A Dull Ache

[Deacon]

Hi Everyone,

Back in September of 2005 I was diagnosed with Stage I Seminoma in my left testicle and had an orchiectomy, followed by radiation in late October and early November. I had my first surveillance CT scan in April and it was clean as a whistle. But now (beginning in about mid-June) I've noticed a dull ache in my remaining testicle. It's not severe, but it's definitely there. I have examined the testicle (in GREAT DETAIL, as you might imagine), and I don't feel any lumps or hardness or anything, but it is somewhat tender. I also experienced a little bit of discomfort recently in the area of my orchiectomy incision, but it went away. Has anyone else experienced this kind of stuff? It is just a hangover from the surgery and radiation, or my remaining testicle getting too much work on its own , or what? I haven't experienced any loss of potency and I seem to be producing semen in a normal amount. I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts. Thanks.

Deacon

[Fish]

Hi Deacon:

Statistically, out of every 100 men who have TC, 3 or 4 will get it again in the other testical (I was one of them). So while it is possible, I wouldn't be overly concerned, just keep up with the exams (don't over do it) once a month should be sufficient. Of course if something worries you, talk to your doctor about an ultrasound. That'll tell you if anything is wrong.

Best wishes.

[Scott]

I second what Fish said. Being extra-sensitive to any aches or pains in the remaining testicle is very common.

[Tribend]

Ha! I don't think that any of us could say we don't "over" examine our remaining testicle! I too was diagnosed with Stage 1 Seminoma a year and a half ago, and experience some form of discomfort from my incision site even to this day - however it is getting much better. My remaining testicle began to have the same dull ache you mention about a year ago, and of course panic set in. The testicle itself feels totally normal, and isn't the actual source of the pain, rather the location of the pain comes from the "bag of worms" at one end of the testicle (As noted by self examination). I scheduled an ultrasound with my radiologist and the results were that I have Epididymal Cyst/s at the remaining "bag O' worms" (sorry for the less than medical terminology but I can't remember the exact terms used). He told me that this is normal for my age (34) and to put my clothes back on and relax! To this day I still have the feeling, which varies in intensity, and can relate to the anxiety that it brings when the feeling is noted.
I am scheduled to see my Urologist next week, as well as my Oncologist as next week is my bi-annual surveilance anniversary, and will ask the usual onslaught of questions pertaining to why this feeling persists.
Bottom line is that as many have stated before, it was a hell of a lot easier living with Cancer than it is living without it. We men tend to stifle our feelings and have a hard time getting over the demons that have taken one or both of our beloved boys from us. I too understand the stats. on reoccurance in the remaining testicle as being extremely low, but what good does that do us at 2:00am when our mind is hammering away on our mortality? I don't sleep well the week before, or the days after my surveilance appts. until I get the results. The peace of mind achieved afterwards is very rewarding thus far, and I am sure you too will experience the same gratification in the years to come. I can't wait for the 5 year mark to be here and continue on with my life!
Don't ever feel like a hypochondriac! If it feels out of the norm, the best thing you can do is see your medical specialists. Their insight will have a great impact on your daily mental health!

[Deacon]

Thanks for your replies. I will be calling my urologist for an appointment tomorrow. Based on Tribend's reply I've been doing a bit of research online about epididymal cysts and I suspect that might be what I'm dealing with. The location of the discomfort is on the epididymus and since my CT scan in April was clean I can't imagine that I've developed a tumor in such a short period of time. Darned inconvenient.

Deacon

[Apache]

crazy acupunturist says

I started to get an ache in the LT after the Right I/O and before chemo Rx. As a precaution, I had an ultrasound and I, too, have a cyst on the epididymis. It causes the LT to ache somewhat constantly when it flares up.

My crazy acupuncturist here in El Paso (who is pretty crazy but she always makes me feel better) told me to take a 4"x4" gauze and soak it with my urine and then apply it to the scrotum, as close to the epididymis as possible. I did it for a week, and seemed to work well. I know that sounds like a crock, but just a thought.

In any case, get it checked. It certainly made me sleep better.

[jameskennedy80]

From about a month after my I/O and for about four or five months at least, my remaining ball ached too. Of course I worried about it, but I kept mentioning it at my surveillance visits, even though my tests were coming back fine. Eventually they gave me an ultrasound probably just for my peace of mind more than anything and it was fine and the pain went away about a week after.
Every time I mentioned the ache in the other side they reacted as if it's something totally normal so I think it's pretty common.
About six or seven months after the op my scar area felt weird, a kind of tingly feeling. When I asked about this they said it was to do with nerves in the area healing and nothing to worry about.
Like the others have said, mention it to your doc but don't get unduly worried because it's totally normal to ache.

[Deacon]

Thanks again. I have an appointment with my urologist on Monday. I'll try not to worry and I know it's probably nothing, but it certainly is disappointing to have to keep dealing with this stuff. I mean, I got the adjuvant radiation so that I could avoid anxiety, but here I am anxious anyway. Whine whine whine.

[huckchef]

i'm afraid the anxiety is normal from us folks!!! try not to worry too much!!

[Karen]

My crazy acupuncturist here in El Paso (who is pretty crazy but she always makes me feel better) told me to take a 4"x4" gauze and soak it with my urine and then apply it to the scrotum, as close to the epididymis as possible. I did it for a week, and seemed to work well. I know that sounds like a crock, but just a thought.

Apache....does she make you feel better because you're laughing at what she wants you to try? LOL My grandfather swore by urinating on any cuts he got on his hands when he was nowhere near clean water. It is sterile! Ahhhh, the many uses for body fluids...

Deacon,
Good luck with the appointment....waiting is always difficult. Let us know how it turns out!

[Deacon]

I actually called back and got my appointment moved up to tomorrow. Saturday is my 11th anniversary and I think the anxiety over the weekend would pretty much have spoiled it for me. Of course, being told that I have TC in my remaining testicle would not exactly be better, but I guess the devil you know is better.... I will be getting a sonogram done in the morning before the appointment so that the urologist will have some information to go on when I see him tomorrow afternoon. Fingers crossed. I never thought I'd be in a place where I was hoping for an epididymal cyst!

[Karen]

Any news yet?

[Deacon]

Whew! The sonogram was clean! According to my urologist, the ache in my testicle has nothing to do with TC. Diagnosis: something to do with a small amount of urine getting into the vas deferens as a result of holding my pee too long while I was driving. Weird. The cure: take 2 ibuprofen at breakfast and dinner for a couple of days. Needless to say I floated out of his office. In my mind I had already begun to prepare myself for the worst. Relief. A little embarrassment. And hopefully a good anniversary weekend. Thanks everyone for your concern and support.

[Scott]

Great to hear good news, Deacon! Happy anniversary -- in the clear!

[Karen]

What great news!!!!! Happy Anniversary...I bet this will be a memorable one