Burning and Tingling In Hands and Feet

[FLhoops2k7]

Hi Doctor,

I write because I am confused (and scared) about my symptoms.

In the first week of January I had sex with a girl and started to get a lot of strange symptoms.  My scrotum would tingle when I sat down, I was sick, and I got a rash.  I was stricken with fear of HIV, but I have gotten a 6 week, 9 week, and 3 month test and all were negative.  I would assume this is enough to feel confident on. (Right?) However, certain symptoms persist...at least the scrotal ones do.  

In addition to the scrotum, my feet felt weird.  For a while it was just a tingle in my foot or hands at times and then, about a month ago, my feet started to feel like they were on fire.  They continue to feel that way to this day.  I also still get a tingling in my scrotum when I sit.  Sometimes I feel like the feet are worse with alcohol comsumption, but that could also because I'm paying more attention to them afterwards.  I haven't drank for 2 weeks and it doesn't seem to be helping.  I

[FLhoops2k7]

Thanks use2fish,

I am currently on 300mg on Gaba.  Helps a little..but doesn't make me feel all the way better for sure.

[use2fish]

I have had Peripheral Neuropathy for 3 years. Symptoms are similar to what you are describing. My feet feel like they are burning, numbness. My fingers and toes are numb.
Not necessarily connected is that my left testicle started getting swollen. Eventually, They performed surgery to reduce the swelling. They drained 700 ml of fluid.
My Neurologist believes the Neuropathy is from Pancreatitis not Diabetes.
I was dx with HepC in 1991, Cirrhosis in 1999.

Gabapenton 400mg twice or more p/day relieves the pain for me.
Ask your Doctor.

[FLhoops2k7]

Sorry to post a million times...my urologist says he thinks the tingling in testicles can be caused by a muscle pull.  Is this possible?  And even so, would it last 4 months?

[FLhoops2k7]

I think mostly I'd like to know if I'm a medical abnormality or not...

And I know STDs don't really show these symptoms but the timing was just so convenient...

[FLhoops2k7]

I also have pain in left testicle...especially after ejaculation.  

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The multiple negative HIV tests would make HIV very unlikely.  

Infection needs to be ruled out.  Urine tests and a urethral swab can look for gonorrhea and chlamydia.  The prostate should be palpated to rule out infection, which can present with the scrotal symptoms.  

You can consider a transrectal ultrasound to image the prostate for infection, as well as a prostatic massage to milk out and analyze any prostatic fluid.

Regarding the tingling, I agree with the MRI and EMG.  Negative testing would make neurological diseases less likely.  The blood tests are negative as well.  

With the continued non-revealing testing, many of the major diseases have been ruled out.  Obtaining a second neurological and urologic opinion can be considered, preferably at a major academic medical center.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_