[acquafreddo]

hi. i'm not sure what the problem is because i had embolization at nyu hospital for a pronounced left side varicocele and am still in pain and discomfort as before. i fail to see how the embolization actually solved any problem and am now $12,000 in debt. i don't know if there's a long internal healing process after embolization, but this is crazy frustrating. almost three months later i'm still always uncomfortable 'down there'

granted, the varicocele itself seems to have been diminished in size, but the pain and discomfort are still present. i have had blood tests and urine tests to rule out any type of infection or alterior cause. basically, i feel like i am screwed.

the mysterious part about it too is that i can not figure out how to mitigate or make the pain or discomfort go away. i've tried changing my diet and certain types of exercise. even advil doesn't really help.

if anyone has any suggestions, please reply to this!

[UroDoc]

It shouldn't be that it is still healing given the 3 months. You could always try a cord block with marcaine to see if the pain resolves

[acquafreddo]

this sounds good, but i'm not sure what type of procedure this is, and what the process includes. it is not readily reserachable on the internet. is this a procedure that is easily employed or is it complex and adventurous? and does it cose big bucks?

[UroDoc]

it involves injecting 5 to 10 cc of marcaine via needle and syringe into the spermatic cord in the office.

[acquafreddo]

and what exactly does this do? is it lasting? is it safe? if i mention it to my urologist will he know what i'm talking about? i haven't seen it on any website about varicocele treatments.

[UroDoc]

It is a simple spermatic cord block , it is safe, if the pain goes away then the pain is coming from the testicle and it is not a referred pain.Sometimes this simple nerve block will release the pain trigger and resolve the problem, it may or may not be long lasting. Don't know if your urologist agrees or is familiar with it, just something I would try in one of my patients