HomeAnswersUrologytesticular disordersI am getting recurrent pain in testicle. How to get a permanent cure?

Do I need a long-term course of Doxycycline for my testicular pain?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At January 12, 2017
Reviewed AtFebruary 26, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My symptoms are as follows. Pain in the right testicle, swelling at the top of the right testicle and some redness on the urethra, especially after ejaculation. I had Chlamydia about 18 months ago. I was tested positive and treated with two antibiotic pills, which seemed to cure it. After six months, the test came back all clear. They also checked for syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV. All came back negative. Syphilis IgG or IgM by EIA - negative, HBsAg - negative, hepatitis C antibody ELISA 3rd generation - not detected, HIV 1 and 2 ABS or P24 antigen screen - not detected, Chlamydia trachomatis DNA (PCR) - not detected, N.gonorrhoeae DNA (PCR) - not detected, Mycoplasma genitalium DNA (PCR) - not detected, Ureaplasma species DNA (PCR) - not detected, Trichomonas vaginalis DNA (PCR) - not detected, Gardnerella vaginalis DNA (PCR) - not detected and herpes simplex type I/II DNA - not detected.

Six months ago, I started to experience the symptoms. When I went to the doctors, they gave me a 9-day course of Doxycycline as they suspected epididymitis. It seems to clear it up in about five days, and I was even cycling and running again. A week after the course of Doxycycline, the symptoms came back. I read on the internet that the bacteria, which can find itself in all sorts of places as the tubes in the testicles can be like a network of caves and it can be hard to kill off completely. I visited the sexual health clinic. They gave me a 14-day course of Ofloxacin, which slightly reduced the symptoms. They seemed reluctant to rerun a Doxycycline course as they said it came back after taking it the first time. Do I need a long-term course of Doxycycline to work really?

I had an ultrasound scan to reveal that I had an epididymal cyst, but currently, there is no pain. The doctor advised it would cause no harm and I would have to live with it. It is about the size of a pea. Over the last few months, the epididymal cyst and redness remain on the scrotum in that area and slight rash or redness on the penis glad. The urologist put me on six weeks of Cipro, which seem to lower the irritation and symptoms by 60 %, but never really cleared it up. Then, I have had a urine culture test, and it came back with the following. Please note the following antibiotics Augmentin, Cefpodoxime and Ciprofloxacin should not be used as the first choice if alternatives are available. Urine culture more than 100,000 CFU/mL mixed growth of organisms with a predominant growth of an Escherichia coli. I am a bit lost where to go next as after six weeks of Cipro I still have the E.coli culture coming back as positive.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please relax and do not worry. I went through all of your case history and reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It seems you are repeatedly suffering from urinary tract infection. It could be prostatitis also. You have taken many antibiotics previously, but any time when you finish the course of antibiotics, you should confirm the absence of infection by repeating the urine culture. So, at present, according to your reports, I suggest you the following. Consult your doctor, discuss with him or her and take the treatment with consent. Tablet Niftran (Nitrofurantoin) 100 mg in the morning and evening for 21 days, tablet Pan 40 (Pantoprazole) in the morning for seven days, and syrup Cital 10 mL in the morning and evening with a glass of water for 21 days. If possible avoid sexual contact for this three weeks. You should repeat your urine culture after 24 days that is, three days after you finish the antibiotics course.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Could the cyst or abscess on the epididymis be infected? I guess the antibiotics are not killing the infection entirely due to a collection of pus?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

No, it is unlikely. If the cyst was infected with pus or there is abscess formation, then you should have a high fever and other symptoms with the acute course. Still, if you want to rule out, then get an ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis with postvoid residual urine, ultrasound of scrotum and semen culture and sensitivity. Repeat the urine culture after you finish antibiotics and still if infection persists, then go ahead with the above tests.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Khant Shahil Ramesh Bhai
Dr. Khant Shahil Ramesh Bhai

Urology

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