This epididymitis continues on my right side. I've taken a couple of weeks worth of ibuprofen, mixed with some tylenol which has helped the day to day pain. However, I was hoping the swelling would go down a little bit more than it has.
Surprisingly, my wife and I have been intimate a few times since this began. I wasn't sure what would happen if I had an E.J. But, it doesn't appear to have made it worse and perhaps, it has helped a little bit (I'm not really sure, because of all the OTC pain meds I'm taking).
The real problem is when I have a day at work that involves a lot of sitting. Sitting is just a killer for me right now. Then again, so is standing for long periods of time (like when I umpired my son's 2-hr baseball game yesterday).
The pain in my scrotum definitely puts a damper on just about everything in my day. But I think I can tolerate it as long as it doesn't get any worse. Now the likelihood of it not getting worse is pretty slim, I know. But that is my approach now. If other people can live with chronic pain, then so can I. I don't like it, but what are you going to do...it's not like I have a lot of options at this point. More surgery is out of the question and I'm not taking anymore antibiotics or steroids. That just leaves prayer and living with it. Thankfully, Jesus gives me the strength and patience to do that. Again, I don't like this option, but as I said before, my options are pretty few and far between. At least this option has paid dividends and is more reliable than anything I have tried before.
So faith in a loving God and savior, along with my eternal perspective is all I have left. That should be enough for anyone.
Showing posts with label ibuprofen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ibuprofen. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Monday, December 24, 2012
Vasectomy Reversal Update - Two Year Anniversary
Merry Christmas to everyone! It has been 2 years since my vasectomy reversal. So I thought I'd provide an update as to where I am these days.
With regards to the inguinal knifing pain. I only get that pain if I have been sitting too long or have been inactive for days at a time. The pain usually registers at a 2-3 on a 1-10 pain scale (10 being intolerable). This pain is mostly bothersome, but rarely so painful that it prohibits me from doing anything. Tylenol seems to address this pain rather well.
What about the congestive or full feeling on my right side. It is hard to distinguish this pain from the knifing pain, since the knifing pain has dulled in the last year. However, the congestive pain seems more centered in my scrotum and radiates out into my inguinal area. Frequency of ejaculations (e.j.) seems to regulate this pain. It seems that if I have at least 2 e.j.'s per week, the pain doesn't ever bother me. I visualize my epididymis emptying regularly, and therefore, not allowing any build up of pressure, which causes the full sensation.
Interestingly, if my wife and I talk about plans to be intimate during the day only to have those plans fall through, I experience a significant up swell in pain. It doesn't feel like 'blue balls', but it is certainly a similar phenomenon. The knifing inguinal and congestive pain will both be present. It's like the anticipation of excitement does something at the physiologic level, which then creates the pain scenario.
The racking pain on my left side will come and go for the same reasons listed above, sitting and inactivity. Although, jumping (like when playing basketball) and lifting something over 15 pounds will cause this sensation to rear its ugly head. It king of feels like something is pushing into my scrotum, like a hernia maybe? However, I have had this checked and apparently I do not have a hernia. This pain registers the same 2-3 on a pain scale. Tylenol doesn't affect it though, only ibuprofen works.
Random burning sensations. These still come and go at random and are independent of any activity, as far as I can tell. I will get these in all areas of my nether region, from my scrotum, "johnson", inguinal area, etc. These are a little un-nerving, because they feel so weird. They range from sharp pains to burning, to spasm-like sensations to twinges. The pain can be anywhere from a 1-5 and don't really respond to pain medicine with just one exception. The johnson pain does respond to tylenol.
I find that lifestyle really makes a difference. The more active I am, the better. The more my mind is distracted, the better. As long as I remember my coping techniques and try not to behave like a 20-30 year old, I'm okay.
Independent of anything I've listed above, there does seem to be a cycle of pain. When the pain first struck, I remember having a few good days followed by a few bad. Then a week or two of good, followed by the same of bad. This cycle has progressively lengthened itself over the last two years. Most recently, I identified a cycle of good times lasting about 2 months, followed by a single bad week of pain. I am currently nearing the end of a two month good spell, so I should probably plan on something changing here pretty soon.
Lastly, I wanted to talk about what helps me. Sure tylenol and ibuprofen are good for the pain. Not sitting for long periods of time is helpful too. But the thing that helps me the most is my God. I'm sure many non-Christians are rolling their eyes at me right now. I would ask that you just hear me out.
Having this PVPS thing happen to me is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. Yet, I can see how God has used this to grow me. My outlook and perspective on life has all been sharpened as a result of this stupid syndrome. I would not be the man I am today, if it weren't for my PVPS (and I mean that in the best of ways). My faith is far stronger, my expectation that God will work in my life and the lives of others is higher, and I see how he is using this syndrome to allow me to help others; it's truly been a blessing.
Now it wasn't always like this. In fact, I had a night where I basically yelled to God (not at God) about all the bad stuff that was happening to me (PVPS). From that moment on, my pain lessened dramatically, my ability to cope magnified about 100 fold, my attitude immediately changed from victim to contentment. I'd love to say that it was all me; that I some how mustard-ed up the internal fortitude and changed everything overnight. But it wasn't me. I know the Lord worked something miraculous in my life that night. I'm not going to say he "healed me from Heaven". No, no, that would be a huge leap of faith that not even I could make. Rather, he just seemed to change me somehow.
I had been playing the victim role for so long, and that had to change or I would never be any good to God. I could no longer completely focus on myself, which is exactly what was happening. I was ignoring my wife and two young children; not to mention my community and church. I know I'm doing a poor job of explaining how the Lord God worked in my life, but read through my blog and you'll get the idea. Maybe some day I'll be able to clearly state it, but right now, I'm just so overjoyed to be where I am and feeling how I feel. I can't help but to praise my Lord and my God - especially as we celebrate the gift of his only son Jesus, who is the Christ, the one who shall save us from our sins.
So on that note, I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope you find peace and everlasting joy.
With regards to the inguinal knifing pain. I only get that pain if I have been sitting too long or have been inactive for days at a time. The pain usually registers at a 2-3 on a 1-10 pain scale (10 being intolerable). This pain is mostly bothersome, but rarely so painful that it prohibits me from doing anything. Tylenol seems to address this pain rather well.
What about the congestive or full feeling on my right side. It is hard to distinguish this pain from the knifing pain, since the knifing pain has dulled in the last year. However, the congestive pain seems more centered in my scrotum and radiates out into my inguinal area. Frequency of ejaculations (e.j.) seems to regulate this pain. It seems that if I have at least 2 e.j.'s per week, the pain doesn't ever bother me. I visualize my epididymis emptying regularly, and therefore, not allowing any build up of pressure, which causes the full sensation.
Interestingly, if my wife and I talk about plans to be intimate during the day only to have those plans fall through, I experience a significant up swell in pain. It doesn't feel like 'blue balls', but it is certainly a similar phenomenon. The knifing inguinal and congestive pain will both be present. It's like the anticipation of excitement does something at the physiologic level, which then creates the pain scenario.
The racking pain on my left side will come and go for the same reasons listed above, sitting and inactivity. Although, jumping (like when playing basketball) and lifting something over 15 pounds will cause this sensation to rear its ugly head. It king of feels like something is pushing into my scrotum, like a hernia maybe? However, I have had this checked and apparently I do not have a hernia. This pain registers the same 2-3 on a pain scale. Tylenol doesn't affect it though, only ibuprofen works.
Random burning sensations. These still come and go at random and are independent of any activity, as far as I can tell. I will get these in all areas of my nether region, from my scrotum, "johnson", inguinal area, etc. These are a little un-nerving, because they feel so weird. They range from sharp pains to burning, to spasm-like sensations to twinges. The pain can be anywhere from a 1-5 and don't really respond to pain medicine with just one exception. The johnson pain does respond to tylenol.
I find that lifestyle really makes a difference. The more active I am, the better. The more my mind is distracted, the better. As long as I remember my coping techniques and try not to behave like a 20-30 year old, I'm okay.
Independent of anything I've listed above, there does seem to be a cycle of pain. When the pain first struck, I remember having a few good days followed by a few bad. Then a week or two of good, followed by the same of bad. This cycle has progressively lengthened itself over the last two years. Most recently, I identified a cycle of good times lasting about 2 months, followed by a single bad week of pain. I am currently nearing the end of a two month good spell, so I should probably plan on something changing here pretty soon.
Lastly, I wanted to talk about what helps me. Sure tylenol and ibuprofen are good for the pain. Not sitting for long periods of time is helpful too. But the thing that helps me the most is my God. I'm sure many non-Christians are rolling their eyes at me right now. I would ask that you just hear me out.
Having this PVPS thing happen to me is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. Yet, I can see how God has used this to grow me. My outlook and perspective on life has all been sharpened as a result of this stupid syndrome. I would not be the man I am today, if it weren't for my PVPS (and I mean that in the best of ways). My faith is far stronger, my expectation that God will work in my life and the lives of others is higher, and I see how he is using this syndrome to allow me to help others; it's truly been a blessing.
Now it wasn't always like this. In fact, I had a night where I basically yelled to God (not at God) about all the bad stuff that was happening to me (PVPS). From that moment on, my pain lessened dramatically, my ability to cope magnified about 100 fold, my attitude immediately changed from victim to contentment. I'd love to say that it was all me; that I some how mustard-ed up the internal fortitude and changed everything overnight. But it wasn't me. I know the Lord worked something miraculous in my life that night. I'm not going to say he "healed me from Heaven". No, no, that would be a huge leap of faith that not even I could make. Rather, he just seemed to change me somehow.
I had been playing the victim role for so long, and that had to change or I would never be any good to God. I could no longer completely focus on myself, which is exactly what was happening. I was ignoring my wife and two young children; not to mention my community and church. I know I'm doing a poor job of explaining how the Lord God worked in my life, but read through my blog and you'll get the idea. Maybe some day I'll be able to clearly state it, but right now, I'm just so overjoyed to be where I am and feeling how I feel. I can't help but to praise my Lord and my God - especially as we celebrate the gift of his only son Jesus, who is the Christ, the one who shall save us from our sins.
So on that note, I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope you find peace and everlasting joy.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Sitting at the Thanksgiving Dinner Table
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now we find ourselves in the middle of a consumer binge known as Black Friday - what would our forefathers think of this? Last night was wonderful. We sat around a friend's dinner table and had our fill of turkey, dressing, etc. The food was as good as the company. Lots to be thankful for sure.
We sat at the table for probably 2 hours, just eating and talking. What a grand time. Then we all realized we had food babies growing within us, so we retired to the comfort of the sofas. There we watched football and talked about nothing in particular.
When we got home, I noticed another familiar friend which decided to drop in on us for the holiday - PVPS. Yep, all that sitting at the dinner table had done it's worst to me. I had knifing pains on the left side mixed in with a distant racking sensation to boot. My wife wanted to us to be intimate, but after seeing me in pain, figured I wouldn't be able or interested.
So off to the medicine cabinet I went looking for some ibuprofen. Within about 1 hour the pains were gone, but unfortunately, my wife was asleep for the night. Today, we walked around the stores for what seemed like hours as my children added ideas to their Christmas wish list.
Funny, but all that slow walking, aka: meandering, and standing around while my kids took everything in, was almost as difficult as the constant sitting from last night. Only this time, my lower back and of all things, the area around my waistline, below my belly button, started to ache. This is quickly relieved by sitting.
There you go, another entry of how my life is different because of my vasectomy. I still wish I hadn't gone through with it. I sit here sometimes and wonder how much better my life would be if I had opted for our old tried and true method of birth control.
We sat at the table for probably 2 hours, just eating and talking. What a grand time. Then we all realized we had food babies growing within us, so we retired to the comfort of the sofas. There we watched football and talked about nothing in particular.
When we got home, I noticed another familiar friend which decided to drop in on us for the holiday - PVPS. Yep, all that sitting at the dinner table had done it's worst to me. I had knifing pains on the left side mixed in with a distant racking sensation to boot. My wife wanted to us to be intimate, but after seeing me in pain, figured I wouldn't be able or interested.
So off to the medicine cabinet I went looking for some ibuprofen. Within about 1 hour the pains were gone, but unfortunately, my wife was asleep for the night. Today, we walked around the stores for what seemed like hours as my children added ideas to their Christmas wish list.
Funny, but all that slow walking, aka: meandering, and standing around while my kids took everything in, was almost as difficult as the constant sitting from last night. Only this time, my lower back and of all things, the area around my waistline, below my belly button, started to ache. This is quickly relieved by sitting.
There you go, another entry of how my life is different because of my vasectomy. I still wish I hadn't gone through with it. I sit here sometimes and wonder how much better my life would be if I had opted for our old tried and true method of birth control.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Back to the Athletic Supporter
It seems like a long time since I've felt like I needed to wear my athletic supporter. I usually wear it when I don't know what else to do. That's where I find myself this morning. I have noticed something a little bit more significant on my left side, beginning yesterday. It is kind of a mix of racking pain, hernia "full" feeling in my left testicle and nerve pain in my inguinal area.
It sounds like the trifecta of PVPS. After breakfast this morning, I took some ibuprofen, as that helps with the racking pain. Then I took a shower. I palpated my boys during the shower and felt this tendon-like structure running vertical across the top of my left testicle. When I touched it, it hurt.
I remember taking a bath last year and noticing this same type of "thing" running across my testicle. Back then, it felt like I was having a hernia inside my testicle; as if my innards were falling into my scrotum on the left side.
That pain eventually passed, but it took about 3 days of ibuprofen, rest and athletic support. I pray this won't be with me for 3 days this time, if it is indeed the same thing - which I'm not sure it is.
As an FYI, I also have noticed right inguinal pain that radiates down my right thigh. But this has been intermittent at best and not long lasting.
Today, I will try to stay off my butt and keep wearing the athletic supporter. I will also keep the ibuprofen handy, just in case.
It sounds like the trifecta of PVPS. After breakfast this morning, I took some ibuprofen, as that helps with the racking pain. Then I took a shower. I palpated my boys during the shower and felt this tendon-like structure running vertical across the top of my left testicle. When I touched it, it hurt.
I remember taking a bath last year and noticing this same type of "thing" running across my testicle. Back then, it felt like I was having a hernia inside my testicle; as if my innards were falling into my scrotum on the left side.
That pain eventually passed, but it took about 3 days of ibuprofen, rest and athletic support. I pray this won't be with me for 3 days this time, if it is indeed the same thing - which I'm not sure it is.
As an FYI, I also have noticed right inguinal pain that radiates down my right thigh. But this has been intermittent at best and not long lasting.
Today, I will try to stay off my butt and keep wearing the athletic supporter. I will also keep the ibuprofen handy, just in case.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Persistent Racking Pain
I've had this racking pain on my left side off and on since my reversal. Then a couple months ago, it became much more of a player in my daily life. Not a day goes by when I don't have this racking pain/sensation on my left side.
This is the same pain that is present when I had that popping feeling in my left scrotum. I really thought I was having a hernia down there on that side. I still have my suspicions despite getting it checked out. The guy said he couldn't feel the hernia, but my symptoms were all classic hernia-like symptoms.
So the other day, I decided to get back on the treadmill after my latest pain flare-up. Usually I warm up for about 8 minutes before getting to my top speed of 4 mph. It doesn't sound very fast, I know, but when you're in the terrible shape I'm in, that's plenty fast. So I wanted to warm up even slower than normal because of this racking pain I've had. After about 5 minutes, I 'jumped' up to 2.6 mph. That's when it hit me. Very extreme and immediate racking pain on the left side. It felt like my left scrotum was filling with rocks. I had to get off the treadmill and head to the bathroom.
Interestingly, this happened while I was wearing athletic support. After I made sure I was having a strangled hernia down there, I returned to the treadmill and made another slow go of it. I eventually got all the way up to 3 mph, but couldn't go any faster for fear of pain.
So, I think it's time to get this checked out. Because I don't think it's nerve pain. Rather, it seems more like a mechanical problem. Like something is moving that shouldn't be. Maybe I'll get an MRI or sonogram to make sure it's not a hernia.
I'm going for a flat hike today with the family. I hope nothing bad happens while we're out there. But I will be taking it easy for sure. Luckily, the kids don't hike very fast.
Also, my right side has been pretty decent. If the left side would just calm down and give me a break, life would be pretty decent. I've been taking ibuprofen to and it seems to help with the pain, but I can't keep taking ibuprofen as my cardiologist says that's a bad thing for my heart.
This is the same pain that is present when I had that popping feeling in my left scrotum. I really thought I was having a hernia down there on that side. I still have my suspicions despite getting it checked out. The guy said he couldn't feel the hernia, but my symptoms were all classic hernia-like symptoms.
So the other day, I decided to get back on the treadmill after my latest pain flare-up. Usually I warm up for about 8 minutes before getting to my top speed of 4 mph. It doesn't sound very fast, I know, but when you're in the terrible shape I'm in, that's plenty fast. So I wanted to warm up even slower than normal because of this racking pain I've had. After about 5 minutes, I 'jumped' up to 2.6 mph. That's when it hit me. Very extreme and immediate racking pain on the left side. It felt like my left scrotum was filling with rocks. I had to get off the treadmill and head to the bathroom.
Interestingly, this happened while I was wearing athletic support. After I made sure I was having a strangled hernia down there, I returned to the treadmill and made another slow go of it. I eventually got all the way up to 3 mph, but couldn't go any faster for fear of pain.
So, I think it's time to get this checked out. Because I don't think it's nerve pain. Rather, it seems more like a mechanical problem. Like something is moving that shouldn't be. Maybe I'll get an MRI or sonogram to make sure it's not a hernia.
I'm going for a flat hike today with the family. I hope nothing bad happens while we're out there. But I will be taking it easy for sure. Luckily, the kids don't hike very fast.
Also, my right side has been pretty decent. If the left side would just calm down and give me a break, life would be pretty decent. I've been taking ibuprofen to and it seems to help with the pain, but I can't keep taking ibuprofen as my cardiologist says that's a bad thing for my heart.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
All Good Things...
I had 5 good weeks after 4 miserable weeks. But that came to a crashing end this weekend. I started feeling that racking pain on my left side and it didn't stop until this morning when I woke up. That's about 3 days of continuous racking pain. It wasn't fun. I also had my back go out, for some inexplicable reason. That didn't help matters. In fact, today my back hurts more than anything else.
I am grateful for the month of good days though. I praise God for them. The question becomes, will I praise God for the bad days too? That was hard to do at first, to be honest with you. But I have learned that God shows mercy to whomever he desires. I don't deserve it, I just welcome it when it is shown to me. Once I figured that out, I figured it was time to praise God, even though I was in tons of pain.
It isn't easy, but having a thankful and joyful heart toward everything, is what we should be aiming for. Let's face it, we screw up. We're not perfect, not one. We all fall short. It's no wonder bad stuff happens in this crazy world, we humans keep messing it up for ourselves.
So I am grateful. I am humble. I praise God for reminding me that I need him. Some time it is easy to forget how much we need him, especially when all is going great. For many of us, it's in those tough times, when we cry out, "Why me?", that we discover his love and mercy.
I should just be grateful that my sins are forgiven. Everything else is gravy. So I'm trying to keep a positive outlook. It isn't easy, but it is necessary. God is good and that doesn't change just because I feel pain.
Today, I'm having racking pain when I'm not wearing an athletic supporter. My back is still killing me. I haven't been able to walk since last Friday. I hope to get back to the treadmill soon, before I lose all the benefits from the previous month.
I did have to take some hydrocodone last Saturday because of the pain. I also had to take ibuprofen a couple of times for the back and the racking pain. I haven't had an E.J. in quite some time, so maybe some of this pain is related to congestion. I don't really know.
That's about it, so until next time...I hope you have days of feeling better like I had and I pray God reveals himself to you through it all. He's a good God and worthy of your time.
I am grateful for the month of good days though. I praise God for them. The question becomes, will I praise God for the bad days too? That was hard to do at first, to be honest with you. But I have learned that God shows mercy to whomever he desires. I don't deserve it, I just welcome it when it is shown to me. Once I figured that out, I figured it was time to praise God, even though I was in tons of pain.
It isn't easy, but having a thankful and joyful heart toward everything, is what we should be aiming for. Let's face it, we screw up. We're not perfect, not one. We all fall short. It's no wonder bad stuff happens in this crazy world, we humans keep messing it up for ourselves.
So I am grateful. I am humble. I praise God for reminding me that I need him. Some time it is easy to forget how much we need him, especially when all is going great. For many of us, it's in those tough times, when we cry out, "Why me?", that we discover his love and mercy.
I should just be grateful that my sins are forgiven. Everything else is gravy. So I'm trying to keep a positive outlook. It isn't easy, but it is necessary. God is good and that doesn't change just because I feel pain.
Today, I'm having racking pain when I'm not wearing an athletic supporter. My back is still killing me. I haven't been able to walk since last Friday. I hope to get back to the treadmill soon, before I lose all the benefits from the previous month.
I did have to take some hydrocodone last Saturday because of the pain. I also had to take ibuprofen a couple of times for the back and the racking pain. I haven't had an E.J. in quite some time, so maybe some of this pain is related to congestion. I don't really know.
That's about it, so until next time...I hope you have days of feeling better like I had and I pray God reveals himself to you through it all. He's a good God and worthy of your time.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Fear
Fear is the great equalizer. Last week, I had 4, count them, 1-2-3-4, wonderful days. Then Saturday evening was only a little painful. Then Sunday was just slightly a bit more painful, but really nothing compared to a couple weeks ago. Then Monday totally stunk it up. My left testicle, above the teste, became hard and I thought I was going to have epididymitis again. I began to have a million thoughts run through my head - did the reversal fail after 13 months, would I have a painful week and need to go see a doctor, etc. Basically, fear set in.
Fear is the thing that I struggle with the most. The same questions I just asked, constantly swirl around in my head. Add to this the fact that I'm exhausted from coping with the pain, dealing with the pain, having to face the pain, pain, pain, pain....ugh! My frustration level has been quite high lately. I keep asking God to help me count it as joy, but that is easier to say than to do. Pain sucks. Fear sucks. Vasectomies suck.
I took some ibuprofen yesterday and laid down in bed. I also wore a jock strap, hoping that might keep the boys in place. I prayed and I read the Bible. First Peter is what I read. It helped a lot. My prayer was full of sobbing and asking for help to get through this latest pain. I texted my sister and asked her to pray.
When I got up from bed about 2 hours later, the hard thing in my testicle was gone. I had residual pain, but the ibuprofen was helping me with that. Today, I woke up and still felt sore. The pain was into my right thigh. I took some tylenol at lunch and now I feel pretty decent.
I hate that I'm becoming more dependent on the tylenol/ibuprofen. I wish I could go a month without using them. I wish I could get up and work out without having to worry about the painful consequences. I wish for a lot of things, but I'm left in the state I'm in.
So fear is what I'm dealing with now. Prayer seems to help, reading the Bible seems to help, sitting around with nothing else to think about - doesn't help. You see, fear gets trapped in the mind and tells you that life stinks. As I was reminded yesterday, life doesn't stink, just the post vasectomy pain thing-a-ma-jig stinks. Count your blessings when pain hits is what my sister told me to do. Don't let fear get a stranglehold on your thinking, because it can dominate.
Again, easier to say than to put into action. But I'm trying. God seems to be the only thing that can help me here. Not a bad bailout plan I guess. I just keep praying for things to get better. Please Lord, make them get better. Amen.
Fear is the thing that I struggle with the most. The same questions I just asked, constantly swirl around in my head. Add to this the fact that I'm exhausted from coping with the pain, dealing with the pain, having to face the pain, pain, pain, pain....ugh! My frustration level has been quite high lately. I keep asking God to help me count it as joy, but that is easier to say than to do. Pain sucks. Fear sucks. Vasectomies suck.
I took some ibuprofen yesterday and laid down in bed. I also wore a jock strap, hoping that might keep the boys in place. I prayed and I read the Bible. First Peter is what I read. It helped a lot. My prayer was full of sobbing and asking for help to get through this latest pain. I texted my sister and asked her to pray.
When I got up from bed about 2 hours later, the hard thing in my testicle was gone. I had residual pain, but the ibuprofen was helping me with that. Today, I woke up and still felt sore. The pain was into my right thigh. I took some tylenol at lunch and now I feel pretty decent.
I hate that I'm becoming more dependent on the tylenol/ibuprofen. I wish I could go a month without using them. I wish I could get up and work out without having to worry about the painful consequences. I wish for a lot of things, but I'm left in the state I'm in.
So fear is what I'm dealing with now. Prayer seems to help, reading the Bible seems to help, sitting around with nothing else to think about - doesn't help. You see, fear gets trapped in the mind and tells you that life stinks. As I was reminded yesterday, life doesn't stink, just the post vasectomy pain thing-a-ma-jig stinks. Count your blessings when pain hits is what my sister told me to do. Don't let fear get a stranglehold on your thinking, because it can dominate.
Again, easier to say than to put into action. But I'm trying. God seems to be the only thing that can help me here. Not a bad bailout plan I guess. I just keep praying for things to get better. Please Lord, make them get better. Amen.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
An Oldie but a Goodie
Well, well, well. An old friend returned to my rental house yesterday evening. I wasn't sure who it was exactly last night, but this morning, the blur became more clear. The old friend is of course not an old friend, but an old symptom that I haven't seen for a while. That would be the dreaded "racking pain" in my left testicle. What made it appear out of thin air? Your guess is as good as mine.
I did walk kind of briskly yesterday and felt a muscle kind of pull in my right groin. But that is the other side from where the racking pain is. So, there you go. Just when I told a family member that I feel like I have a handle on this post vasectomy pain syndrome, I'm left to eat my words. Never fails, does it? Just when you think it is all figured out, life throws you a curve ball.
Now if I remember correctly, ibuprofen helped with the racking pain. So, if it doesn't go away here in a bit, I'll take 400 mgs of advil and see what happens.
In the meantime, I slept ok last night. Was a little "uneasy" down there while in the shower and have had a couple stabs of sharp knifing nerve pain. Basically, a frustrating morning all told. But, thanks to my friend from my old church, I feel like I can cope with days like this better. I still thank God that he put John in my life. He's been a huge help for me.
Lord God, thank you for helping me learn how to cope with this syndrome. Thank you for easing the pain and the symptoms. Please continue to be with all of us who hurt and suffer from pain and disease. Remind us that you are in control and make your presence felt in our lives. Help us to see how you work and to understand how you are using this for your good. Bring us healing and give us strength. Be with John and his family as they deal with his chronic pain. May you be honored and glorified by our response. In Jesus name, Amen.
I did walk kind of briskly yesterday and felt a muscle kind of pull in my right groin. But that is the other side from where the racking pain is. So, there you go. Just when I told a family member that I feel like I have a handle on this post vasectomy pain syndrome, I'm left to eat my words. Never fails, does it? Just when you think it is all figured out, life throws you a curve ball.
Now if I remember correctly, ibuprofen helped with the racking pain. So, if it doesn't go away here in a bit, I'll take 400 mgs of advil and see what happens.
In the meantime, I slept ok last night. Was a little "uneasy" down there while in the shower and have had a couple stabs of sharp knifing nerve pain. Basically, a frustrating morning all told. But, thanks to my friend from my old church, I feel like I can cope with days like this better. I still thank God that he put John in my life. He's been a huge help for me.
Lord God, thank you for helping me learn how to cope with this syndrome. Thank you for easing the pain and the symptoms. Please continue to be with all of us who hurt and suffer from pain and disease. Remind us that you are in control and make your presence felt in our lives. Help us to see how you work and to understand how you are using this for your good. Bring us healing and give us strength. Be with John and his family as they deal with his chronic pain. May you be honored and glorified by our response. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Another Hike
Despite the inguinal nerve pain, life goes on. Today we're going hiking about an hour and a half away from home. That means time in the car and then the hike. Not sure how things will turn out. I will probably take some tylenol and/or ibuprofen before we head out.
I slept ok, but did a lot of stretching this morning before I got up. If I remember correctly, whenever I do a lot of stretching in the bed prior to getting out, I tend to have a lot of pain during the day. So I'm not sure what kind of day today will be. I'm hoping that since I've blogged about what I expect to happen, the opposite will occur. I know, I know. I can't explain this reasoning. That's just where you go when you have chronic pain issues. I'm not proud of it.
I just pray the pain doesn't keep me from enjoying my family and what the Lord has created. Have to cherish each day - you know what I mean??
I slept ok, but did a lot of stretching this morning before I got up. If I remember correctly, whenever I do a lot of stretching in the bed prior to getting out, I tend to have a lot of pain during the day. So I'm not sure what kind of day today will be. I'm hoping that since I've blogged about what I expect to happen, the opposite will occur. I know, I know. I can't explain this reasoning. That's just where you go when you have chronic pain issues. I'm not proud of it.
I just pray the pain doesn't keep me from enjoying my family and what the Lord has created. Have to cherish each day - you know what I mean??
Friday, July 29, 2011
Aleve Didn't Help the Nerve Pain
As the day went on yesterday, I developed more and more right sided inguinal nerve pain. My cardiologist suggested I take Aleve - I think because it is supposed to be better for the heart, but not sure. Anyway, I tried it and had no real substantial pain relief. So I took an ibuprofen and woke up this morning feeling better.
Coincidentally, I also had a "nocturnal emission" last night. Haven't had one of those in years. I am grateful for it though, because it has been quite some time since my wife and I have been together. I'm not sure if it was the ibuprofen or the nightime event that made my right side feel better?
To add to this, I haven't been able to take hot baths since I got back from my cross country trek. I really think those hot baths help in some way. Either it kills the sperm in my scrotum or gets everything kind of loose inside there, so maybe the scar tissue doesn't get trapped in an area it shouldn't be. Whatever the case, I'm looking forward to having normal relations with my wife and getting a good hot soak. Living out of a suitcase has never been my favorite thing to do. But we have 2 more weeks of it before we arrive in our northwest home.
Coincidentally, I also had a "nocturnal emission" last night. Haven't had one of those in years. I am grateful for it though, because it has been quite some time since my wife and I have been together. I'm not sure if it was the ibuprofen or the nightime event that made my right side feel better?
To add to this, I haven't been able to take hot baths since I got back from my cross country trek. I really think those hot baths help in some way. Either it kills the sperm in my scrotum or gets everything kind of loose inside there, so maybe the scar tissue doesn't get trapped in an area it shouldn't be. Whatever the case, I'm looking forward to having normal relations with my wife and getting a good hot soak. Living out of a suitcase has never been my favorite thing to do. But we have 2 more weeks of it before we arrive in our northwest home.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Ibuprofen Helped, But...
The ibuprofen did help my left side. It took a couple of hours for it to kick in. I'm back to not sleeping very well because I have that uncomfortable feeling in my scrotum. Today, I went to church and started to feel sheepish, because so many other people there have cancer or some other life threatening disease. However, I know that PVPS is a lifestyle threatening disease. In other words, it can break up your marriage, damper your parenting abilities, force you out of work, etc.
But, going to church always helps me to put things in perspective. The gnawing pain on my left has subsided for now, but right on cue, my right side is starting to let me know it's not done hurting. My goal is to get off my butt and try staying upright as much as possible today. We have a father's day dinner with my wife's dad, so I have that to look forward to.
Otherwise, I'm just going to try and do my best. If I need to take medicine than so be it. I'm tired of being in pain. I think I just need a 2-5 day period break. It seems like chronic pain beats me down emotionally and spiritually. Again, as one person put it..."If you can take a pain pill to get relief, than why wouldn't you?". I don't think that should be a daily pronouncement, but to give yourself a break every now and then, I think it's a relevant idea.
But, going to church always helps me to put things in perspective. The gnawing pain on my left has subsided for now, but right on cue, my right side is starting to let me know it's not done hurting. My goal is to get off my butt and try staying upright as much as possible today. We have a father's day dinner with my wife's dad, so I have that to look forward to.
Otherwise, I'm just going to try and do my best. If I need to take medicine than so be it. I'm tired of being in pain. I think I just need a 2-5 day period break. It seems like chronic pain beats me down emotionally and spiritually. Again, as one person put it..."If you can take a pain pill to get relief, than why wouldn't you?". I don't think that should be a daily pronouncement, but to give yourself a break every now and then, I think it's a relevant idea.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Left Side Still in a Vice Grip
I'm still having nerve pain on my left side that is "radiating" down my left quad muscle (inner thigh), about 3-4 inches down. My left hip bone hurts too, up by where my belt would be. Meanwhile, my left testicle still feels like it is getting squeezed. I think I'll try some ibuprofen and see if I can get some relief from it. It is exhausting having this constant gripping sensation. On a pain scale, it's like a 2-3. I can tolerate it okay with the medicine, but it is kind of exhausting, mentally that is.
I'm really getting tired of always coming on here and recording my aches and pains. I'm ready to be over this, even though I know that will probably never happen. I don't know. I guess I'm just getting tired of it all. So my preaching on this journal may be coming to an end. If you can't tell by now that having a vasectomy is a bad idea, than there is nothing else I can say. You're on your own.
I guess that's it for now.
I'm really getting tired of always coming on here and recording my aches and pains. I'm ready to be over this, even though I know that will probably never happen. I don't know. I guess I'm just getting tired of it all. So my preaching on this journal may be coming to an end. If you can't tell by now that having a vasectomy is a bad idea, than there is nothing else I can say. You're on your own.
I guess that's it for now.
Friday, May 20, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Scrotum Ache Kept Building and Building
I must have had a poor balance of sitting, walking, etc. yesterday, because the ache in my scrotum (on the left side) kept getting worse and worse. I didn't have any sharp pains, per se'. The ache just increased in intensity. It's like someone flicking you on the nose. After about 6 hours of it, your nose is probably going to be a little sore.
That's how my scrotum felt before I went to bed, even with the ibuprofen on board. I also went for a thirty minute walk around the neighborhood. None of that really helped though. Today though, after a good nights sleep, I feel a ton better. That's kind of what I've noticed after I take some pain medicine, whether it be tylenol or ibuprofen. Once it kicks in, it seems to help keep the pain at bay for well over a full day. I'm not sure if that is just a coincidence or perhaps there is a causal relationship, regardless, I'll take it.
I worked on my second insurance appeal today. I think it makes sense. When this is all done, I'll have to post some of the details. Who knows, maybe that would help someone who is in the same boat. They say it can take a couple of months before we know anything. That's a pretty helpless feeling. Hopefully, it won't take that long and things will turn out the way we want.
That's how my scrotum felt before I went to bed, even with the ibuprofen on board. I also went for a thirty minute walk around the neighborhood. None of that really helped though. Today though, after a good nights sleep, I feel a ton better. That's kind of what I've noticed after I take some pain medicine, whether it be tylenol or ibuprofen. Once it kicks in, it seems to help keep the pain at bay for well over a full day. I'm not sure if that is just a coincidence or perhaps there is a causal relationship, regardless, I'll take it.
I worked on my second insurance appeal today. I think it makes sense. When this is all done, I'll have to post some of the details. Who knows, maybe that would help someone who is in the same boat. They say it can take a couple of months before we know anything. That's a pretty helpless feeling. Hopefully, it won't take that long and things will turn out the way we want.
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