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Originally Posted by FezsAssistant
Hi Doctor Steve,
I love your show and all your appearances on 202.
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well, you rule, then.
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One month ago, I went to a urologist with left testicle discomfort. I was told it was epididymitis. FYI, I have no pain with urination and no lower back pain. My prostate is also fine.
I took Cipro and NSAID's for one week (bid), then Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim and NSAID's for two weeks, bid. It improved, but I still felt some discomfort. Now I'm on Cipro for another 10 days, bid. Friday (tomorrow) is my last two pills. I still feel a little discomfort. No shooting pain, just some dull discomfort now and then.
I haven't exercised for over a month and I've started wearing briefs for more support, but I participate in self-love once or twice a day. I guess I probably shouldn't do that, but the Dr never mentioned it. Should I lay off that for a while?
Also, upon my own inspection I can only visually detect an epididymis with the left testicle. I don't see anything similar on the right side. My Dr told me one testicle should always be bigger and it's common. He told me last week I'm 90% improved.
Should I see a 2nd Dr or does this all sound normal?
Thank you very much for your time.
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Ok, let's talk a little about epididymitis.
The epididymis is an interface between the testicle and the tube that sperm cells travel up to get to the body (the vas deferens). It's a squishy ovoid structure stuck on the back of the testicle itself. You can feel it if you reach down, feel your nuts, and take your thumb and first finger and make a "C" shape with the tips of your fingers meeting at the top backside of the testicle (with your hand in front).
Crap, it's too complicated to describe in words, let me see if I can find a picture:
Ok. Epididymitis is simply inflammation of the epididymis (the suffix "itis" simply means "inflammation of", and is also used as "infection of"...so meningitis is inflammation of the meninges in the central nervous system, pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs, etc). It can be caused by infection or trauma (heavy lifting, vigorous sex, etc) and generally causes a dull and gnawing pain in the nether regions that is quite annoying, if not debilitating.
The standard treatment for epididymitis is:
1) scrotal support
lift those nuts so the epididymis isn't hanging by the vas and causing more pain and discomfort
2) sitz baths
let the nuts float in warm water for 30 minutes a day...taking the effects of gravity off them is quite a relief
3) antiinflammatory drugs
it makes sense that if the problem is inflammation, an antiinflammatory drug should help!
4) antibiotics
one can't usually tell if the epididymis is infected, so most people will prescribe an antibiotic to make sure this isn't missed.
Sometimes epididymitis becomes
chronic and won't go away easily. Your urologist has some things he/she can do about this, but they're pretty invasive. the good news is the vast majority of cases will resolve with standard treatment.
The only problem I see with masturbating when you have epididymitis is if you're traumatizing yourself by literally "beating your meat". Go easy on yourself; I've never heard that ejaculation is a problem in epididymitis.
Heavy lifting is a bitch when you have epididymitis. Avoid it until your symptoms are LONG gone. Start up too soon and you'll notice the pain in your nuts comes back.
I'm scared that you're saying you can SEE your epididymis. Can you clarify that? Feeling it is one thing; seeing it is in a whole 'nother dimension.
If the briefs aren't doing the trick, even try a jock strap. More support=more gooder.
Hope this helps.
your friend,
Steve