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Inflamed epididymis but no swelling - my story so far
It seems that 99% of guides to epididymitis suggest swollen, painful testicles along with fever etc.
My symptoms have been nothing like as acute. It started about 4 months ago, noticing that when my baby son trod on my lap etc, my left tesicle felt a bit tender. If the teste isn't disturbed, then you would never know about it!
After being a bit curious by this, I also found that if I sat on a chair etc and got myself in a position where the teste was lifted a bit, if I poked it, it would also feel tender. Again though, it's only poking or hitting the wrong spot which cause discomfort.
The other time i'd notice it is sometimes after urinating. Not the urinating itself, but shaking the penis afterwards - if it struck the testicle, it would feel a bit tender.
No lumps, no swelling, so what the hell is it? I went to the docs two weeks ago and told him about it. He got me to drop them, then grabbed the testicle between finger and thumb, gently squeezing at different areas.
"Does this hurt?" - "Nope".
"Here?" - "Nope".
"Here?" - "Ahh yes, that's it, at the back".
He then go me to dress and went to his pc. Up came a diagram of the testicle.
"Well your testicle is absolutely fine", he said. "This bit at the back here is the epididymis, and that's where you're sore".
He went on to explain that he didn't believe it to be bacterial (as nearly all guides on the internet suggest), but was probably caused by a trauma or maybe even a virus.
Considering it hasn't gone on his own, he prescribed trimethoprim for 14 days to see if it would work, but didn't expect that it would. "If it remains, come back and i'll refer you to a urologist for an ultrasound. They may want to take away the epididymis. Sometimes they find epididymal cysts etc that may need to come out".
"Is any of this dangerous?", I said.
"Nah, no risk", he replied.
"So surgery isn't essential then?"
**he shakes his head with a completely uncorncerned expression**
Up to this point, i'm well confused. He says it's nothing and won't hurt me, but at the same time suggests surgery? Fair enough if i'm in crippling pain but I hardly ever know it's there! Also, he says this is extremely common and that he gets people in with these symptoms all the time. Well, I don't hear of people having their epididymis being removed all the time, so there is an inconsistency somewhere!
Almost finished the anti-bios now and if anything it's worse, probably because i'm prodding it about every day, testing to see if the drugs are doing anything. All that does is increase the inflammation. It's impossible to say if the drugs have worked with any swelling, as there wasn't any swelling in the first place!
A family member who works at our local hospital knows urologists, and family member himself recenty had a dose of epididymitis. In his case, his doctor told him "it might be cancer". White as a sheet, he went for an ultrasound, to which they found inflamed epididymis. He asked it if would be removed, to which the urologist said that they don't like doing such surgery, as it very rarely alleviates the pain.
Anyway, i'm going to wait a couple of weeks without squeezing my nut every five minutes, and see if there's any improvement. If not, then it'll be an ultrasound, which is probably for the best as i'm still not entirely assured that i'm clear of the big "C". (In fact, I constantly worry about it).
Sorry for long post but I wanted to raise a couple of points. Firstly, don't use symptoms you find on the internet as a "definitive guide". All people are different, and all can have different symptoms.
Secondly, just because you have symptoms of TC, don't assume it, as any illness in the affected area will cause the same symptoms! Say, you look up lung cancer, and it says "bad cough" as a symptom. That doesn't mean that everytime you get a bad cough, you should worry about lung cancer! It's putting things in perspective.
Lastly, i've searched high and low but not found anyone with symptoms like mine. If any of this sound familiar or you know of somebody who had similar symptoms, it'd be nice to hear your experience.
Oh, a couple of other very random symptoms - an ache in the lower abdomen (where bladder is) for about two seconds after ejaculating. This is rare but has happened a couple of times.
Also, sting in tip of penis when I start to urinate. Again, this isn't common but I sometimes get it, along with a feeling that the urine is a bit warm.
I definitely haven't any STD's, i'm in a trusted monogamous relationship.
Worried, confused, but getting there!
My symptoms have been nothing like as acute. It started about 4 months ago, noticing that when my baby son trod on my lap etc, my left tesicle felt a bit tender. If the teste isn't disturbed, then you would never know about it!
After being a bit curious by this, I also found that if I sat on a chair etc and got myself in a position where the teste was lifted a bit, if I poked it, it would also feel tender. Again though, it's only poking or hitting the wrong spot which cause discomfort.
The other time i'd notice it is sometimes after urinating. Not the urinating itself, but shaking the penis afterwards - if it struck the testicle, it would feel a bit tender.
No lumps, no swelling, so what the hell is it? I went to the docs two weeks ago and told him about it. He got me to drop them, then grabbed the testicle between finger and thumb, gently squeezing at different areas.
"Does this hurt?" - "Nope".
"Here?" - "Nope".
"Here?" - "Ahh yes, that's it, at the back".
He then go me to dress and went to his pc. Up came a diagram of the testicle.
"Well your testicle is absolutely fine", he said. "This bit at the back here is the epididymis, and that's where you're sore".
He went on to explain that he didn't believe it to be bacterial (as nearly all guides on the internet suggest), but was probably caused by a trauma or maybe even a virus.
Considering it hasn't gone on his own, he prescribed trimethoprim for 14 days to see if it would work, but didn't expect that it would. "If it remains, come back and i'll refer you to a urologist for an ultrasound. They may want to take away the epididymis. Sometimes they find epididymal cysts etc that may need to come out".
"Is any of this dangerous?", I said.
"Nah, no risk", he replied.
"So surgery isn't essential then?"
**he shakes his head with a completely uncorncerned expression**
Up to this point, i'm well confused. He says it's nothing and won't hurt me, but at the same time suggests surgery? Fair enough if i'm in crippling pain but I hardly ever know it's there! Also, he says this is extremely common and that he gets people in with these symptoms all the time. Well, I don't hear of people having their epididymis being removed all the time, so there is an inconsistency somewhere!
Almost finished the anti-bios now and if anything it's worse, probably because i'm prodding it about every day, testing to see if the drugs are doing anything. All that does is increase the inflammation. It's impossible to say if the drugs have worked with any swelling, as there wasn't any swelling in the first place!
A family member who works at our local hospital knows urologists, and family member himself recenty had a dose of epididymitis. In his case, his doctor told him "it might be cancer". White as a sheet, he went for an ultrasound, to which they found inflamed epididymis. He asked it if would be removed, to which the urologist said that they don't like doing such surgery, as it very rarely alleviates the pain.
Anyway, i'm going to wait a couple of weeks without squeezing my nut every five minutes, and see if there's any improvement. If not, then it'll be an ultrasound, which is probably for the best as i'm still not entirely assured that i'm clear of the big "C". (In fact, I constantly worry about it).
Sorry for long post but I wanted to raise a couple of points. Firstly, don't use symptoms you find on the internet as a "definitive guide". All people are different, and all can have different symptoms.
Secondly, just because you have symptoms of TC, don't assume it, as any illness in the affected area will cause the same symptoms! Say, you look up lung cancer, and it says "bad cough" as a symptom. That doesn't mean that everytime you get a bad cough, you should worry about lung cancer! It's putting things in perspective.
Lastly, i've searched high and low but not found anyone with symptoms like mine. If any of this sound familiar or you know of somebody who had similar symptoms, it'd be nice to hear your experience.
Oh, a couple of other very random symptoms - an ache in the lower abdomen (where bladder is) for about two seconds after ejaculating. This is rare but has happened a couple of times.
Also, sting in tip of penis when I start to urinate. Again, this isn't common but I sometimes get it, along with a feeling that the urine is a bit warm.
I definitely haven't any STD's, i'm in a trusted monogamous relationship.
Worried, confused, but getting there!
I've experienced the same symptoms, but in both testes. Ibuprofen for the pain and inflammation, and antibiotics. Just one those that you have to wait out. *****, but there isn't really anything to do about it. But, I'm right there with ya buddy. They said it might have been cancer or a cyst, but nothing was found.
Guys,
I get the odd email telling me that people are still discussing this even though it was four years ago. I thought it only fair to give conclude the story.
The testicle remained tender and so for peace of mind, I got referred to a urologist in Jan 08. It was a basic appointment in the clinic (no ultrasound or anything). I went in, he discussed my symptoms, then examined both testicles thoroughly with his hands (this sounds more approporiate for a gay porn magazine at the moment, but bear with me).....
He squeezed various areas at different pressures and asked me how each one felt. He located the tenderness on one palpation but it wasn't overly painful.
He told me to get dressed then concluded it was very mild epidiymitis. He prescribed doxycycline and told me to go back in six months if it still hadn't improved, though he reassured me it was nothing to worry about.
The very interesting part was that he advised the likely source of this inflammation was chlamydia. I informed him that I was married, we had one baby and my wife was pregnant with our second. I hadn't slept with anyone else and I knew my wife hadn't. The urologist then explained that it's quite common for chlamydia infections to be contracted by people in monogamous relationships and that it's often unknown as to how the infection got there. In my case it was a possible reason but there was no need to check as the doxycycline would kill it anyway.
I took the doxycycline (which gave me nasty stomach pains towards the end) but found that the testicle was still mildly uncomfortable.
The tenderness continued although it was tolerable. About six months later I still knew it was there but it wasn't worrying me anymore and wasn't interfering with my general day-to-day life, so I decided there was no rush to go back to the hospital.
It probably took about 18 months before the testicle got properly better on it's own. That said, it can still give the odd mild twinge to this day (but hardly ever).
To anyone who suffers tenderness or discomfort in the scrotum, it's very, very unlikely to be anything serious. That said, you'll never completely be at ease unless you get the all clear from the doc, so just go and get it checked, then forget it in double quick time.
Testicular cancer doesn't usually cause pain, although it can occasionally present as an ache (again though, other things are far more likely). If you find a hard lump, partcularly anywhere on the front or side of the testicle, then always get that checked out. In the 99% chance that you're fine, then you can put it behind you. In the 1% chance it needs to be quickly treated, then great, you've dealt with it. No brainer really, you can only win by going to the docs (I say this because I worried myself silly for months before getting it checked, and that was months of unecessary suffering!)
Be healthy,
Robotnik.
I get the odd email telling me that people are still discussing this even though it was four years ago. I thought it only fair to give conclude the story.
The testicle remained tender and so for peace of mind, I got referred to a urologist in Jan 08. It was a basic appointment in the clinic (no ultrasound or anything). I went in, he discussed my symptoms, then examined both testicles thoroughly with his hands (this sounds more approporiate for a gay porn magazine at the moment, but bear with me).....
He squeezed various areas at different pressures and asked me how each one felt. He located the tenderness on one palpation but it wasn't overly painful.
He told me to get dressed then concluded it was very mild epidiymitis. He prescribed doxycycline and told me to go back in six months if it still hadn't improved, though he reassured me it was nothing to worry about.
The very interesting part was that he advised the likely source of this inflammation was chlamydia. I informed him that I was married, we had one baby and my wife was pregnant with our second. I hadn't slept with anyone else and I knew my wife hadn't. The urologist then explained that it's quite common for chlamydia infections to be contracted by people in monogamous relationships and that it's often unknown as to how the infection got there. In my case it was a possible reason but there was no need to check as the doxycycline would kill it anyway.
I took the doxycycline (which gave me nasty stomach pains towards the end) but found that the testicle was still mildly uncomfortable.
The tenderness continued although it was tolerable. About six months later I still knew it was there but it wasn't worrying me anymore and wasn't interfering with my general day-to-day life, so I decided there was no rush to go back to the hospital.
It probably took about 18 months before the testicle got properly better on it's own. That said, it can still give the odd mild twinge to this day (but hardly ever).
To anyone who suffers tenderness or discomfort in the scrotum, it's very, very unlikely to be anything serious. That said, you'll never completely be at ease unless you get the all clear from the doc, so just go and get it checked, then forget it in double quick time.
Testicular cancer doesn't usually cause pain, although it can occasionally present as an ache (again though, other things are far more likely). If you find a hard lump, partcularly anywhere on the front or side of the testicle, then always get that checked out. In the 99% chance that you're fine, then you can put it behind you. In the 1% chance it needs to be quickly treated, then great, you've dealt with it. No brainer really, you can only win by going to the docs (I say this because I worried myself silly for months before getting it checked, and that was months of unecessary suffering!)
Be healthy,
Robotnik.
2 Comments
Were you infectious to your wife?
this was helpful, thank you sir!
Had this problem for 40 years had all kinds of checks, loads of antibiotics no improvement. Last venture to a urologist 15 years ago suggested pudendal nerve entrapment.
Had this problem for 40 years had all kinds of checks, loads of antibiotics no improvement. Last venture to a urologist 15 years ago suggested pudendal nerve entrapment.
Hey man, thanks for the post. Yeah, I've been dealing with the same thing for almost two years now but I was diagnosed with prostatitis. (burning at tip of penis and abdominal pain and pain after ejaculation.) Took antibiotics twice , Cipro . They did good for a while but it's still there. No STD's either. Although haven't been tested for Chlamydia. Hmmm. Anyway man thanks. Robbie....
I received a message about this post so I thought I'd update. On the 10th of March, after three months of intense anxiety over this (but also genuine physiological manifestations - pain, discomfort etc.) I eventually went for an ultrasound scan. It was over in about 30 seconds and the specialist nonchalantly said everything looked fine. I couldn't believe it - I was half expecting that this is just something they say to all patients and my real results would arrive by mail, as I had gone in convinced that they'd find some serious issue. Over the course of about a week after this, the pain and anxiety dissipated. I think I've come out of this with a more positive outlook, less prone to depression and more adventurous, as believing myself to be seriously ill put a lot of things into a new perspective. I've tried to maintain that perspective.
Anyway, it was only after all this that I learned how common this is. It was only when I had an all clear that I started to talk to friends about my experience, and several have said that they had a similar experience. One had the same issue for 9 months, and after two ultrasounds and several courses of antibiotics they eventually just made a concerted effort to get past it and ultimately did so. I suspect that, as there's the potential for a lot of anxiety around issues related to this part of the body, it's common to develop a kind of unhealthy preoccupation, possibly brought on by stress, that can manifest in further physiological symptoms. It certainly seems to be very common but also poorly understood, possibly because it's something that so many men keep to themselves.
Anyway, it was only after all this that I learned how common this is. It was only when I had an all clear that I started to talk to friends about my experience, and several have said that they had a similar experience. One had the same issue for 9 months, and after two ultrasounds and several courses of antibiotics they eventually just made a concerted effort to get past it and ultimately did so. I suspect that, as there's the potential for a lot of anxiety around issues related to this part of the body, it's common to develop a kind of unhealthy preoccupation, possibly brought on by stress, that can manifest in further physiological symptoms. It certainly seems to be very common but also poorly understood, possibly because it's something that so many men keep to themselves.
1 Comments
Feeling the same way as you.
I've had a 3rd grade varicocele surgery and my testicles are sensitive ever since.
I've done any exam there is, nothing to be found. I even done ultrasounds, yes with a 's', 3 so far, 1 every year. Every single one is 'clean'.
My testicles are still sensitive to touch, especially in epididymis. Doing any hard-intense sex activity triggers it.
There are days which they are ultra-sensitive even pants trigger pain. I am desperate.
2nd Doctor, not the one who operated me, says it's probably some nerve damage during the surgery.
I've found the only way to deal with it, is not to thing about it, but i can't. Every month or so, some pants or even sudden weather changes trigger it.
I've had a 3rd grade varicocele surgery and my testicles are sensitive ever since.
I've done any exam there is, nothing to be found. I even done ultrasounds, yes with a 's', 3 so far, 1 every year. Every single one is 'clean'.
My testicles are still sensitive to touch, especially in epididymis. Doing any hard-intense sex activity triggers it.
There are days which they are ultra-sensitive even pants trigger pain. I am desperate.
2nd Doctor, not the one who operated me, says it's probably some nerve damage during the surgery.
I've found the only way to deal with it, is not to thing about it, but i can't. Every month or so, some pants or even sudden weather changes trigger it.
I've had exact same issue for more then 20 years now: sensitive left testicle around that area, where it is attached to that sperm carrying tube (however it's called). Couple of months back I've had an ache in lower abdomen area, turns out it was kidney stone. Sensitivity went away, but later on when ache was gone, sensitivity came back. Eventually lately I've done CT scan, it turns out there is still some small stone sitting there. I am thinking bugger just shifted or what and came back in its usual spot. Doctor says it's no biggie and it can be left alone. I didn't try to explain all the years of worrying what's wrong with me, low self esteem (yeah, phimosis too) and ****** up private life. Next stop: urologist. Maybe they can blast the ******* with ultrasound, no matter the cost...
A week on from my last post. I visited my gp two days ago and described my issue. He examined me and was mostly looking for testicle pain which I don't have (the problem being my epididymis) and the possibility of a hernia. Urine tested negative for infection. In the end, he referred me for an ultrasound (to look for a hernia he said) and prescribed a two week course of antibiotics called Trimethoprim. I feel like it's getting easier but probably too early to tell. Still have to do an ultrasound of course, but am hoping that I'll be back to normal by then. Having that confirmed by the urologist at the visit would put it out of my head for good.
I have had a very similar experience over the past two months and have found this thread very reassuring. I'm a hypochondriac who panics at the thought of going to the doctors (I suppose to avoid making making my fears about my health seem more real or part of my daily life. Silly I know, but this makes me worry a lot while also very rarely getting anything checked). I also avoided examining my testicles as I had several bouts of worry that they were in some way abnormal as a child and have since avoided contact with them where possible, again a manifestation of hypochondria. I'm 28 now.
In the first week of December, our cat had a lump in its neck, which turned out to be an abcess and cleared up, but this put ideas in my head. I remember examining myself thoroughly for the first time in years, and eventually finding a sort of bump at the back of my right testicle that was painful when poked. It was only a few days ago that I realised the left has a similar structure at the back, and that any epididymis, healthy or otherwise, will react painfully when prodded. If I'd done it properly and looked online at how to examine myself, I'd have been reassured by the absence of hard painless lumps on the front and sides instead of poking around at the back looking for, and indeed probably causing, painful spots.
For two months, I checked myself in the same manner multiple times a day, spending ages in the toilet at work, generally rubbing and prodding myself. I even sprained my groin somehow and aggravated my hip and knee by limping about. I had a general hyperawareness and (possibly psychosomatic or self-induced) discomfort of my right testicle. I was constantly pushing at it, moving it around, and pressing it. I also told no-one about any of this.
My right testicle has always been bigger, higher up and further forward so it kind of stands out. Last week, I got the impression that it was slightly bigger. The soft bit, epididymis, seemed swollen, and when I pressed it, there was pain, so of course I did this several more times. I also noticed a similar pain running up the right side of my abdomen, which I now understand is where the epididymis leads. It was only then that I looked up how to examine yourself, what to look for etc. I remember that my epididymis felt particularly sore that evening. Two days later, I'd been feeling better until I found the painful spot again while idly poking around (force of habit by now). I ended up rigorously examining myself and googling symptoms. I only felt reassured when I came across epididymitis.
For the past three days, my epididymis has been sore and swollen, no doubt caused by me messing about with it when it was already inflamed. I've not touched it since then and have been taking ibuprofen, so hopefully it will ease off soon. I also got some more supportive underwear. I think it's not as sore now, though still a bit swollen. If it doesn't get better in a few days I'll go to the doctors, but I'll be embarassed to tell them this story.
Anyway, I wanted to share this experience as it's been two months of fear and discomfort that I think I could have easily avoided. I'm almost certain that there was nothing wrong with me in the first place, and that I've ended up with self-induced epididymitis from persistent and increasingly rigorous examination. This is a very helpful thread, so I'll try to remember to report back here if I see an improvement.
In the first week of December, our cat had a lump in its neck, which turned out to be an abcess and cleared up, but this put ideas in my head. I remember examining myself thoroughly for the first time in years, and eventually finding a sort of bump at the back of my right testicle that was painful when poked. It was only a few days ago that I realised the left has a similar structure at the back, and that any epididymis, healthy or otherwise, will react painfully when prodded. If I'd done it properly and looked online at how to examine myself, I'd have been reassured by the absence of hard painless lumps on the front and sides instead of poking around at the back looking for, and indeed probably causing, painful spots.
For two months, I checked myself in the same manner multiple times a day, spending ages in the toilet at work, generally rubbing and prodding myself. I even sprained my groin somehow and aggravated my hip and knee by limping about. I had a general hyperawareness and (possibly psychosomatic or self-induced) discomfort of my right testicle. I was constantly pushing at it, moving it around, and pressing it. I also told no-one about any of this.
My right testicle has always been bigger, higher up and further forward so it kind of stands out. Last week, I got the impression that it was slightly bigger. The soft bit, epididymis, seemed swollen, and when I pressed it, there was pain, so of course I did this several more times. I also noticed a similar pain running up the right side of my abdomen, which I now understand is where the epididymis leads. It was only then that I looked up how to examine yourself, what to look for etc. I remember that my epididymis felt particularly sore that evening. Two days later, I'd been feeling better until I found the painful spot again while idly poking around (force of habit by now). I ended up rigorously examining myself and googling symptoms. I only felt reassured when I came across epididymitis.
For the past three days, my epididymis has been sore and swollen, no doubt caused by me messing about with it when it was already inflamed. I've not touched it since then and have been taking ibuprofen, so hopefully it will ease off soon. I also got some more supportive underwear. I think it's not as sore now, though still a bit swollen. If it doesn't get better in a few days I'll go to the doctors, but I'll be embarassed to tell them this story.
Anyway, I wanted to share this experience as it's been two months of fear and discomfort that I think I could have easily avoided. I'm almost certain that there was nothing wrong with me in the first place, and that I've ended up with self-induced epididymitis from persistent and increasingly rigorous examination. This is a very helpful thread, so I'll try to remember to report back here if I see an improvement.
No cure I am afraid suffering at present so was searching on the web again for any progress in treatment. Nothing new found, pudendal nerve damage hard to treat success rate not good,
Hi this is may seem like a weird question but did you at any point in time trying stopping masturbation/sex (well ejaculating really) for at least say a month? Perhaps continuing to strain the epididmyis through ejaculation delayed the body's healing process?
1 Comments
I was told no intercourse or masterbating for two weeks, to allow healing without strain.
"Anyway, i'm going to wait a couple of weeks without squeezing my nut every five minutes..."
Amen. We are our own worst enemies. I have my first urologist appointment later today. I didn't get much sleep last night worrying about TC. Reading everyone's post has been very helpful. In summary, I should...
1) Rule out (fingers and toes crossed) TC/STD via blood work and ultrasound.
2) Get the urine culture, but also insist on a semen culture to get a proper treatment plan.
3) Buy tighty-whities, stretch more, and stand up more at work.
Thanks dudes!
Amen. We are our own worst enemies. I have my first urologist appointment later today. I didn't get much sleep last night worrying about TC. Reading everyone's post has been very helpful. In summary, I should...
1) Rule out (fingers and toes crossed) TC/STD via blood work and ultrasound.
2) Get the urine culture, but also insist on a semen culture to get a proper treatment plan.
3) Buy tighty-whities, stretch more, and stand up more at work.
Thanks dudes!
Guys...Do SEMEN CULTURE TEST to Identify the Bacterial infection if you are not identify any bacteria in Urine.
My case goes lik this...
I had swelling & lump in epididymis and dull pain in July last week 2010.
I went to my GP.Dr had ordered urine culture to check for bacterial infection and blood work to check whether it is a cancer..
The urine culture test came as Negative meaning no bacteria was identified in urine.
Blood work confirms that it is not a cancer.
He had ordered an ultrasound. It comfirms that i had inflamation.
I had been given antibiotics and advil for 10 days and I had stopped taking coffe/tea.
At the end of antibiotic treatement and advil. Swelling got reduced a lot.
But my epididymis head still had a pea sized hard swelling
I went to urologist in Sep 10th. He said no bacteria and it may take some time (a month , 2 month or years) or it may stay for ever.
In oct 6th I had gone for another visit to the same urologist after an 2nd ultrasound.
Dr said i do not see any reduction in the pea sized hard swelling in
epididymis.
From oct 6th... i started getting pain and my testicals get swelling.
I gave SEMEN CULTURE test on Oct 15 and they found 2 bacterias...
I had been put on levaquin 500 mg per day. My swelling got reduced .
But still I have the hard epididymis.
On 3rd appointment with urologist he had directed me to go for one more SEMEN CULTURE test to see whether antibiotis had cleared the infection or not.
Waiting for the Semen culture results.
My case goes lik this...
I had swelling & lump in epididymis and dull pain in July last week 2010.
I went to my GP.Dr had ordered urine culture to check for bacterial infection and blood work to check whether it is a cancer..
The urine culture test came as Negative meaning no bacteria was identified in urine.
Blood work confirms that it is not a cancer.
He had ordered an ultrasound. It comfirms that i had inflamation.
I had been given antibiotics and advil for 10 days and I had stopped taking coffe/tea.
At the end of antibiotic treatement and advil. Swelling got reduced a lot.
But my epididymis head still had a pea sized hard swelling
I went to urologist in Sep 10th. He said no bacteria and it may take some time (a month , 2 month or years) or it may stay for ever.
In oct 6th I had gone for another visit to the same urologist after an 2nd ultrasound.
Dr said i do not see any reduction in the pea sized hard swelling in
epididymis.
From oct 6th... i started getting pain and my testicals get swelling.
I gave SEMEN CULTURE test on Oct 15 and they found 2 bacterias...
I had been put on levaquin 500 mg per day. My swelling got reduced .
But still I have the hard epididymis.
On 3rd appointment with urologist he had directed me to go for one more SEMEN CULTURE test to see whether antibiotis had cleared the infection or not.
Waiting for the Semen culture results.
@ robotnik
I have similar symptoms like you have: very tender and sensitive to pressure. The reason not wearing jeans anymore and start using Bjorn Borg underwear as well. I went to an urologist, did an ultrasound scan as well, but everything was negative. Maybe an MRI scan would clear things up.
I have similar symptoms like you have: very tender and sensitive to pressure. The reason not wearing jeans anymore and start using Bjorn Borg underwear as well. I went to an urologist, did an ultrasound scan as well, but everything was negative. Maybe an MRI scan would clear things up.
I also have this issue. Started about 10 years ago. I remember coming home on the subway the day after a fairly significant workout and being crippled with pain.
The pain lasted several months. It was a dull aching pain in my left side that would start in the scrotum area (back of my left testicle) and shoot up my left side to my lower abdomen. Its kinda of a difficult pain to explain - a dull aching pain is the best way to discribe it. It would intensify if I would "poke" in the area to try to determine the root of the pain.
Another interesting thing from that point is that from that time - I think to be my left testicle became much larger and lower than my right.
In a warm bath, if I examine the back of my left testicle, I definitely notice a swollen epididymis. It has been that way now for 10 years.
I'm married (and have been with the same girl since that original bout) and have two kids.
The flare up happens every few years or so.
It is common for it to flare up if poked.
I hadn't had an issue with it for a while until I went to a urologist to talk about getting snipped.
He has to drop'em and cough.
Since that time, the flare up happened again.
From my reading it looks like ibuprofen is probably the best shot.
If it keep up this time, I'll try to get an ultrasound to see if there is something more I should be concerned about.
The pain lasted several months. It was a dull aching pain in my left side that would start in the scrotum area (back of my left testicle) and shoot up my left side to my lower abdomen. Its kinda of a difficult pain to explain - a dull aching pain is the best way to discribe it. It would intensify if I would "poke" in the area to try to determine the root of the pain.
Another interesting thing from that point is that from that time - I think to be my left testicle became much larger and lower than my right.
In a warm bath, if I examine the back of my left testicle, I definitely notice a swollen epididymis. It has been that way now for 10 years.
I'm married (and have been with the same girl since that original bout) and have two kids.
The flare up happens every few years or so.
It is common for it to flare up if poked.
I hadn't had an issue with it for a while until I went to a urologist to talk about getting snipped.
He has to drop'em and cough.
Since that time, the flare up happened again.
From my reading it looks like ibuprofen is probably the best shot.
If it keep up this time, I'll try to get an ultrasound to see if there is something more I should be concerned about.
I am 15 years old and have been experiencing a very similar pain to robotnik's. However it his been accompanied by pressure in my abdomen, nausea, and vomiting. At first I suspected a hernia for I am currently training for football, and after visiting the urologists, an ultrasound, and an exam, the possibility of a hernia and kidney stones were elved. From the exam the doctor found that my right testicle had an abnormal amount of liquid around it and my epididymis was inflamed and extremely sore to the touch. As with others I have prescribed some sort of 2 week antibiotic regiment and to take 3 ibuprofen a day after eating. I am relieved that I do not have a hernia but am still concerned after reading some of these posts that the probiotics will that eleve my symptoms. Hearing others experiences has helped my and I hope mine has helped yours.
my son is 15 and is having this problem he is going for an ultra sound but this sounds like it may be the same which is good as we were all worried over TC thankyou for the posts it is reassuring..
I also am experiencing this same type of thing. I became aware of it 2 to 3 months ago; thinking it was TC I immediately went to the doctor because im only 18 years old and partially because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier that month. He had me drop my shorts and he checked it out; No lumps but "just incase ill write you a prescription go get an ultra sound". Ultra sound came back negative and he gave me an antibiotic that should have taken care of the problem in one pill. A week went by and the problem seemed to vanish, no thanks to the antibiotic.
Two days ago I noticed the same exact symptoms. I check; no lump but I could feel that the epididymis is swollen. Sometimes when I am sitting or standing it will feel like liquid is traveling down my urethra as if its going to come out as a discharge; it never does. Has this happened to anyone?
Two days ago I noticed the same exact symptoms. I check; no lump but I could feel that the epididymis is swollen. Sometimes when I am sitting or standing it will feel like liquid is traveling down my urethra as if its going to come out as a discharge; it never does. Has this happened to anyone?
I've been dealing with this exact issue since Feb '08....I've been on cipro and doxicycline, where the latter seemed to help the most. It's come back again after feeling great for about 2-3 weeks. I've had an ultrasound: no TC, but they did find small spermatoceles, which the very experienced technician said is very typical as you get older (i'm 44). I used to wear boxers, but have switched over to briefs after finding it relieves the soreness (most of the time). I've tried anti-inflammatories, but they don't really help. Dr thinks it's bacterial and that we just need to find the right antibiotic to fight it....
It could be anything.... I wonder if it's something in my environment (allergy related or constant exposure to a bacteria that I'm oblivious too)...the rest of my family (all girls) don't seem to be affected...
If anyone has any other experiences like this, I'd love to hear about it
It could be anything.... I wonder if it's something in my environment (allergy related or constant exposure to a bacteria that I'm oblivious too)...the rest of my family (all girls) don't seem to be affected...
If anyone has any other experiences like this, I'd love to hear about it
Sounds like you have the viral or injury version too then. Are you taking a course of inflammatories to try and cure the condition, or just taking them as and when to alleviate symptoms you have to live with from now on?
I went back to the docs last week to say the antibios didn't work. He offered me an appointment with the urologists at the local hospital but gave an open date as to when I could attend.
Surprised by this, I asked if it was in my interests to get in asap in case it was the big C. He just gave a "don't be stupid" frown and said it's not TC, it's nothing like TC. He went on to say that if that was even half expected i'd have been whipped down the urologists in a flash, and that virtually all TC's are characterised by lumps or certain swellings in the testicle itself.
I have to say that the usual lesson applies to me, stop trying to diagnose yourself on the internet - it will always tell you the very worst possible outcome, and will 99.99% of the time be wrong!
I went back to the docs last week to say the antibios didn't work. He offered me an appointment with the urologists at the local hospital but gave an open date as to when I could attend.
Surprised by this, I asked if it was in my interests to get in asap in case it was the big C. He just gave a "don't be stupid" frown and said it's not TC, it's nothing like TC. He went on to say that if that was even half expected i'd have been whipped down the urologists in a flash, and that virtually all TC's are characterised by lumps or certain swellings in the testicle itself.
I have to say that the usual lesson applies to me, stop trying to diagnose yourself on the internet - it will always tell you the very worst possible outcome, and will 99.99% of the time be wrong!
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