Epididymitis and Orchitis

[Mytical]

No real suckyness or anything, so if in wrong area please move. Just got diagnosed with these, and didn't even know they existed. All I do know it is very very painful. On medication for it, but not sure I really understand what is going on/what happened. Had to run to the emergency room, and then explain several times to several people why I was there. Explaining once was bad enough :o

[Ree]

I don;t know a lot about it, but a google search found this (http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=114) and this (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/epididymitis.htm).

It does sound painful.
Hope you feel better.

[Gerrinson]

I don't have any experience with orchitis, but I'm well aware of epididymitis. In fact, my father nearly died from it.

Warning: The next paragraph includes a detailed description of the consequences of ignoring epididymitis, it may not be for the faint of heart.









My father, in his first bout of epididymitis, decided to ignore the pain and go to work where he then promptly passed out. When he woke up, it was the next day. While unconscious the doctors had to remove one testicle, which was swollen to the size of a grapefruit and 3/4 of the other testicle which was not quite as badly swollen. He had also received an emergency circumsion due to further swelling from the infection. It turns out that none of this is a fun thing to discover upon waking up.

Since then, he has had numerous recurrences of the epididymitis. However, he has learned to run to the ER at the first sign of symptoms.

Best of luck, and please do not ever ignore the symptoms of epididymitis if they show up. It's really not a good idea.

[Sheldonrs]

Been there; had that. epididymitis, that is.

A few times. They gave me Cipro each time. The same drug they give you if you've been exposed to Anthrax.

It is VERY painful! And good luck trying to walk when one of your testicles hulks out on you!

[Antisocial_Worker]

I had orchitis once. Bacterial infection of the testicle... Hurt like a bitch, enormous swelling, and the stories I could tell... It was a logistical nightmare to even turn over in bed.

I hope you feel better soon!

[morgana]

Oy-yoy-yoy! Mytical, take care of yourself!

Me, I'm gonna go cringe in the corner now.

[Mytical]

Pain medicine and me have a very odd relationship. Every single type I've tried has the side effect of putting me to sleep or causing my brain to feel like it is in a fog. So I hate taking pain meds..at all. I also dislike hospitals, but in this case not only did I have no problem going to the hospital, I felt like hugging the nurse that brought me the pain meds. How anybody could ignore this is beyond me.

[Sapphire Silk]

Been there; had that. epididymitis, that is.

A few times. They gave me Cipro each time. The same drug they give you if you've been exposed to Anthrax.

Cipro is a broad spectrum antibiotic, very powerful. It's used for lots of things, but is the antibiotic of choice for that particular problem. It's an infection you want to clear up quickly because of the pain involved, and the risks of serious complications if left untreated.

I had orchitis once. Bacterial infection of the testicle... Hurt like a bitch, enormous swelling, and the stories I could tell... It was a logistical nightmare to even turn over in bed.

I hope you feel better soon!

Orchitis=infection of the testicle
Epidiymitis= infection of the Epididymis, the little tube that connects the testicle to the rest of the male reproductive tract.

Both are painful. Both are serious if untreated. Both are medical emergencies.

Pain medicine and me have a very odd relationship. Every single type I've tried has the side effect of putting me to sleep or causing my brain to feel like it is in a fog. So I hate taking pain meds..at all. I also dislike hospitals, but in this case not only did I have no problem going to the hospital, I felt like hugging the nurse that brought me the pain meds. How anybody could ignore this is beyond me.

If it's any consolation to you, you are not the only one who feels that way about pain meds.

Take 'em when you need 'em, and try not to be an "iron man" about this. Take the meds before the pain gets so you can't stand it . . . the pain meds are actually more effective if you take them when you first start feeling uncomfortable.

Finish the antibiotics, even if you are feeling better . . . this is very important.

And eat some yogurt. The Cipro may kill off the normal bacteria in your gut and give you diarrhea.

Hope you feel better soon!

[Der Cute]

Owieyowie!
It's bad enough being female and having pain down there from UTIs and such. Daaaaaymn.

If it makes you feel any better, my ex had hydrocele. One of his testes (the sac around the ball itself) was swollen with fluid. Hydro :). It hurt more AFTER it drained.
Hugs and I hope you feel better soon.

Thought: would a jock cup be any help guarding the junk from getting squished/trapped and or twisted?

[fireheart]

Owieyowie!
It's bad enough being female and having pain down there from UTIs and such. Daaaaaymn.

If it makes you feel any better, my ex had hydrocele. One of his testes (the sac around the ball itself) was swollen with fluid. Hydro :). It hurt more AFTER it drained.
Hugs and I hope you feel better soon.

Thought: would a jock cup be any help guarding the junk from getting squished/trapped and or twisted?

try boxer shorts. If you're doing anything involving contact sports or re-enactments, then a jock cup would be required (my boyfriend uses his for his re-enactment kit)


And I can relate to the UTIs, I actually had to get an ultrasound to help figure out WHY I was getting them so often-now I know what pregnant women go through for their ultrasounds :lol: (drinking 2 litres of water and having to hold it)

[Seshat]

I didn't know what either was, except that 'itis' is an infection.

Seconding Panacea on both the 'finish the antibiotics even if you feel better' and 'take the pain meds'.

If the particular pain meds give you side effects you find unacceptable, it's perfectly okay to ask the doctor for different ones. Similarly, if the antibiotics you're given have unacceptable side effects or don't seem to be effective, you can ask the doc to check for whether a different one would be suitable.

(I'm not saying the doctor will definitely be able to give you a different med: but you can always ask!)

[Mytical]

Sadly, the effective pain meds all react with me the same way..if it is stronger then an aspirin it makes me groggy. Still these are better then some, the ones with codine in them had me making zombies seem intelligent and verbose.

[Seshat]

Wow!

At least it ensures you get plenty of rest when you're healing up? That's a good thing, right?

[tacohuman]

i feel for you; i just got done dealing with my own bout of epidymitis. i initially went to an urgent care clinic (as it was after hours for my regular doc), and as soon as i mentioned "testicular pain" they stopped me right there and sent me to the emergency room, as the problem could have been testicular torsion, which is very serious and requires immediate care.

three weeks of doxycycline later, i'm finally back to normal. fortunately i only needed the pain meds the first few days. after that, the antibiotics started doing their job and the pain got more bearable.

[Mytical]

I have not been updating this but thanks to the goverment I finally can afford to go to a specialist and have some REAL tests done. They no longer think it is an infection, the ultrasound will let them know if it is the C word..then they will go from there. Have developed a fever, which they think this is causing, and feeling even more miserable then usual..so hoping for the best here. After the ultrasound and specialist visit I will update.

[Kristev]

May it be only a minor medical issue they can easily cure.

[morgana]

May it be only a minor medical issue they can easily cure.

Amen, brother!

[Mytical]

Well, they are rerunning the tests to double check, but here is what they tell me...

What caused it to be enlarged was some sort of impact (though I have no clue what, must have twisted it in my sleep or something). However, initial tests indicate that yes, it is testicular cancer. They are going to schedule me for surgery to remove the offending testicle in April. I don't know when yet. The doctor is going on a two week vacation, or it would be sooner. Now I don't mind loosing the testi..better then the pain it is causing, but I will admit the prospect of surgery in that area is not high on my 'this is going to be fun' list. I will keep posting updates as I get them.

[AccountingDrone]

Well, they are rerunning the tests to double check, but here is what they tell me...

What caused it to be enlarged was some sort of impact (though I have no clue what, must have twisted it in my sleep or something). However, initial tests indicate that yes, it is testicular cancer. They are going to schedule me for surgery to remove the offending testicle in April. I don't know when yet. The doctor is going on a two week vacation, or it would be sooner. Now I don't mind loosing the testi..better then the pain it is causing, but I will admit the prospect of surgery in that area is not high on my 'this is going to be fun' list. I will keep posting updates as I get them.

At least you *know* now.

Unfortunately the replacement is some form of silicon (http://www.estheticon.com/news/implantation-of-testicular-prostheses). Now if it was possible to make one of brass (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=brass%20balls) :devil:

[Mytical]

I am kinda miffed about the two weeks..they couldn't find another doctor to do the surgery while the one was on vacation? Not sure waiting is such a good idea..won't that give the cancer a chance to spread? *sighs*

[Der Cute]

Mytical,
I don't think 2 weeks will matter that much - but check your records, there should be some kind of data "2mm abnormal thingy on right teste" such as that.

My ex had a vasectomy. Same area as yours. He said it wasn't bad afterwards, he said the pain meds DID come in handy, and to use the frozen bag of peas.

Hugs. It will be ok. You will need to line up a friend to take you to the hospital and take you home.

[Rapscallion]

Good - you know, and they know. That type of cancer is particularly treatable.

Hope it goes well.

Rapscallion

[fireheart]

Fingers crossed it goes well.

[MoonCat]

Good luck Mytical! Praying for you.

[laborcat]

Likewise. I'll keep you in my thoughts. I'm also puzzled by the two week delay; surely there are more than that one doctor in that specialty? I'm hoping it's a good sign. Good luck.

[Mytical]

Not in this small of a town, though I am not that far from three major towns which I could probably find others. I just had a CAT scan..ugh. The medicine is horrible, but the worse was the injection when the tests start. Ended up vomiting all over the place, good thing I didn't have anything to eat before. Tech pushed the meds a little to fast, and bleh. I assured them that it was ok, because they were honestly apologetic about pushing the meds a bit fast. When they say it will make you warm..they mean it *laughs*. Still not something I would like to do on a regular basis.

If not for the vomit though, would be a really boring test I guess. Lol.

[laborcat]

Crap you sound like you live where I grew up... not much there, but within an hour and a half of actual civilization.

[Sapphire Silk]

Sorry to hear about the diagnosis; best wishes for the recovery!

[Flying Grype]

Re: spreading: not all cancers spread fast, so in a lot of cases it's safe to leave it for two weeks or even more. Chances are that if the doctor says it's ok to leave it that long, that's why.

Ask the doctor these questions, too -- for your own peace of mind, and also to kick them in the pants whenever they genuinely need it.

[blas]

Hoping everything goes ok!

[Seraph]

Will definitely be keeping you in my prayers man, but its good they've found out now. :)

[Seshat]

Crossing fingers that it hasn't spread. If it hasn't, you're likely to be okay.

Good luck!

[Teefies2]

Adding my best wishes for you. The "C" word is scary, but a lot of it is treatable/curable. Hang in there man!

Oh, and remember to rely on us to keep you feeling good about yourself :-)

[Mytical]

Honestly just wish I would hear something..ANYTHING..even bad news right now would be more tolerable then hearing nothing. I know it takes time for them to figure out what the tests mean, etc..but I still haven't even heard about the surgery date yet. Meanwhile, every day the pain gets just a little worse..and I get that much more uncomfortable.

[Mikkel]

Try calling them if you have questions. The hospitals that treated me, both had a hotline where a nurse could answer the questions I had or could get an oncologist to call me.
Even if they doesn't have a hotline, I'm sure someone at the clinic can help you. Cancer is a very scary diagnosis. Anybody would have the need to be reassured while they were waiting.

[Zaiida]

Hope everything goes well.

[Flying Grype]

Yep. This is the time to be pushy. If they're treating you like a lab rat and not telling you anything, remind them that you're not stupid and this is not the 1950s, and you need information.

If the pain is getting worse, tell them that too, and make them take it seriously.