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Chronic UTI symptoms

My problems started with a UTI following unprotected oral sex (receiving, I'm male), bacteria confirmed in the urine by a simple stick test. Antibiotics (nitrofurantoin) failed to resolve the problem, then white blood cells detected in urine by the stick test, so different antibiotics (amoxicillin) prescribed, again without effect. These symptoms were a constant burning feeling at the urethra and increased frequency/urge to urinate (every 2 hours).

After 2 weeks I noticed pain in left testicle, diagnosed as epididymitis, antibiotics (Levofloxacin) prescribed and had an immediate effect in reducing pain, but 2 months later the problems have not resolved completely.

I still have an increased urge/frequency to urinate (every 3-4 hours), occasional tingling/burning in urethra and a dull pain in the left testicle which can vary from irritating to barely noticeable. I'm able to sleep through the night without getting up to urinate. These symptoms can vary from day to day, sometimes barely noticeable, other days they can be irritating. Pain in the testicle seems to peak when I don't go to the toilet for a while, particularly after I wake up in the morning. Sleeping on my side also makes things worse, especially if I'm putting pressure on the affected testicle (I usually sleep on my back now). Not wearing supporting underwear at night also makes testicle pain worse.

Since the Levofloxacin I've been on no medication whatsoever (6 weeks).

Since the stick test was performed on my urine, subsequent urine cultures have all been negative for bacteria. My prostate has been examined and it appears to be fine. An ultrasound scan of my testicles reveals them to be normal and no epididymitis is present any more, apart from a slight excess of liquid on one of them, but the doctor says this isn't so unusual.

Ejaculation was causing pain afterwards in my left testicle, now that doesn't happen, but it does seem to trigger burning in the urethra for 1-2 days.

So why should I still be suffering from a UTI-like problem when clearly there's no bacteria present ?

My urologists just shrug their shoulders and say they don't know whats going on, come back in 3 months time and see what happens.

Or should I simply be more patient in waiting for the symptoms to subside on their own ? What sort of recovery time should I be looking at ?
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Avatar universal
I was stimulated by a private message to reply to this comment, as it might help others.

I did return to the hospital specialists, they simply did more urine sample analysis tests and of course found nothing. They were incredibly dismissive and cold-hearted, effectively I was told to stop wasting their time. I was at a low point, I had fluctuating mild chronic testicular pain and stinging in the urethra. Interestingly I had never had both symptoms at once.

I turned to every quack cure on the internet: silver solution, cranberry juice, cranberry powder capsules, omega 3 oils, zinc. I did healthy diets, eliminating alcohol. This cost me a lot of money and reduced my enjoyment of life, but no real reduction in symptoms occurred.

However, I did find that the Prosta-Q supplement (based on quercetin) had a slight alleviating effect. So I persevered with that, the results weren't eye catching or immediate, but as the months passed there was a gradual improvement. After 2 years the symptoms had more or less subsided and were the exception to my day rather than the rule. I then stopped taking the Prosta-Q and nothing bad happened.

I had a flare up in 2011, lasting around 6 weeks. I ordered the Prosta-Q and it went away. The symptoms disappeared and I was finally confident enough to throw away my remaining Prosta-Q. Then another flare up about a year later. More Prosta-Q ordered and the symptoms disappeared within 2-3 weeks. It's the end of 2014 and nothing bad has happened since.

My specialist suspected that the chronic pain was due to nerve damage caused by the initial epididymitis inflammation. Nerve damage takes a long time to heel. Arguably it was this slow healing process which was taking place and the Prosta-Q was merely a psychological aid. However, I believe that prolonged administration of Prosta-Q does have some kind of positive effect.

There is hope people !
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,

You have been previously diagnosed with epididymitis which has been responsive to your medications.

Given that you have completed the course of your antibiotics and the subsequent urine cultures were normal,then it seems that there is no underlying infection anymore. However,in doing the urine culture was a prostatic secretion culture done?

A urine culture may be negative for bacterial growth but the prostatic secretion culture may show otherwise. Also, for groin pain,other differentials will be chronic prostatitis and prostatodynia.

Chronic prostatitis may show growth in prostatic secretion cultures but may not have the acute symptoms of redness and tenderness.Pain in ejaculation and change in urinary patterns may still be present.Prostatodynia will not show any positive culture results however groin pain may still be present.

Infections of these structures may not readily resolve inspite of intake of antibiotics.It is best to have a close consult and follow up with your physician
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