I have been doing some reading, and did visit my GP on this, but looking for advice from people that have probaby been through it.
A few weeks ago, I got a bit of pain in the nether regions, right at the base of my testicular area and noticed along with the pain a bump in the area (quite small - like a pebble per se).
My wife suggested I go to the Dr. and being a good husband I took that advice. He let me know it was far enough away from testicles to not be an issue there and after rubbing for a while (yes that was weird) determined it was a cyst.
Has anyone had this issue? If so, what did you do? He suggested that if it worsened that I could come back and they could either drain (?) or remove it (minor surgery ?).
The issue I have is (a) what does worsen mean - I did a 2 to 2-1/2 hour ride Sunday and it is still sore this morning (is that worsening), (b) if they drain it, will it simply come back when I ride?, (c) if surgery, what is the down-time for cycling, running, swimming, if any?
Given that I’m training for my first IM, I would like to go with the route that (a) has the best implications from a health / get better perspective, and (b) prevents downtime the most.
sebaceous cysts are common there in cyclists. I’d be hesitant to let a GP try to “remove” it, let alone drain it though. They can become pretty inflamed or even infected though. Do you shave the area (yes, only on this board can this question be asked with a serious face)?
I’m dealing with the same thing right now. I noticed it a couple of months ago while lubing up for a long ride (bike ride that is). I made a mental note to keep an eye on it, but soon forgot. A couple of weeks ago it felt like I was sore from riding, but I hadn’t ridden long enough in the few days before to be sore…I guess the best place to describe it would be right in my “sit bone” area on the left side. My doctor said he didn’t like it because there is a lymph node in that area and referred me to a general surgeon. The surgeon said it was just an inflamed lymph node but it gave me quite a scare for a few days. He gave me some anti-biotics in case there was some infection. I’m in the same boat with training for an Ironman (St. George) so I’m anxious so see how it’s going to play out. I went for a 3 hour ride Sunday and am just a little sore, but nothing too bad. Good luck on your situation! Hopefully neither one of us will miss any training time (or lose one of the boys)!
not sure if mine was a cyst, but it was the size of a “shooter” marble and on the right side of my taint. hurt like hell but i (actually my wife, i know she’s awesome!) squeezed the crap out of it until it ~popped. with tears running down my cheek i said thanks. after two more sessions like that a couple days apart it started going away, and now it is pretty much gone.
I’m in the market for a new saddle too. I was going over my training log for the past month or so and noticed that I have more issues with a 1 hour ride on the road bike than I do with a three hour ride on the tri bike. I guess because the weight is distributed differently. I’m just glad it wasn’t anything serious…scared me at first…I think my resting HR was about 135 the next couple of days! My regular doctor’s first reaction was:
90% Inflamed lymph node or cysts
9% tumor or cyst that might need to be removed
1% well…I’m glad it didn’t get that far
