Hello Everyone.
I'm 30 years old. I had a vasectomy done 1 year ago. Since I had the vasectomy operation I'm having an significant chronic pain on a daily basis. Testicular ache and a sharp burning pain radiating up to my abdomen. it's a very unpleasant feeling constantly. I'm so afraid that I have to live with this pain for the rest of my life. I take pain killers every day, which I dont like. Other then that I do not have any underlying diseases or medical histories.
I wish to get a vasectomy reversal with the goal of relieving my “post vasectomy pain” so I can live a normal life again. (I don't care if I become fertile again or not, I just want to get rid of the pain).
I heard that a vasectomy reversal relieves the build-up of back pressure that may cause pain in the testicles.
But for other patients, the pain is not due to back pressure, but rather to chronic inflammation at the vasectomy site. If the urologist cut out the inflammation site and reverse the vasectomy, the pain will usually be eliminated.
The pain may result from microscopic amounts of sperm leaking out of the vas deferens into the surrounding tissue. This leakage can cause inflammation.
What if I have an inflammation ?.
Will the urologist be aware of this and remove the inflammation before he performs the vasectomy reversal operation ?.
Any information's you may have would be appreciated.
Thanks for reading this.
I've had PVP for over 3 years now and it is living hell so I fully understand how bad the pain can be.
There are two possible surgical routes to TRY and eliminate pain. One is the reversal and the other is epidydectomy.
I had the latter and it's made things worse inasmuch as my testicles are now continually sore and tender.
A reversal can only attempt to alleviate symptoms down to a cope able level. It is rare for pain to be fully eliminated. Like epidydectomy there is a small risk of increasing pain or not doing anything, in other words no better off.
You'll need to think hard about any option given small risks of increasing pain levels. That said reversal for some does offer reduced pain levels.
I'm still I'm morphine and have zero sex drive, painful erections and ejaculation's after 3 years and am out of options.
Really hope you find some relief from the hell you're currently in
If they remove inflamed epydidymus then a reversal cannot be performed.
You could try reversal first and if that doesn't work go for epidydectomy bit you cannot do it the other way around
You are unlikely to be offered reversal on the nhs unless you've had it a long time. It costs 3k. I've had PVPS for over 3 years and have had an epdidymectomy on the left over 2 years ago. Still in pain both sides. Urologist offered reversal of right, but this won't fix left. Also offered bilateral denervation but success is 20%. Decided to give up. Pain killers affect testosterone too. After 3 years with my Urologist I've signed myself off. There is no cure.
There isn't a cure I am afraid. There is a huge denial at point of consultation for the snip.
Sorry you have ended up here.
Has there been any success going from a closed eneded to an open ended vasectomy? I am trying to convince my urologist to do so.
No idea re success on that sorry. Some sufferers on PVP forums have found it can help lower, not lose, pain.
Again though any operation in that area carries risk of making it worse.
Sorry to say but procedure you have done to TRY and esse pain is very much pot luck with regards success rate and very few people lose all pain. That is to say majority carry on having pain of varying severity.
Sadly NHS and Drs comprehensively fail to adequately point out risks and that you could be staring at lifelong pain.
As Ouchy had said below the NHS don't routinely offer reversals, even when it is to combat pain rather than restore fertility. You can request funding for reversal if you can get urologist on side but majority of funding requests are denied. Your best bet is to count on a reversal costing around £3k....a lot of money where there's no guarantee of it reducing pain to an acceptable level.
I'm just curious if back pressure is the concern, then why not just convert to open vs. Reversal?
Because it's a myriad of other factors as well. Bulk of PVP seems to be neural in nature, hence surgical options can only offer limited success and further complicate by potentially causing more nerve damage.
The fact is neural is why many Drs won't consider orchiectomy as if the bulk of damage is neural removing testicles won't help. I've tried twice for that option and both times be turned down due to neural issues.
There is no easy fix for PVP and each option poses its own risks.
Hi Nick, sorry to learn of yet another vasectomy " gone wrong" I can only state that with me after the medics had tried alsorts with no joy I decided the only thing to do was get the awful vasectomy reversed, after things had settled down after the reversal I was better than 50% improved.
The best way for men is to refuse to have this outdated op. Most methods of contraception even when side effects occure, we return to normal shortly, but with the snip we are often lumbered fo life.
Good luck.
Thanks for your replies everyone. I appreciate your thoughts about this.
I don't expect that a vasectomy reversal will cure the pain or make anything better.
I know the chance is only 50 %
I'm at the point where I live my life with out any expectations.
I'm having a lot of chronic pain on a daily basis. Testicular ache and a sharp burning pain radiating up to my abdomen its horrible.
I don't think it can get worse then it is now, so why not try the vasectomy reversal operation.
Its not even sure if a vasectomy reversal can be performed.
For example if too much of the vas has been removed at vasectomy. Then there will not be a sufficient tube to perform the reversal.
- But I guess the urologist can tell that by feeling on the testicles / scrotum ?.
If my vas is leaking and I have and inflammation.
Then its not possible to remove the inflammation under the same operation or ?.
I mean can the urologist cut away the inflammation and make a vasectomy reversal in 1 operation ?.
I wish all you guys the best. We are all in the same boat and I feel with you.
Positive thoughts,
Nick.
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The damage done is often nerve damage which can't be undone. I was going to get denervation done but have read things can be much worse.
I've had 4 months off sick with testicular pain in 3 years.
david62661 :
Im curious to hear how many years after the vasectomy operation did you wait, before you decided to go for the vasectomy reversal operation ?. And how are you doing now ?.
I do understand that the chance is only 50%. It can either get better or worse after the operation.
Thanks for your reply anyway.
How do I know if the pain is because of nerve damage or chronic inflamation ?. I know it could be both. How are you doing now Ouchy ?.
They'll only do the op you're booked in for. So if you elect for reversal that's all they'll do and not cut away inflamed epi.
As you'd be paying for reversal and epidydectomy is free in NHS it wouldn't make financial sense to get private surgeon to remove epidymus.
I had thought of going for reversal first then if not successful then going for epidydectomy but was advised against that as scarring from reversal could drastically lower success rate of epidydectomy and increase risk of further pain and complications. Surgeon said it's one or the other.
Hence saying earlier think really hard about each option.
At best you can only hope to slightly reduce pain with any option.
Although when you're world is falling apart through pain I know you'll keep looking for options to reduce pain.
I'm still on high doses off morphine but GP had decided after 3 yrs on near palliative care doses they want to cut back on morphine and try duloxetine in low dose.
It's helping slightly but spikes of pain are crippling and effects of off morphine reduction are horrendous.
A lot of the meds they use to try and help can play hell with libido, testosterone and mood.
I'm so sorry you've found yourself in this hell
I've tried all sorts of drugs and the side effects are bad. Even asked the Urologist to cut them off as I ended up on testosterone replacement.
I'm no better. Got a fractured back at the end of last year and recovery slow. Stopped testosterone replacement as injections were painful after and I was already unstable.
Currently off long term sick and pain in nuts still bad as well as having a very painful back.
Initially they stab in the dark...with previous research over decades they know bulk of cases is nerve damage.
In my case they weren't too sure...after epidydectomy didn't work they were then convinced it was nerve based hence then refusing to remove testicles as I'd requested.
With PVP they don't know how it is caused fully so every thing they do to try and resolve it is guesswork and taking shots in the dark.
Of course all this could be easily avoided if Drs were truly honest about risks posed
david62661 :
Im curious to hear how many years after the vasectomy operation did you wait, before you decided to go for the vasectomy reversal operation ?. And how are you doing now ?.
I do understand that the chance is only 50%. It can either get better or worse after the operation.
Thanks for your reply anyway.
PVP-ouch:
Im sorry to hear about that.
So do you still consider getting your testicles removed, or are there any other options in your situation.
Do you experience pain 24/7 / constantly or does it come and go?.
I hope the best for you.
Best regards, Nick.
Ouchy:
Sorry but im not sure I understand what you mean.
How did you have 4 months off sick ?.
What did you do in those 3 months ?.
Thanks.
Varying pain flare ups. 1 month sick with the snip, another 5 weeks with the epi and various pain flare ups oh and severe drug reactions.