chronic testicular pain

A couple years after having a vasectomy, I started having chronic left testicle pain. I was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and epididimytis (as a result of the vasectomy). After an ultrasound and antibiotics (which didn't work), I was scheduled for surgery to repair the hernia and remove the left epididimus.

On recovery, I was numb in the left pubic region. The doctor said not to worry and that the sensation would come back. - Boy was he right. About four months later, the numbness went away and I started having pain in the left testicle. I waited for about a month and finally went back to my urologist. he indicated that most likely, the nerve was trapped by the surgeon who did the hernia repair. He attempted a nerve block in my left hip with no change. he tried one more time with no change. He sent me to have an epidural to block the pain. I had the epidural with no change in pain and was put on a very strong pain medicine (Nucynta) which did absolutely nothing. I had a second epidural about 2 weeks after that with no change in the pain. The doctor performing the epidural wanted to go even further and it sounded to painful - so I have been living with the pain for the last year.

The only relief for the pain is masturbation. If I masturbate at least once per day, the pain is tolerable. If I have to go longer, then the pain can get so bad that I can't sleep.

I have thought about having the testicle removed. - any thoughts