Ciaran Lyons reveals how he suffered two testicular torsions and needed emergency surgery

A comedian nearly had to have his testicle removed after he suffered an agonising injury halfway through a set.

Ciaran Lyons, 22, was performing at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in April when he began to feel pain in his stomach.  

But, rather than it being dodgy tummy, Mr Lyons was actually suffering from testicular tortion, a condition that sees a cord inside the scrotum twist around one of the balls, cutting off circulation. 

Ciaran Lyons (pictured with Vera Blue), 22, was performing at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in April, 2019, when he began to feel pain in his stomach

He eventually went to hospital and was told he had an appendix issue - but eventually was diagnosed with testicular torsion

He eventually went to hospital and was told he had an appendix issue – but eventually was diagnosed with testicular torsion

The comedian and radio presenter, who is currently in Western Australia, made it through his set and almost collapsed backstage due to the pain.

‘Before the show I had pain and I thought it was something I ate, but 45 minutes in to the set I realised it was not good,’ he told Daily Mail Australia. 

‘I called an Uber – I was in this laneway in the middle of Melbourne and I thought logistically that would be best,’ he said.

Mr Lyons was told there was an issue with his appendix and he was kept overnight as doctors dosed him with morphine.

The next day four doctors came to see him and Mr Lyons began to fear the worst.

‘It happened so quickly. One opened the curtain, and then suddenly there were four [doctors and nurses],’ he said.

‘I had a friend there and they asked if they should go – between that and the doctors I thought it was something serious.’

He was told he didn't need surgery as the morphine he was on had untwisted the spermatic cord - but he suffered the same injury months later and was told he needed surgery or he might lose a testicle

He was told he didn’t need surgery as the morphine he was on had untwisted the spermatic cord – but he suffered the same injury months later and was told he needed surgery or he might lose a testicle

He was told he had suffered a testicular torsion, which is when the spermatic cord becomes twisted and stops the blood flow to the testicles. 

The morphine had untwisted the cord and the doctor then checked to make sure everything was OK.

‘I thought, “Why is there a viewing room for this”,’ he said.

WHAT IS TESTICULAR TORSION 

Testicular torsion is when the spermatic cord becomes twisted and stops the blood flow to the testicles.

The ailment requires immediate surgery as it could cause permanent damage or the person could lose their testicle.

Symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Belly pain
  • Vomiting
  • Swelling
  • One testicle is higher than the other 

 If you suspect you have a testicular torsion you should seek medical help immediately.

They can be diagnosed through ultrasound or blood and urine tests.

Men who have the surgery are required bed rest, skipping strenuous activities such as sports or sexual intercourse.

Even men who lose a testicle are likely to be able to father children later in life. 

Source: Kids Health 

He said he could see the funny side of what had happened to him, describing it as 'bizarre'

He said he could see the funny side of what had happened to him, describing it as ‘bizarre’

He left the hospital and went to do his set as planned that evening, however Mr Lyon’s troubles weren’t over.

Months later he suffered the same issue and was in need of surgery. He said the pain was similar to repeatedly being hit in the groin with a cricket ball.

‘They said I was lucky the first time as I was at risk of losing one of my testicles,’ he said, but added that the whole situation was ‘kind of funny’.  

‘When you go to hospital for a knee reconstruction or a broken arm, that’s a bit boring,’ he said.

‘I had a friend tell me that they felt bad for me but they couldn’t stop laughing.’ 

The comedian is keen to find a way to work what happened to him into his comedy repertoire

The comedian is keen to find a way to work what happened to him into his comedy repertoire

Mr Lyons said he feels better now, but is still in quite a bit of pain.

‘They put me on the strong painkillers, and I laid down on the couch for two weeks catching up on Netflix and playing PlayStation, which was nice to just take a break without guilt,’ he said.

He said he still isn’t able to swim, which he typically does daily, and was banned from having sex for six weeks.

One of his biggest disappointments was having to cancel his shows for the Sydney Fringe Festival, as he could barely walk.

Mr Lyons is gearing up for some television projects in the next few months, as well as touring with his show

Mr Lyons is gearing up for some television projects in the next few months, as well as touring with his show

‘The surgery is supposed to stop it from ever happening again, I hope when I am 50 it doesn’t pop up again,’ he said. 

However the comedian is keen to find a way to work what happened to him into his comedy repertoire. 

‘I haven’t thought of a funny enough joke yet – I think the pain is still fresh,’ he said.

‘It would ridiculous if I couldn’t come up with one joke out of the whole ordeal.’

Mr Lyons is gearing up for some television projects in the next few months, as well as touring with his show. 

 

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