Sorry this goes on so long... %-) It is getting to the point, These are just the important parts lol :-@
I had a lot of swelling and slight pain in my right testicle. I didn't go away after a few days so I went to my doctor who put me on antibiotics. He didn't think it was anything serious and ruled out Prostate Cancer as he said their is no bumps and my age (21), ruled out Testicular Torsion again saying that usually happens between 6 and 16 and that I would be in a lot more pain. I ruled out myself any sexual transmitted diseases as I am always safe and haven't been with anyone sexually in 9 month. So he didn't think anything major probably just a bacteria infection and put me on 7 days antibiotics.
The next day it got worse the swelling and pain, following day even worse until 4 days later after everyday things getting worse my right testicle was the size of a grapefruit! Of course un-comfort, irritable and hard to walk but not immense pain even tho it was very tender, red and soar. I went straight to the emergency room at the hospital as I thought the doctor was doing enough and the first thing they realised was my temperature as I had a fever and was burning up.
They examined me and was very concerned. The took blood samples, urine tests and ultrasounds. At first they thought it could have been a tumour but after more investigation it came back that I did have an infection and that's what they treated me for putting me on a antibiotic drip straight into my blood stream. Then they said It looks like Epididymitis and the infection in my scrotum is what had caused the swelling and pain. They still checked other things as well, my tests came back clear of chlamydia and any other STD as I presumed and the doctor was right as there was no indication to cancer. With using the ultrasounds they where also looking at the idea of Testicular Torsion aka twisting my testicles but that hadn't been the case either. They was worried about one thing tho, My blood supply to my right testicle as it had been completely cut off.
I finished my drip which lasted 7 days (I stayed in for the full amount) at this point the size wasn't back to normal but the swelling was reduced MAJOR! After the 7 days I went for another ultrasound a week after my first and it still showed the same problem. No blood flow, although the doctor said the texture and quality of the testical according to the scan looks much better. He said the swelling is reducing, your feeling better, the texture is better and can't understand why there is no blood supply.
He told me to continue on antibiotics for one more week at home on strict bed rest and then come back in for another ultrasound which was yesterday. Everything has improved but the blood flow as there is still none. After consulting with the doctors for hours he recommended that since there was no blood supply he opens my scrotum up and remove my right testicle. He said antibiotics isn't going to bring the blood supply back and since there has been no blood for nearly 3 weeks 99% chance it is not going to come back. There is no point leaving it there as it could cause more infections and complications.
They wanted to do it then and there on the spot and I do not do anything under pressure and didn't let them. I am a young man on 21 year old, It's not my fingernail I'm loosing. I know it might sound vain but I will have to go through the rest of my life like this, at such a young age. If this is the best and only option it may have to be something I consider but I'm not loosing it without a fight! I told them I'm getting a second opinion of a private hospital which is booked for next week. Until then can anyone give me any advice?
1) What could have caused this? We went through all sorts of options and none came to be the answer. 2) Why and what could have stop the blood supply 3) Is it common, any usual outcomes? 4) Is there anyway of keeping my right testical even if there is no blood supply. The pain is gone, 85% of the swelling has gone. What will happen if I leave it and get a scan every month to make sure nothing has got worse? 5) Can this problem/infection/epididymitis come back?
Any advice on this situation AT ALL with be more than helpful. Sorry to go on but the last 4 weeks has been hell and I'm doing all I can to save both of my testicles. I understand health comes before vanity and also need to make sure this problem is resolved safely and healthy.
Many thanks!
Hi David,
Get a second opinion NOW!
It may have been caused by a clot or trauma, we can't say. I'm not sure what tests your urologist did to measure blood flow except for the ultrasound. Sometimes they can do an MRI with a contrast agent to determine where the blockage is.
If the testicle has not had blood for 3 weeks, it's not viable. It will shrink and disappear, if it doesn't become gangrenous. If it does become infected you do risk your fertility - as in yes it can come back affect the other testicle!
If you do need to have the orchiectomy there are prosthetic testicles that will give you a normal appearance. You need to know that you can father a child with only one testicle. You will have no need for additional hormones or anything like that, the other testicle compensates.
Hope it helps. Get that second opinion.
Hi dan,
Thanks for your quick reply!
I am booked in for more scans and a second opinion on Wednesday. I found out that the Wellington Hospital London has the best Urology doctors in the world so I'm going private as well as 7 hours to get a second opinion. My own doctors has already spoke to me about some of the possible side effects as you mentioned including Gangrene. The only thing they seemed to be confused about is that the testicle is healing and improving as well as the colour and pain, which is very odd.
I have spoken over the phone to the other doctors at London and they do their best with all cases either it me a testicle or a heart to try and fix problems, they always try to avoid removing anything if they can. My biggest worry as probably most people is having kids one day. The Wellington seems very good as they have already talked about taking EXTRA precautions and having a back up plan incase of any future damage, sperm bank basically. Quickly spoke about prosthetic testicles and how they can now be done by key hole to avoid more scars. As I said I will know more when they see me on Wednesday but I already feel better speaking to them.
I just hoped it wouldn't of came down to this and still trying to figure out how it came on and why wasn't something done sooner. Just doing my day to day life and this sprung on me, anyway... :-(
Thanks for the advice about the MRI scan as I will ask about that, the only scans I have had is ultrasounds. Any more advice or if anybody has the slighest advice please comment!
Will keep you updated, Many thanks!
David,
The ultrasound is the most common means of measuring blood flow. If you're trying to track blood flow and can't localize the problem the MRI may be an option.
It may/may not be something they routinely do. I'm in the US and health care is different than the UK.
Normally the testicle would not improve after not getting blood flow for weeks, it would be dead. Perhaps your body is "plumbed" differently than others as far as blood flow is concerned.
The Wellington doctors appear to be on top of things.
Best of luck, keep us posted please.