New member
Mook
I had my vasectomy on a Friday in Nov of 2005 (only 2 months ago) and
this is my story...
The first two days weren't too bad, there was some pain at the incision
site (this was a closed vasectomy BTW) but otherwise tolerable. I even
managed to go to the mall to buy some shoes on the Sunday.
I wore boxer type underwear (a real shock after going "commando" for
the past 20+ years!) to provide some support and things were going
fairly well for the first week.
On Tuesday of the second week, I awoke to a pain in my testicles as if
someone were squeezing them incessantly. Any man here knows how painful
that is, as well as the associated pain and pressure created in the
lower organs, back and kidney area!
This went on for well over a week. At first, ice provided relief, then
made it worse. Heat seemed to be the ticket for TEMPORARY relief.
I made an appointment with the Urologist who performed the procedure.
Luckily, I managed to get in to see him within the week.
Before seeing him though, I noticed a definite and pronounced "bump" in
the groin area. I assumed that it was the "knot" in the vas since it
had been cauterized, doubled-over and secured with some sort of ring..
When I saw the Doc, he informed me that this was indeed the vas, and
that I had developped a GRANULOMA.
He didn't seem too concerned about it all, saying that "it's only been
a month or so" since the procedure, and that this condition is usually
self-resolving with time.
Three months seems to be the magic number.
Everything was fine over the Christmas holidays, and I thought I had
beaten it. But after having sex on New Year's day, it seems to have
flared up again. It is nowhere near as painful as the original bout,
but it IS painful nonetheless and all I can think of are the days when
I use to walk around with my balls swinging in my pants without pain! I
am getting to the point of regretting ever having this procedure done.
I have another appointment with the Doc next week and I expect that he
will tell me to "wait another month or so" to see what happens. When
there is no pain, things are great...but when they hurt...it is both
painful AND annoying, not to mention very limiting!
One thing I must stress to EVERY person contemplating this is DO SOME
RESEARCH FIRST! I went into this totally blind...even the Doc
downplayed the possibility of any long-term problems or after-effects,
yet after doing some POST-OPERATIVE research on the Internet, I am
scared!
Some of the stories out there are downright ugly and frightening, and I
told my wife that had I done as much research for this as I did before
I bought my motorcycle, I probably would NOT have opted for this
procedure!
Yet, I know several individuals (work with a few too) who have had this
done with no ill-effects other than a bit of post-op swelling and
bruising.
Are there any GOOD stories out there? I really need some reassurance
and confirmation that what I did was worth it and that this pain I
have will be ending soon!
Unknown
>Are there any GOOD stories out there?
I had mine done August 26th. For about 10 weeks or so, I would have
occasional "twinges" in my left testicle. Nothing like you
experienced, but an ache that would last a minute or so, a few times a
day.
Those seem to have cleared up. I can't really remember having one for
at least a month. So there is still the possibility that your problem
will self-correct, hopefully.
Good luck...keep us posted.
David
Granuloma's are not unusual - some 60+% of men get them after vasectomy, but
in most cases they are aysmptomatic (you don't know they are there). The
body can take time to adjust to it's new state, and time is indeed what is
required in most cases.
Basically, 50% of the sperm produced in non-vasectomised men never leaves
the epididymus. It is broken down and reabsorbed by a combination of
membranes that absorb the fluid content, and macrophages (cell eaters) that
break down the solids to be reabsorbed. The self defence mechanism that the
body employs is for the membranes to increase in size to absorb more fluid,
and more macrophages are pulled in from the bloodstream. Granuloma's are
part of the body's way of coping with the sperm until this self defence
mechanism has properly kicked in. This self defence mechanism also kicks in
if you have an injury or bacterial infection that is likely to restrict the
flow of sperm. Granulomas are also sometimes as a result of allergy to your
own sperm.
I too have a habit of going commando - especially in 501's. I didn't do this
for a while after my vasectomy, but do so nowadays as and when the mood
takes me. I'm 8 years post vas.
> I have another appointment with the Doc next week and I expect that he
> will tell me to "wait another month or so" to see what happens. When
> there is no pain, things are great...but when they hurt...it is both
> painful AND annoying, not to mention very limiting!
I think you are right about him telling you to wait a while. Have you tried
wearing a jock at all? They provide really excellent support without being
uncomfortable (provided you get the right waist size!).
> Are there any GOOD stories out there? I really need some reassurance
> and confirmation that what I did was worth it and that this pain I
> have will be ending soon!
Oh - plenty. Try the stories section on the website below.
I know you are having problems right now, but time really is the great
healer. Granuloma's do usually resolve themselves without any surgical
intervention given time. Good luck when you see the doctor, and hope things
improve soon.
--
David
www.vasectomy-information.com
http://vasectomy.wordpress.com/
http://vasectomy-news.blogspot.com
Giraud
> Granuloma's are
> part of the body's way of coping with the sperm until this self defence
> of allergy to your own sperm.
Hey David, I thought granulomas "just happen" due to the leaking of
sperm from the vas rather than being a way to cope (although I can
understand why this ends up relieving pressure). Does a sperm alergy
actually help to create them? If so, are alergy-related granulomas
different than regular ones?
-Giraud
David
> Hey David, I thought granulomas "just happen" due to the leaking of
> sperm from the vas rather than being a way to cope (although I can
> understand why this ends up relieving pressure). Does a sperm alergy
> actually help to create them? If so, are alergy-related granulomas
> different than regular ones?
Hi Giraud,
There isn't a difference between granuloma's to my knowledge - granulomas is
granulomas is granulomas! I think all of the above are true though. The
quote below is from "Well connected" review by Harvard Medical School.
"Sperm Granulomas. After vasectomy, sperm often leak from the vasectomy site
or from a rupture
in the epididymis, the tightly coiled, thin tube that connects the testicle
to the vas deferens.
Sperm have very strong antigenic qualities: the immune system views sperm as
foreign agents
and attacks them. Sperm leakage provokes an inflammatory reaction. The body
forms pockets
to trap the sperm in scar tissue and inflammatory cells. Firm balls of
tissue about one-half inch
in diameter then form; these are known as sperm granulomas. They occur in
about 60% of
vasectomy patients.
Although they rarely cause problems, one study reported that sperm
granulomas were
troublesome in 15% of patients. In about 3% to 5% of cases, sperm granulomas
obstruct the
already blocked ends of the vas deferens and generate pressure build-up in
the epididymis.
This can cause a rupture from the pressure of the fluid. In such cases, the
testicles may become
enlarged and painful. A damaged epididymis can be repaired, but if the
patient later wishes a
reversal of the vasectomy, disruption of this tiny tube makes success much
less likely. "
Clearly this document states that granulomas are caused by the allergic
reaction. Other studies also point out the pressure aspect of causing
granuloma's. It's my understanding that in part, granuloma's are one of the
self defence mechanisms.
--
David
www.vasectomy-information.com
http://vasectomy.wordpress.com
http://vasectomy-news.blogspot.com
www.vasectomy-faq.org
Mister Ed
"Mook" qwa...@gmail.com says...
> Greetings all, new member here.
Hi Mook.
I can tell you a bit about my slight pain from sperm granulomas. In my case,
they grew to about 1cm ~1/2" in diameter, receded, and then eventually
disappeared. I am now completely pain-free, and everything is back to
*exactly* the same senations as before the vasectomy.
> I had my vasectomy on a Friday in Nov of 2005 (only 2 months ago) and
> this is my story...
[...]
> On Tuesday of the second week, I awoke to a pain in my testicles as if
> someone were squeezing them incessantly. Any man here knows how painful
> that is, as well as the associated pain and pressure created in the
> lower organs, back and kidney area!
Certainly sounds familiar. Although, my pain was much less than yours sounds.
I think the big difference was that I wore a jock strap religiously for about a
month post-op. Even though you enjoy the feeling of "going commando" and
letting the boys swing in the breeze, now is the time to be *very*
conservative. Take the boys and put them in the safe house (jock strap) to
keep them from bouncing up and down. The tension on the healing inguinal cord
can cause the pain high up near the kidneys that you mention.
[...]
> When I saw the Doc, he informed me that this was indeed the vas, and
> that I had developped a GRANULOMA.
> He didn't seem too concerned about it all, saying that "it's only been
> a month or so" since the procedure, and that this condition is usually
> self-resolving with time.
> Three months seems to be the magic number.
Sounds about in line with my experience as far as my granulomas completely
resorbing.
[...]
> One thing I must stress to EVERY person contemplating this is DO SOME
> RESEARCH FIRST! I went into this totally blind...even the Doc
> downplayed the possibility of any long-term problems or after-effects,
> yet after doing some POST-OPERATIVE research on the Internet, I am
> scared!
Absolutely! Being a well-informed patient, no matter what the procedure, will
help you better prepare for the healing process (or opt-out of the procedure).
Research would reveal many recommendations about wearing a jock strap and icing
to reduce the pain and speed up the healing process. Tylenol also helps a lot.
I read up on the procedure for 4 years before finally deciding on having a
vasectomy. One of the key factors in level of pain (in my opinion) is picking
a competent, gentle doctor with lots of experience in vasectomies.
[...]
> Are there any GOOD stories out there? I really need some reassurance
> and confirmation that what I did was worth it and that this pain I
> have will be ending soon!
I consider my story to be pretty much textbook perfect. Everyone heals at a
different rate, and interprets pain differently. I've been kicked, stomped,
bitten, squashed, crashed my dirt bikes a few times, and dislocated both
shoulders. So, I'm familiar with extreme pain. But when it comes to "the
boys", any pain there is hard to associate with any of the other pains. The
doctor told me not to ride horses for a month, and I followed that advise until
day 31 or so. :-)
If I had to make the decision over again with my knowledge today, I would not
hesitate for an instant to have a vasectomy. As an aside, my procedure is a
closed-ended single-incision with titanium clips on both the testicular and
protatic ends of the 1/2" vas-deferens resection.
You can read my complete story an David's Vasectomy Info website under the
"Mister Ed" alias.
www.Vasectomy-Information.com/stories/index.htm
www.Vasectomy-Information.com
Mister Ed
Giraud
*worse*, whereas we've heard of the possiblity that granulomas can ease
pressure by acting as a safety valve (or maybe they just provide more
volume or a volume that can expand a little as needed).
But by "defense mechanism," you mean against the antibody reaction, not
against pressure, right? It seems that having no granuloma (i.e. just
an open end) would relieve pressure even better.
-Giraud
MRVAS...@gmail.com
I have a question that I don't want you to take the wrong way. You
sound like a relatively intelligent man and seem to have things under
control. You have a computer, why did you not at least have a look
around the internet before the procedure? I did 6 months of research
before I made the first of 3 consultation visits, then it was another 6
weeks until I could get snipped.
All good medicine,
GREENFEATHER
David
> *worse*, whereas we've heard of the possiblity that granulomas can ease
> pressure by acting as a safety valve (or maybe they just provide more
> volume or a volume that can expand a little as needed).
I think they are explaining that there is a possibility that granulomas can
lead to an epididymal blowout. I'm not sure they mean to imply that
granuloma's make pressure worse. Your interpretation above is correct I
would suggest.
>
> But by "defense mechanism," you mean against the antibody reaction, not
> against pressure, right? It seems that having no granuloma (i.e. just
> an open end) would relieve pressure even better.
No - the self defence mechanism is a pressure vent that exists to protect
the testicle against any temporary or permanent obstruction.
http://www.brucegilbertmd.com/publications/articles/BRGauaim.html
"Local effects include granuloma formation, epididymal and vasal obstruction
as well as intraluminal phagocytosis. Granuloma formation, which occurs at
the site of vasectomy approximately 30% of the time, results from leakage of
vas fluid from the testicular end of the vas. Evidence in men and animal
studies have suggested that the granuloma acts to vent pressure in the
tubular network that otherwise might result in damage to the epididymis and
rete testis11. This venting of sperm and testicular fluid can result in
production of antibodies to antigens of this previously protected gamete."
Sporting injuries "down there" can lead to swelling / blocked epididyus and
hence granuloma's. Also infections such as TB are known to provoke the same.
In both of the above, the blockage is temporary and the granuloma acts as
the pressure valve. As it's temporary, the increased membranes / increase in
macrophages (if it's happened) are also temporary.
Re open ended, granuloma incidence is up to about 97% as stated in the open
ended vasectomy paper on the website.
Mook
David,
While doing some POST-operative research, I came across a few
ANTI-vasectomy websites and forums. The picture they paint is not a
pretty one!
They talk of PVPS (Post vasectomy pain syndrome) that NEVER resolves,
botched procedures, gangrenous testicles, testicle ruptures (from
pressure buildup) unsuccessful reversal that resulted in more pain than
before and even about removal of BOTH testicles to rid the patient of
pain!
Needless to say, my own testicles went on hiatus after reading some of
the accounts...downright frightening, but in the same breath I knew
that there had to be SOME positive feedback; which led me to this site!
I did try wearing a jock for a while, when the pain hit its peak, but
it seemed to make things worse by jamming everything together. The
first night of full relief came when I slept in the buff as I normally
do, and things could hang "normally". I have tried wearing the boxers
again, but unfortunately they seem to aggravate the condition.
I should point out, that this pain isn't CONSTANT. It actually went
away over the Christmas holidays, but returned soon afterwards and now
seems to be in the waning stages again, probably be gone when I see the
Doc this thursday LOL!
There is no doubt AFAIC, that it has to do with the vas. The one on the
left testicle is small and even though I can feel it, it doesn't hurt
to be touched.
The one on the right is about TWICE the size and touching it doesn't
hurt right away, but it does soon afterwards. The fact that it is so
swollen also prevents the testicle from moving about freely (such as
retreating upwards when cold) so it gets tugged on which causes even
more pain!
I am hopeful that this granuloma will resolve without further surgical
intervention, but I tell you, when the pain starts in, I almost want to
perform my own surgery!
Mook
I had typed up a nice reply but I have no idea where it went!!!
Dave,
I am glad (and relieved) to hear that "most" granulomas will resolve on
their own, one thing I definitely DON'T want to do is go back under the
knife. I've had other procedures done to me before and was knocked out
for all of them, being awake and lucid was a different experience to
say the least!
It wasn't until AFTER my operation that I did any research and what I
found was truly quite frightening! Stories of botched procedures..PVP
that NEVER resolved...removal of BOTH testicles to eliminate the
pain...ruptures and "blow-outs" of testicles from excessive back
pressure...stories that made my own testicles go on hiatus LOLN! (Laugh
out loud, nervously!)
Every man will tell you that there is little to compare with testicular
pain. I think it was the creator's way of letting us know the magnitude
of childbirth in a split-second!
I tried using a jockstrap, but it seemed to jam everything together,
which exacerbated the pain.
Currently, the pain seems to be in the waning phase, and can be dealt
with by use of Advil (Ibuprofen) but it is still an annoying pain.
I am convinced that it has to do with the vas since I can literally
feel it. The vas on the left is small and insensitive, but the one on
the right is abbout twice as big and although I can touch it, I am
reminded why I shouldn't...several moments later!
It is especially annoying because it seems to restrict the movement of
the testicle as well. When they want to move upwards (during arousal or
a cold-spell) it seems to tug on the testicle, and creates more pain.
I fully expect the Doc to tell me to "give it another month or two" but
it is frustrating, especially after going for over a week with almost
NO pain. Your explanation of the time-factor for the defence mechanisms
to "kick in" makes perfect sense and I have to wonder why he didn't
offer that. When you're in pain, you seek solutions but sometimes
knowing WHY the pain exists is helpful.
I will keep you posted on my progress. Thanks so much for offering this
service, it is a refreshing change from the ugliness and negativity
that I was reading on other sites!
Mook
trif...@netscape.net
Mook wrote:
> Are there any GOOD stories out there? I really need some reassurance
> and confirmation that what I did was worth it and that this pain I
> have will be ending soon!
Just to add to what others have said, while I didn't have as much
"discomfort" as you, I did experience some post vas ache that resolved
on its own that I think may have been granuloma related. Certainly
there was tenderness in the epidydimus (the bunch of tubules at the
back of the testicle where sperm hang out before ejac and tend to bunch
after vas--even my doc. commented on it). Your story about getting hit
with it after sex on New Years Day resembles my experience, as I
usually felt it only after extended arousal (lots of teasing) or
multiple ejacs. This went on for about a year, but was very mild
compared to what you seem to be getting and never stopped me doing what
I wanted (which was usually a repeat!). Keep seeing the doc. if this
doesn't go away or get better over time. While your experience seems
different from others in degree, it may resemble the norm in that you
will get better over time.
Mook
I'd post one but it wouldn't show up for hours, so I'd post another one
and the same thing would happen, then they all came out at once!
I'll try not to let this happen again! Thank you for your patience.
Barry
show up hours later, so I posted again and again. Then when I realized
they were showing up I went in and deleted two. I don't know what
happened. Since I am new to the post vasectomy experience also, the
only advise that I can offer is to you is to just keep a positive mind
that things will only improve.
Mook
As they say, knowing you're NOT ALONE is a big help.
MrVasectomy,
Yes, in hindsight I should have put in a few more hours of research,
but I was going with the general consensus. Several other people I know
had the procedure done and never mentioned any displeasure or
discomfort after the fact, so in essence I had done "some" research".
Even the doc who performed it downplayed a lot of my concerns, telling
me simply to "take it easy over the weekend" and little else. When I
asked if I would need a prescription for post-op pain, he said I
wouldn't need one and he was right...I didn't need anything for a week
and a half AFTER!
Knowing what I do now, I can understand why the people I spoke to,
might not have been so forthcoming with any bad experiences. It is
intensely personal and strikes at the heart of what makes us
"men"...doesn't it?