penis tip irritation/scrotum infamation/anal discomfort

Hello, the problem started about 1-1/2 month ago when the tip of my penis began to itch and feel irritated.  I tryed several cremes (for female yeast infections)which did not work.  The problem became worse as I began to feel the irritation further inside the tip which prompted me to go to a general phycisian in Mexico. I told him that I had had oral sex performed and he prescribed vybramycin (100mg.) which I immediately began to take. I felt an imediate improvement the next day, but I had vaginal intercourse the following day and soon the syptoms (symptoms) came back.  I went back to the same doctor I injected me with what I believe was some sort of antibiotic.  It helped for about a day and a half and then the symptomes recurred.  By that time about 5 days had passed since I had seen the doctor in Mexico and I then decided to see a doctor here in the U.S.  I saw her the next day and she told me that the vybramycin was probably a good choice and told me to continue taking it until it was 10 days from the time I first started taking it.  She injected me also with an antibiotic which helped for about 2 days.  As I was on my 10th. or 11th. day, my symptoms did not really go away plus my testicles swelled which prompted me to go into the U.S. emergency room so that I could be treated more effectively and with hopes to see a urologist.  A general physician briefly saw me, gave me a pill of cypro, and prescribed floxin 300mg. which I did not begin to take until 36 hours afterward since no pharmacy had it.  In the meantime, my symptoms progressively grew worse to the point where I had to leave work because I was having difficulty walking as a result of the bad discomfort in the growing/anal area.  I tryed my best to schedule an appointment with a urologist here in the U.S. at no avail---the soonest was late January.  I then decided to go to Mexico again to see a urologist there. I saw him about around December 20 and told me that I needed tests performed (urine and swab cuture.)He took me off all medication so that he could prescribe the appropriate one once I take the test results to him.  My symptoms surprisingly improved and basically vanished by December 26.  However, I had sex on the 27 (with an non-lub. condom)which made most of the symptoms come back by the next day.  I have been trying to get the tests done (in Mexico), but given the holidays, most of these clinics have either been closed or the chemists has been out of town. On Monday, Dec. 31 it looks like I will be able to see a chemist so that I can take the results to the urologist right away.  However, at this point, I am tired of dealing with this malady and missing some days of work.  I currently still have the redish area at the tip of my penis and feel some swelling/discomfort in my testicle region and anus.  ASIDE FROM PROMPTING ME TO SEE A UROLOGIST--WHICH AM ABOUT TO--PLEASE GIVE ME ANY ADVICE AND/OR RECOMENDATIONS SO THAT I CAN GET WELL FAST AND MOVE On. E-mail me at ***@****

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The condition the urologists have been treating you for is most likely non-gonococcal urethritis.  What doesn't fit this diagnosis is the rapidity with which you say the symptoms recur after sex.  That, plus your description of redness on the tip of the penis, suggest that simple irritation is at least part of your problem.

My suggestions are therefore:

1.  Get some 1% hydrocortisone (nonprescription in the US) and apply it 3-4 times a day.
2.  Give it a rest--avoid sex long enough to clarify what, if anything is going on.  This means, as the last urologist correctly told you, being off antibiotics for a while.  Being symptom-free, and thus not requiring antibiotics or other oral medications, is the best way to achieve this--fast, as you wish.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff