Hi,

I was first diagnosed with epididymitis about a year ago after suffering a painful blow to the groin from my over excited Labrador. Soon afterwards, I developed all the "classic" symptoms and was given a course of anti-biotics from my doc at the VA.

Well, this past March, all the pain came back, to the point that I actually thought I had a hernia. I went back to my doc and he thought it was a recurrance of the epididymitis again. So another course of anti-biotics (same type as before... forget what it was though).

Once again, shortly after finishing that course, the pain came back. I suppose I was in denial and ignored it for a couple of months. Then I called my doc (having moved out of state for the summer) and he sent me another two week course of a different anti-biotic (Cipro). BUT, he said that I NEEDED to get in to be seen ASAP. Well, I have finished this course of pills. It seemed to help while I was taking them, but is now worse than ever (more swelling... pain is the same/a bit worse). I am going to go see the VA this next week as soon as I have some gas money for the trip.

What the heck gives? It sounded like my doc (translated through his nurse on the phone) wasn't sure if it was epididymitis or not. He never did any bacterial cultures in any of the other exams. I understand there is the possibility of a strangulated testicle... but after all this time, I doubt it. I've heard about chronic epididymitis... is this common? I'd hate to have to live with this the rest of my life.

Can epididymitis come back that fast after a strong treatment of antibiotics? What are other possible treatments?

Thanks...