Epididymitis - views/thoughts?

Hi all, I've been suffering w/chronic epididymitis for almost a year now, i guess may be slightly different as it is not a sexual transmitted but it is from cysts getting stuck in the little coral style holes along with cysts in the urethra.
My first bout was severe enough where I drove myself over to the hospital and the Dr at the ER got me in ASAP and checked to see if I had torsion in my testies, which I didn't. He thought I had epididymitis at that point but couldn't say for sure as tests were needed. This ER doc told me that having this is like passing bt only 24/7, and since i've never had a kidney stone i cannot say, all i know is that it can drop me even with the meds I'm already on due to a bad back. He gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way. About two weeks later I got out of bed to go pee and couldn't make it back to my bed as the pain hit so severe that it basically put me down. I had to crawl to my bed to get to my phone and called the ambulance, and after a few hours and some IV and some drugs they sent me back home...
I had two ultra sounds and saw a urologist and he told me what I had and his advice was to use ice, have a warm bath and try and play with the testicle to break the cysts down. I had to ask him if he has ever had this because there is no freaking way I can even touch my testie yet alone squeeze it.
Since the first massive bout I've had three other bouts, i get pain in my testie and up into my kidney area. I occasional have blood in my urine and the most relief I get is laying down with an ice pack. It can get so bad that I can barely climb the steps, get in and out of my truck and have a b****r of a time putting on socks or shows, although I've started using a shoe horn to put on my shoes so I don't have to bend over.
The pain can be so severe that I almost come to the point of throwing up. The urologist i saw mentioned surgery but said that he wouldn't recommend it as the success rate is very low and as for prescribing meds, he said that I am already taking what he'd recommend in gabapentin and my pain meds were stronger then anything he would recommend anyway...
I guess I am writing on this site because others would understand what I am going throw and totally understand the pain I go through, plus, there may be some people who have found new remedies or herbals that may aid in reducing the pain.
From reading most if not all of the posts that deal with my condition or a very similar one most guys have got there symptoms via sexual conduct getting one the diseases where as mine is cysts, and many of them.
As I understand the epididymitis is like coral with thousands of little holes all over it, or like a sponge, and i've got cysts that have become lodged in many many of these holes...
Should anyone know of aid in reducing pain, please let me know...
I truly wish you all the best and hope that your symptoms stay away for as long as possible and that the flare ups are short...

I know this is an old post, but how much saw palmetto were you taking a day? Fingers crossed for a response.

This is the exact advice people need. I understand the people on this site that are really worried but that makes it so much worse. Ive noticed if I get all the physical symptoms of anxiety - the swelling immediately becomes worse and almost painful (it's never really all that painful besides the first time it comes on, beyond that it's just slightly annoying and can play with your head when it comes to performance i.e. exercise) - The key is definitely to override it in the mind and realize that if it becomes worse, doctors will be forced to do something to make it better, so it's probably not the worst thing if it flares u badly, it'll help the diagnose and treat better. I get it though, it's not nice to have problems in that area but you only live once - can't live your life in fear of pain, if it happens, it happens and you deal with it there and then.

To add to this - chill!! :P Things could be much worse. With good health, exercise within your limits and a good diet then it will just become a minor annoyance. If you get ahead of yourself and become depressed over it the condition will seem and get worse, so be strong, keep your head up and realize its really not THAT bad, just annoying. I've felt sorry for myself over it but it's not worth it, it's amazing how the mind affects the body.

How did you know you had this?

I've heard they can tie off the nerve above the epididymis to resolve the pain. I might consider that before I'd live with it. I'm just saying.

I got this pretty bad a while back, took Cirpo and that about knocked it out in 5 days. Sadly, two months later and it has started to return. Why it would return baffles me. But I feel something is wrong internally, I keep thinking that something has gotten pinched, or damaged either with the epdidymitis, or somewhere within the urinary tract. I would almost bet any chronic epididymitis is caused by some internal damage. The system is not working as it should - and things are not as clean as they should be. Maybe even prostate related? I've had symptoms also resembling hemorrhoids ever since first taking my meds (but I seem to be the only one also has this problem). If my butt is messed up and my balls too, then I'd deduce that something could be going on between the two - the prostate?

I just began a course of probiotics to hopefully combat any yeast overgrowth in my gut. I've also started taking Saw Palmetto which is good for urinary and prostate health, only a few days in. I've heard good things about a supplement called Quercetin, apparently for some people that knocks the so-called epididymitis out for a while and keeps it at bay. I'm gonna try that. I'm also going to try epsom salt bath soaks.

As I've said it could be prostate related if you have something going on there and don't even know, but my gut feeling is damage in urinary tract, or pinched nerve of some sort. I know how pinched nerves are, they are hurt and they last and they're never the same. Had one between my toes.... but maybe a slim chance it could be cyst that was overlooked (I've had an ultrasound). All I'm really saying is there's a reason why for many of us the pain and inflammation keeps coming back after seeming to go away. It's not because you simply forgot how to bathe or use your penis, obviously. There's something leaving you susceptible to recurring irritation in an area that never used to become irritated. Backwash is something that gets mentioned a lot. Urine getting into the epididymis? I could see that happening maybe more easily if you've damaged your internals somehow.

I've worn skinny jeans for many years with no problems, maybe that has finally caught up with me? I only wish I could know. I'm only brainstorming here. Sharing my story and what little info I have to offer. Lots of posts here I need to read up on. One thing is if for sure you don't have to live with it. Different treatments seem to remedy for different folks. You can always have the nerve killed or tied off surgically, but I think there are probably easier solutions to this. Sure reduced stress will help, but what will really help is finding the cause of your inflammation and doing everything within your power to keep that to a minimum. I will continue to post here with any findings or status updates of my own.

hi its the same you and me

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I wanted to follow up with my last post to comment on Saw Palmetto. In short, take it. If you are having epididymal pain, it could help you a lot. You have to buy a high quality one, and you have to take it as directed and you have to keep taking it, you can't give up on it early. I've been taking whole herb saw palmetto capsules by Sundown Naturals for about 2 weeks, 2 pills twice daily. Results? No pain, very little swelling. I can't say for sure it was the palmetto, but why else would it have went away? It's also not a bad idea to get yourself started on a strong daily probiotic. I've been taking that as well. Drink lots of water with your supplements, and eat when you take them. Always urinate when you need to, don't put it off. Get this stuff going through your system and you will probably feel better. I haven't tried the Quercetin yet, but I've heard it also works wonders. Couldn't hurt to take both regularly. Remember that supplements take a lot longer to work than chemical drugs, it could take weeks, even months to fully take effect. You gotta stay with it. I really think it works, so try it.

Hope this helps someone.
I had pain at least on e a year
since 2011. Urologist will send for me an
ultrasound and it was always the issue pain on the epididymis on the left testicle. Dr will prescribe for doxycycline which has taken care of the issue. Since 2011 the issue will come up once a year and I go through bed rest for 3-5 days. Things that have helped me are. 1. Doxycycline 2. Ice pack on affected area often to keep the swelling down.I had the issue again in 2017, slight pain...so I took doxycycline that I already had for just 5 days. After couple of weeks issue happened again...this time doxycycline didn't work (may be because didn't take the full course when I had slight pain :(. ). Dr prescribed for bactrim and that helped. I am 45 years old. So, antibiotic and ice is what helped me when I had the issue. Hope this helps someone to get their health back.

Hope this helps someone.
I had pain at least on e a year
since 2011. Urologist will send for me an
ultrasound and it was always the issue pain on the epididymis on the left testicle. Dr will prescribe for doxycycline which has taken care of the issue. Since 2011 the issue will come up once a year and I go through bed rest for 3-5 days. Things that have helped me are. 1. Doxycycline 2. Ice pack on affected area often to keep the swelling down.I had the issue again in 2017, slight pain...so I took doxycycline that I already had for just 5 days. After couple of weeks issue happened again...this time doxycycline didn't work (may be because didn't take the full course when I had slight pain :(. ). Dr prescribed for bactrim and that helped. I am 45 years old. So, antibiotic and ice is what helped me when I had the issue. Hope this helps someone to get their health back.

Lthe doctor said i have empididyeitis 4 days ago and i feel no relife im getting scared they feel like there going to explode

Hey man. It's been awhile. I hope the condition got better

Try the Natural Magnesium Treatment

What type and dosage of Saw Palmetto do you take?

I've had this issue every so often after my vasectomy. A treatment that works for me every time is Turmeric combined with Hamamelis Virginiana homeopathic tablets. The homeopathic is cheap but I buy extra strength Gaia Turmeric which is about $35. Very effective and works very quickly. Antibiotics are never a long term solution. Natural anti inflammatory treatments work best.