Unknown issue (mycoplasma?)

[isitmyco]

About 3 years back in China, I came into contact with unprotected oral sex. Worried, I tested for STDs which all came back negative except for mycoplasma genitalium. The Chinese doctor at the time said there was no need for treatment. Over time, I had more symptoms and they seemed to move from location to location in my body.

Currently I suffer from:
- pain near testicles, near epididymis.
- uncomfortable eyes, occasionally slight goopiness
- kidneys hurt
- foggy head
- moderate outbreaks of acne (have not had acne since puberty)
- fatigue (when symptoms present)

The symptoms come and go in severity, usually for many days at a time and usually a week or two inbetween, but some minute level of the symptoms always exists. Sleep seems to help alleviate the symptoms but ironically, the symptoms are often pronounced after waking up.

After returning to the US, I had tests done again which all came negative, including standard broad spectrum STD testing and even mycoplasma (blood test, not swab) yet symptoms still exist. I have gone through two courses of levofloxacin (30 days) and one course of moxifloxacin (10 days) yet it still persists. The moxifloxacin seemed to have more effectiveness.

I've seen several similar posts in this community and hope someone can help or share their experience.
Many thanks!

[mkh9]

I'm sorry to disappoint you. It is possible to carry this parasitic bacteria for a long time if it was resistant to the antibiotics or if you picked it up in another sexual encounter with another person. It could hang around for along time if it wasn't killed off. But until you get retested there is no proof that you still have it. Yes it can be transmitted sexually just as you most likely acquired it that way. But since you were treated with the right antibiotics you may not still have it. The best course of action is to see your doctor and get retested by a swab or urine test.  If you don't have it by a molecular or NAAT test then it is something else.  But there are resistant strains to Azitrhomycin and Doxycycline. Moxyfloxacine is different but since a lot of these organisms are becoming resistant and you have symptoms that is why I am suggesting you get retested to be sure. Some people, especially women, don't get symptoms and can have problems down the line. If you don't have it that is great. I would get your eyes checked as well.  While you are at the doctors office.
mkh9

[helpmee2011]

I'm so bummed out reading this post I've been dealing with the exact same issue for a couple months and your saying it last years!? And do you know if it's contagious for the woman you sleep with?

[mkh9]

We are not doctors on most of these forums. I am a clinical microbiologist.But most people that respond are going by personal experience or what they read.

The swab test is actually more accurate for the localized infection. The blood test doesn't make sense  unless you have a systemic infection. M. genitalium usually doesn't go into the blood stream. So that is odd that they would test your blood. Maybe they were testing antibodies to the infection. This is also not a good way to test for it and not generally well know way to test for it. I would go with the swab test directly to the area affected. If it was positive it probably was accurate, especially if they did a molecular test.  But you should have cleared it with the Moxifloxacin. They can also do a urine test. It should be a molecular or NAAT test. It is possible that the bacteria is resistant to the antibiotic and didn't entirely get killed off. You may want to get retested for it. A swab or urine test is recommened not a blood test). Also, were you tested for Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. These bacteria can cause the same types of problems. The STD tests were done in China? You could get retested here using molecular tests. It would seem that the antibiotics should have taken care of this. But some of these bacteria are very resistant. So if you find anything comes up positive that is why. If you are still negative for everything are your testicles normal in size? There are a lot of parasites in Asia that they don't have here. I am just wondering if you were exposed to anything unusual.
mkh9

It sounds like you still have some what of an eye infection.

[isitmyco]

Thanks for the reply. In China, I wasted tested for M.genitalium with a swab. In the US, I was tested with a blood sample which my doctor told me would detect the presence of mycoplasma in my body in general. I have tested my urine and kidneys which seem to function fine and I do not run a fever.

I did have a severe eye infection while in China before the time of my testing (3 years back) but currently they are just slightly uncomfortable and occasionally goopy as described.

[mkh9]

So you were tested for oral M. genitalium? 10 days of Moxifloxacin should be enough to eradicate the M. genitalium. in about 95% of strains. Have you checked if you are running a fever? Since you traveled could you have acquired a parasite? Also, did they do a urine culture on you? It would be good to get your kidneys checked as well (Bun, Creatinine blood tests) done to make sure they are functioning well. Be sure to drink enough water. You cuold have a eye infection. Do your eyes hurt or itch are they red or swollen?
mkh9