Confused and No Answers

[reallynervous1]

Doc,
I've taken almost every med in the book over the past couple of months, but still having symptoms (slight pain in testicles, itchy urethra, no burning when peeing.)  

I've taken Doxycycline (100mg for 14 days), Levaquin (500mg for 11 days), and just took Zithromax (1g yesterday.)  

One thing that's really bothering me, is I've been getting this weird feeling in my urethra, like a feather tickling me. He said it could be the "prostate cleaning itself out."

I asked my doc if it could be trichomonas, but he said men would rarely ever have any recognizable symptoms.  

Tested negative for herpes (HerpesSelect at 8 weeks, is this reliable?) gonorrhea, syphilis, hiv, hepatitis.  Not chlamydia, but sure those meds cured it (?)

Sorry for all of these random questions:
1) Have you ever heard of this feather-prostate thing?
2) Could it be trichomonas?  (Never was tested.)
3) If it is trich, can it cure itself?
4) Will any STD cause a cold?  (Sore throat, sneezing, no fever)

Thanks for the help (as always.)  I'm just really scared I have put my girlfriend in serious danger because of my stupid mistake.

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Most likely you never had any STD.  Whether you did originally or not, based on the treatments you have had and the overall situation, you can be confident that you have no STD that is lingering in some way or anything that will ever harm you or a sex partner.  Your GF is in no danger.

1) The "feather" term is yours, simply your description of what other people might call a tickle or a tingle.  There is nothing about it that is specific for the prostate gland.  I can't comment on the symptom as evidence the prostate "cleaning itself out".  You'll need to ask the urologist to clarify what he meant.

2, 3) Trichomonas in men usually is asymptomatic and not a likely explanation for your symptoms, especially if there is no evidence of inflammation by urinalysis or other tests.  There is no reliable test for trich in men, except in special (e.g., research) settings.  You should ask the urologist whether he thinks it is worth trying anti-trichomonal therapy, but I doubt it will make any difference.  Trich is believed to always clear up on its own, although research has never actually addressed this.

4) No STD causes sneezing, cough, etc.

Here is something I have said in response to other men with unexplained, vague genital symptoms.  It might apply to you.

"It is a fact of life that human beings get various aches and pains. Out of the blue there is knee pain, a headache, abdominal discomfort, a stich in the side, tingling down a leg. Sometimes such problems are continuing or recurrent, yet no specific cause ever is found and clearly no important infection or disease is present.

Why should the genital area be any different? Not every symptom means disease. People with such symptoms of course should see a health care provider. But when a comprehensive evaluation comes up with no good explanation, and if the symptoms persist after treatment of the potential infectious causes, it is wrong to assume a serious health problem. Just as some people have to learn to live with unexplained but benign headaches or abdominal pain, others have to live with unexplained genital symptoms.

Our genitals have a special place in our psyches, and unexplained discomfort can be harder to ignore than a painful joint or even a headache. But the principle holds. It's fine to look for harmless things that might help control symptoms. But potentially harmful treatments (e.g., repeated high doses of antibiotics, potent pain controllers) make no sense, and doctor-shopping (or internet shopping) for different answers generally is fruitless."

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[littleworried]

I have been fighting the same symptoms for months now plus a very itchy anus (almost daily).  Been on nearly every drug.  I have a urologist appoint next week so hopefully will get some resolution.  I know how you feel, it is extremely frustrating.

[reallynervous1]

The feather thing is weird.  This is coming from my urologist.

[littleworried]

My doc also though it was my prostate and they did get some bacteria out of it after giving it some "help".  However, a month of Cipro and did not alleviate the symptoms completely nor the itchy anus.  They now think is is some non bacterial prostrate problem.

[reallynervous1]

Very strange how they find bacteria, then call it non-bacterial prostatitis.

[reallynervous1]

Thanks for getting back to me doc.  

You have a good point.  Sometimes there are unexplained symptoms you have to live with.  

It's just so weird that I only started experiencing these pains after unprotected sex.  

I feel better when I take antibiotics, but the problems come back after I'm off.  

I just only wish I knew what my problem was.  I don't want to put my gf's health in jeopardy.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Not really "so weird" if that event, or the later contemplation of it, is anxiety-producing.  Re your gf's health, re-read the first paragraph of my response.

HHH, MD

[reallynervous1]

Doc,
Last question:  do you think my symptoms can be related to UU?  I've read articles that UU can cause urethritis, etc.  

Is this a good possibility?

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The role of ureaplasma in causing genital symptoms is controversial.  The large majority of experts consider it as simply one of many normal bacteria that people carry in and around the genitals.  We never test for it in my STD clinic, except sometimes for research (and our research always confirms it is not associated with disease in any way).  This could change, and recent research suggests that a minority of ureaplasma strains may be pathogenic after all.  But the treatments you have had would have cleared it up; ureaplasma is highly susceptible to doxycycline, for example.

HHH, MD

[reallynervous1]

Thanks Dr H.  

I took the doxycycline...the pains started to subside but was experiencing serious side effects (twitching, night sweats), but then I had sex with my gf and it came back.  

I then took levaquin, which makes me feel better, but still have pains.  Had sex again, came back.

Then I took zithromax (1g dose, then 500mg next day.)  I took those on Sunday then Monday.  I can function, but now starting to feel discomfort in urethra and slight testicle pain, nausea, arthritis like pains in hands, etc.  

I've read you need to take extensive amounts of AB's to cure UU.  I'm worried about any complications this can cause my gf and I.  

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You have already taken plenty of antibiotics to eradicate UU if you had it, and there is no chance UU explains your symptoms or that your partner is in any danger whatsoever from anything you can transmit to her.

Reread the second part of my initial response.  Let it go.  Seek emotional counseling if you cannot.  I will have no further responses.

HHH, MD

[reallynervous1]

Sorry doc.  That was my last.  Thanks for expert help as usual.

[Idie]

Re: Ureaplasma infections.
My OB said that both partners should take antibiotic treatment at the same time. A female partner can also carry the bacteria so it's important for both partners get treated to avoid the male partner's reinfection.
Sounds logical to me.
What does an MD say about treating the female partner to avoid the infection running back and forth between partners?
thanks,
Idie