I've said this before, but exercise workouts help my PVPS. Whether it's walking, hiking or some type of aerobic activity, it just makes everything feel better. My thoughts are there is an increase in blood flow to the affected area, which helps in some way. Not sure how, but that's just my working theory.
I got on the treadmill yesterday and noticed very little pain in the afternoon and evening. This morning, I have had a little twinge, but only after sitting on rock hard bleachers while my son went to basketball try-outs. Once I got walking around, the pain went away.
You'd think that knowing this would cause me to walk or exercise all the time. But human nature being what it is, means that I do what I don't want to do, and don't do what I should do. I think Paul says that same thing in the bible. Anyway, there are none truer words for me than those.
I'm hoping that junior basketball for my son and the normal daily activities of life will begin an uptick in activity for me. I'll probably help out at practices and games, which means I won't want to embarrass myself by having jello legs on the court.
I suppose I have no choice now, walking and running, seem to be in my immediate future, and that can only help calm my vasectomy side effects.
Showing posts with label vasectomy side effects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vasectomy side effects. Show all posts
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
PVPS Article
I read an interesting review article from the Canadian Journal of Urology regarding post vasectomy pain: (Morley, et al. Post-vasectomy pain syndrome: clinical features and treatment options. Can J Urol 2012 Apr. 19(2):6160-4).
In it the authors from West Virginia state very clearly that there are meaningful vasectomy side effects. The purpose of the article was to review the available scientific literature from a big picture perspective on the entirety of PVPS. It starts out with a definition for post vasectomy pain syndrome as follows: a chronic epididymal pain that is continuous or recurrent in the absence of proven epididymal or testicular infection.
The authors, from the Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center at West Virginia University, state this syndrome is occurring with increased regularity, as the number of vasectomies performed in the US escalates. Their research tells us that 4,000,000 vasectomies are performed annually. That seems like a lot of sterilization surgeries to me and quite the income stream for a budding urologist.
Sadly still, nobody understands the etiology of the condition. This is what makes it so frustrating, the lack of knowledge in this area. Why does it occur? Who is at risk? At this point, all we have are working theories. With these theories come a multiple of proposed treatment modalities. This is what the article focuses on, the varied aims of treatment.
To begin with, the authors look at the surgical option. Here they include spermatic cord denervation and vasovasostomies (reversals). There is a physician in Florida who is doing some exciting work in the world of spermatic cord denervation. His goal is to not entirely strip the nerve, but rather take a more selective approach, thus preserving much of the spermatic cord.
Regarding the reversals, technique varies greatly, as does expertise. Most people on the PVPS forum recommend seeking out a urology specialist who has performed multiple reversals for men who suffer from PVPS.
A medical treatment mentioned in the article includes testosterone. Morley mentions "promising results" with its use.
In the end, the article is quite clear about one thing, and I'll quote their own words, "Nevertheless, the importance of counseling patients of the risks of PVPS with vasectomy cannot be overstated."
There are two take home points to make here.
1. You'll notice this article was published in April of 2012 and is a review article. This means they have reviewed the whole of scientific literature to look specifically for relevant articles related to vasectomy side effects. So this article represents the most up to date and clear ideas associated with PVPS.
2. The authors basically echo what we've known for quite some time, that PVPS is a debilitating syndrome that has no known starting point, other than some men who undergo vasectomies end up with it. But it is not "all in your head"; this is not some made up story to express your sour grapes about having a vasectomy; and if you suffer from this, you're not alone.
I hope to find and review more articles like this one in an effort to make this blog a little bit more about vasectomy side effects global, and transition it away from being just an online journal of symptoms. However, I will still journal as the cause and need arises.
In it the authors from West Virginia state very clearly that there are meaningful vasectomy side effects. The purpose of the article was to review the available scientific literature from a big picture perspective on the entirety of PVPS. It starts out with a definition for post vasectomy pain syndrome as follows: a chronic epididymal pain that is continuous or recurrent in the absence of proven epididymal or testicular infection.
The authors, from the Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center at West Virginia University, state this syndrome is occurring with increased regularity, as the number of vasectomies performed in the US escalates. Their research tells us that 4,000,000 vasectomies are performed annually. That seems like a lot of sterilization surgeries to me and quite the income stream for a budding urologist.
Sadly still, nobody understands the etiology of the condition. This is what makes it so frustrating, the lack of knowledge in this area. Why does it occur? Who is at risk? At this point, all we have are working theories. With these theories come a multiple of proposed treatment modalities. This is what the article focuses on, the varied aims of treatment.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Are There Side Effects to Vasectomies
With blogger, you can see what people are searching for that brings them to your blog. A common search phrase is "are there side effects to vasectomies". Another one is "are vasectomies dangerous". I actually read an answer by someone who said that there were no vasectomy side effects. He called them "urban legends".
Well, I'm one of lots of people who have to live with this urban legend. I hate it when people talk out of ignorance. Just because it didn't happen to him, he's talking like an expert. There are a lot of men in our support group who are just suffering and aren't getting any better.
I wish there was more that could be done. I know the easiest thing to do is to not have the vasectomy in the first place. I hope people who read this vasectomy side effects blog will see that point. I only hope they don't come to the blog too late.
As far as how I'm doing...I feel okay. No real projects to do so I'm sitting a little bit more. As a result, the tingling in my right inguinal area seems to be a little more prominent. Like I said yesterday, there's no figuring this thing out. Sometimes activity hurts and sometimes it helps. Sometimes sitting is better, other times it makes it worse. Sometimes having sex helps the pain, while other times you're just too afraid to have sex because you fear it might make the pain worse. I've also noticed a little bit of nerve pain in my johnson. It doesn't last for very long and it's more irritating, weird, or un-nerving than terribly painful. But I can see where it wouldn't take much for the pain to ramp up to a 5 on a scale of 1 - 10. Obviously, a very sensitive area.
This vasectomy pain syndrome messes with your mind as much as it messes with your scrotum. That is what makes syndromes so crappy, they involve every part of your life. Well, time to get up and moving around before I start to experience the very REAL side effects of vasectomies.
Well, I'm one of lots of people who have to live with this urban legend. I hate it when people talk out of ignorance. Just because it didn't happen to him, he's talking like an expert. There are a lot of men in our support group who are just suffering and aren't getting any better.
I wish there was more that could be done. I know the easiest thing to do is to not have the vasectomy in the first place. I hope people who read this vasectomy side effects blog will see that point. I only hope they don't come to the blog too late.
As far as how I'm doing...I feel okay. No real projects to do so I'm sitting a little bit more. As a result, the tingling in my right inguinal area seems to be a little more prominent. Like I said yesterday, there's no figuring this thing out. Sometimes activity hurts and sometimes it helps. Sometimes sitting is better, other times it makes it worse. Sometimes having sex helps the pain, while other times you're just too afraid to have sex because you fear it might make the pain worse. I've also noticed a little bit of nerve pain in my johnson. It doesn't last for very long and it's more irritating, weird, or un-nerving than terribly painful. But I can see where it wouldn't take much for the pain to ramp up to a 5 on a scale of 1 - 10. Obviously, a very sensitive area.
This vasectomy pain syndrome messes with your mind as much as it messes with your scrotum. That is what makes syndromes so crappy, they involve every part of your life. Well, time to get up and moving around before I start to experience the very REAL side effects of vasectomies.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
PVPS Keeps You Guessing
I've wondered if I should stop blogging about my vasectomy side effects. But then something happens and I realize that I should stay at it. My goal is to keep track of my symptoms and let other passers-by know that there are, indeed, vasectomy side effects. It's not the all-safe procedure that many would have you believe.
Today, I want to record that while I was blogging on my other "real blog", I started having nerve pain on my left side. Haven't had it there for a few days, so it was kind of jarring. Then I realized I had been sitting for probably too long in one place. Then I also realized I had to go to the bathroom. That got me thinking. I've noticed that when I have to go to the bathroom, I see an uptick in my pain and other weird sensations. I guess as things are moving through your intestines and as your bladder is filling up, the amount of pressure placed against your pelvic nerves increases. Because after I go to the bathroom, I generally feel better - from a nerve standpoint that is.
Just chalk this up as one more impact the vasectomy has had on me. I now have a built in nerve alarm telling me when I have to go number... Well anyway, you understand.
Other than that, my right side is a little better. My wife and I were together again last night. That seems to help with the pain on the right side. I'll be curious if my left side starts to hurt or ache a bit more. I've already had nerve pain on my left side, so maybe that is related to having sex.
Today we're going to a water fun/splash park for the kids. I'm not going in the water though, because it's only 75 degrees and I know the water is going to be freezing. I don't even want to go, but the kids' classes are meeting there for an afterschool get-together. I'm staying out of the water for sure. No sense in putting myself through that kind of pain. The sad thing is, it looks like it's going to rain also. But we've already committed and my children's friends are looking forward to seeing them.
Until next time...
Today, I want to record that while I was blogging on my other "real blog", I started having nerve pain on my left side. Haven't had it there for a few days, so it was kind of jarring. Then I realized I had been sitting for probably too long in one place. Then I also realized I had to go to the bathroom. That got me thinking. I've noticed that when I have to go to the bathroom, I see an uptick in my pain and other weird sensations. I guess as things are moving through your intestines and as your bladder is filling up, the amount of pressure placed against your pelvic nerves increases. Because after I go to the bathroom, I generally feel better - from a nerve standpoint that is.
Just chalk this up as one more impact the vasectomy has had on me. I now have a built in nerve alarm telling me when I have to go number... Well anyway, you understand.
Other than that, my right side is a little better. My wife and I were together again last night. That seems to help with the pain on the right side. I'll be curious if my left side starts to hurt or ache a bit more. I've already had nerve pain on my left side, so maybe that is related to having sex.
Today we're going to a water fun/splash park for the kids. I'm not going in the water though, because it's only 75 degrees and I know the water is going to be freezing. I don't even want to go, but the kids' classes are meeting there for an afterschool get-together. I'm staying out of the water for sure. No sense in putting myself through that kind of pain. The sad thing is, it looks like it's going to rain also. But we've already committed and my children's friends are looking forward to seeing them.
Until next time...
Friday, May 13, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, May 6, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
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."
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."
Monday, May 2, 2011
Another Day Thinking About Vasectomy Side Effects
The side effects of having a vasectomy make you think about pain every day. Your thoughts are consumed with how much pain you are going to have. Will having sex with your wife cause you to have trouble. Can you exercise without having to stop because the pain is too intense. That's the thing with this stuff, you just don't know.
So yesterday, I had a lot of nerve pain. This time, it wasn't all because of my spermatocele. The pain just kept coming in waves. I didn't take any medicine for it though, as the pain came and went just as fast. But it came back 5 minutes later, 15 minutes later, 1 hour later, etc.
Now this morning, I'm doing okay and I think I'm just going to take it easy. No painting, no lifting, no long term sitting. I'll probably do some light stretching out and try to vary my body position between sitting, standing and lying down. What a life I lead - all because I had a vasectomy.
But as always, there are a lot of people worse off than I am. They have worse post vasectomy pain, they have other diseases, etc. I just found out at church yesterday, that someone was diagnosed with colon cancer. So, this blog is not an attempt to get your sympathy, but rather I want to educate the public about the devastating vasectomy side effects. I know the risk is relatively low, but if you are the unlucky one to get post vasectomy pain or epididymitis, then you'll regret the decision for the rest of your life, and so will your wife.
I'm just trying to do you a solid here. Don't have the vasectomy, please!
So yesterday, I had a lot of nerve pain. This time, it wasn't all because of my spermatocele. The pain just kept coming in waves. I didn't take any medicine for it though, as the pain came and went just as fast. But it came back 5 minutes later, 15 minutes later, 1 hour later, etc.
Now this morning, I'm doing okay and I think I'm just going to take it easy. No painting, no lifting, no long term sitting. I'll probably do some light stretching out and try to vary my body position between sitting, standing and lying down. What a life I lead - all because I had a vasectomy.
But as always, there are a lot of people worse off than I am. They have worse post vasectomy pain, they have other diseases, etc. I just found out at church yesterday, that someone was diagnosed with colon cancer. So, this blog is not an attempt to get your sympathy, but rather I want to educate the public about the devastating vasectomy side effects. I know the risk is relatively low, but if you are the unlucky one to get post vasectomy pain or epididymitis, then you'll regret the decision for the rest of your life, and so will your wife.
I'm just trying to do you a solid here. Don't have the vasectomy, please!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
What's Going On?
I'm getting a little nervous, because yesterday was a pretty decent day. I'm not sure exactly what's going on. I had a somewhat vigorous activity day and I didn't feel but just the slightest of twinges yesterday. Now granted, I didn't do a lot of sitting down. In fact, I was painting pretty much all day. But that usually means I have to take tylenol sometime during the afternoon or evening. To further add to my confusion, I was on the computer for about 3 straight hours last night before going to bed, trying to organize our insurance appeal letter. I was sitting on a pillow on my computer chair, but still, that usually brings a ton of pain.
So, is this just some sort of good day mixed in with bad days? Is it a sign that things are looking up for me? I did take the Rapidflo med, could that have anything to do with it? I took another Rapidflow last night and so far today, things are pretty good.
Regardless, I see this as an answer to my prayers. Even if I only have 2-3 good days to be followed by a couple of not so good days, I'll take it. Then I hope to have 4-5 good days followed by maybe 1-2 bad ones. Then, of course, I hope to have weeks and months of good days, and so on. It's hard to not be hopeful when a day goes so well, but I also have to be realistic (which I hate).
The realist in me tells me to not get on the roller-coaster of good and bad days. However, the faithful and hopeful me wants to take a good day and run with it. I've already been planning on getting back on the treadmill and thinking that perhaps life will become normal again.
I know I speak a lot about this post vasectomy pain syndrome and the side effects of a vasectomy, but it's so true - you just don't know what you're going to get. Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who have a vasectomy and don't experience any problems. Now you can have unprotected sex with your wife and not worry about getting her pregnant.
However, what if you're like me and countless untold others who get some kind of problem as a result of the vasectomy? Now your life is completely turned upsidedown. Now you have to take pain medication regularly. Now you have to see your urologist multiple times a year for flare-ups and treatments and tests. Now you can't have sex at all because you're afraid the pain may be too excruciating or you think it may cause a flare-up of your symptoms.
Man, I'm telling you, it's just not worth it. Don't have a vasectomy - PERIOD. Use other forms of birth control that don't have a risk profile associated with it. Continue with the pill and condoms, creams, etc. Trust me, that may be a little messier or may stop down the intimate moments a minute or two, but it's okay.
Sure, the percent of men who have side effects after their vasectomy is low (somewhere between 5-15%), but those of us who do have them, suffer in ways you can't even imagine. Simply go to the forum listed in the links section and you'll see what the conversations are like. Or go to some of the other links and you'll see what I'm talking about.
So, is this just some sort of good day mixed in with bad days? Is it a sign that things are looking up for me? I did take the Rapidflo med, could that have anything to do with it? I took another Rapidflow last night and so far today, things are pretty good.
Regardless, I see this as an answer to my prayers. Even if I only have 2-3 good days to be followed by a couple of not so good days, I'll take it. Then I hope to have 4-5 good days followed by maybe 1-2 bad ones. Then, of course, I hope to have weeks and months of good days, and so on. It's hard to not be hopeful when a day goes so well, but I also have to be realistic (which I hate).
The realist in me tells me to not get on the roller-coaster of good and bad days. However, the faithful and hopeful me wants to take a good day and run with it. I've already been planning on getting back on the treadmill and thinking that perhaps life will become normal again.
I know I speak a lot about this post vasectomy pain syndrome and the side effects of a vasectomy, but it's so true - you just don't know what you're going to get. Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who have a vasectomy and don't experience any problems. Now you can have unprotected sex with your wife and not worry about getting her pregnant.
However, what if you're like me and countless untold others who get some kind of problem as a result of the vasectomy? Now your life is completely turned upsidedown. Now you have to take pain medication regularly. Now you have to see your urologist multiple times a year for flare-ups and treatments and tests. Now you can't have sex at all because you're afraid the pain may be too excruciating or you think it may cause a flare-up of your symptoms.
Man, I'm telling you, it's just not worth it. Don't have a vasectomy - PERIOD. Use other forms of birth control that don't have a risk profile associated with it. Continue with the pill and condoms, creams, etc. Trust me, that may be a little messier or may stop down the intimate moments a minute or two, but it's okay.
Sure, the percent of men who have side effects after their vasectomy is low (somewhere between 5-15%), but those of us who do have them, suffer in ways you can't even imagine. Simply go to the forum listed in the links section and you'll see what the conversations are like. Or go to some of the other links and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Vasectomy Side Effects First Blog
Welcome to my first blog about vasectomy side effects. I know, you thought there weren't any side effects, right? You thought a vasectomy is no big deal; everyone else in the office has had one; your wife might even be pressuring you to get one. Well, there is a little dirty secret that nobody talks about when it comes to vasectomies.
The secret is called Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome or PVPS for short. It usually takes on two forms.
1. Varying degrees of nerve pain - from debilitating to inconvenient.
2. Epididymitis (epi-did-i-my-tus). I know, that's a mouth full.
I will start by telling you my story. I had a vasectomy 5.5 years ago. Six months later, I had swelling in my scrotum which was not very comfortable. After a scrotal ultrasound - yep, I didn't know they could do that either - I was diagnosed with epididymitis. No big deal my uro doc told me, just take some antibiotics and a steroid dose pack and I should be ship shape in no time. Then every 6 months, this pattern would repeat.
It turns out, somewhere between 7-15% of all men who have a vasectomy end up with some sort of pain syndrome. That's 1 out of every 10 guys that have a vasectomy. Lucky me I guess.
Okay, now I've had a reversal to see if that will fix my problem. Now since the reversal, I have a nerve pain that feels like a dull ache on the right side of my scrotum. I also have a flash of pain that hits me out of the blue in various places between my belly button and groin. I would rate it a 7 on a 1-10 pain scale where 10 is the most intolerant pain you could imagine.
So basically, there is no simple fix to this problem. Once you have it, you have it. Sometimes the surgical treatments work, sometimes they don't, sometimes they make it worse. Sometimes leaving it alone and treating it conservatively it the right thing and sometimes it's the wrong thing.
This is a very insidious syndrome because it is so poorly understood. Most urologists who perform vasectomies never experience patients with this problem.
Because vasectomies are such a big business, very little information gets out about this syndrome, but believe me, it's very real. I joined a support group a couple of weeks ago and now I am trying to do my part to get the word out, about what many of us suffer from. Post vasectomy pain syndrome can be just as debilitating as any other disease you can think of. It may not cause death, but I'm certain many men would have preferred it.
Please visit the forum's link if you want to get real information about this painful phenomena. I will invite others to post their stories here as well as provide information about this dreaded problem.
The secret is called Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome or PVPS for short. It usually takes on two forms.
1. Varying degrees of nerve pain - from debilitating to inconvenient.
2. Epididymitis (epi-did-i-my-tus). I know, that's a mouth full.
I will start by telling you my story. I had a vasectomy 5.5 years ago. Six months later, I had swelling in my scrotum which was not very comfortable. After a scrotal ultrasound - yep, I didn't know they could do that either - I was diagnosed with epididymitis. No big deal my uro doc told me, just take some antibiotics and a steroid dose pack and I should be ship shape in no time. Then every 6 months, this pattern would repeat.
It turns out, somewhere between 7-15% of all men who have a vasectomy end up with some sort of pain syndrome. That's 1 out of every 10 guys that have a vasectomy. Lucky me I guess.
Okay, now I've had a reversal to see if that will fix my problem. Now since the reversal, I have a nerve pain that feels like a dull ache on the right side of my scrotum. I also have a flash of pain that hits me out of the blue in various places between my belly button and groin. I would rate it a 7 on a 1-10 pain scale where 10 is the most intolerant pain you could imagine.
So basically, there is no simple fix to this problem. Once you have it, you have it. Sometimes the surgical treatments work, sometimes they don't, sometimes they make it worse. Sometimes leaving it alone and treating it conservatively it the right thing and sometimes it's the wrong thing.
This is a very insidious syndrome because it is so poorly understood. Most urologists who perform vasectomies never experience patients with this problem.
Because vasectomies are such a big business, very little information gets out about this syndrome, but believe me, it's very real. I joined a support group a couple of weeks ago and now I am trying to do my part to get the word out, about what many of us suffer from. Post vasectomy pain syndrome can be just as debilitating as any other disease you can think of. It may not cause death, but I'm certain many men would have preferred it.
Please visit the forum's link if you want to get real information about this painful phenomena. I will invite others to post their stories here as well as provide information about this dreaded problem.
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