Does anyone know about this problem?

[Dave_Sax]

I recently had surgery because I had Varicocele in the testis. I possibly don't think it is from playing the Sax, but the chinese doctors around me
keeps telling me that I got this 'Varicocele' because of playing the Sax for
too long. Doctors here? Is this reasonable? I personally don't think it's true, but I just wanna know any facts about it.

[Frank D]

Is that anything like the Varitone that Selmer made in the 60s? Sorry, I couldn't resist. Hope you're feeling better soon.

I wouldn't put too much stock in the Chinese doctor's dx. Unless a medical professional is really familiar with what's involved with playing a horn, they can jump to wrong conclusions. I remember my dentist trying to tell me that a chip in my lower teeth was caused by the reed scraping against them, even though I kept explaining that the teeth do not touch the reed! Many people stop listening once they've jumped to a conclusion, and doctors are only human.

[arsenic87]

If you are talking about one of them swelling up and feeling a bit uncomfortable, these are somewhat normal. The swelling should go away. I had to see a urologist a few years back because of this. If it doesn't and starts getting hard, could be cancerous.

This has nothing to do with playing sax, you could get a hernia from blowing too hard though.

[Nefertiti]

Aresenic,
What are you talking about? "One of them swelling up and feeling uncomfortable" This is somewhat normal? I had one swell up because of some virus or infection or something but I've never heard of this as normal. I had another one swell up and become hard. Sure enough Cancer.
I also had surgery for a brain tumor. A year later I got bacterial meningitis and they said it was from playing my sax and I should stop. I talked to another doctor who came up with a solution instead to the problem.
A varicocele is a common structural abnormality in the vascular system within the scrotal sac that can affect sperm quality.. I would love to know how playing the sax would cause this?

[Nefertiti]

Oh by the way, Arsenic, the first line of the above post was to you not the whole post. I could have written it better. Where in NH are you? I just moved to Manchester.

[Dave_Sax]

Thanks for the reply. I really appriciate it.
Does anyone know what causes varicocele?
Is it just innate problem?

[Frank D]

Try doing some web searches on Google and WebMD. You can track down all the info you want. And don't be afraid to contact your own doctor if you have questions, it's part of their job. And if you're not comfortable with his demeanor, get a new doctor.

[arsenic87]

Nefertiti,
I was just repeating what my urologist said. It happens at times when fluid will build up and it is a bit painful. Shouldn't completely ignore it because it could be something much worse. The doctor said you could use a light to tell if it was fluid buildup or not. Anything out of the ordinary like this should be checked out by a doctor, not diagnosed by me over the internet. Sorry if I came off like that.

By the way, I am Newfields, for now. Just got my town theft bill, may try to move. How is Manchester?

Ron

[Nefertiti]

It seems good. I've only been here a month. Sometimes when they send planes my way from the airport it can be loud. I like owning my own house though. I don't even know where Newfield is? I'll look it up.

[captorquewrench]

http://luvjc.net/emoticons/scared/0016.gif

whoa, now I know how my brother always felt when he walked in on my female discussions with girlfriends

truly, this sounds fairly serious and I hope it is taken care of quickly

[john]

From a well recognized text:
Varicocele formation has been attributed to one of three primary factors: increased venous pressure in the left renal vein, collateral venous anastomoses, and incompetent valves of the internal spermatic vein. Increased venous pressure may be attributed to one of several factors, including a proximal “nutcracker” phenomenon (caused by compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery); a distal “nutcracker” effect described by Coolsaet (compression of the left common iliac vein by the common iliac artery, which results in retrograde flow via the deferential and external spermatic veins); and anomalies of the left renal vein Collateral venous channels have been demonstrated by venography in patients undergoing sclerotherapy. These are thought in most cases to represent persistent intercardinal anastomoses, which are a result of disordered involution of the embryonic venous channels that normally regress to form the inferior vena cava ). Absence or incompetence of valves in the proximal internal spermatic vein are probably responsible for varicocele formation in the majority of cases, with left-sided predominance in part caused by the higher venous pressures in the left internal spermatic venous system.

Varicoceles are a common cause of male infertility :shock: . The effect is progressive :shock: :shock: . They need to be repaired.

john

I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night-but I am a doctor.