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Avatar universal

Help!!! Chronic testicle, groin, lower back pain!! :'(

I'm a 20 year old male suffering!!!

It's very difficult to describe my symptoms because they always change.  But basically, my right testicle has this very uncomfortable feeling to it.  It isn't a pain but like an achy, dull feeling to it.  It’s like a constant reminder that something is there and out of the norm. When I physically touch it, it isn't painful except for the bottom part of it where I assume is where the epididymis and testicle connect.  It's a very unbearable discomfort since it's chronic and unmanageable.  However, I do have actual pain in my right groin.  After doing my own research, I would call this my spermatic cord or my inguinal canal.  The pain is usually dull but I do have some sudden sharp pains that quickly come and go.  The other main source of discomfort is my lower right back on my pelvis area right above the buttocks.  It feels like this ache that I need to constantly massage to make it feel better.  I feel little rubbery nodules when I do massage this area.  I also feel a tender spot on my actual lower spine.

These symptoms are chronic/persistent.  However, periodically I get the same feeling on my left testicle/groin/lower back.  When it happens on my left side, it doesn't last a very long time.  But there is times when both testicles ache for almost a whole day.

Occasionally, this discomfort/pain radiates down my right butt cheek or down into my thigh or the tendons right above my knee.  When it radiates into these areas, it's only for a short period of time.  However, this referred pain never happens on the left side. Recently, I also began having some discomfort in my perineum area as well but I don’t know if this is related.

This problem first started when I was 18 years old.  During this time, I was checked for STD's and given ultrasounds of my scrotum and kidneys.  I didn't have any STD's nor kidney stones.  But the scrotum ultrasound only diagnosed me for Vericocele.  The Urologist I saw at this time told me it wasn't a big deal and prescribed Naproxen.  I didn't find that any NSAID's helped me.  However, the discomfort ended up suppressing itself for the next two years to a point where I could do my daily activities and not worry about it.

Two years later, or about three months ago, the discomfort came back much worse and persistant.  I went to see my doctor, where after a negative urinalysis; I was given Doxycycline for Epidytimitis.  Didn't help.  I was then told it was Prostatitis.  After having my prostate checked for normal results, I was still put on Levaquin and Flomax just in case.  Didn't help.  I then got a CT scan on my pelvis area where everything came back normal except for scattered lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum and the mesentery that were ignored because they didn’t meet CT criteria for enlarged lymph nodes.

Then I was told it could be my genitofemoral nerve, which runs from my back to my scrotum along my groin.  I was then placed on anti-inflammatory steroid tablets, methylprednisolone.  Up to this point, it was VERY difficult for me to roll out of my bed to do my daily tasks as if it was a simple headache.  After taking the methylpredisolone, I felt as if God was giving me a break. This medication has been the only thing that has helped.  It didn't completely go away but it got to a point where I was no longer climbing up the walls in misery.

After telling my doctor about this, he wanted to send me to a Neurologist to get a steroid shot in my spine since taking oral steroids can't be a long term solution.  However, before being referred, the neurologist suggested to make sure it wasn't a hernia.  So then I was then sent to a general surgeon where he said it wasn't a hernia and that I should get a second opinion from an Urologist.  So then I go to the Urologist where after a negative physical exam on my scrotum, I was told he couldn't help me, but a visit to a Neurologist was his recommendation.   Along with his recommendation, he also believed that it can't be my genitofermal nerve since the location of this nerve is too high and deep compared to the area of discomfort in my lower back.   He also said he would think it's a bulging disc in my spine if the pain is bilateral.  But since the discomfort is chronic on my right side and periodic on my left, I don't know if this would be considered bilateral.

Besides everything else mentioned above, I also tried visiting a chiropractor and trying acupuncture.  After a few visits to both with little to no improvements, I stopped going because I couldn’t keep affording it, especially when I wasn’t seeing improvements.   Now since all arrows are pointing to a Neurologist, I got my referral to see one.
At my initial appointment, I was given a few physical exams and was sent to get an MRI on my lower back region where results were normal.  I found this as a bitter/sweet feeling since my hunt still continued. After following up with the Neurologist, he ordered a second MRI, this time on my pelvis, which also came back normal.
I have hit a dead end and I no longer know what to do. Can anybody help me???? :(

Every time I see a new doctor, I try to have hope that I will find a solution to my agony.  But after being turned down so many times and having so many possible diagnostic solutions fail, I have a fear that I'm going to just have to life with this.  I’m always simply told to take NSAID’s which don’t even touch the problem.  Regardless if I’m laying down, sitting, or standing up, it’s STILL there. Neither sneezing nor coughing tends to make it worse.  Urinating and ejaculation is normal and painless. I can’t find any sorts of trends with this. Sleeping has become very difficult.  I also have feelings of emotional distress, anger, and tension build up since I feel so helpless.

I'm 20 years old and this pain has pretty much taken over my life. I’m now on anti-depressants to stop all the negative thinking that's caused by this (unseen cancer, chronic pain that won't ever be cured or diagnosed). I really wouldn't want to go to an extreme of getting an orchiectomy but I really can't live like this for the rest of my life.
87 Responses
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Avatar universal
Have you considered a illionguinal or genital femoral nerve block? If this gives you relief you could look at other options such as pulse radio frequency of the nerve. Both these nerves run from the groin to the hip to the back. If injured they can cause muscle weakness in stomach which supports back
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Avatar universal
I also have the same problem. I am 20 years old and have been dealing with this for the past 3 years. I have been to many specialists that say it's one thing  and then another. Eventually I stopped at a neurologist that said it was a bulging disc (L5,S1) and that I also have arthritis in there. My pain is on my left side. All the way from my back down to my feet and in left testicle on the bottom. I have had steriod injections, but the pain switches sides after the medicine wears off from the operation. I feel like there is no hope for me. If they find a solution for you please post on here. I will keep a check on it.
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Avatar universal
I have the same sort of pain, I've had it for about a month. Been to the doctors 3 times, will be looking to get some tests done.
Pain in right bum cheek and lower back, a dull acke, on and off. I put this down to sciatica, and i work in construction so always get ackes and pains. Pain and ackes down the leg and sometimes the foot.
Pain in right testicle and groin, doctor said it was bruised, prescribed antibiotics and said to take anti inflammatory 3 times a day. Didn't work. Still have the same pains, some days worse than others.
Anybody get any solutions? Going in for some tests soon will get back to you.
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Avatar universal
I’m 17 and experiencing this in the left side of my body I’m very scared and hoping this isn’t serious
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Avatar universal
this was described exactly as what I'm feeling but I believe it is injurt or damage to the sciatic nerve. All of the symptoms are the same and the stretches I've been doing for it have been helping alot. Apparently there is different levels of damage that can be done to the nerve (like with any other injury), so it may have to be treated differently. the pain in my lower right back, groin and discomfort  in my right testicle comes and goes so I should hopefully be able  to do stretches and manage it but more severe chronic pain may need to be treated with medication and physical therapy. I hope this helps. Good luck.
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Avatar universal
What Johnny described is very similar to my problems.
Lower back and groin pain, varying degrees of intensity.
Hernia surgery two years ago but surgeon ruled that out.
Three trips to A&E, two CT scans, an ultrasound and countless blood and urine tests, but only a mild bulging disc that it too far away from nerves in that area.
Urologist next port of call.
I'll take any advice, starting to get frustrated.
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Avatar universal
I forgot to mention that I always work all day while standing up and I don't feel the pain. I only feel the pain in the evening when sitting down and during the night when I'm lying down.
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Avatar universal
Hello, I'm 59 years old and have been experiencing the same symptoms: right lower back pain above the buttocks, sore right testicle (but not swollen) and a radiant pain on right side of my right leg down to my knee.

It started 1st with my lower back pain for 4-5 months ago and I took naproxen and/or Ibuprofen with not results.

Then, 5 days ago I started feeling pain in my right testicle along with that radiating pain in my right leg down to my knee.

I walk a lot each day at a fast pace 12,000 steps per day approximately) so I thought it could be my testicle bouncing around during my brisk walk that could be behind the pain.

Anyhow, I've read all the previous answers and I'm having an appointment with my family doctor tomorrow (October 7, 2016) and I'm sure to bring all the suggestions mentioned here.

Will let you know what my doctor says.
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Avatar universal
same stuff but on my left side infrequently on the right.    when back pain was bad I would take a tennis ball on to a slightly padded surface(memory foam pillow on wood floor is what I used).  lying face up on back with pillow underneath you directly behind the area with most pain.   then take the tennis ball and put directly between the pillow and the area in pain.  slowly push ball down to buttcheeks or down and out.  this has been the only thing to actually make a difference in regards to pain.  

I hope this helps someone
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Avatar universal
I have the same thing and its
been going on for years but has gotten worse recently. Its exactly like the Original poster. In the past it only hurt for awhile after sex. Now its constant. Any new info?
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Avatar universal
Johnny Lee describes the symptoms I've suffered since 2009. MRI
showed disc bulge L3-L4 with nerve impingement. Complained of
these symptoms from day 1 with doctors acting like I was F.O.S..
All tasks at work and home are hard and time consuming. 2015 and
getting worse I asked for a referral to another pain specialist. I was told
yet again that my back issues are not causing my groin/testicle symptoms
and prescribed Cymbalta and referred another MRI. Cymbalta has helped
and the MRI showed several disc bulges. My research of my MRI at the
T12-L1 led me to the following. T.J.S. Thoracolumbar Junction Syndrome
and Maigne Syndrome. You'll be amazed how easily this is missed with
what I've read. They don't always show up on MRI and other tests and is
easier found with a physical examination.
I truly believe that this could be my and several other peoples troubles in
the world of back pain, especially if active and athletic.
I hope this is of some help to everyone, as I await my next appointment.    
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1 Comments
I had similar symptoms. My urologist did several test and a scope and suggested it was a back problem. An MRI showed a bulging disk and degeneration.  He referred me to a physical therapist with training in treatment for the groin a testicles.  After a few weeks of what was basically trial and error we came up with a series of exercises that were core strengthening.  The pain began to ease and is pretty much gone now.  However, if I get away from the daily exercises for a week it all comes back. Two days back at it, gone again.
1. lay on your back, knees and feet up as if sitting in a chair.  Tense low back and abdominals for a five count, release then again, 30 times.
2. 30 leg lifts
3.  Knees bent, feet on floor.  Tense low back a stomach muscles.  Raise knees/feet. Repeat 30 times.
4. Lay on your side.  30 leg lifts. Reverse to opposite side.
5. Plank.  I hold it as long as I can. Usually a little over a minute.
No promises but it worked for me.
Avatar universal
What happened to JohnnyLee. I'm very interested to hear ANY update.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a medical student from India & hv myself suffered from such a problem. After a lot of research I came to the conclusion that such symptoms in a young male from endemic area are likely due to GENITAL TUBERCULOSIS. In such a case no inv may turn positive and a course of ATT must be tried. At least some of you must be sufferring from this, esp. those with burning urination, relatively immobile testis, and retroperitoneal lymph node enlargement on usg/ct. A scrotal usg showing epididymoorchitis, -ve sexual H/o will futher support diagnosis of GUTB. Finding AFB in EPS/ Semen is confirmatory.
And in my case it did work.
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Avatar universal
after numerous scans the surgical assessment unit said I had a herniatic disc in my lower back L2-L4 bulging pinching nerves causing all the symptoms, its a damn good job I didn't do any of the exercises for sciatic pains as that would have really knackered me up, hope this helps someone in the future, I was put on Naproxen ( an anti inflammatory  pain killer) plus  a muscle relaxant but I found by sleeping with a hot water bottle under my lower back this was an absolute perfect remedy for the quicker healing process, its going to be at least 3 months but the pain has subsided !
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Avatar universal
Can You PLEASE tell me what the final outcome Diagnosis was johnnylee as I have been suffering for over a month now with the Exact same symptoms but all down the Left side PLEASE reply just to give me some hope or suggestions to take to the doctor.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I live in England uk, 42 and have been experiencing the exact same symptoms as johnnylee except mine are all down the left side, its been sometime since johnny posted I was hoping you have some positive news by now a diagnosis as I just can't function like this I'm up at all hours taking pain killers dihydrocodeine, paracetemol don't touch it but by pure luck I had some Naproxen in the house having had a sore right shoulder, within Hours the pain subsided but the tenderness in the lower left lumbar part of the back is constant as well a dull ache in the groin, nothing compared to the pain throbbing testicle hip buttock exct but I can't cope with this having had test after test being put on antibiotics diagnosis after Wrong diagnosis sending my frustration to a new high does anyone Please have any Answers ?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had/have similar pains. Aching ball. Lower back on right side. Pain in right but cheek and when walking some distance shooting pains to my knee.
I was referred to an osteopath  who thought that I had twisted/torsioned my right hip. He also noticed my right knee did not jump when tapping it so some nerve damage.
I have been to him twice now and after some twisting and pulling and a little acupuncture which he said the butt cheek muscle responds well to I am well on the mend. Very little pain in the testicle now and the back pain comes and goes. I am hoping a couple more sessions will sort it.
Word of warning though it hurt like he'll a couple of days after the first one but persevere.
Hope you all get some success and relief. I waited about 6 months before getting help.
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Avatar universal
Has anyone here ever had their vitamin D levels checked? Deficiency of this vitamin is responsible for a lot of unexplained chronic pain, specially lower back, hip/buttocks, leg, knee, groin and abdomen. These pains may radiate to testicle area as well. Worth a check as studies have indicated the majority are deficient.
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Avatar universal
Has anyone had pain that travels down all the way to your ankles? Also anyone had popping joints hips/knees/ankles/neck? Ive had pretty similar symptoms im to the point advil/ylenol barely help. Its been about 3 months. Ive had CT scans blood tests ect. At first i thought it was an inguinal hernia. But the doctors keep telling me im fine and nothings wrong. But ive been in constant pain/aches 24/7. Also my inguinal lymph nodes have been swollen but the doctor says its normal (first time ever having lymph nodes swollen). I'm only 19 and i feel as if im an elderly man with arthritis/back pain. I feel at wits end. Any help or advice would be appreciated.
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Avatar universal
Well from what I have read on this thread, my best bet would be chronic pelvic pain syndrome (get a prescription to be a pelvic floor specialist)

and have of you had testicular or perneal ultrasound or even an ultrasound of the pelvis that might reveal something I don't know?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I had the same pain as you for a long time, all tests CT scan, ultrasound etc, came ok.
What helped me with the testicular pain was this massage http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/testicle-pain-relief.html.
I still have mild lower back pain but no more pain in the testicle or scrotum.
So it was a muscle that provoked my pain and it all started because I replaced my office chair with a gym ball for 2-3 weeks just for design and that posture/position messed me up slowly.
I suppose that my lower back pain is also provoked by some muscle probably the pascal muscle or the pelvic joint, but all I will have to find out in the future.
life is a bit better now !!

All the best.    
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Avatar universal
For months I have suffered from near constant and pretty horrible lower back pain. By all accounts it seems to be sciatica with pain down my left leg and at times radiating around my waist toward the front and more recently into my left testicle. Really unbearable when it wanted to be. I am 46 and otherwise completely healthy. Normal weight and active. I continue to participate in sports as I have all my life--except when limited recently due to this back pain issue. But I do have to spend long periods of time sitting. Either working at the computer, driving, or piloting an airplane. Sitting for long periods I believe is a killer, for many reasons, and is likely the cause of my issues. Also my participation in sports in middle-age as a weekend warrior (cycling, baseball, golf) causes problems contributing to the muscle tightness causing the sciatica. My sciatica is due to the piriformis muscle, a large pear-shaped muscle in the buttocks that when not sufficiently stretched through exercise and due to prolonged sitting tightens strangling the sciatic nerve. It also can tighten clamping down on other nerves in the groin area that has caused the pain in my testicle. But I am very pleased to report that I have found a massage therapist that has helped all but eliminate the problem. Regular sessions of deep massage to the piriformis and other muscles in the lower back and legs has worked wonders. Also hydro-massage, stretching, yoga, 800mg Ibuprofin when necessary, and as much exercise as I can tolerate all have helped. Because we can't avoid sitting we have to take measures to counter the effects of sitting by manipulating the muscles back to their natural state to restore structural balance. I am virtually pain-free now that I have found my problem was piriformis syndrome. It's a real pain in the ***!
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Avatar universal
wow only 20 and having very much the same type of pain I have been dealing with for almost 4 yrs now I am however 50 and was for most of my life a construction worker having had issue with my back but mostly from torn muscles and tendons in many parts of my body! I have had the pain in my right groin but its almost always a stabbing pain and the way it radiates is from left lower back to the right and into my right groin I am on many pain pills and seems to be the only way to deal with everyday life it still remains unbearable most of the time and although I experience no  pain while urinating I do have discomfort with orgasm to the point that I haven't had sex for almost 4 yrs and I have always had an above average sex drive.I can't imagine if this had happened to me at you're age! as far as I can tell I'm not a canidate for back surgery and will be on opiates the remainder of my life? Although I would hate surgery I think I would trade it to be able to live without all these pills!
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Avatar universal
At 27 years old, I had this similar pain for the past two months and I found a solution to my pain. It was gone in two days. Hopefully this works for you guys as well.

Symptoms:
1. Left Testicle hurt with a dull, nagging pain
2. Felt like a tube on the left of my penis base was clogged
3. Impotence

Medical treatment:
  I went to the doctor and urine samples returned with a small amount of blood in the urine.  He diagnosed me with Epididymitis. I was prescribed Ciproflaxacin and took it for ten days. The pain was still there.
  When I returned with the pain, he ordered an ultrasound. The ultrasound came back normal with a minor hydrocele but nothing out of the ordinary. I was then referred to a urologist.
   The urologist took another urine sample with nothing out of the ordinary. He said he believed I had a strained groin muscle and told me to not do any physical work and to elevate my testicles with a towel to keep them from hanging and to help them rest. After doing this for two days, it felt that my condition was getting worse, so I stopped doing this and proceeded to do my own research on the internet.
   After hours of searching I found the solution to my pain. It seemed unreal and I was skeptical at first, but there are areas on the body called trigger points which, when hurting, basically send pain to another area of the body. There is lot of material available which has already mapped out these trigger points and pain areas.
   I searched for the trigger point near my hip area and found the problem. The left side of my hip felt bruised when compared to my right hip.

Solution:
Before you try this go to the doctor first and rule out anything else. Could be cancer, an std, UTI, who knows. I tried this because they were basically telling me nothing was wrong with me.
   Imagine a line from the point of your hip bone to the base of the penis. Starting from the hip bone, I worked along this imaginary line to the base of the penis, After moving about 3 inches from the hip bone, I felt a bruised area that mimicked(to a certain extent) the nagging pain I had been feeling when pressed. I massaged this area firmly with my middle and index fingers while laying down. Anything that felt bruised, I massaged. I would try this with my left knee bent up, laying flat, angled outward, any possible positions. After doing this for two days the pain and all the symptoms were gone. As often as I thought of my condition, I would massage it.
   Do not massage too close to the penis, I believe there is a spermduct that runs along there and I wouldn't want to mess with that (search for images on the male reproductive system).

After you try this:
Let me know if this worked for you guys. I look forward to hearing success stories. Email me - rustcoal(at)yahoo(dot)com


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