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Question about bacterial urethritis/epididymitis
I’ll do my best to keep my story short. I had unprotected sex with a woman 6-7 weeks ago. 2 days later, I was very red/sore/itchy in the scrotum and had occasional burn after urination. 2 weeks later I caved into anxiety and had a full panel STD test done, everything negative. A week or so after that, I feared I had a UTI so I went to my PCP and was given 2 weeks of cipro, as I was told it could be my prostate. A week later I revisited my doctor explaining symptoms weren’t getting any better. He blew me off, told me stay patient. So I scheduled a telehealth appt for a second opinion and they prescribed a weeks worth of doxycycline. I started feeling better. 5 days after completion, I tested ejaculation, and went right back to the dull burn in my tip for nearly a full day. Only to have that be gone a day later with feelings of discomfort back in my scrotum. I finally saw my urologist today and after 3-4 clean UAs was told I don’t have an infection and to cut out acids, alcohol, and caffeine for 5 days. Honestly, if felt dismissive.
Questions…I was told I would be given a UA culture twice, and it didn’t happen. I’ve read that a culture can be needed to identify specific bacteria’s that aren’t necessarily caught in quick tests. Would a weeks worth of cipro and doxycycline, oh and a single does of azith treat something that could be potentially found? If my symptoms don’t improve in 5-7 days, what would my next steps be? I’m just incredibly frustrated because when I share the level of discomfort, the standard answers are “well you dont have chlamydia, you don’t have gonn, your UAs are clean” and I just don’t feel that they realize the pain/discomfort I’ve gone through. And yes, I know anxiety is a thing too. There are days I’ve felt great and days I’ve felt terrible, so I know it’s not my mind playing tricks. But if there is a chance that there’s an uncaught bacteria that could be treatable via a simple, different antibiotic, wouldn’t I want to get on that path quickly?
Any advice would greatly appreciated!
Questions…I was told I would be given a UA culture twice, and it didn’t happen. I’ve read that a culture can be needed to identify specific bacteria’s that aren’t necessarily caught in quick tests. Would a weeks worth of cipro and doxycycline, oh and a single does of azith treat something that could be potentially found? If my symptoms don’t improve in 5-7 days, what would my next steps be? I’m just incredibly frustrated because when I share the level of discomfort, the standard answers are “well you dont have chlamydia, you don’t have gonn, your UAs are clean” and I just don’t feel that they realize the pain/discomfort I’ve gone through. And yes, I know anxiety is a thing too. There are days I’ve felt great and days I’ve felt terrible, so I know it’s not my mind playing tricks. But if there is a chance that there’s an uncaught bacteria that could be treatable via a simple, different antibiotic, wouldn’t I want to get on that path quickly?
Any advice would greatly appreciated!
Hi there. Lets break this down.
You had an exposure. 2 weeks later you did a full STI test. This tests for:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
HIV
Syphilis.
At the 2 weeks mark, we know for sure that you dont have chlamydia or gono which are the most common STIs. This test is conclusive at 2 weeks so we can move on from these two. On a side note, the meds you were given probably would have sorted the chlamydia out anyway. But thats a moot point as you didnt have them to begin with.
Is there a risk for syph and HIV? Yes. Is it likely? Not hugely. BUT... you were still at risk. Testing for these now at 6/7 weeks will also give you a conclusive result. Your symptoms are not suggestive of these I hasten to add.
I think looking towards the prostate is a good shout. You are obviously worried about this (for reasons which are not important to us). Anxiety can flare up a host of issues as you have time to think and dwell. There is something called prostatitis which leads down to CPPS (google it).
Your symptoms tend to go into that direction and its very common in men, especially those who are suffering from anxiety. You have abx to try to null any infection there. If you youtube CPPS stretches a lot of people state that these do work so its worth looking at.
In regards to STI, I do not feel that this is an STI issue. If it was something like non-specific urethritis then the abx would have sorted it.
You had an exposure. 2 weeks later you did a full STI test. This tests for:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
HIV
Syphilis.
At the 2 weeks mark, we know for sure that you dont have chlamydia or gono which are the most common STIs. This test is conclusive at 2 weeks so we can move on from these two. On a side note, the meds you were given probably would have sorted the chlamydia out anyway. But thats a moot point as you didnt have them to begin with.
Is there a risk for syph and HIV? Yes. Is it likely? Not hugely. BUT... you were still at risk. Testing for these now at 6/7 weeks will also give you a conclusive result. Your symptoms are not suggestive of these I hasten to add.
I think looking towards the prostate is a good shout. You are obviously worried about this (for reasons which are not important to us). Anxiety can flare up a host of issues as you have time to think and dwell. There is something called prostatitis which leads down to CPPS (google it).
Your symptoms tend to go into that direction and its very common in men, especially those who are suffering from anxiety. You have abx to try to null any infection there. If you youtube CPPS stretches a lot of people state that these do work so its worth looking at.
In regards to STI, I do not feel that this is an STI issue. If it was something like non-specific urethritis then the abx would have sorted it.
9 Comments
Thank you for the response, I appreciate it. The urologist did examine my prostate and found no issues, which is why I’m a bit more frustrated. I agree that I don’t think this is STI driven at this point. The person I slept with was a friend and someone I’ve known for years, so while I’d never rule out a bacterial infection, I have little to no worries for anything viral. Which brings me back to my original question. If these UTI driven symptoms continue, how do I proceed when I have a PCP and a urologist who are dismissing any other potential infectious problems.
Maybe I’m phrasing my question wrong. Is it possible to have a UTI that wouldn’t be noticed in a standard UA? Is a culture required and/or would one do any good at this point?
If you are still on abx, a culture wouldn't be a good idea.
How are you doing on the alcohol and caffeine? I know that felt dismissive, but I've read so many posts from so many men that have felt improvement after they increase their water intake and decrease their caffeine (especially caffeine) and alcohol intake. If you haven't tried that, really try it.
Give that 5 days. See how you feel. Give it a good effort. Check out the CPPS that Gaz suggested. I'm not dismissing you, honestly. I believe you feel things - just don't know that it's a bacterial infection.
Let us know how you feel.
How are you doing on the alcohol and caffeine? I know that felt dismissive, but I've read so many posts from so many men that have felt improvement after they increase their water intake and decrease their caffeine (especially caffeine) and alcohol intake. If you haven't tried that, really try it.
Give that 5 days. See how you feel. Give it a good effort. Check out the CPPS that Gaz suggested. I'm not dismissing you, honestly. I believe you feel things - just don't know that it's a bacterial infection.
Let us know how you feel.
Hi Auntiejessi,
No, I’m no longer on abx and haven’t been on anything for probably a week.
Today is my first day of 5 of no alcohol, reduced coffee (my only caffeine), and no spicy foods. I’m really hoping it makes a quick, significant impact.
None of this would be so bad if it were just one symptom that was consistent. It gets so confusing and frustrating when one day it hurts to urinate, the next day it doesn’t. One day it feels like I got kicked between the legs, 2 days later it doesn’t.
Back and forth and back and forth :(
I’ll definitely stick to your recommendations and will let you know how I feel. Hopefully my situation and your kind words will help someone other than me!! Thank you!
No, I’m no longer on abx and haven’t been on anything for probably a week.
Today is my first day of 5 of no alcohol, reduced coffee (my only caffeine), and no spicy foods. I’m really hoping it makes a quick, significant impact.
None of this would be so bad if it were just one symptom that was consistent. It gets so confusing and frustrating when one day it hurts to urinate, the next day it doesn’t. One day it feels like I got kicked between the legs, 2 days later it doesn’t.
Back and forth and back and forth :(
I’ll definitely stick to your recommendations and will let you know how I feel. Hopefully my situation and your kind words will help someone other than me!! Thank you!
If you drink a lot of coffee, slowly reduce that. Caffeine withdrawal headaches are hell - I know this firsthand.
I hope it helps, too. Good luck! :)
I hope it helps, too. Good luck! :)
Hi Auntiejessi,
Thought I’d take a moment and give an update. 5 days of drastically reduced caffeine, little to no alcohol, no spicy food, and more water than I’ve ever had in my life, and sadly symptoms continue. I have moments of feeling ok, to moments of what feels like epididymitis, to moments of what feels like urethritis. It’s all so very frustrating. I read that mycoplasma genetilium can present these types of symptoms, so I tested, but won’t have results for another 7-10 days. At this point I’m kind of hoping that’s it, just so I know what antibiotics I can take to finally conquer this. I do have a follow up with my PCP in 5 days and might beg for a swab of my urethra, just to see if that brings any clarity. At this point Ive tested negative for all UAs, including the primary STIs, and also took some blood work to confirm no syphilis. I don’t know what else to think, other than I might have a missed UTI that I haven’t had the right abx for. Anyway, if you have any other thoughts, I’d sure appreciate them. I’m going on 7 full weeks of discomfort at this point. Thank you again!!
Thought I’d take a moment and give an update. 5 days of drastically reduced caffeine, little to no alcohol, no spicy food, and more water than I’ve ever had in my life, and sadly symptoms continue. I have moments of feeling ok, to moments of what feels like epididymitis, to moments of what feels like urethritis. It’s all so very frustrating. I read that mycoplasma genetilium can present these types of symptoms, so I tested, but won’t have results for another 7-10 days. At this point I’m kind of hoping that’s it, just so I know what antibiotics I can take to finally conquer this. I do have a follow up with my PCP in 5 days and might beg for a swab of my urethra, just to see if that brings any clarity. At this point Ive tested negative for all UAs, including the primary STIs, and also took some blood work to confirm no syphilis. I don’t know what else to think, other than I might have a missed UTI that I haven’t had the right abx for. Anyway, if you have any other thoughts, I’d sure appreciate them. I’m going on 7 full weeks of discomfort at this point. Thank you again!!
I'm sorry you're still having symptoms. Syphilis wouldn't give you these symptoms, but it's good to test to make sure you don't have it.
I can't tell you what you have. There are a lot of possibilities, but you've tested negative for everything (minus the mycoplasma, which is pending).
It's not a UTI if your urine is clear.
Continue to work with your doctor. That's all I can tell you at this point. Don't take any more abx until you test positive for something.
I can't tell you what you have. There are a lot of possibilities, but you've tested negative for everything (minus the mycoplasma, which is pending).
It's not a UTI if your urine is clear.
Continue to work with your doctor. That's all I can tell you at this point. Don't take any more abx until you test positive for something.
Thank you again auntiejessi. Just got my test results back for mgen, and those were negative too. So if I wasn’t confused before, I’m crazy confused and frustrated now. I’ll take your advice and continue to work with my PCP though. There’s really not much more I can do.
Ask for a referral to a urologist. That's what I'd do.
Good luck to you.
Good luck to you.
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