Chronic testicular pain and swelling
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi all, at the beginning of last year, my right testicle became very tender and painful, as if kicked, though no trauma had occurred. Doctor presumed epididymitis and prescribed antibiotics which didn't help, and two weeks later, I was in A&E due to the pain. An ultrasound was arranged that seemingly confirmed the presence of moderate bilatereal varicocoels and moderate orchitis. A different type of antibiotic was prescribed and I was sent home.
To cut a long story short, much of last year was spent either in consultants' offices, or occasionally on the ward, in an attempt to figure out what was causing the discomfort. Four separate consultants confirmed varicocoels on palpation, though one 'top' consultant vetoed the others and stated he could find no evidence of them. The varicocoels have otherwise been described in many ways, including "a bag of worms" that I've apparently had since childhood (now, in my thirties).
For the longest time, there was a consideration to put me forward for surgery where the affected veins would be filled with metal coils, though this is now off the table. Full STI screening came back negative. Thrush was noted on swabs, but with no visible symptoms, and no ongoing treatment has been recommended.
Frustrated, I requested clarification and a second opinion, and another consultant quickly identified prostatitis and a crystallised prostate, which he was confident as being the root cause, and an altogether common complaint. I've been taking tamsulosin for almost three months as advised, though the nauseating pain still persists. The testicle itself is incredibly sensitive. I've lightly tapped it by hand/accident twice, and both times it swells like a kidney shape. I'm now sitting with an ice pack, feeling sick to my stomach. Grateful for any advice.
0 likes, 6 replies
Mr_Jim pen2paper
Edited
So your testicle is still swelling after the initial infection period?
My epididymitis infection lasted about a month, the antibiotics did reduce the swelling, but due to the pardon the pun - the balls up with the silly doctors not reacting quick enough, I've subsequently been left with nerve damage.
If it's still swelling I'd be inclined to ask for a longer course of antibiotics, but also make sure you ask them for probiotic tablets and course of Fluconazole. The antibiotics will drop your immunity and create breeding ground for thrush - the Fluconazole should help with this as well as the probiotic tablets.
Others on here might chip in and say the swelling is being caused by the varicoceles - it would be worth awaiting their advice as I'm not knowledgeable in that department.
pen2paper Mr_Jim
Posted
Yes, it's still swelling, but for the most part, only when I knock it - and even then, only very lightly. Pain has been pretty much constant for over a year. Hellish, at times. Like a burning sensation coupled with dull ache, and I think the testicle has dropped slightly, too. Scrotum itself seems to change color on a whim. Often bright red, sometimes with a light blood-bruising-like patina, sometimes very pale, and sometimes purple. Lots of blood tests, which have only ever shown a slightly elevated white cell count. Thank you for the suggestions, they're much appreciated.
We5t pen2paper
Edited
Hi there, Do you get the ache/pain down your right leg and into your foot as well? I was diagnosed with bilateral varicoceles which are 2.5 and 3.1mm in size, I was also referred to have them treated with the metal coil method, but I cancelled due to reading some horror stories regarding the use of these metal coils. I'm currently waiting to have surgery to get the varicoceles cut and tied off, this method has a better success rate, especially when treating right side varicoceles. The ache/pain I get is much worst on right side testicle, disabilitating at times, my testicle also swells and changes colour from pink to dark red and gets warm/hot to touch, also is very sensitive all of the time. The ache/pain and the sensitivity is always at the top of the testicle, its right at the top of the epididymis.
pen2paper We5t
Posted
Hi, at the moment, the pain is localised in the right testicle, though has radiated to my thigh when most acute. Not as far as my foot though, thankfully. I've never been given a formal measurement of the supposed varicocoels, other than roughly-speaking, in person by the consultant. Descriptions have been relatively vague, but consistent, which is what made the fifth consultant's veto opinion so confusing. As I recall, he was of the belief the distension of blood vessels was due to infection, though I remain in pain, over a year later. Something doesn't add up with this swelling, though. Yes, it is debilitating, absolutely. Good luck!
pen2paper
Posted
Developments on this ongoing saga, as of today. Paid a visit to hospital earlier and was seen very quickly, indeed. On examination and palpation, the doctor suspects epididymo orchitis and has prescribed two weeks' Ofloxacin antibiotics. Was also very grateful that he noted just how red my scrotum is at the moment, as some doctors have readily disregarded this over the last year or so. Also heard from Urology shortly beforehand, and they advised I may require an extended course.
Again, very grateful for the advice given above, which certainly appears to align with the professional diagnosis. Many thanks again, and if there's any more news, I'll be sure to post, in the hopes it might be of use to others. If I don't post back for a while, good luck, lads.
pen2paper
Posted
Hi, guys. Am able to share somewhat of an update with this ongoing situation. Recently, the right testicle pain flared up again to the point I had to visit hospital. Still around a 7/10 pain-wise, now another month later. Epididymo-orchitis was again diagnosed due to redness and swelling. My right epididymis remains swollen, in my opinion. Ultrasound revealed a very small cyst on my left testicle, and no evidence of inflammation or infection in either testicle. Urology consultant is unconcerned regarding the cyst, and thinks the problem may be chronic inflammation, and possibly pelvic pain/prostate-related. Higher-strength pain killers have been advised, but I was really hoping it might be possible to zero-in on the root cause of this. Hope that the above is of some help to someone, at least. Cheers, guys.