Hello I am 21 years old and have been diagnosed with epididymitis for about two weeks now. My doctor prescribed me wtih 7 days treatment of cipro 1000mg and the pain is gone now but the epididymis tail is still swollen. I am not having any discomfort or pain but its the tail is still inflammed. What should i do?
There are many reasons why one may not grow cultures, and a negative test alone should not rule out an infection. A few reasons you may not grow cultures is having a common anaerobe or a patient has already started ABX therapy. Clinical signs such as patient response to ABX, clinical history, are of more significance and cultures should only be used to confirm but never to rule out.
I know this is an older forum but I thought I'd share because I FINALLY received a proper diagnosis to my issue. I had chronic epidytimitis on an off for about 1 year now. I've been to 4 urologists, gotten UA, blood work, ultrasounds that all came back negative for pathology. Nobody could figure out why this keep reoccurring. I finally found a urologist and he nailed the diagnosis. He believed that the epidytimitis was caused by a bacteria called MYCOPLASMA HOMINIS/UREAPLASMA. This does NOT show up on a normal urinalysis which is why it was always missed by the other doctors. You have to specifically ask for this culture or it will not show up positive.
Turns out women can be carriers of this bacteria with NO symptoms, so overtime I would have sex with my wife I would get worse about week after. Also this requires a specific type of antibiotic instead of just Doxycycline to completely get rid of. So please if you think this is a possibility for you and you are frustrated, make an appointment and get this test done. If it comes back positive its also important for your partner to get tested too so that you will not keep getting re-infected.
I'm hoping that someone will get some answers and relief from this because I know how frustrating this can be. Also I'm so surprised that there is almost nothing on the web that explains this cause and most doctors do not even suggest this test to be done. Hope this helps! Hang in there guys, no pun intended
Turns out women can be carriers of this bacteria with NO symptoms, so overtime I would have sex with my wife I would get worse about week after. Also this requires a specific type of antibiotic instead of just Doxycycline to completely get rid of. So please if you think this is a possibility for you and you are frustrated, make an appointment and get this test done. If it comes back positive its also important for your partner to get tested too so that you will not keep getting re-infected.
I'm hoping that someone will get some answers and relief from this because I know how frustrating this can be. Also I'm so surprised that there is almost nothing on the web that explains this cause and most doctors do not even suggest this test to be done. Hope this helps! Hang in there guys, no pun intended
i kinda just wanna kill myself :(( the pain is unbearable
It could be the anti-inflammatory effect you get from the antibiotics. Probably just better taking Ibuprofen and hot baths.
heh ur wife is cheating on u dude
Hi, I know it has been quite a while since you posted this but I was wondering if your problem was ever resolved. My case of epididymitis sounds remarkably similar to yours (chlamydia infection, symptoms cleared but left a dull ache in my testicles etc). It has been 2 weeks since I finished my course of doxy for the chlamydia but am still suffering from what I'm fairly certain is epididymitis. If it hasn't resolved by next week I will go to my GP but wanted to know if you had any luck?
Cultures are not always possible even in the presence of an infection. Anaerobes for example are impossible to culture. Negative cultures should never rule out an infection.
I am a victim of holding urine in. I have been suffering with this disease for 3 months, initially was started on Levaquin which had no effect, then switched to Bactrim, which reduced the pain b 90% by the 7th day. There was improvement from day 3. The excruciating pain also gave Tachycardia. Although the Bactrim is working, it cannot fully eradicate the disease, it also becomes less effective after several weeks, but still better than without. Also tried Augmentine on the second month and was also a great choice, but once again it can not fully eradicate the infection.
Doxyccline was also tried with little to no effect. Currently back on Bactrim this time with Erythromcin and seems to be effective but again cannot cure.
Part of the problem is the healthcare system, the CDC recommends a 3 to 4 weeks course of Levaquin or Doxyccline. The problem with this recommendation is this assumes an STD or a gram negative rod is the culprit, such as Ecoli which is also contracted from sexual contact. This is a poor assumption as majority of the cases were more related to holding urine in than an STD. Holding urine in means the
The other issue is the short term course, I have not seen anyone cure this with a 2 to 3 weeks course and many doctors are following these recommendations. This disease should be treated aggressively with IV from the start as the consequences are dire and very few are curing with Oral. The CDC cannot make such recommendations as it will put a strain on the healthcare system. Their recommendations has a high failure rate to say the least and possibly creating a more resistant form of the bacteria in the process.
I also started having Pelvic pain and now the prostate might be involved. My hope is that this cures itself as other infections or the antibiotics will eventually full eradicate it. Part of the problem is possibly due to poor blood circulation in this area and I believe this disease should be treated in the same fashion as Osteomlitis/bone infections using high dose IV ABX.
Drugs that worked Bactrim, Augmentin, Erythromycin
Drugs that did not work Doxycycline, Levaquin.
I ask those that cured to return and provide feedback which I promise to do and keep hope that this will be passed you one day.
Doxyccline was also tried with little to no effect. Currently back on Bactrim this time with Erythromcin and seems to be effective but again cannot cure.
Part of the problem is the healthcare system, the CDC recommends a 3 to 4 weeks course of Levaquin or Doxyccline. The problem with this recommendation is this assumes an STD or a gram negative rod is the culprit, such as Ecoli which is also contracted from sexual contact. This is a poor assumption as majority of the cases were more related to holding urine in than an STD. Holding urine in means the
The other issue is the short term course, I have not seen anyone cure this with a 2 to 3 weeks course and many doctors are following these recommendations. This disease should be treated aggressively with IV from the start as the consequences are dire and very few are curing with Oral. The CDC cannot make such recommendations as it will put a strain on the healthcare system. Their recommendations has a high failure rate to say the least and possibly creating a more resistant form of the bacteria in the process.
I also started having Pelvic pain and now the prostate might be involved. My hope is that this cures itself as other infections or the antibiotics will eventually full eradicate it. Part of the problem is possibly due to poor blood circulation in this area and I believe this disease should be treated in the same fashion as Osteomlitis/bone infections using high dose IV ABX.
Drugs that worked Bactrim, Augmentin, Erythromycin
Drugs that did not work Doxycycline, Levaquin.
I ask those that cured to return and provide feedback which I promise to do and keep hope that this will be passed you one day.
To the part that was cut off.
Three groups of bacteria that should be recognized when treating this condition.
STD Infections
Ecoli (Also sexually contracted)
Natural Flora from the bladder.
I emphasize the last as many physicianstreat this as an STD or Ecoli but leave out those who got this disease from holding urine in. The urine is not sterile and the infecting organism is from the bladder's natural flora. Ecoli is not part of the bladders natural flora and should be ruled out as a possible cause for this group (those who held urine in).
Three groups of bacteria that should be recognized when treating this condition.
STD Infections
Ecoli (Also sexually contracted)
Natural Flora from the bladder.
I emphasize the last as many physicianstreat this as an STD or Ecoli but leave out those who got this disease from holding urine in. The urine is not sterile and the infecting organism is from the bladder's natural flora. Ecoli is not part of the bladders natural flora and should be ruled out as a possible cause for this group (those who held urine in).
Antibiotics should not be working better than Ibuprophen or narcotics, this topic arises when specimens are not growing cultures and the patient is claiming ABX response. Only a poor physician would think that Antibiotics are stronger than NSAIDS or Narcotic pain meds. You cannot always grow cultures, in fact rarely those with infections are able to grow cultures and for many good reasons.
Hello all, I'm new here but wanted to share my experience in hopes it may help another. To the original poster (although its an old post), no, having it will not increase chances of torsion. I'm one day post op and feel great. Had chronic Epididymitis for 20 plus years which started not long after a vasectomy. Apparently this is more common than some are led to believe. Tired of the pain I decided to see a new doctor to my area who specialized in male reproduction and micro surgery. She removed it from the right testicle along with some of the other plumbing, so to speak. The testicle remains ......... for now. As amazed as I am at how good I feel after such a surgery, I was informed the success rate is only 50% and in some cases it can be as low as 10%. However it was a necessary first step. If it fails, she agreed next step will be to remove the testicle itself. At 49, I'm not concerned with having only one. All that said, if you are having constant pain in one or both testicles and all disease has been ruled out, the gold star option as I've been told would be nerve denevation. Not sure on spelling. Essentially the sever the nerves to the testicle(s) by making a small incision just above the testicle in the groin and sever there. For me it was not an option due to a prior hernia surgery many years ago. Too much scar tissue and mesh. Hopefully this helps someone suffering. It's miserable to say the least. Any questions please feel free to ask! Good luck to all
Same here I am so frustrated I am 31 now never had any issues. On Monday Oct 23 woke up with pain in my left testicle. I Hate doctors never had any good luck with them. So I Do what I always do wait to see if I got better, which it did on Tuesday (next day) at that point it was a 4 out of 10 painful yet could deal with it. But on Monday 30th Oct it came back with full fury. Woke up and it was a 6 out of 10 tried to see if it would go away again since it did a week before. Tuesday morning had to go to school and it was hell. Pain was a 7 out of 10 tried to walk at school, was was more of a sad limp. Leg was turning slight blue and purple on same side left testicle was bothering me. I also noticed my left leg was locking up worse and worse. Muscles were so tight, so I told myself Wednesday if I was not better off to Urgent care for me. Well on Wednesday it was the worst it's been like a 8 out of 10. Went and finally saw a guy who said it was Epididymitis. Which was wired to me since I have never had sex. (I know sounds ridiculous) he gave me doxycycline mono 100mg for two times a day for 14 days. He said I would feel better after 1 -3 day's. Well it's been 4 days and feel worse then I did Wednesday. Pain is now so bad using my mom's cane. Helps a bit with walking, lots of water, no dairy, and jock strap. Nothing is working the anus didn't even give me pain pills said aspirin would work fine. Ya %^
right. Thank God my other doctor gave me hydro, been taking it more in my life even after my hand surgery. I am frustrated might fail my swim class, have to go to school still. Don't know what to do. I am going to try Apple cider ginger and sun flower seeds someone on here suggested. Or else I am going to go fing crazy. I am starting to think I have wrong diagnoses. Because pills are not helping yet. Thank God for hydro or else hate taking as many as I have but the pain is the worst I have ever felt in my life. Sorry for long rant had to do 2 posts i guess ran out. Lmao
Doxy is given when they a sexual disease is suspected, this disease often comes fromurine backing up the wrong way, usually from holding urine in. Your doctor shouldnt have given Doxy based on your history of none sexual contact. Augmentine, Bactrim, Erythromycin, Azithromax should be tried for your case.