Rash, Itch, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Lymphocytes

I am a 45 year old sexually active male. I always have protected anal sex (exclusively top), but give and receive oral sex without a condom. There is some penile-anal contact during foreplay although no deep penetration without a condom. I usually produce precome as well.

Over the last year, I have developed itching and rashes on different parts of my body, mostly on my upper body (chest and/or shoulders), hands and sides (below the armpits on the ribcage), ocassionally on my inner thighs, buttocks and ankles as well. The rash on the hands is sometimes slightly burning. The rash and  itch seem to worsen at night. I was diagnosed and successfully treated for scabies one year ago, but what i currently am experiencing is definitely not scabies (diagnosis ruled this out). I also have some small red dots on my thighs that have been diagnosed as folliculitis.

I have had high, fluctuating liver enzymes over the past 13 months, my most recent ALT (GPT) is at 132!!! (Normal is 10-37). . I currently have a slightly low lymphocyte count [19.4% (normal is 22%-43%)].

None of my doctors (PCP, Dermatologist, Allergist) have been able to figure out what i have...ultrasound showed all internal organs to be normal, hepatitis and HIV tests came back negatve, yet the constantly elevated liver enzymes and slightly low lymphocyte count, together with the rash and itching, have me concered.

Any suggestions?

[mojoman]

An elevated liver enzyme means there's some damage in your liver cells, and this can make the liver fails to metabolize bilirubin (a byproduct of heme in the hemoglobin) and in turn you will have an elevated bilirubin in your blood and this can cause itching, you will also experiencing jaundice. The rash might have come from your scratching.
Your HIV test came back negative than you are indeed negative...

Be well, stay well, stay safe

GOD Bless!

[negative_777]

you said you are a sexually active male,never done this again from now on.if you go on,the consequences you should know.

[davey_d]

My bilirubin is normal and I am not jaundiced...any other possibilities?

[davey_d]

huh?

[negative_777]

sex active made him in a high risk,condom is not 100%

[mojoman]

To: negative_777
You are correct that in the real practical world, condom is not 100% effective because it can be used unproperly (using non-water based lubrication, not using the condom for the beginning to the end, etc.) or the condom rarely fails (it breaks, and when it breaks it's not a subtle occurence)..In other words, as long as you used the condom properly and it didn't break then there's no way HIV can penetrate the latex condom.

To: davey_d
Is there any chance that you have any alergies (allergies)? The symptoms of alergy (allergy) can manifest in rash and itch. If you don't have alergies (allergies), I give up.
But the most important thing is that your symptoms are not HIV related
Goodluck man.

GOD Bless!

[negative_777]

you are right,think it youself,can you guarantee that condom not broke every single time?can you?

[mojoman]

negative_777, I cannot guarantee that the condom will never break all the time, but as long as the condom is use properly and didn't break (by using a lot of water based lubricant) then it will 100% prevent HIV transmission, HIV cannot penetrate intact latex.
Please read my posts, you will find that I only say it's safe as long as the condom was used properly and didn't break.

GOD Bless!

[negative_777]

you are right,as long as the condom is use properly,you should know you can't guarantee it not broke all the time,so think it,when you perform sex with sex worker if it broke,what should you do?not tell me as long as,your piont i'm not agree.i'm stay away sex worker even use condom.

[mojoman]

5 preventive strategy not to get HIV are:
A-Abstinence, never have sex if you're in a monogamous relationship (married)
B-Be faithfull to your partner and vice versa
C-always use Condoms if you have any sexual intercourse with someone of unknown status.
D-Don't use injective drugs and if you already done so, use a sterile syringe.
E-Education, read a lot learn a lot.

You say that you will avoid sex worker, I applaude your decission, but I must point out that an HIV infected person is not necesarily a sex worker.
So if someone cannot take the A and B strategy, then the person need to take the C strategy. If you think I agree with someone having sex with a sex worker/someone else beside their stedy partner then you are wrong. For your information I have made a mistake of mind and not intend to do it again.
But if someone cannot resist the temptations then the person must consistently use condoms, because, again I will use this, if used properly and didn't fail the condom will protect the person from having HIV.

I think that's a wrap.

GOD Bless!

[Teak]

Continue to work with your doctor, no one here can diagnose your symptoms.

[davey_d]

Thanks man! I am seeing an allergist this week to investigate other possibilities. If I am allergic to the latex itself, are there other safe condoms that can be used as an alternative?

[negative_777]

you said much better than world health organization,thank you.

[mojoman]

If you allergic to latex you can use  polyurethane condoms.
Please read: http://www.avert.org/usecond.htm.

Be safe, stay safe.

GOD Bless!