I am currently suffering from a little outbreak of epididymitis. Any of the fellas in slowtwitchland have any suggestions for prevention? I really don’t want this to happen again.
for one don’t be a fool wrap your tool. Here’s some info on a medical encyclopedia i used for research during my pathophys days
The most obvious is not to ride on your boys.
Pay attention to where they sit with different shorts on, could be as simple as one is off to the side and being squished.
If you fight it for long enough and get fed up you can use one of these http://www.hobsonseats.com/ it’s what I went with after a year lost to epididymitis. It says it is not a racing saddle, but I have been racing on mine for at least 4 years now, the saddle has not slowed me down one bit.
glad (well, not really) to hear that others are suffering with this. mine started one week before Kona last year. it’s gotten better, but it’s still there. i’ve made about 6 trips in the past year to the urologist to see what else we can do. i did a round of anti-biotics and that helped it as well. but it’s still lingering. that with Advil from time to time seem to be the only things that can be done.
i did switched from a Fizik Arione Tri2 saddle to a Specialized Tri Tip (50mm nose) and that helped a lot. probably more with my specific physiology. i’m going to look into what you guys are suggestion. it’s just been a nagging “injury” for me.
I had a visit recently to the doctor for similar symptoms, was prescribed antibiotic but epydidimitis was not confirmed through urine check. I don’t know how that all started but I remeber loosing balance out of the saddle during switching legs on single pedal drill. The next day I noticed that lingering dull pain in the area with almost like a constant low level cramp in lower abdomen. No redness, no swelling but the “right boy” felt tender to touch. It got better after antibiotic but still lingers and I am ready to start ibuprofen further. It is now 3 weeks since the start. Did not know that this can be this presistent. The Doc made a conclusion a possible trauma and maybe infection. So, will se how it goes. I never backed down with my training, 15 hrs/week, run, bike and swim as usual. I do feel it from time to time during run and on the bike.
My guess, and it is only that, is that what we get is non infectious epididymitis. In all my visits to the Dr.s with three separate occurrences of this, the last time much worse and involving many more visits - they never found any infection.
How long has this been going on? Is it chronic, have you had it before? I feel for you man, I suffered bouts of this for years and nothing worked. Pain meds, antibiotics, ice, heat, baths, time off cycling and running, tighty-whiteys, funky supplements, hocus-pocus voodoo reiki stuff, nothing. Just dull, aching, pain in the balls all the time. It’s hell. Late last year I got an epididymectomy and have been essentially pain-free since. Best of luck to you.
Selle Italia, SLR strike saddle… thats all i have to say, fixes all the nut problems you’ll ever have.
Grant
Selle Italia, SLR strike saddle… thats all i have to say, fixes all the nut problems you’ll ever have.
Grant
Damn! If I only knew! I want my epi back!
How long has this been going on? Is it chronic, have you had it before? I feel for you man, I suffered bouts of this for years and nothing worked. Pain meds, antibiotics, ice, heat, baths, time off cycling and running, tighty-whiteys, funky supplements, hocus-pocus voodoo reiki stuff, nothing. Just dull, aching, pain in the balls all the time. It’s hell. Late last year I got an epididymectomy and have been essentially pain-free since. Best of luck to you.
i’m with you brother…in the past i’ve done steady NSAIDs for 3 weeks (not happy about popping all of those pills…3x3 advils everyday), 2 rounds of anti-biotics and even some homeopathic stuff that didn’t work after taking it for 30 days. i’ve been trying different saddles and adjusting my position. i’ve come to decide that it’s just chronic pain. thankfully the pain is nothing like it was when it first started. (which was 6 days before Kona 2007) i don’t really notice the pain while riding or running. it’s just after. even if i sit in the car or on a plane for extended periods of time…that’ll make it hurt.
my urologist said that it can be brought on by trauma and/or a bladder infection cause my activity…and even holding your “pee” while exercising. it causes the urine to move to the wrong places. i don’t recall any of that personally, but i know it’s not from a STD.
at this point i’ve just learned to deal with it and take advil when the pain level goes above a 2-3 on a 1-10 scale. i’m very careful of it…like when our dogs walk across my lap when i’m seated on the couch. i have to make sure a paw doesn’t land in the wrong place or i’ll go through the roof.
best of luck to you man. i don’t have kids (yet) or i’d just yank that sucker out.