Short history:
I've had symptoms since February 2004, which now (September 2004) are mostly left-sided epididymitis and to some extent prostatitis. At their worst (May 2004) my symptoms were disabling -- pain made worse by sitting, sit-bone and tail-bone pain, feverishness, back-pain.
Now after nearly 3 months of antibiotics (quinolones, except for 3 months of Septra) my prostate is much better (so says a urologist after a DRE), but the epididymitis is worse (I still apply ice to my testicles several times a week). I can't take Cipro any more because of joint pains (ankles mostly, but also knees, hips, fingers, everywhere).
My urologist believes I do not have pelvic muscle disorder (he checked). Since Cipro is out of the question (he would have had me continue) now, he does not have any new suggestions. HALP!
What I have NOT had (no one suggested them):
- EPS
- transrectal ultrasound
- semen culture
What I HAVE had:
- PSA (low -- 0.6)
- testicular sonogram (cysts that are "not vascular")
- other tests all negative (spinal x-ray, pelvic MRI, stomach sonogram)
What to do? Who to see (I live in New York City)? What is my prognosis?
I am currently (starting this week) taking Zithromax on the theory that epididymitis is usually caused by chlamydia, for which Zithromax is (I believe) the drug of choice. For awhile recently I had pain in my right eye and sensitivity to light, which in my amateur desperation guess could be chalmydial induced Reiter's.
mucho thanks in advance....
- Carlos
***@****
PS my "quality of life" in the NIH scale is "24". This is a major life problem, and I am not making progress.