Vasectomy.....please share! Seriously worried about DH.

[Misfitless]

My DH had a vasectomy a week last Tuesday and is still in a lot of pain. We've been googling about post vasectomy pain (PVP) syndrome this morning and it doesn't look good.

Whilst we realise at this stage, a certain amount of discomfort is to be expected, he has been exchanging stories and experiences with friends over the past couple of days, and none of them experienced this...

He has pain in his tube in his groin area ...can't remember the medical name for the tubes. Anway, when the procedure was being done, he felt a tugging pain, and this pain is worse now than it was after the op.

It's seems almost medieval, when there are options for laser procedures these days, but he had the scalpel method.

The consultant also didn't have an assistant that day, as she had broken her arm, so it was a one man job..WTAF?

On the internet we've read horror stories about guys being in pain for the rest of their lives, not being able to have sex or even ejaculate, etc, etc.

Anyone have similar experiences (good or bad) that they can share? Currently can't contact the consultant as he's not available.

Can't stay online as have to go out, but will read any responses asap.

TIA for anyone who reads and replies.

So sorry to hear all these tales of woe. TBH, I've never understood why they say it is a much simpler procedure to sterilise men than women (GA apart). I had my ovarian tubes clipped under GA and was back at work the next day, no afterpains, no side effects.

MabelSideswipe at it not working!

Thanks everyone.

Summer I feel that I put a bit of pressure on DH tbh, but this was several years ago. During the week leading up to the V, I asked him several times "are you absolutely sure?...You don't have to do it!...It's not too late etc," etc.

Good for you, Summer, I wish I could say the same .

I'll admit I did think..well I've done my bit, being pregnant, giving birth, breast feeding etc. I did think that my body had been through enough, and if he was sure he didn't want anymore DCs (at one point I didn't want to rule out having another,) he should have the V . I know this isn't uncommon, though, from threads I've read on here.

I would urge DH not to have it if I knew then what I know now.

I agree, Grimbletart. I fell for the hype of it being a very simple and straightforward procedure for a man compared to a woman.

I remember Dh talking about the tugging sensation too when he was having his op. It was a 2 person job apparently as they had to get through lots of scar tissue from Dh's rugby days. Blerk.

Any lasting problems, Dame? Hope not.

I was in the 'usual' situation of 'it's your turn'. Really didn't want it doing, but it seemed the best long term situation. Wasn't sure about it on the way to the operation either. As you can say I was none too impressed coming out of the surgery and told my wife it had gone badly at that point. I knew then things were not right !

GP said he had never had any problems, so at the point you are very vulnerable and you have to trust their judgement. I'll never trust either my GP or any GP with minor operating skills again - surgeons for me from now on.

Even when you are telling them you can feel it, and extreme pain of the cutting, you still have to lie still. I had thought of legging it at the point he severed a blood vessel, and going to A&E, but you have to sit there till they stitch it off as you will bleed everywhere.

Misfitless, lets hope your DH settles down in the next couple of weeks. If he still has trouble after the antibiotics, then go back to the GP for a referral.

I think we would have gone ahead with it if other options were limited. Surgery for women has its problems too - as does all surgery.

TheFuzz - I think you are right about going for a surgeon. I don't know how you go about finding the right one. I am sure a lot of people think it is simple, but a lot depends on your own personal anatomy too.

The husband of a family acquaintance (many years ago, in my childhood) thought he could do it and used to perform vasectomies with stuff nicked from NHS. He ended up in prison though.

No lasting problems at all OP

It took weeks to settle down though, some people seen to fly through operations and others just have problems, each individual is different. My ds was circumcised and what we were expecting to be a relatively minor op turned into him being very very poorly with a post op infection.

Hope your Dh is feeling better soon

It's very interesting reading this thread.

DH was due to have a vasectomy at a local GP's clinic, but when he arrived on the day of the op he didn't like the attitude of the man (there's a long irrelevant story about incomplete paperwork) doing the op so got back into his clothes and walked out.

He went back to the GP to see if there was anyone else who could do it, luckily there was a urologist at our local hospital who the GP would refer him to.

The urologist agreed to take dh as a patient due to a large badly placed blood vessel which could be a complication during the procedure - something that hadn't been noticed at the minor surgery clinic because even at the point of dh being on the table, no one had ever looked at his testicles/scrotom.

DH had a chat with the surgeon about post-op pain - dh's biggest concern about the op. The surgeon explained that he only does the procedure under GA. This is because when you have a local the patient is aware of what is going on and is tense. The testicles then retreat into the body and they have to be pulled down to make the cut. This pulling is believed to be the possible cause of post-op and long term pain. If the op is carried out under GA then it isn't an issue.

DH had his vasectomy under GA and has had no problems - except infected stitches which I loved taking out with my tweezers

After hearing what the urologist told dh I found it quite shocking that the vast majority of vasectomys are still done under local.

I hope your dh is on the road to recovery OP and I sincerely hope things get better for you TheFuzz.

That's interesting about the GA.

DH was done by Marie Stopes. They do it under local, but they employ doctors who spend their working lives at the various clinics carrying out vasectomies. That's far from a guarantee that there will be no side effects (short or long term), but it does remove operator inexperience as a risk. If you cannot get an NHS referral to a urologist, do not want to be done by a GP, and are prepared to spend £400, this is an option to consider.

Under a GA is a good idea, there is no need to rush either. They don't do examinations usually, just start chopping. The GP 'expert' I had gave mine a very quick poke and said it should be fine (vas was accessible) and then the GP who was 'training' got to work - and made a mess.

I would recommend Surgeons and GA to anyone thinking about it, mainly to avoid complications. The op itself was quite simple (well half was pain free, the second half was excruciating).

Blimey,I had no idea they do it in the gp surgery Dh went to hospital, this was 13 years ago though.

The urologist also said the success rate is higher when under GA. The tubes are less likely to fuse again, I guess something to do with the testicles being descended?

Hi Misfitless,

How is your DH doing. Hope all is improving ?

Well further into my journey, serious amounts of painkillers and have finally seen a Consultant Pain specialist.

They are going to try a course of steriod and anaesthetic injections into my testicle, but if that fails its chop chop.

He also said you wont find any Consultant Pain Specialist that has had the snip because of the risks - he is seeing people like me every day. He also said he has seen it end in divorse. He was at a National Pain Conference where they said doin't get a vasectomy.

You can imagine I am very low at the minute and this is putting a huge strain on our relationship.

I'm also going to ask for Testosterone tests from my GP as I think these aren't normal anymore - I've asked before but been refused.

This stinks. GP's lie to you through the back of your teeth. It's a huge money spinner for them, nice top up ! Bastards.

Hi Fuzz,

Thanks for checking up on us.

So sorry to hear that you're still going through all this.

Amazingly things have improved a lot for my DH in the past couple of days. He had a scan a couple of weeks or so ago, which the consultant said showed nothing untoward. He was told it was nerve damage, and that given time things will improve greatly.

He still gets the odd shooting pain, and low level aches, but tbh, this is manageable and feels like a walk in the park compared to the agony he was in.

I think we were both thinking that there was a real possibility of him never actually recovering.

I totally agree about GPs lying to patients - it's nothing short of barbaric to think that tens of men per day are probably having this procedure and are ignorant to the very real risks because the doctors are just not being open and honest. How many men would go through with it if they were suitably informed?

When are you starting on the course of steroid and anaesthetic injections, Fuzz? It sounds so awful for you, and your DP, too, knowing the pain you are in and how down it makes you feel.

I can well believe that situations like this can end in divorce..when I thought my DH wasn't going to get better, I remember thinking "The bastards, they've robbed us of the very essence of what it is to be married."

I know that sounds shallow and melodramatic, and there's much more to anyone's marriage than that, obviously, but the physical and emotional aspects of being married/partners are entwined, and are so important to the health of that relationship.

Is there anything you can do as a couple to ease the strain? Counselling? What a desperate situation for you both. I really hope there is a marked improvement for you, Fuzz.

Thanks for updating us, Misfitless as I was wondering too, and I'm really pleased to read that things have taken a turn for the better for you.

I've also been following your story TheFuzz and am so sorry that there is no improvement.

I updated my "non-clearing DH" thread yesterday. After a long interval, DH is sending a sample this week. He had no side effects whatsoever from the operation, but if he's not clear now (18 months after) we'll probably either have to give up on the idea that vasectomy leads to sterility or consider having it done again (something that has been on the cards since the one year mark).

I should hopefully start steriods/pain injections soon. Not sure when.

Going to see GP and get a full bloods done and testosterone (have asked before but they refused) as due to the damage now done, and excessive scar tissue, I don't think both are working 'optimally' - yes it does stand to attention, but I've little drive, and not getting the morning 'standing' if you see what I mean. I also think I've had a battering with the pain killers over the last 2 years.

Official complaint is not getting anywhere as the GP's aren't responding/holding back information reading between the lines of what the investigator has said (been going on 5 months now). Just dobbed them in with what the Pain Specialist said. I'm really going for the jugular with my GP and the one that wrecked me.

Misfit, please keep an eye on DP as the nerve damage isn't funny - I get shooting pains into my butt cheeks like someone is shoving a knife in me - it's on the affected side.

Scaevola, your DP gets clear - that's the only 'benefit' I've had, we know I'm sterile - one side can't re-connect.

Hate going to the hospital, as I come out feeling good that something is beeing done, but feel like I've been knocked down again, as the same thing comes up - the hosptial staff know about the risks, why wasn't I told.

I'd explained again that I had asked direct questions about PVPS as I was worried, but I was told it never had happened. You have to put your faith in them don't you ?

Anyone reading this, get the hospital to do it. Not a GP. Surgeon all the way.

I can't say I'm looking forward to having a number of needles shoved into a very sensitive part of the body, but if it brings relief, then great.

My consultant was absolutely fine with me saying I don't want to be taking pain killers or medication over a long period of time.

I've been refused councelling, so that's on the list again with the GP. I am incredibly angry about this !

They have actually refused you counselling? WTF? How dare they?

I've asked, GP referred me, but the councelling team said I am not worthy. Got the letter in front of me now. Going to shove it up the GP's ar$e next week and demand he sorts it and I get Testosterone checked.

I doubt I will be popular !

The Fuzz, I've had very good counselling via my Pain Clinic. It's vastly superior to the GP service as the Clinical Psychologists are specialists in pain and truly get it. Might be worth enquiring?

Fuzz, it just gets worse - appalling!

I turned into a right bolshy wife when my DH was in so much pain. It does no good being patient and waiting for things to happen, in situations like this, does it?

It's almost as if by not giving you these tests/counselling etc, they are saying everything's fine, no botch job here, everybody just move along please, iyswim.

It's as if they think that by giving you counselling, they are admitting they've fucked up, so are trying to cover their backs by admitting nothing and giving you no help or support at all.

The pain specialist seems on the ball, though. Maybe you can access counselling through him, as Matilda has suggested.

I've lost track - have you seen a urologist?

Thanks scaevola

Brief Update.

Pain killing injections are being done shortly. Blood tests done. Came back Normal (Liver kidney etc etc), but my testosterone is right at the very bottom of the 'normal' scale, and not 'normal' for my age and being fit as a fiddle (2 hours of high intensity exercise every day).

Now starts the battle with the docs to consider HRT.

So who said vasectomy can't affect testosterone ?

Still refused councelling by GP as waiting list nearly a YEAR. Directed towards one that is 'good' but it charges mega bucks ! GP put me on Naproxen and gut protecting tablets.

Fuck fuck fuck (sorry for the swearing)

Oh and the bastard GP that butchered me isn't replying to my Solicitor or the official complaints folk in the NHS.

Managed to get some reference data. Had it confirmed by someone in the know that 9.1 is very low for a male in his 40's. Should be about 20. This puts me lower than a 90 year old bloke.

Might explain why I feel like crap !

Hi Fuzz. Just wondering how you're getting on?

Worse. Tests are back even lower. Can't get replacement therapy for some time. Castration is effectively what I have ended up with.

Exhausted, getting hot flushes, and not able to work. Simple operation.. That will ruin your lives.

I'll have to change my name to Wendy at this rate.

Oh !

I take it that you've had the pain killing injections but they haven't helped, then?

Why the delay with replacement therapy, Fuzz?

Any news re the bastard GP?

I know that that this doesn't compare in anyway, but just to keep you posted on my DH, he has regressed to being in a quite a lot of pain again.