Post surgey infection

Hello Tenrickf8fe78 

I noticed no one has replied to your post - so I thought I would add a reply.

I still own most of my prostate (the NHS keep taking bits but I still have 95% of it) however I had an indwelling catheter for 10 months pending a TURP operation. I was lucky in that in the entire period I had no issues but was warned of all the side effects - UTI - irritation of the urethra etc and I would say you have the latter.

As you say the antibiotics should do the business and you should be back to the "new normal" in 7 - 10 days. This small setback shouldn't affect your recovery..

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks Brian. 

As I have got worse since being seen at my local hospital, I've called my prostate cancer nurse and asked for a call back. I've read targeted antibiotics may be required for this type of infection for 2 to 4 weeks and suspect the 7 day course I was given on Saturday won't be sufficient. 

Just waiting for a call back and wonder if I'll be asked to go in. 

Matthew 

Good morning Matthew (Tenrickf8fe78) 

Let's hope they can get it sorted. I am aware of the problems it can cause as I had issues being catheterised when I was admitted to hospital. As my nurse said your body doesn't want something that's not natural there.

Do keep us posted as to how you get on - and good luck.

Best wishes - Brian.

My LH had urodynamics test which basically involves inserting a catheter and filling the bladder with water, emptying it etc. This was last Tuesday and the whole thing took about an hour. He still has his prostate and is hoping to start radiotherapy in the spring. 

On Thursday he started with a really nasty UTI with fever, pain and almost constant need to pee. He was given antibiotics by the GP but they didn't work very well and he had a rough weekend. GP rang today to say that the culture had shown that the bacteria causing his symptoms was resistant to the antibiotics he had been given and that he had been issued with new ones. Apparently this strain is usually linked with catheters. So I think targeted antibiotics may be needed for some infections. 

So, my Urology prostate cancer team got me appointment back at James Cook yesterday where I gave a blood sample, urine sample and was squeezed in for an ultrasound scan on my scrotum and testicle. 

The result was a diagnosis of epididymitis and I was given a 14 day course of ciprofloxacin. 

I am back on Friday for follow up bloods and review.

No real improvement yet, but read it can take 48 to 72 hours for the antibiotics to start and improve things. 

Very swollen and painful and my planned return to work on 12 January looks doubtful. I work 100% at home but my job involves sitting at my desk 7.5 hours a day and I can't see I'll be up to that by next week as I've read these infections can take over two weeks to get on top of.

Feeling the worst I have in the 25 days or so since my RARP on 12 December, but understand this isn't uncommon. 

Frustrating as I was enjoying daily a longer walks and now been advised to rest. 

At least I should be able to lose the TED socks on Friday and will have the last of my daily injections. Something to look forward to! 

Hello Tenrickf8fe78 

Well thank you for the reply and I am pleased that you have found the cause of the problem. I don't think that's been caused by the catheter but my medical knowledge doesn't go that far!!.

Let's hope the ciprofloxacin does the business and you are soon back on track.

It's great that you have shared this issue with us as I can add the details to my resource bank and will know if it comes up again with someone else.

I hope everything is good on Friday and you can resume the rapid recovery.

Best wishes - Brian.

I have been watching your posts here and, not since I was first diagnosed have I felt so squeamish.

My imagination balks at the thought of a swollen testicle - the pain and the discomfort.

It is worse because I have a very visual imagination. I actually dreamed about it last night, which is a first, ever. My wife wondered what the heck I was doing checking for swelling in the middle of the night.

I am pleased that this not to do with the cancer, and that the antibiotics will fix it, albeit over time.

I hope that you recover quickly now, and the rest of your recovery is really uneventful.

Many thanks as always Brian. 

The following sets out the possible causes which include catherisation. I did find the catheter uncomfortable with hindsight had some burning sensation during it being in place and after removal. I was so careful in trying to minimise the risk of infection. 

As an aside, I'd just increased my pelvic floor exercises the day before the swelling started, though this is likely just a coincidence as the burning was increasing and I suspect the infection was already in place. 

• Retrograde Reflux of Urine: The most common cause is the backflow of urine from the bladder into the vas deferens (the tube carrying sperm) and down to the epididymis. This reflux can introduce bacteria or cause chemical irritation.
• Postoperative Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): There is a strong correlation between postoperative UTIs and the development of epididymitis. Bacteria like E. coli can track down the reproductive structures from the bladder.
• Urethral Instrumentation and Catheterization: The use of an indwelling urinary catheter after surgery increases the risk of introducing bacteria into the urethra, which can then spread to the epididymis.
• Pre-existing Infections: Patients who have infected urine or a positive vas culture prior to surgery are at significantly higher risk of developing epididymitis post-operation.
• Surgical Technique: Open prostatectomies (such as suprapubic or retropubic) generally have a higher reported incidence of postoperative epididymitis compared to minimally invasive or transurethral (TURP) procedures. 

• Physical Strain: Strenuous activity or heavy lifting shortly after surgery can force urine into the ejaculatory ducts, leading to "chemical epididymitis" even in the absence of infection.
• Seminal Vesicle Contamination: Manipulation or resection involving the seminal vesicles during surgery may allow bacteria to enter the vasal system. 

Hello Tenrickf8fe78. 

Well well, that's very interesting. In my case I have had the TURP operation, and that wasn't on the list of possible side effects!!

A most interesting and helpful post - thank you.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hope LH is feeling better. 

I do appear to be on targeted antibiotics now and am pleased I consulted the Urology prostate cancer team as they have experience of dealing with these infections post surgery. 

I've found ChatGPT a great resource for reading around things and expanding my understanding and it is been pretty much spot on since my urgent prostate cancer referral back on 31 July 2025.

On Sunday evening, before my diagnosis yesterday, ChatGPT had suggested epididymitis when presented with all the facts including time since prostatectomy and catheter removal in addition of course to the symptoms. It helped me understand the investigation yesterday and what I was subsequently told by the medical team.