Suggest Remedy For Pain And Swelling After Epididymitis Surgery

Posted on Thu, 18 Jun 2015

Question: Hi. Two weeks ago I had epididymitis surgery on both testes. I still have a huge amount of swelling and major pain. My balls are black from the bruising. And the size of a softball from the swelling. What can I do to get some relief? I have pills, Demerol, and I've done ice and warm baths as recommended by my doctor. I even went as far as to purchase bikini underwear. Any ideas??? Please help. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. M Y Shareef (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Few more information needed to help you better.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX! Good evening. I am Dr Shareef answering your query.

Well, before I could help you to the fullest extent, I would like to have some more infromation from you:

1) The term epididymitis surgery is not clear. Please let me know your preoperative history and findings, and also please attach a copy of your discharge summary indicating the details of the surgery done.
2) Are you on rest post-surgery, or are actively pursuing your activity ?
3) Is the swelling and pain/tenderness increasing or gradually coming down ?
4) Are you getting any fever specially with chills and spikes ?

Till then, please continue with the treatment prescribed by your treating surgeon. Waiting for your response.

Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. Dr Shareef.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. M Y Shareef (1 hour later)

Thank your for your response. I had a big surgery involving a huge abscess in my groin area three years ago. At that time, I was told that I was very close to loosing my right testicle. I had home nursing for three months. About a month into recovery, my nurse asked if I had masturbated since the surgery. I said NO. Then she told me the doctor had requested that I do so. After she left I masturbated and alot of old blood and yucky stuff came out. On the third masturbation the "pipes" were clear and sperm was the only stuff coming out. Ever since then my right side has hurt. Antibiotic over the three years solved the problem, but never cured it. My current doctor sent me to a specialist. That doctor did an exam where he felt around my scrotum. He told me about the epididymitis. It turned out the right epididymitis had to go and the left one was health. He said I needed surgery to remove it and since he was going to remove the right epididymitis then maybe he should remove both. I'm 53 and have 3 children so I'm done having kids. I agreed and we scheduled a date for surgery. Today is two weeks from the surgery. Some of the swelling is coming down but the pain and all the blood and bruising down there is still there. Some bruising on the right side has gone done. But, the left side, the side that was health, is rock hard. There is a huge bruise on the side of the scrotum that is hard, black and the skin feels leathery. A few days after surgery I called the doctor and complained of fever. He seen me and said all was fine and put me on an antibiotic just in case I had a "bug" in my system. He had me on Norco 5-325 for pain but changed it to Demerol to help with the pain. I was in so much pain on that visit that I had to use a wheelchair to get around. Post surgery instructions were for me to get bed rest, and use ice for the swelling. Limit movement to just walking around the house and don't lift over 10 pounds. I'm doing all of this, everything he said. I just want some relief from the pain and swelling. Can you advise me. Thanks

Answered by Dr. M Y Shareef (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
A persisting post surgical infection to be excluded.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX! Good to hear from you so soon. At the same time, I am concerned about your persisting pain and swelling in the scrotum.

With the history of fever, one could not exclude chances of a post surgical infection resulting in persistence of the swelling and other signs of inflammation like redness (bruise) and pain.This type of infection was possible if there was some post operative collection of blood in the scrotal sac, and to avoid this, we usually put a drainage tube for 24-48 hours in this part of the sub continent. This is just a supposition, which might not be a fact in your case. Anyways, two weeks post op pain disrupting your nomal activity needs to be investigated more to rule out a pyocele or a persisting infection. If I were your doctor, I would advise you for a complete blood count, a urine routine and microspitc test followed by culture sensitivity if positive and an ultrasound of both the testes which might show the pathology. By the way, do you have the biopsy report of the excised epididymis ?

Till the investigations are complete you could conitnue with other modalities of treatment like an anti inflammatory with a seratopeptidase and an antibiotic as advised by your surgeon along wiht a good scrotal support. Further management would depend on the report of the ultrasound report.

I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts. I wish you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar