New to the forum, but not new to prostatitis

[LabMonkey333]

I like the style of thoses.

But I'm not a fan of having underwear pressing against my junk so I wear boxers.

They work well if you are having sensitivity issues at the tip of your penis. For me, the boxer type undies would cause rubbing and irritation at the tip.

[LabMonkey333]

About 6 weeks ago I submitted a semen analysis to Bedford Research Foundation in Boston, MA as part of there prostatitis testing. This was about 2 months after I came back from Greece and took numerous antibiotics/prostate massages for 6 weeks, which didn't seem to help much or have any lasting benefit. They tested my semen in Greece which supposedly found high white cells, chlamydia, and e-coli. The test results from Greece totally contradict the numerous tests I had performed in the U.S. (4 glass, EPS, urine, urethral swabs, etc).

Anyhow, this recent test was "positive for bacteria, mixed species". While no specific bacteria was identified, the lab technician informed me that the bacterial load in my semen was higher than normal (more than 10,000 per field). What is this supposed to mean? Anyone have similar findings?

I'm not really sure what to make of all this and really don't want to take anymore antibiotics ever again. My sperm count was also on the lower side, about 15 million. The lab tests have me feeling stressed out an anxious, which isn't helpIng my current flare up. I've been having a lot of sitting discomfort with a feeling of pressure/fullness and burning right below my rectum.

I'm about to go on a Hawaiian vacation and am in need of some advice to put my mind at ease. Thanks for hearing me out.

[webslave]

Anyhow, this recent test was "positive for bacteria, mixed species". While no specific bacteria was identified, the lab technician informed me that the bacterial load in my semen was higher than normal (more than 10,000 per field). What is this supposed to mean? Anyone have similar findings?

Spermiocultures are usually considered positive when the number of colonies is ≥10,000 CFU/ml (gram positive cocci) and ≥100,000 CFU/ml (gram negative rods). So find out if gram+ or gram-. If gram+, you may need treatment.

My sperm count was also on the lower side, about 15 million.

Slightly low, but if the bacteria are treated, could return to normal.

sperm-counts.png

[LabMonkey333]

Thanks for the reply Webslave. Unfortunately the prostatitis summary report doesn't specify if they are gram - or gram +. I emailed the technician for them to clarify this.

Initially when they ran the tests the results were "indeterminate for bacteria", so they ran the tests again from my sample and came up with the results previously mentioned. It was a mail in test kit with some sort of formaldehyde/crystal solution that you place the semen sample into with a plastic syringe, from a condom that you ejaculate into.

[LabMonkey333]

If I had a bacterial infection wouldn't I have positive urine cultures, and more symptoms other than what I'm experiencing?

I'm so confused...

[webslave]

It was a mail in test kit with some sort of formaldehyde/crystal solution that you place the semen sample into with a plastic syringe, from a condom that you ejaculate into.

Wow, can you give the name of the company? This does not sound legit.

[LabMonkey333]

Yeah it's the Bedford research foundation out of Bedford, MA. Pretty sure they are legit.

[webslave]

Had a look into them. I would not go near them, sorry. A private not-for-profit begging for donations, mainly concerned with stem cells and HIV. There are problems with mailing specimens like this. Go to a conventional lab, via your MD, to have these results verified before you do anything else. Show the MD these results and ask for them to be re-checked through a mainstream lab. I'm reasonably confident they will not be replicated.

[LabMonkey333]

I guess I didn't have any reason not to trust them; although it did cost me $350.

I actually had my semen tested by my Urologist at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA a couple months before this. His name is Dr. Eric Torgerson, and I have to say he's been very good about running the tests that I've asked for and confidently reassuring me that I have nothing... the semen test at Swedish showed "mixed flora" but the levels of the bacteria were all normal. Also had the semen tested for chlamydia and it was negative (because the Greek guy, Dr. Georgiadis, said I had chlamydia).

I know I'm speaking to the choir, but I'm just really frustrated that I haven't been able to sit comfortably for about a year because of this ass pain. It waxes and waynes and is currently in a flair up. I thought I was getting better with the internal stretching and now I have all this discomfort again. can't seem to figure out what works for me other than not sitting, which is impossible.

[webslave]

One of the reasons you cannot get better is that you have not let go of the 'bacterial fantasy'. It messes with your mind.
https://ucpps.men/eps-s ... itis-CPPS/

[LabMonkey333]

I'm trying my best to... I made the mistake of pursuing too many of the wrong avenues with this condition and filling my head with the wrong material. It was very difficult at first to recognize it was non-bacterial because it started with what felt like acute urethritis and extreme sensitivity at the tip of my penis. All that is 99% better but I'm still left with this ass pain.

[LabMonkey333]

I haven’t posted an update for a while but I’m continuing to improve slowly. My remaining symptoms are a slightly pronounced meatus, mild split stream if sitting too much, and still some sitting discomfort in the perineum (gooch). I feel great when I wake up and I’m kind of sore by the end of the day, depending on how much sitting there is. Sometimes I just want to go to sleep because I know I’ll feel good in the morning. I havent had any major flare ups in a while. Here’s what I’ve been doing to battle CP / CPPS.

-Graminex for the past 2 months
-Internal PT every other week
-yoga once per week
-deep stretches every night and myofacial release using foam roller & tennis ball
-alternate sitting and standing at work. Sitting on a Gelco cushion.

I ordered a 2 month supply of any accredited quercetin product today to see if it helps at all. Also planning to look into mindfulness/relaxation training. I haven’t done anything to modify my diet really. I drink coffee and/or tea on a daily basis and find that copious amounts of alcohol get rid of the sitting discomfort; obviously not a sustainable strategy, but it’s a nice escape once in a while.

Are there any additional strategies you guys have used to ease the sitting discomfort? I hope you are all improving as well!

[webslave]

Hot baths (30 minutes, warm as you can comfortably bear) and saunas are something you could try

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=1611

[LabMonkey333]

I used to do the hot baths every now and then. Doctor recommended as hot as I could stand, but I worry about boiling my family jewels in there. Now that it’s winter I’ll probably take a bath once in a while.

[WS1234]

Lab, how did you alleviate the urethral discomfort?