Pretty terrified, need advice guys

[mert]

A few days ago I checked myself and found a tiny, hard bump on my left testicle, maybe the size of a large pinhead. Its directly on it, not part of the scrotum or anything but the teste itself. Over the past 2 months or so I have been having some discomfort/dull aches in both, and just had a lump in my epididymis (right side) which I went to the doctor to get checked out. He examined me really quick, perscribed some antibiotics and said it was an infection, nothing to worry about. Took those and it was gone, and with it so was my discomfort, though not fully. He also checked my lymph nodes, and I had blood work and urine work done (the initial purpose for the visist was chest pains, recurring tenderness on the lower underside of my ribs and right above both hips, and some bad anxiety). Everything came up positive, though completely unrelated I was found to have a benign bone tumor in my ankle which I'll be getting surgery for later because of some complications in its placement.

ANYWAYS

I just started doing these examinations after this incident, mostly focusing on the right side so its possible I could have missed it before. This is pretty long already so I'll cut it short now. Recapping...symptoms are:

Pin sized lump on left testicle, painless though it causes some discomfort to apply pressure to it. The only way I can describe it's shape is:

/-\
| |
but maybe 1-2 mm tall

Tenderness under ribs, chest pains

I'm hoping its just recurring infection or a cyst or something, am I overreacting here?

I'm only 18, and prior to the beginning of June I was a daily pot smoker for 2 years, after getting arrested and freaking out over a bone tumor (ignore what anyone tells you, pot+cancer fear is NOT A GOOD COMBO) I stopped completely. Its been a really messed up time for me, and it just seems that the moment everything is ok, I find something else thats wrong with me. Am I just paranoid?

Sorry about the length, maybe I should have restricted this to symptoms =/ Thanks for any advice

[dadmo]

mert:
I would get to a doctor and have that lump checked out. Anytime a lump is directly attached to the testicle it should be evaluated by a doctor. It could be another infection but it's best to have it checked.

[mert]

I'm going into see my doctor tomorrow, without an appointment. I seem to have a dull ache in my right testicle now, and maybe I'm just imaginging but it feelds harder then the left one. Which really makes no sense since the left has the lump. Maybe its all nothing, one big infection, or I am completely ****ed and its both. I don't know, I can't stop freaking out over this I think about it constantly the last 5 days. Really I simply can't handle it anymore, I am just barely getting over a giant existential crisis and now this. Life is hell and makes no sense. Every passing moment is hammered into my awareness.

Sorry, this probably isn't the place for my whining I simply don't know where else to vent my ..anguish?

[dadmo]

mert:
Hey don't worry about the complaints. Everyone needs to vent sometime. Let us know how you make out at the doctor's.

[Scott]

You'll be OK, mert. Let us know what you hear at the doctor's office.

[mert]

Well went to the doctor today. He felt around a little bit, and couldn't even locate it. I tried showing him where it was but he still couldn't find it (thats how small this thing is, plus it keeps getting obscured by the epydimis). I insisted it is there and he sent me for an ultrasound which I'll be getting tomorrow.

[Scott]

Good luck with your ultrasound tomorrow. Keep us posted.

[Don]

Best of luck Mert!!!!!

[dadmo]

Mert:
Good luck tomorrow, and congratulations on your persistance. If you don't look out for your own health no one will.

[Ras Joe]

Way to be bro-- go to the doc and get that ultrasound-- both times I was the one to find the tumors (yes, both, lost my left one a few days ago, 3 weeks after an oncologist appointment and examination, (7-19-06), right one (12-5-00)), and both times my Doc was suprised that I had found them because of their small size. Take it easy and give yourself some props for caring about yourself and going to handle your issues. Ras