Testicle Pain

[Dallas]

Hi fella's, I come looking for some advice, not car related though, it's a medical question. I thought who better to ask than a bunch of friendly guys, as you do when you're down the pub playing a game of pool.

So here goes... Have any of you guys suffered pain in the testes/balls?

I have been suffering pain/aching in my right testicle for 12 years now, and its driving me nuts... excuse the pun. I've had 3 ultrasounds during that time which have all come back normal. I have seen a urologist back in 2012 which was a waste of time, he said it could be Epididymitis, or its something I may have to live with as sometimes men get pain in the testes and we have no diagnosis to why.

I've had several courses of different antibiotics to treat Epidiymitis, which relieves the pain for a short while, but as soon as I've finished the course the pain returns in a matter of days/weeks. The specialist did say they could operate and remove part/or all of the epididymis in severe case's, but he was not 100% sure this was the problem. He also said the operation could make the pain worst, that the removal of the epididymis doesn't always work.

The condition seems to be getting worst, the constant aching accompanied with pain is becoming unbearable. As soon as I sit down I am in agony, even certain clothing (jeans or trousers) I wear will trigger the pain and discomfort. I reckon soon I will need to wear a skirt, at least this will not aggravate the condition. lol

I went to the docs last week and said I've had enough, cut my blooming balls off I said. The doc is now sending me for another ultrasound which is this Thursday, this time I am hoping they can find what is causing the pain. The pain is always in my right testicle, groin area, and will travel to my inner thigh and down my right leg to my foot, at times my foot is in agony which does effect my walking.

This will be my 4th ultrasound, so its time to bear-all again to the lovely LADY specialist, we are getting to know each other quite well.

So... have any of you guys experienced something so crazy as this?

[KLM]

It could be a varicose vein problem,
Had a similar problem myself when I had a job that required a lot of time standing on my feet by a conveyor line.

Kev.

[Dallas]

Originally Posted by KLM

It could be a varicose vein problem,
Had a similar problem myself when I had a job that required a lot of time standing on my feet by a conveyor line.

Kev.

Thanks kev, I've read about this and it certainly would make sense.

Mine started the same, my job involve standing on my feet all day and involved a lot of heavy lifting, each afternoon I would feel an ache deep in the groin which would run down my right leg. It wasn't as bad at the beginning, so I put off going to the docs for a year or so, then I gave in as it was getting worst.

Did you have the pain/heavy ache in the left or right testicle, and did the pain travel down your leg to your foot? Did you have the veins removed, or did your pain just go on its own?

[LeRich]

I know of someone who was an HGV driver that was diagnosed with a twisted ball - basically, the ball has rotated in his ballbag, twisting the tubes. He got it sorted but can't remember if via surgeon or some careful persuasion.

[murphyv310]

Water is brilliant and we don't drink enough, plain water without juice etc is best. I am recovering from a couple of days of gout and having 4 litres of water a day has sped up the relief from pain, it normally lasts a couple of weeks.
Well worth a try and water is free into the bargain.

[Dallas]

I have a new dentist now, she is wonderful. I wouldn't mind her looking at my bits.

Its funny you should mention teeth, I said to my GP only last week ''I feel like I have Trigeminal Neuralgia of the testes'' he only looks up and tells me that is possible... I'm sure he was joking, I cant tell when he's joking and when he isn't.

I drink plenty of water, that is all I do drink, or fruit juice. I dont drink tea or coffee, no wine or beer anymore, haven't done for years. I'm a bit of a health freak to be honest, plenty of fruit and veg etc, I don't even smoke... You wouldn't believe it would you?

Phil has got me thinking I may have a heart problem now, is aching balls first sign of heart disease? I've already asked my father this, he says he has never suffered testicle pain, and he does have heart decease.

[Nobby]

I really feel for you mate – one of the worst pains there is. I also salute you for discussing openly – us men tend to grin and bear it too much.

Certainly sitting on or trapping one of your balls can cause inflammation (epididimitis) of the plumbing to the testicle; (I know from experience - sat on mine a few times and is quite common male complaint. Similarly an infection, cyst or blockage in the epididimis tubes can cause a swelling and discomfort/tenderness/pain which may come and go. Does a hot bath ease the symptoms or can you actually feel any swelling when the balls relax? The symptoms should pass over a couple of days unless there is an underlying issue. Other issues can be a sort of varicose vein which you should be able to fell at the top of the sack above the ball. Both case can been seen by physical examination by the GP and thro’ a scan. I’m no doctor or medic but I’d discount a twisted ball as this is apparently very serious and if not treated urgently in A&E will result in the testicle dying. – your previous checks would have found this so would look for other possible causes.
I would question with your GP whether there is another issue which will cause ball ache and particularly pain extending down your inner thigh and leg. This I believe is typical of sciatic nerve injury which can often cause groin/ testicular pain as well as aches or shooting pains, tingling (pins and needles) down the inner thigh, buttocks and legs. Sciatic pain is indicative of injury elsewhere, even to damage or prolapsed disks and damaged vertebrae. Questions to consider – have you had any back injury (standing prolonged periods/ lifting/twisting or slipping, jumping down out of a vehicle cab)? Are you carrying a bit of weight (as in overweight)? Play sports? The cause may well be in your back or pelvic area causing referred pain and irritation. Again does a hot soak in the bath ease the symptoms?

Finally and perhaps more importantly another consideration to discuss with your GP is whether there is any risk of prostate issues which can also causes testicular pain etc.

Hope you get to the bottom of this (oops sorry wrong side!) – don’t ignore and don't get stressed – if your not getting the answers from your GP – go to A&E and get a second opinion. Good luck…

[SCP440]

Seeing this I just rung a friend who had exactly the same problem a few years ago. Numerous treatments and scans and it would get a little better but never completely clear up.

Eventually he took the dramatic decision to have it removed, he had to pay but was surprised at how cheap it was as he didn't stay overnight. Once recovered from the anaesthetic he was given a drink and a sandwich and once he had emptied his bladder he was aloud to go home, a couple of days of discomfort apparently ( makes me wince at the thought) but he reckons it was worth every penny.

He also reckons everything works as it should.

[Gate Keeper]

4 years ago, I suffered a poisonous spider bite to the balls in South Africa. The pain was excruciating, the balls swelled up and went black. I had to see the doctor every 2 days for dressings, pain relief, antibiotics and reviews as the poison was necrotizing. Basically there was a risk of one of balls dropping out of the testicular sac because the poison makes the skin rot and surgery would be needed. It was a living nightmare.

That went on for 3 months and it eventually cleared up until 2 years ago, when I got ball ache. The balls turned blue and my GP referred me to a surgeon in London. Like yourself Wes, I had a scan. In follow up I was told I had “varicose veins in the balls of moderate severity”. I was offered surgery, but this was postponed because of the bypass surgery I had in the leg. What was interesting and also was a relief, the bypass surgery cleared up the ball problem permanently.

I can empathise with you about testicular pain. It’s also something which is never easy to talk about on a public forum.

[Dallas]

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

4 years ago, I suffered a poisonous spider bite to the balls in South Africa. The pain was excruciating, the balls swelled up and went black. I had to see the doctor every 2 days for dressings, pain relief, antibiotics and reviews as the poison was necrotizing. Basically there was a risk of one of balls dropping out of the testicular sac because the poison makes the skin rot and surgery would be needed. It was a living nightmare.

That went on for 3 months and it eventually cleared up until 2 years ago, when I got ball ache. The balls turned blue and my GP referred me to a surgeon in London. Like yourself Wes, I had a scan. In follow up I was told I had “varicose veins in the balls of moderate severity”. I was offered surgery, but this was postponed because of the bypass surgery I had in the leg. What was interesting and also was a relief, the bypass surgery cleared up the ball problem permanently.

I can empathise with you about testicular pain. It’s also something which is never easy to talk about on a public forum.

Spider! Blooming ek! Phil, that sounded painful.

Public forum I'm not shy, I'll talk about anything me...

I've just been doing some reading about varicose veins in the testes, seems to be called 'Varicocele' and I reckon this is what my problem is...

I've just taken a look... AGAIN! and Yes! I have two whopping dark veins right at the bottom hidden out of sight. I suppose the doc missed these last week... The more I read about Varicocele, the more I reckon this is the problem I am suffering from.

I cant wait till Thursday, It will be blooming fantastic to learn this is actually my problem. I've read they can perform a Varicocelectomy which is a one day surgery, if this is the case I'm there like a bat out of hell.

To be free of testicle pain after 10 years of suffering will be blooming fantastic.

I have everything crossed, expect my legs because it flipping hurts.