Concerned, confused, and frustrated

[mj34]

Sorry for the long post, but it is a long situation and I wanted to make sure I got it all in. Around 12/8/05, I had intercourse with a friend of unknown status whom I know has had a few partners. I stupidly got too drunk and for a 1-3 min period did not use a condom, than put one on. A few days later I noticed some mild redness and decided to go get checked out.  About 2 weeks passed and I got checked out for everything but herpes and syphilis b/c I got tested and found clean in September.  The redness continued and I also noticed a slightly raised bump on the penis head near the urethra opening that once spread looked like 3 pin sized pimples together.  Well a month later, everything checked out ok, but I decided that there was something wrong b/c the redness and "bump" were still present. I went to a urologist who thought it was a yeast infection and he presecribed me with an oitnment called Nystatin and Triamcinolone.  After a month, it did not do much so I went back and he was stumped. He thought it might be a skin problem so he sent me to a dermatologist. He thought it was nothing more than a skin irritation.  I did try to explain my anxiety b/c of the severe redness and bumps.  I tried to dismiss this as my own anxiety after that but by about mid-march I got very scared of herpes b/c I noticed that the redness was getting worse and also there were tiny pimples that were not there before.  When I wake up in the morning with an erection, it feels raw almost.  When sitting flacid, it looks red but not too bad. When erect it is as red as can be with the bump near the urethra and also the tiny pimples all over the penis head.  I got completel freaked out and decided I needed to get herpes and syphilis checked out. The herpes and syphilis both came back fine.  Herpes was type specific and the testing occurred on 3/20/06 about 12 weeks after the exposure. My doctor said not to worry about anything but how can I not be.  I decided to go to a STD clinic to see what they thought. They said the same thing. "Test came back ok. Don't worry." I was still not convinced b/c my skin still persisted to be irritated with the redness, bump, and little pimples.  I decided to go for a 2nd run at a different urologist and he presecribed me fluocinonide for the redness. He seemed to be the first Dr. to agree with me that something was not normal but he said he didnt think herpes or warts. I am still on it, but it does not seem to be helping.  I am scheduled to go back in a few weeks to follow up. I am just very frustrated because so many doctors are telling me its nothing to worry about when it is something not normal.  
1.) Should I be worried about Stds, despite all the negative results? Herpes is my biggest concern? Warts?
2.)  If not an STD, what could it be? It is certainly something and not nothing?
4.)  Despite the negatives I am reluctant to date any girl until my status is cleared up. Cirucumstances point to STD in mind
5.) Should I shy away from sex?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No online source can come up with a diagnosis, based on verbal description, when several providers--including one expert each in STDs and skin lesions--have not been able to do so.  I'll just say that just about everything you describe (the nature of the symptoms, their duration, etc) is against herpes as a possible diagnosis, and that has been confirmed by the negative blood test.  Whatever is going on, it isn't herpes or any other STD--period, no debate.

As to what it is, my best guess is that you are dealing with a variation on normal skin appearance, nothing abnormal.  You can have sex safely.  Also, stop doctor shopping!  You're wasting time (yours and theirs), money, and emotional energy. Pick one (probably a dermatologist) to continue to follow the problem.

Bottom line:  Relax and stop worrying about it.  Follow up with your chosen provider if your symptoms persist and continue to bother you.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[jackcass]

hey doc
i hope you dont think this is a thread jump but
is there a time limit on our accounts - i mean i had an account but have not posted in a few weeks - then today i wanted to post but got a message that said, "sorry, you are not allowed to post on this site"
i don't think i did anything to get banned
just wondering what happened? - is there a time limit that you guys use to clean out dead wood?

thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sounds like MedHelp has restricted you in some way. Not my doing, as far as I know. You'll have to ask the adminstrative folks.

HHH, MD

[Englishman]

The more your look at your willy, the more things you spot. There is a huge range in normal variation of penis skin, shape, size etc. You might just be paranoid. I noticed a patch on my knob and thought it was dodgey - went to the doctor, he said it was normal. Everybody is different, new harmless skin patches, moles, bumps etc pop up during our lifetime - most of these are normal.