Very confused...

I had unprotected sex and within two weeks i had developed a very red painful patch on the side of my gland. this burned like crazy for a few days but never blistered. It seemed to had left a neuralgia affect for the entire gland was over sensitive to the slightest touch for weeks.
At about the 6 week mark I had a Herpes blood test done which came back negative. however I was experiencing lower back pains and behind the knee ache, shaft skin crawl, and buring sensation off and on since. At the 4 month mark i had another Herpes test done and my primary had told me I displayed a low showing of HSV1 which meant I must have had a cold sore at some time (I never recall one) He said it isnt Herpes because it would blister, however I have read where it doesnt always. could he be right about the showing? would HSV1 be this painful repeatedly?  
Currently the opening to my urethra has raised red area acoompanied by a very raw feeling which is unbearable at times. The urethra has also been affected at times whihc feels swollen behind the scrotum.
My question is could my doctors not be up to date on all the signs of an infection? or could this be something else? I have heard genital HSV1 doesnt usually show in this fashion so I am just asking for thoughts?

[gracefromHHP]

this doesn't sound like genital herpes going on. it sounds more like a fungal infection than anything but it's a good idea to be seen and get some more testing done. did they test for ngu and prostatitis when you were seen?

grace

[Livingon]

Hi Grace,
They did check for urinary tract infection and treated with a couple antibiotics.  I must say I do recall a small blister like item that on my waist at about the 7 week mark that carried quite a bite. but brushed it off as a type of pimple which quickly disappeared. My urologist is treating it as something in the prostate.. He looked at my urethra and prostate via cystoscopy and everything looked good. He currently has me on 2 full weeks of sulfamethoxazole treatment, however with one day left not proving successful. Now i am taking Naproxin to treat any swelling that could be causing it.
I am glad to hear you think this is not Herpes. With a positive HSV1 from the second blood test and the symptoms I felt this was it. If it was an HSV1 infection below, would my symptoms be different?

[gracefromHHP]

continue to follow up with the urologist as needed. sounds like you are in good hands for all of this already :)

[Livingon]

Thanks Grace and I will.
Yet I am still left questioning... My primary didnt know where to go next, and the urologist is working through a list of possible causes and checking them off. They both tell me I would see HSV blisters, however by what I have read here this isnt always the case. So I am not looking to second guess, just wondering will you always see blisters of some sort with HSV? could HSV cause this much pain without blisters?
Actually my immediate concern is I have a beach vacation planned with some friends and I havent been in the sun since this came on. If this is Genital HSV can I be out in the carribean sun tanning or could this cause an embarrassing outbreak somewhere?
Sine these flareups seem to be running about 2 weeks on one week off (never really leaving) I am hoping the one week off coincides with the vacation!

[gracefromHHP]

not likely to be herpes related at all.    you don't always get obvious blisters but the description of your symptoms is more likely something non-herpes.

perhaps a week away from home having fun will do you more good than medicine?

[Livingon]

I do agree, relaxing on the beach could be the ticket. Unfortunately if my condition continuesI might not truly enjoy it to its fullest. Since I still have some doubts, I will be a nervous tick entering the sun wondering if it will have an affect. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me..  

[ukno]

I got the same problem I was told by my Dr. It's prostatitis but the bad part of it is I have the chronic prostatitis so antibotics is doing nothing he just told me to live life as normal I told him how can I do that with a burning penis and sensitive  patches and it inflamed  if you find a solution please post it thanks

[Livingon]

Sure thing... I am going back this week, if they come up with something I will let you know!

[Livingon]

Paid a visit to the urologist.. He doesnt know what to try next and said to see him in 6 months.. Said my condition isnt the textbook signs for Herpes and didnt seem interested in exploring that avenue. However if there is nothing left to try.. why not explore?
Would it hurt to try suppressive medicine? Anyway to acquire without a scripped? It would be interesting to see if it would help..

[gracefromHHP]

you need to stop thinking herpes at this point!

[Livingon]

Hi Grace,
I dont know why this wouldnt be HSV infection  My symptoms started within two weeks of my encounter. I had pretty much the test book prodrome conditions, and you mentioned HSV doesnt always display as blisters. I called my primary office today to get the details of my two blood tests. The specifics of my 6 week elisa test igg results were negative. However at my 4 month test I am told the HSV1 igg was "greater than 5" (didnt say it had a number) and the HSV2 was .14 negative.
I was a little dismayed that they would originally state it was a low HSV1 showing. By what I have researched 5 and over is pretty indicative of an infection. Both the Urologist and Primary said it meant oral, so they have dismissed it. With a reading of over 5 I would think they would at least investigated it.  So although I dont have any blisters I do exhibit a red sore spot and when it is inflamed it carries quite a raw pain for about 7-10 days then subisides for a fews days. What no one seems to be able to tell me is how HSV1 will manifest itself down below and if it could be as i am exhibiting? I am otherwise a very healthy and fit 50 year old who unfortunately got caught in a situation and willing to accepted it. With this said I am only looking to see if the meds would help with reducing the symptoms and if there is possible side affects by trying them before I go on this trip.. thoughts?

[gracefromHHP]

hsv1 genitally won't keep reoccurring like this.

be seen every time you have new symptoms for further evaluation.

[Livingon]

Do u think Dermoplast red can be used on the penile gland to help alleviate the tender pain?

[gracefromHHP]

the red can has additives that aren't meant to be used on our sensitive genital skin. only the blue can should be used on the genital area.

[Livingon]

The doctors I have been seeing  have come up empty. The only thing they could find is HSV1 aquisition. however they tell me my raised red areas are not this because it would blister... great.

My trip went well..  still exhibited signs which could be mind generated. I did notice the salt water seemed to have a positive affect.

However I have been back for a couple weeks and attended a late night party with many beers last Saturday, followed by a very lethargic sunday and now over the last few days experiencing a very inflamed tip around the urethra opening that really gets angry when even touched by my boxers!. this is accompanied by a mild burning sensation when voiding..ugh!

MY question does anyone know if my food and drink cause any of my symptoms? still looking for possible answer...

[gracefromHHP]

the vast majority of people with genital herpes do not have food triggers.

odds are this isn't std related at all. continue to be seen every time you have new symptoms.

grace

[Livingon]

So what you are saying there are some out there that have food triggers? I have heard some are caused by things as simple as coffe,e peanut butter etc. is this really true? perhaps I am causing myself to flare up repeatedly.

Although my tender gland pain is still there, my symptoms are subsiding again which is good news. Sometimes I almost get to the point of forgetting it when it will act up again. One thing I noticed with this previous bout was an uncomfortable pain in my buttocks and when I pressed deep in different areas trying to locate it... it seems to be right at the base of the pelvic bone. I guess there is no textbook answer for what I am going through. My doctor visits are now starting to add up... and without any new symptoms leave me wondering if I have to live like this for the rest of my days.

[gracefromHHP]

stop poking and prodding!!  all you do is irritate the general area even more needlessly :(

really, no reason to think this is herpes going on. continue to be seen when you have symptoms to try to figure out what is going on.

[Livingon]

I hear you Grace.
I really do try to ignore it for I know it can cause irritation. Perhaps my anxiety and stress is causing it.  I realize ghsv1 hardly ever recurs down below, yet I still lean toward it as the reason. Especially since this condition coincides with the time of my contracting hsv. I am just trying to find relief from the pain external as well as internal.... just dont know where to go from here.

[Livingon]

Hi Grace,
I have been leaving the area alone and had a counsel with my Urologist. He said that although it looks irritated and sore... I should leave the area alone and maybe even put Vitamin E on it and keep it covered. to see if it clears up. I have been doing this for several days however still feel the pain inside the urethra and not seeing muchexternal improvement.

What just came to mind is could this possibly be HIV?

I am planning on scheduling another visit to my primary to see what his thoughts are, but thought you might be able to tell me what would the signs be of this type of infection?

[gracefromHHP]

hiv wouldn't cause symptoms like this.

continue to follow up with the urologist as needed.

[Livingon]

Will do.
I am going to get a complete run down on the tests and medications I have been given so i know exactly what i have been treated for and not. Do you think Ishould ask for an HIV test to be sure? any other possible testing to be recommended?