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Reactive arthritis / DGI?
Hello Doctor,
Almost two years ago, my legs would get very hot and red from my knees up to my thighs along with a constant burning pain (not just on urination) in my penis with no discharge. My testicles occasionally became swollen. A urine test was positive for gonorrhea, but negative for other STDs. I was given 250mg injection of rocephin. After the injection the symptoms got worse for awhile, but I tested negative on a retest two weeks later. Because I was still having symptoms, I was given cipro and received 1G of rocephin IM for 7 days in case of DGI. Two years later, the heat and redness continues in my knees, knuckles, fingers, and ears. It isn't consistent, but I get attacks without notice. There is still a burning sensation in my penis along with frequent and urgent urination. Sometimes in looks like I have unraised dots on the head of my penis. My tongue has also become white and appears hairy (nystatin did not help). Several retests over the past two years always return negative for everything. I am able to deal with the discomfort without meds, but I am worried long term about damage to my joints, organs, and body. I have seen a urologist, rheumotologist, and eye doctor, but have not received an official diagnosis for Reiter's Syndrome. I know you cannot make a diagnosis, but could my symptoms be from reactive arthritis or is it possible that I still have bacteria in my system? Are there other tests I should ask my doctor about? They probably think I'm nuts. I appreciate your help.
Thanks!
Almost two years ago, my legs would get very hot and red from my knees up to my thighs along with a constant burning pain (not just on urination) in my penis with no discharge. My testicles occasionally became swollen. A urine test was positive for gonorrhea, but negative for other STDs. I was given 250mg injection of rocephin. After the injection the symptoms got worse for awhile, but I tested negative on a retest two weeks later. Because I was still having symptoms, I was given cipro and received 1G of rocephin IM for 7 days in case of DGI. Two years later, the heat and redness continues in my knees, knuckles, fingers, and ears. It isn't consistent, but I get attacks without notice. There is still a burning sensation in my penis along with frequent and urgent urination. Sometimes in looks like I have unraised dots on the head of my penis. My tongue has also become white and appears hairy (nystatin did not help). Several retests over the past two years always return negative for everything. I am able to deal with the discomfort without meds, but I am worried long term about damage to my joints, organs, and body. I have seen a urologist, rheumotologist, and eye doctor, but have not received an official diagnosis for Reiter's Syndrome. I know you cannot make a diagnosis, but could my symptoms be from reactive arthritis or is it possible that I still have bacteria in my system? Are there other tests I should ask my doctor about? They probably think I'm nuts. I appreciate your help.
Thanks!
Thank you, Doctor Handsfield. I really appreciate it.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum. For sure you don't have DGI, and I tend to doubt reactive arthritis.
From your description, this really doesn't sound like any kind of arthritis. DGI is an acute complication of recently acquired gonorrhea, probably always within a few weeks of catching gonorrhea. Treatment totally resolves the problem promply (within days), and there is no such thing as chronic or persistent DGI. I'm inclined to doubt you ever had gonorrhea, but if you did, for sure DGI isn't a problem now.
Your symptoms also are not at all typical for reactive arthritis (formerly called Reiter's syndrome -- but not in recent years, after re-discovery of Reiter's record as a Nazi war criminal). RA is a "bread and butter" condition for any rheumatologist; if that specialist didn't believe you had it, or could not confirm it, then almost certainly you don't have it.
Unfortunately, there isn't much more I can say. Your rheumatologist is in a much better position than I am to suggest additional tests to sort this out. From my perspective as an STD specialist, I am quite certain you have no STD or any other condition related to past sexual exposures.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck with it-- HHH, MD
From your description, this really doesn't sound like any kind of arthritis. DGI is an acute complication of recently acquired gonorrhea, probably always within a few weeks of catching gonorrhea. Treatment totally resolves the problem promply (within days), and there is no such thing as chronic or persistent DGI. I'm inclined to doubt you ever had gonorrhea, but if you did, for sure DGI isn't a problem now.
Your symptoms also are not at all typical for reactive arthritis (formerly called Reiter's syndrome -- but not in recent years, after re-discovery of Reiter's record as a Nazi war criminal). RA is a "bread and butter" condition for any rheumatologist; if that specialist didn't believe you had it, or could not confirm it, then almost certainly you don't have it.
Unfortunately, there isn't much more I can say. Your rheumatologist is in a much better position than I am to suggest additional tests to sort this out. From my perspective as an STD specialist, I am quite certain you have no STD or any other condition related to past sexual exposures.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck with it-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
