Vasectomy Update

[TheFuzz]

Thought it post an update.

2.5 years on I still have bad PVPS. To top that I am now on testosterone injections as my levels have plummeted.

My medical team have run out of options to relieve pain, other than high strength pain killers as and when. Even the option of removing both testes is out due it probably not curing the pain.

One thing that stands out is the experts are accepting that at least 10% of men will get long term chronic pain (read for life). It will ruin your sex life and put pressure on your relationship.

I'm not able to sue because of the medical disclaimer you sigh which points out there is a risk of long term pain. What the GP won't tell you is that the risk is very common. It's only when you speak to Urologists does it become apparent it's very common and incurable.

My pain specialist said he has seen PVPS ruin marriages and cause suicides.

Even the complaints process with the GP commissioners isn't interested.

I have this pain all the time, and bad flare ups lead to time off work, and disciplinary action. Since the surgery I've had over 3 months off on sick. Some employers wouldn't be so understanding and it could put your job at risk.

I can not recommend this procedure as its ruined my life. I can't even get counselling via the NHS and I am having to pay for that privately.

Please thoroughly research the risks before deciding upon a vasectomy. There is a huge cover up concerning the risks, and GPs will not tell you.

The pain is horrendous. You really are up the creak if you get PVPS.

Please be informed.

[bonzo77]

Interesting reading. What an awful outcome. How ironic that so many contraceptive options make sex impossible anyway.

[scaevola]

So sorry to read that there has been no change, TheFuzz.

I often wonder how you're doing when I see vasectomy threads here.

And I think the risks of vasectomy are routinely underestimated.

Or people confuse the 10% serious long-term side effects, with those who have post-operative discomfort or a curable wound infection.

[RitaCrudgington]

I'm so sorry. DH had side effects that turned out to be temporary but for a couple of weeks he was staring at the possibility of PVPS. I do think people are too cavalier about the risks.

[TheFuzz]

Still no improvement

Been put on anti depressants and additional pain killers. Had more time off sick due to pain. Looks like I'm going to be subject to disciplinary action. Good job I am not self employed or work for a small company.

Not sure what will happen as I can't guarantee when I will get a bad pain flare up.

Looks like I will be asking for a orchiectomy as I can't go on like this. That may not work either.

This op has cost 3.5 months off sick.

[TheFuzz]

Drug cocktail has been increased. Unable to get an errection or orgasm due to the pain drugs. GP confirmed this would be a side effect and won't improve.

Now in a right pickle. Can't come off the drugs due to pain. Only option is removal so I can come off the drugs and maybe things might get back to normal with the testosterone injections I am currently on.

Don't see a way out of this.

[TheFuzz]

My Urologist won't cut off my balls despite asking.

Had option of partial reversal on right as left can't be reversed as epididymitis has been removed. After all this didn't want to have possibility of firing live rounds even though it's unlikely with hormone replacement.

Going to try denervation which involves two ops under GA where they go in via the groin and strip the nerved off the spermatic cord. Again more risk of losing a testicle so one done per time as it's a complicated operation. If it's successful then do other.

This is going to take probably another year before I know if this works.

Medications causing problems still and we are sleeping apart due to involuntary twiching caused by drugs. That's another year on the settee with a full time job. Not sleeping.

Referred to Occupational Health due to sick record.

This is risking my job and career. Another year before things may improve. Will I have a job.

That will be 3 General Anaesthetics now for this simple op and the risks associated with GAs.

[TheFuzz]

Oh and deep muscle hormone replacement increased to every two weeks as my levels are still crashing to a third of normal. So that's a very sore ass and limping for 4 days out of 14. Joy.

[TheFuzz]

Had to come off the pregabalin due to shakes and muscle twitches at night. Getting less but still on settee. Not sleeping. Being out of the house 11 hours a day with work is getting impossible. Occ Health report more or less useless. Hope I can hold onto a job.

Meds making me sweat like a pig. Ended up with a sodden shirt just walking to shops. Had to dry off in disabled loos. This isn't funny. Wife getting more and more hissed off with me. Back on Tramadol at night.

Spoke to some more solicitors. No chance of legal recompense for this.

[Hassled]

I have no advice or anything useful but a whole heap of sympathy - this is really awful for you. And I have to say I had no idea PVPS even existed (and my DH had a vasectomy some years ago) - so by raising awareness you're being invaluable.

Re the sleeping apart - I can see why it's necessary, but do you need to be on the sofa? As this isn't going away anytime soon, you need a longer term solution - could your DCs share a room?

[TheFuzz]

No solution with sleeping. Kids too old to share and no spare room. My fidgeting with pain or through the meds means my wife is disturbed and she has her own health issues which are magnified by poor sleep.

The pain is incredible at times and is just manageable with the current meds. Just had two Tramadol and it's done nothing.

Explored most options now. Work go to bed for a bit, go to sleep on settee, get up repeat. Never thought the snip would cause this and my job is at risk. Really worried taking time off with the next two groin ops. I'll just have to go back ASAP. Bloody unemployable anywhere else. Sickness record is crap due to pain. I'm very very fit otherwise.

Out of options and I'm getting miserable with the pain as we can't get it under control without unacceptable side effects.

[TheFuzz]

Sunday in bed all day, struggled at work, up all night and off work again. Didn't sign up for this.

[TheFuzz]

Still off work. 5 days of extreme agony.

[JasperDamerel]

I'm so sorry that you are going through this.

[thehypocritesoaf]

What a nightmare for you thefuzz.

(I've chatted to you before under a name change.) I'm so sorry to hear things haven't improved. when have they booked you in for the denervation?

[TheFuzz]

3 to 4 months time for first op. Second side will be about another year away. Wife very worried I won't feel anything down there but I am personally passed caring. If it works one way or another great and I may come off some of the meds.

I am in contact with a number of other chaps who are in similar situations and now have employment worries on top.

[thehypocritesoaf]

Well hopefully the denervation on the worst side is going to get you relief from the pain.

What a fecking disaster.

I'm glad you've found some people who know what you're going through.

Keep communicating with dw. I know when you're in pain you just want to close off from everything but she will want to be there for you.

[TheFuzz]

I've got the NHS Commissioners to meet soon. Top bods. Going to get a roasting.

[thehypocritesoaf]

Good for you. Five years down the line, dh is fairly reluctant to talk about it but if you need any more stories/evidence maybe he would.

Dh doesn't have much pain anymore- and has had nothing compared to you - however he developed asthma and other allergies which I feel might be related to the 8 or sound rounds of antibiotics etc he had during that awful time.

It's trite but try to stay positive.

[TheFuzz]

Going to drop the duloxetine ASAP.

This stuff will kill you if you do any long endurance exercise due to the excessive sweating. Came back totally soaked, cold day, technical clothing that breathes, everything is wet like it's been dumped in a bucket. Scary shit as I was guzzling down liquids and had taken precautions as had been sweating in the office wet through not moving.

This is dangerous shit as I did not feel hot nor felt the sweat. 2 X 2 hour endurance exercise and could not tell body temp.

Lucky.

[TheFuzz]

Things aren't getting better. Drug side effects were horrible. I've come off them.

I'm totally miserable and me and my wife aren't getting on. She doesn't understand the intensity of the pain, it's effect on sleep and it's affecting my ability to do my job.

I'm exhausted and a 'fucking miserable bastard' as just referred to.

I need to pack in work as I am so tired, but we can't afford that as my wife only works part time and doesn't earn enough to pay the bills.

I can see out marriage down the pan at this rate unless I can get pain relief. Had a huge bust up and she has walked out.

Please don't risk your marriages with the snip.

Desperate

[Alterego1965]

Omg. I've only just seen this thread. So so sorry for you. What a nightmare.

[Alterego1965]

Btw I clicked on it as my dh is booked in for the snip.

[expatinscotland]

Sorry you are going through this, but my DH had the snip and it went well. He's had no side effects. It is a viable option for many men.

[VimFuego101]

This sounds awful. Are you still on track to have the denervation in a couple of months? I really hope it works for you.

[scarevola]

expat 90% of men are fine, or have issues that can be successfully treated in a few weeks.

But no-one can know (until it's too late) whether they'll be in the 90% or the other 10%. Whose voice is rarely heard. And yes, NHS puts it at 10% serious complications. The scariest bit of which is that there are next to know treatments on offer, and very little certainly that anything will work.

TheFuzz: so sorry to hear the latest. As always, wishing you well