This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Extreme pain and swelling

Posted By Little Wolf

"Extreme pain and swelling"

About: North Devon District Hospital / General medicine North Devon District Hospital / General surgery

(as the patient),

After about an hour's wait after being registered into A&E I was seen by a doctor.  My problem was extreme pain and swelling in a testicle.  The first doctor called in a second.  I asked whether the problem could be a twisted testicle but the opinion was that at my age I was far to old.  Also a twisted testicle would be unbelievably painful.  The disgnosis was a probable infection. I received a prescription for antibiotics for two weeks.

Several days later having taken the medication there was no improvement in the pain and swelling was worse.  I went back to A&E.  Ultrasound was apparently difficult to interpret but eventually a twisted testicle was diagnosed.  The surgeon wanted to operate asap but that was not possible that day.  I was back for 8 am the next day ready for surgery but had to wait until the afternoon as there were more urgent cases. The damaged testicle was removed and I was kept in to the following afternnon.  I had to wait from 1:00 pm until after 4:00 pm for medication to arrive - three days of antibiotics.

I was positively impressed by the dedication of all the hard-working staff.  The room where I stayed was good with an attached bathroom.  The food was very good with plenty of choice.  In summary my only criticism was A - wrong initial diagnosis resulting in many more days of agony on irrelevant medication, B - more than a three hour wait for common antibiotic tablets to be delivered from the pharmacy.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Jayne Kruszewski, Patient Experience Manager, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 5 years ago
Jayne Kruszewski
Patient Experience Manager,
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 21/08/2018 at 12:00
Published on Care Opinion at 12:56

Thank you for sharing your experience with us and I am sorry to learn that some aspects of your pathway were not as positive as others.

I am glad that you eventually had a diagnosis and underwent surgery, albeit several days after your initial attendance in the Emergency Department (ED) at the North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) which meant you had to endure extreme pain for longer than necessary.

It is pleasing to know that you found the hospital staff to be dedicated and that you stayed in a comfortable room with a private bathroom. It is also good to know you found plenty of meal choices.

I would like to apologise that you had a lengthy wait for your antibiotic medication to be delivered from the pharmacy before you could be discharged.

I would welcome the opportunity to look into your concerns in order to provide you with a full investigation and response, and would ask that you either telephone or e-mail the Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) on 01271 314090 or ndht.pals@nhs.net for further support.

Kind regards

Jayne

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Little Wolf (the patient)

Dear Jayne - Many thanks for your response. The story continues as since surgery several weeks ago I have not recovered my energy levels and libido. As a child I was found to have an undescended testicle and this was relocated in an operation. However this was not the testicle that was recently removed. On reading into the subject I see that if an undescended testicle is not moved to the scrotum within a year of birth then there is a high risk of it not being viable including no production of testosterone. Thus with one testicle not functioning and the other removed I am likely to be very low on testosterone. This would explain tiredness, lack of libido, and occasional 'hot flushes' normally reserved for women experiencing the menopause. It is disappointing that this was not discussed with me following surgery especially as I made it clear that the remaining testicle had been relocated. I have now visited my GP and will have blood tests to check my testosterone levels with a view to considering testosterone replacement therapy. I am writing this not as a complaint, but rather to help ensure that the medical profession are aware of such cases as mine that may need follow-up following orchiectomy (removal of a testicle). Kind regards - Little Wolf

Response from Jayne Kruszewski, Patient Experience Manager, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 5 years ago
Jayne Kruszewski
Patient Experience Manager,
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 31/08/2018 at 09:44
Published on Care Opinion at 09:46

Thank you for your further comments which I have shared with the relevant service manager and clinical lead whom I am sure will be grateful for your observations.

Should you wish us to look into your case in more detail, as previously advised, I would ask you to contact the Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) directly in order to identify your care pathway.

Kind regards

Jayne

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Little Wolf (the patient)

Dear Jayne - thank you for your reply. Just to complete the story a visit to my GP confirmed that as a result of my operation to remove one testicle my testosterone level was very low. This matched my symptoms of hot flushes, low energy and zero libido. The remaining testicle which had been moved in a operation to its normal position in the scrotum at age 12 was therefore not active. I understand that such an operation is best carried out as soon as possible after birth to ensure its normal function. While I am very happy with all the care and treatment provided, I do feel that the risk of low testosterone should have been communicated at the time of the orchiectomy. Only by looking at my symptoms and reading up on the subject did I realise that I might need further treatment. I now have a prescription for testosterone replacement and am very grateful that this is available. I realise that my case is probably very rare I.e. only one functioning testicle and the bad luck of that one having to be removed. However I thought it worthwhile to share this experience in case it can be useful to others.

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k