I get this about three or four times a year for the last 15-20 yrs or so. Ouch! It has defnitely gotten worse over the years in terms of both frequency and pain level. I too first got it a bit before the Lance scare so I went to Many urologists - all gave me the 'no cancer' okay, which was gr8, but it took about 10 yrs for someone to finally diagnose as epidytimitis.

I don't get the redness, and only slight swelling but what originally was just uncomfortable and annoying for a few hours went to me getting through the day with 3-4 (x200mg) ibuprofen every 4 hours. Now I don't fool around - it is so bad I can't get dressed, let alone go to work. It usually lasts at least 24 hrs when i get a flare up. I take 2 vicodin at the first signs, get on the couch in a bizarre legs open position and listen to M***y Star till I can move again.

anyway - DEFINITELY get seen to rule out the big C and be careul how you lift, and gentle with the boys is right. Good Luck