swelling of hands and feet

[davemasters]

november of 2008 I had a sexual encounter with someone i didn't really know too well. We had unprotected sex for about 2 minutes before stopping as someone drove by. About 3 weeks later, I started having pain in my lower back and a pinching sensation in my urethra. A couple days after that i had a mild flu for 2-3 days. i had abdominal pain for a couple of weeks and the pinching sensation in my urethra continued. I had a swollen scrotum, and the tip of my penis seemed to be inflamed on the left side of the hole. This lasted for about 6 months, although the swelling in my scrotum went away. The pinching sensation in my urethra also went away after about 3 weeks. All symptoms seemed to disappear as far as my genital area, but i have  been feeling tired, and weak ever since. Also my hands seem to be swollen most of the time. Also, I had pain in my left shoulder, left wrist, and in my ankles for about 2 weeks after all of the genital symptoms cleared. The palms of my hands seem to have somewhat red blotches in the palms, as well as the sides and heels of my feet. This week, the skin on the palms of my hands started peeling. Little circles of dead skin would pop up and then the skin would peel. on my back today i also noticed that there is a welt that feels like a mosquito bite but does not itch, i have also been getting an occasional boil on my lower back, and sometimes on the middle part of my back. Maybe 1 or 2 a week. When i wake up, I feel ok until about 20 minutes after i am awake, and i am tired for about 5 hours, and then i feel fine for the rest of the day. I know i should go to the doctor, but i cannot afford to at this time. Does anyone know what this could be?

[Birdwelsh]

You were probably exposed to Chlamydia. One of the complications of untreated C...is Reuter's Syndrome,/Poly...many..Arthritis.
More common in Males, more common in foot, ankle and knee joints.
The exhaustion is typical too.
Treatment of the C may resolve this, but arthritis might continue to flare up during your lifespan.
SO important to pay attention to symptoms, and seek Treatment ASAP. Chlamydia is highly susceptible to the One Time Dose of Azithromycin 1g...( same family as Erythromycin)
OR a course of Doxycycline.
Good luck to all reading this.
Get treatment and be well!!

[Vance2335]

You had an unprotected encounter and need to be tested for all STD's and HIV.

[davemasters]

Also, my brother, my sister, and 3 of my cousins were recently hospitalized with high fever (103+) and similar feelings of weakness, They were all prescribed either zithromax, or dyoxlycine i believe it was the name of it.