Chlamydia questions

[steven87]

Having a burning sensation when I peed and a light discharge, I went to my primary care physician back in june. I tested pos for chlamydia (neg for gonorrhea) in june and was prescribed azithromycin. When the symptoms failed to improve, he had me take doxycycline for a week. The symptoms decreased somewhat, but they still remained in a mild form. I went to see a physician's assistant at a urology clinic who tested me again, and gave me a shot of antibiotics for gonorrhea. I tested neg for chlamydia and gonorrhea. After informing my PCP that the symptoms still remained, he gave me a dose of flagyl to treat possible trichomonas. The flagyl had no effect on the symptoms. My PCP concluded that I must have herpes. He told me that though my blood test came back negative for herpes, it takes up to six months for the blood test come back positive. He was ready to prescribe me valtrex but I said I need to get a second opinion here. I made an appointment at the urology clinic again, this time with an MD. Meanwhile, I contacted the person from whom I think I may have contracted the chlamydia. Sure enough, they told me they did test positive for chlamydia and gonnorhea the month after I was with them and was treated for both. This person also told me that they don't have herpes.Recently I have had a burning/achy pain in my lower abdomen, around what I would think is my bladder. I saw the urologist and he told me that it appears that the chlamydia was treated but non-chlamydial infections remain.He prescribed me a month of doxycycline which i began this past thursday. he said he has never seen herpes in the urethra without sores on the outside. He said he did not know what to make of the bladder pain, and that if I had a bad bladder infection it would have shown up in my urine. The past two nights, after I ejaculated, I had an intense burning in my penis and lower abdomen. This doesn't happen every time though. Am I on the right track to being pain-free and std-free?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your untreated partner should be treated for chlamydia as soon as possible.  Following treatment it is recommended that you remain abstinent for one week.  EWH

[steven87]

Thank you again for your response

Also, I meant to add that before I was aware that I had chlamydia, I had sex with someone. Assuming that I passed chlamydia on to them, if they were to start antibiotics tomorrow (Monday), would I be able to have sex with them on Friday without risk of my getting re-infected?

Thanks!

[steven87]

Thank you for your rapid response, doctor. I am relieved to know that you agree with the urologist I saw.
However, what do you make of the pain I experience in my bladder? I can't imagine that his pain is just in my head.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the STD Forum.  Having been exposed to a partner with both chlamydia and gonorrhea you have been treated correctly and it was also correct for your doctor to give you the flagyl when the symptoms did not improve.  I also agree with the urologist who told you that he has not seen HSV cause the sort of pain you describe in a person who did not also have visible lesions.  I think you are on the right tract.

Your problems, including your symptoms are not compatible with herpes. Thus, while your doctor is correct that in some people it may take up to 6 months for a HSV antibody test (blood test) to become positive after a person has gotten herpes, your situation is not suggestive of herpes and is not something I would consider as a possible cause of your symptoms.  

I would also point out that sometimes after an exposure that, in retrospect, one wishes they had not had, persons tend to examine themselves and be far more attuned to genital sensations than in periods when they are not concerned.  This in turn leads to noticing what turn out to be normal sensations that might have been not noticed or ignored at other times.  I suspect that this may also be a contributor to your situation.  

At this time, my advice is to try to relax and have confidence that any STDs that you had have been treated.   EWH