Epidydimitis

[Wants2giveUp]

I am a 22 year old male who contracted epidydimitis about 9 months ago.  The various Doctors I went to all seem to agree that it was caused by drastic difference in testicle size.  When I was born, my left testicle was undescended and I had corrective surgery when I was about 1.  It is still undescended and probably not full-sized.  

Anyway, I was put on a 1 week regimen of Keflex.  It seemed to do the trick until it came back hard about 3 weeks later.  They then tried Doxycycline which did absolutely nothing.  My mom's herbalogist suggested a variety of different things, which slowed down the severe pain, but ultimately did nothing to fix the problem.  I then went back on a 6 week regimen of Keflex which did pretty much nothing.  I went back to taking vitamins and herbs about 3 months ago.  The pain hasn't been too bad and it seemed somewhat livable as if it was slowly going away.  But, recently it's been getting worse again.

Is this normal?  From what I've been told is that it generally takes a month to get rid of this and it's been 9 months.  I've also heard about surgery, but I think it causes infertility and that's really not something I want at my age, but if it's the only way I guess I wouldn't have much of a choice.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

looking at your userid, you sound pretty frustrated, DON'T GIVE UP!!!

I'd get a second opinion from a major university medical center urologist to see what else can be done.  It's a very frustrating problem for many men

[Wants2giveUp]

Is it common to last this long?

[Wants2giveUp]

And I forgot to mention that I've had a second opinion and 3 ultrasounds, the last 2 showing no signs of illness.

[tcotten83]

I got the same problem, i went to the doctor a acouple months ago and got treatment, but its still there, try wearing more support for your testicals, like a jock strap, i tried that and it kinda works, dont worry thought man ur not alone, im in pain every day and night, and im worried that its going to cause me to have cancer, but dont give up, i havnt yet!!

[Enoch Choi, MD]

support helps

epididymitis is not a precursor to cancer

[Wants2giveUp]

I've been wearing stuff with lots of support since I was diagnosed and yeah it helps, but is it common for this to last long?  That's all I really want to know.  I'm only 2 and a half months shy of a year and if this is the kind of problem that can last for something like 5 years then I might as well just get the surgery.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

not common

if it's been there for a year, it's hard to say how long it will go

i'd get another second opinion