Mystery male organ pains (NSFW)

July 31, 2009 8:32 AM

Mystery male organ pains (NSFW). Doctors I've seen before couldn't figure out the cause. What could it be and who should I see about this in Montreal, Quebec?

I've had pain for the last six years in the area near the base of my penis (not on the shaft). It feels irritated constantly and I can't ride a bike. It also takes me a while to lose my erection after sex or masturbation. I'm not sure if that part is related or normal but the last woman I was with was surprised that I kept an erection for a while after orgasm.

This pain scares me and I know it's not normal, so every couple of years, I've gone to the doctor to have it checked out. I've had a few doctors in two different states look at it. Now I live in Canada. While I still lived in the states last year, I had tons of tests done including two different types of ultrasounds. The urologist also stuck a needle in my shaft to check for priapism. He said that high-flow prapism was a possiblity. I've had to urinate frequently my whole life (but I also drink a lot of liquids). The doctor said my prostate looked fine but I'm not sure what kind of tests they did. I had the glove test done tons of times. Because I also had pain in my lower-right abdomen/stomach at the time (which might have been caused by anxiety and stress from a major, sudden and unwanted life change forced upon me at the time), he sent me to a colorectal specialist. I had a colonoscopy done. The doctor who administered the test told me everything was normal, the doctor who ordered the test said it was abnormal. He told me I might have Crohn's disease or ulcerative collitis.

The pains in my stomach have mostly subsided since my life has settled down a bit but the pains at the base of my penis (could this be my prostate?) remain. I'm not sure how to approach this further with doctors. I'm not going to lie- this has been a constant fright for me but I spent roughly $10,000 in the U.S. (out of pocket after insurance) on tests and nobody up to this point has been able to come up with a solid diagnosis of the cause. Nobody has been able to provide a working treatment so I had to stop seeing doctors because I couldn't afford it anymore. I was put on Flomax for a short while and it cured the frequent urination but I don't think I was on it long enough to see if it would help with the pain.

What could this be? Who can I see about this in Montreal, Quebec? I am 26 years old, scared, and my mother says "don't be ridiculous- you're too young to have prostate cancer." I am covered by RAMQ. How difficult would it be to get another prescription for Flomax here? Could I get into trouble for this being a pre-existing condition?

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (7 answers total)

If you're covered by RAMQ, you don't have to worry about pre-existing conditions. You're covered.

To see a specialist, you'll have to get a referral. Call your local CLSC, or go to a walk-in clinic. The one at Atwater metro (inside the mall) is very good, and they'll send you to a specialist.

Sorry I can't be of more help with your specific condition -- I just know that navigating health care systems can be difficult in a new city.
posted by OLechat at 8:57 AM on July 31, 2009

Go see a primary care physician (if you are covered by RAMQ then you have basic health coverage, so you don't need to worry about the cost of seeing a PCP). If you already have one, make an appointment. If you don't, then go to a walk-in clinic near you; here's a list of them. You do not need to worry about this being a 'pre-existing condition.'

Ask your PCP for a referral to a urologist, and any other specialists that they think might help. Some of your symptoms are also consistent with an inguinal hernia, though if none of the doctors you have already seen has mentioned it, then its unlikely to be the cause.
posted by googly at 9:07 AM on July 31, 2009

I live in Ontario, not Quebec, but a quick glance through the RAMQ site suggests that what you need to do is the same as what we would do, basically what OLechat said.

You make an appointment with your family doctor, tell him about your medical history and pain, and he will get you the tests you need, either by ordering them directly or referring you to a specialist who will order them. They will all be covered. You are covered by law, regardless of pre-existing conditions.
posted by carmen at 9:18 AM on July 31, 2009

Epididymitis can refer pain into the abdomen. It can be difficult to diagnose and can linger for years. There may not be any pain specific to the testicle, over the longer term there may be more of a dull ache in the area as if you took a soccer ball to the goolies, yesterday, always yesterday.
posted by Rumple at 9:26 AM on July 31, 2009

Could I get into trouble for this being a pre-existing condition?

To be perfectly honest, that's just US insurance bullshit. Don't worry about this in Canada. Like the others said, go to your GP first. If you don't have one, go to a walk-in clinic. They will take care of you or refer you to someone else who can.
posted by splice at 9:35 AM on July 31, 2009

Rumple said: Epididymitis can refer pain into the abdomen.

makes me think of:
Among sexually active men aged <35 years, acute epididymitis is most frequently caused by C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae.

(in plain speak, chlamydia or gonorrhea, two STDs you can have for years without diagnosis)
posted by rahnefan at 10:15 AM on July 31, 2009

but the last woman I was with was surprised that I kept an erection for a while after orgasm.

Just on this point, I don't think that's particularly unusual (if we're talking under several minutes).
posted by wackybrit at 12:18 PM on July 31, 2009