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Epididymitis

I was at the E/R 4 days ago for pain in the testicles.They diagnosed me as having  a bladder and testicle infection.I was given a prescription for Cipro and sent home.I have taken the cipro for four days and it has not helped at all.I think I am allergic to cipro because I have wicked abdominal cramps and some dizziness.The pain in the testicles is no better than it was 4 days ago.Cipro has not helped me at all.I called the doctors office and got his answering service.I asked to speak to the on call doctor.The on call doctor was my doctor! I asked him if I could get a different antibiotic because the cipro was not helping.He said I would have to come to the office tomorrow if I could.He said if the pain got worse,I would have to go to the E/R again. I have been to the E/R 3 times for some kind of infection.If I go tonight or in the morning,this will be my 4th trip. I have been to the E/R so much they know me by name.This problem(tetsticle)always flares up on a weekend or during the week when the doctors office is closed.Talking about bad luck.I do get some relief from the testicle pain by laying on my back.As soon as I get up I feel the pain again.I have other ailments to deal with, and I sure didn't need to add testicle pain to the list. all of this is very depressing.
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Avatar universal
If this was tortion, you would know because by now you would have lost the testicle to necrosis.  Let's scratch that one.  If it was an infection, the Cipro would have cured you and you also would not be feeling pain more when you stand up as opposed to when you lie down.  So let's say it's not an infection.  Let's say you've been to the emergency room several times, and they have no doubt done x-rays, MRI scans, etc. looking for issues and found nothing (if they had, you would have been able to address the problem and known what to do with it).    Let's say you have never had your testicles seriously injured because that would be an obvious cause of ongoing pain.  So let's say it is something else.

Given what you have said above, it looks to me (and I am not a doctor) like you have what I have: chronic epididymitis without a specific known cause (like an injury or an infection).  What has been working for me recently, and like magic, is taking a lot of ibuprofen several times a day even when I have no pain-- it is working.  I take 800mg two to three times a day (which is a LOT-- if you have a weak liver, you may not want to try this) and since I began this regimen I have had NO PAIN at all from either of my epididymides, and it has been more than a week now (before, I was having pain daily, and the doxazosin my doctor prescribed did nothing).  Something in my system was swelling up and closing off the vas deferens somewhere, causing the epididymitis to flare-- taking the mega doses of ibuprofen several times a day is now keeping that from happening.  I understand that I have to keep at this for a few more weeks and then should be able to go off it and be cured.  Cured...  That's a word I have only dreamed of before.
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No... Its permanent until you get the scar tissue removed. I have it too. Like any infection there is scar tissue. You can feel the affected area has a soft tender bruise. Ibuprofen helps but dammit it doesn't solve the problem
I made my previous comment upwards of five years ago now.  Seems like forever.  I would so love to know how things have worked out for the fellow in the original post.

My own epididymitis has continued to hound me all five of those years off and on, but I will say this: it has gotten better, very very slowly.  I was not at all "cured" by the ibuprofen, though it did help reduce the pain.  I wasn't able to maintain the strict regimen of taking it so constantly, and I am sure my liver is glad I did not.  I had an "attack" a few months ago now that left me reeling in pain.  I discovered that something about the pain is related to muscle tension in my mid to lower back, and that these muscles become very stiff and uncomfortable during an attack (but are otherwise fine).  Massaging them during an attack is painful but provides some relief.  My current suspicion is that these muscles tighten for some reason and begin causing referred pain to the nerves that serve the testes.  However, this does not seem to explain why the epididymides then harden, which is more than a misplaced nerve signal.

The idea of scar tissue is very interesting.  How, do you think, I could have scarred myself there?  A scar means that tissue was torn and then healed.  Torn how?  I was never injured here, never had any bruising, nothing has ever been cut.  I have on some occasions (during the worst of it) had swelling in the inguinal area on my right side (which at that time was having the worst pain).  That was years ago: the pain has persisted, but no more swelling anywhere.

And the pain has gotten better.  I have not visited am emergency room for it in about a decade now, and no longer consider it worth discussing with my doctor.  My flare ups are increasingly rare, do not last as long, and are not as painful as they used to be.  A decade of this is absurd, though.  I am surprised that medicine hasn't had better solutions for all of us by now.
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
First of all it is not confirmed whether you are having epididymitis or not. Testicular pain can be due to injury, infection (Epididymitis or Orchitis) or inflammation, excessive bicycle riding, hernia or kidney or ureteric stones.

Are you having painful, red or swollen scrotum along with testicular pain. It can be epididymitis or orchitis. In cases of hernia, a prominent bulge along with testicular pain is there and in cases of kidney or ureteric stones, pain during micturition may also be there.

You can provide support to the scrotum by wearing an athletic supporter, apply ice to the scrotum, take warm baths if there are signs of inflammation, while lying down, place a rolled towel under your scrotum or try over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Some causes of testicle pain, including testicular torsion, can lead to infertility if not treated promptly. Infections also should be examined and treated right away. If the infection is caused by bacteria, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. So consult a urologist if the symptoms persist.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.
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