I underwent a varicocele procedure in June 2008 for pain in my left testicle that was moderate but not overbearing. I was 28 and very athletic\u2014I ran often, and played soccer on a semi-professional level up until I was 22.<\/p>\n
Four days after the operation, I was lying on my stomach on my bed and I pushed myself shoulders upwards with my arms. A sudden sharp pain shot through my lower left abdomen, precisely at the point where the embolization was placed.\u00a0\u00a0 The pain lasted for days, radiating and excruciating.<\/p>\n
I went back to the doctor, he looked at via ultrasound and said everything was normal. He couldn\u2019t explain the pain. Said it was \u201csome other issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the next year and a half, the pain would die down and then, through a rapid movement every couple months or so (during sex notably, or running), the pain would return. It would last about a month, ever so slowly dying down. I was forced to teach myself not to move as I normally would, and ignore the pain.<\/p>\n
I don’t know why, but the pain seemed to come out when i was hungry or had an empty stomach.\u00a0 In other words, there seemed to be a relationship between the pain and my digestive system from the start.<\/p>\n
I also noticed that, while running, I would get incredible stomach cramps on my left side, which never happened before. I slowly lost pleasure in doing physical activities.<\/p>\n
At the end of 2009, a year and a half after the embolization, suddenly the pain went away but it was replaced with what I describe as \u201cnumbness.\u201d Pleasure, in general, energy died down tremendously. A myriad of different health issues began to appear, including, from most to least notable and annoying: sexual dysfunction, chronic fatigue, digestion problems.<\/p>\n
Since then, I have tried to find solutions to my symptoms, as well as the underlying causes, with minimal success. Above all, I just want to lead a life where I am not trying to resolve body issues\u2014which has taken up tremendous creative energy.<\/p>\n
I have my theories as to what happened inside of me (see long story). I would love to hear your own story, if you have one, or hear your feedback, if you have suggestions or comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I underwent a varicocele procedure in June 2008 for pain in my left testicle that was moderate but not overbearing. I was 28 and very athletic\u2014I ran often, and played soccer on a semi-professional level up until I was 22. … Continue reading