[Anonymous]

I've had similar problems in the past but never this severe. For the past week my testicle has felt "funny", kind of bruised. Yesterday it felt quite sore (not unbearable, but worrying and uncomfortable). Today the pain has lessened but the testicle feels "weird". It feels kind of like its being pulled every so often, the whole groin area and pelvic floor seem very tense (I was wondering if this could cause it). Every now and again I feel I have to readjust as its in "the wrong position".

I've been seen by two doctors, the first recommended an ultrasound to be sure but this didn't go through properly on the system (computer error), I was told to see the second doctor to get re-referred but he decided "I was fine" and to "wait and see" (no ultrasound). He checked me out today, and said there was no sign whatsoever of a hernia (even though it feels quite "different" down there to me), no noticeable lumps and if it was torsion I would know about it. Urine tests from first doctor revealed no infection.

I'm still very concerned by this, I'm terrified of testicular torsion or cancer, but can't bring myself to get my mum to drive to A&E when it might be nothing.

What else could cause this? I've been sitting alot lately in work so maybe trapped nerves? Why would the spermatic cords be contracting/pulling so much?

[misfit3]

If it's making you worry, I'd say go to the doctor and insist on the original doctor's recommendation for an ultrasound. He ordered it for a reason, it'll put your mind at ease if nothing else.
I'm no biology student, so I have no idea what could be wrong, but if it doesn't feel right, then probably best to get it checked out properly

[Anonymous]

(Original post by misfit3)
If it's making you worry, I'd say go to the doctor and insist on the original doctor's recommendation for an ultrasound. He ordered it for a reason, it'll put your mind at ease if nothing else.
I'm no biology student, so I have no idea what could be wrong, but if it doesn't feel right, then probably best to get it checked out properly

I think its not helping that I've heard this "you have six hours once testicular torsion start before you lose your testicle" business.

I would definitely go to A&E if it was really bad, but at the moment I'm just confused (and uncomfortable/not in agony). Hot baths and heat in general seem to help a bit.

[Anonymous]

Could potentially be a varicocele if you can feel a "bag of worms" down there surrounding the testicle. They almost always develop in the left testicle only. They can cause some soreness and a dull, dragging pain sensation.

If it is, it is almost totally harmless, though it is correlated with slightly reduced sperm count because the testicle is kept a few degrees warmer than it ought to be (though this resolves as soon as it is fixed). You can have an operation to fix it, though it might have a long waiting time if you're having it done on the NHS.

[Anonymous]

RE: the bath thing - I forgot to mention that they tend to be lessened by lying down as the blood flows away. Supposedly warmth can increase them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varicocele

[Bulbasaur]

I can tell you almost for definite it's not cancer. If you're feeling some pain, that's pretty much a good thing as far as cancer is concerned because you wouldn't feel any if you had it (from what i've read). I doubt it's torsion either, given the whole 6 hours thing you would've thought it had passed by now. What anonymous #2 posted seems to be very logical.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Could potentially be a varicocele if you can feel a "bag of worms" down there surrounding the testicle. They almost always develop in the left testicle only. They can cause some soreness and a dull, dragging pain sensation.

If it is, it is almost totally harmless, though it is correlated with slightly reduced sperm count because the testicle is kept a few degrees warmer than it ought to be (though this resolves as soon as it is fixed). You can have an operation to fix it, though it might have a long waiting time if you're having it done on the NHS.

Its my right testicle (the problematic one). This has always been the higher of the two, and tends to retract alot up under the pubic bone. Its been retracting today (has just "popped back out" to be precise ), could the up and down motion be irritating it? What causes it to be so hyperactive? (Apart from temperature of course)

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Bulbasaur)
I doubt it's torsion either, given the whole 6 hours thing you would've thought it had passed by now. What anonymous #2 posted seems to be very logical.

I guess if it was torsion (with the worst pains being early yesterday), the testicle would have died/become infected by now/I'd be at least feeling slightly rotten (fever, dizziness etc). But no, part from soreness I feel fine (just anxious), and I can still feel the testicle so nerves are still OK.

I was just worried in that it would be Monday before Doc's is open again, whether I'd survive the weekend.

[Anonymous]

The left testicle is lower than the right in the majority of people. This stops them bashing into each other so much when you run.

Did you perhaps sustain any injury to that area in the days preceding? If so it could be a simple bruise.

It's been a couple of years since I had to deal with any of this sort of stuff so my knowledge is a little rusty.

[Arva]

I'm not being funny but it sounds a bit like blue balls - epididymal hypertension to be scientific about it.

[Tabris]

(Original post by Arva)
I'm not being funny but it sounds a bit like blue balls - epididymal hypertension to be scientific about it.

I was just about to say that. srs.

[chill543]

sounds like blue balls to me too lol...

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Arva)
I'm not being funny but it sounds a bit like blue balls - epididymal hypertension to be scientific about it.

Why would that last a week though? And urination/ejaculation have been normal/urine tests show no infection.

Today it feels as though I have an elastic band round my calf and testicle. Very "tight" with a throbbing pain.

[Arva]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Why would that last a week though? And urination/ejaculation have been normal/urine tests show no infection.

Today it feels as though I have an elastic band round my calf and testicle. Very "tight" with a throbbing pain.

That's just what it sounded like to me. Go get it checked out sharpish I'd say.

[Jamie]

(Original post by Anonymous)
I think its not helping that I've heard this "you have six hours once testicular torsion start before you lose your testicle" business.

I would definitely go to A&E if it was really bad, but at the moment I'm just confused (and uncomfortable/not in agony). Hot baths and heat in general seem to help a bit.

OK
1) Do not go to A&E
2) Do go back to your GP on monday/tuesday and demand an ultrasound. This is not to rule out testicular torsion, but is to rule out tesaticular cancer which can sometimes be subtle in presentatio and is always the rule out diagnosis in your age group. Do I think its a high possiblity? No. But its such an important diagnosis to rule out and has to be done.

EDIT - having seen your last post if the pain is worsening then please do go to A&E. They might be able to scan you today if you go nowish (i.e being seen by the right doctor before 3pm when radiologists are going home)

Jamie

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Jamie)
OK
1) Do not go to A&E
2) Do go back to your GP on monday/tuesday and demand an ultrasound. This is not to rule out testicular torsion, but is to rule out tesaticular cancer which can sometimes be subtle in presentatio and is always the rule out diagnosis in your age group. Do I think its a high possiblity? No. But its such an important diagnosis to rule out and has to be done.

EDIT - having seen your last post if the pain is worsening then please do go to A&E. They might be able to scan you today if you go nowish (i.e being seen by the right doctor before 3pm when radiologists are going home)

Jamie

The pain isn't worsening per se, just the "strange" feelings (tightness, "buzzing" sensation). I'm not in too much pain, just ache, I'll be going down to the shops in a minute so I'd feel embaressed to go to A&E at this stage, I know its not "severe enough" for that.

I think I'm going to try and rest as much as I can this weekend.

[cl_steele]

When i had pain in my nuts it was just a sign of an inbound illness the GP said, sure enough a couple of days later i found my self dying in bed with Flu

[Ned's Bastard]

It's just ball-ache man.

[Anonymous]

The pain has largely subdued now. Still, I'm unsure on how/when to start exercising again just in case. Even if the pain goes should I press for diagnostics/the ultrasound? I mean, it's happened before and this time was a lot more painful, I can't put up with this every few months forever.