pain and came back indoors.

Later in the evening, I spoke to one of the support group wives about our insurance challenges. She was very insightful and gave us some great advice regarding how to appeal the denied claim. I can't express to her and her husband how thankful I am for their input and help. She strongly believes that God works in the lives of us humans, as I do. Perhaps I'll blog about that some time soon, because my faith is such a huge part of this and any other part of my life.

After speaking to her, my wife and I had a very nice conversation about this situation. Anyone close to our situation will tell you this has been hard on my wife. Not because she convinced me to get the vasectomy, but rather, she just hates to see me in pain and there's nothing she can do about it. She feels helpless. She's also concerned that this loss in activity is going to kill me. You see, I also have cardiomyopathy which means my heart is weaker than it should be. I've been taking a med for this for a few years now and my cardiac stress tests all look normal. But since I haven't been able to be active since last August, she's concerned that my heart isn't getting the exercise it should and thus might become weak again.

I do get short of breath with just a little bit of activity, but I keep telling myself that it's more of a function of being out of shape, rather than my heart acting up. I do get chest pains, but I'm not sure those are cardiac related.

Anyway, I think I've decided to get expert advice about my situation. There is a PVPS doctor in Houston, which is only about 5 hours away. I think I'll find out more about him and then have him check me out. I'm just not confident that my uro is experienced enough with my type of syndrome to be any more help.

I really think I need another ultra-sound of my scrotum to check out the change in anatomy and to address the crescent shaped testicle. I also want to discuss options to control the nerve pain, so I can get a little more active, for my heart health. I spoke to my wife and she supports me on this next step. But now, we have to get ready for Tennessee - we leave tomorrow and it's a 12 hour drive (yikes!). That's a lot of sitting!

There won't be much journaling in the next several days until we get back. I pray we have a comfortable and productive trip.