4 Months of Penile Pain, Irritation, Dribbling, Rash - No STD or Diagnosis. Help!
Posted , 234 users are following.
Hello, I am seeking advice! I am 32 years of age and situation has lasted over 4 months. It started when a female at a strip club slid her hands into my pants and rubbed / grabbed my erect penis near the urinary meatus (opening). I felt a sharp pain at the time (not sure why honestly). I feel like perhaps it was due to her rubbing near the meatus. The symptoms below started almost immediately from what I can recall.
Symptoms:
1. Slight rash on the top of the penis glans (head of penis). It is worse after a hot shower. It comes and goes, and can appear almost like a plaque covering, scaly at times. It sometimes starts at the top of the corona (where head meets shaft) and runs straight down to the urinary meatus (opening) like a stripe.
2. No visible lesions (or blisters) or warts on the exterior skin surface. Does not appear to be any internally as well and doctors have not been able to observe anything.
3. Slight purple on one side of urethra, when the meatus is opened to look inside. A small bump is near the top of the purple, or tip of the meatus; however, two urologists believe it is vein related.
4. After urinating, urine dribbles out of the bottom of the meatus. The meatus opens and closes (at the bottom) and urine drops drip / discharge. I have to wipe considerably. The glans around the meatus looks swollen (more one side) and when I press on it, urine will discharge. It is almost like urine gets stuck in the tip of the urethra.
5. No noticeable discharge, but the penis appears and feels “wet” inside, especially post urination. It seems that I am leaking / dribbling throughout the day, after urinating. Urine color is clear.
6. Pain consistently on the underside of the glans near the meatus. The pain can sometimes be very sharp and burn. I also feel a tickle or tingle sensation in the head of the penis that comes and goes. The entire glans is sensitive to touch. This is extremely irritating.
7. The meatus looks red and inflamed at times. It can be very sensitive or painful to the touch and irritated by clothing. This feeling comes and goes in intensity.
8. The bottom of the meatus opens wide (top remains closed) when the penis has increased blood flow and/or is erect. This is abnormal for my body. You can see directly into the urethra when this happens.
9. When erect, the glans / head region seems larger than it had previously and I would describe it as swollen. There is also an internal pain near the underside of the meatus, where it opens up near the bottom (as described). Feels like it is stretching / pins and needles.
10. The glans has a more prominent reddish rash, during and after an erection. The rash appears like I have scaly / dry skin. Post ejaculation my urethra appears red and inflamed as well, when looking inside the meatus. This subsides after some period of time.
11. Semen color seems to be more yellow that I remembered, prior to this incident. Sometimes I feel like there is pressure on the front of my testicles.
12. The pain and irritation increase throughout the day. When I wake up in the morning the symptoms are not as noticeable, besides a dull pain on the under-side of penis glans. Sometimes there is some redness on the top of the glans area.
Testing:
I have been well tested (multiple times) and am negative for the following STD's; HIV (RNA testing done as well), Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trich, HSV-2, Syphilis, Mycoplama & Ureaplasma, Hep A, Hep B, & Hep C. Again, all negative.
I found in this process that I am HSV-1 positive and likely have been for some period (so is a large % of the population). I have had blisters and a HSV like rash on the bottom of my nose in the past. I don’t think this is HSV-1 as there are no lesions in my genitals and this has gone on too long.
Due to viral load factors, I tested the viral infections (HIV, HSV-2, Hep) at 30 days and again at 95 days post exposure. I assume that I am in the clear based on statistics, but am certainly not a doctor. These tests were unlikely to be positive given the event as there was no intercourse.
Urine analysis looked okay. Red and white blood cell counts were okay, no bacteria infection or UTI found or diagnosed based on urine culture.
Treatment:
I have seen 5 urologists, 1 dermatologists and 1 family practice doctor. I have had 2 cystoscopies, and nothing was found (same urologist).
A family practice doctor thought it was due to some soap or lotion, but referred me to the 1st urologist. He thought nothing was visually wrong.
The 1st and 2nd urologist said they have no clue as there was nothing outside of normal visual tolerance. The 2nd urologist gave me the 2 cystoscopies (camera up the urethra to the bladder) and nothing abnormal was found.
2nd urologist thought it was contact dermatitis due to the rash as nothing surfaced in either cystoscopy. My prostate was examined physically and was ruled to be okay. He referred me to another urologist and also said I should see a dermatologist.
The 3rd urologist confirmed the inflammation in the glans. He suggested to try Quercetin (there are clinical trials which have shown it has helped the prostate) and then potentially Doxy over a longer period as a next step (can be anti-inflammatory). My fear is taking an antibiotic without having a bacteria pathogen diagnosis could be pointless.
The 4th urologist (who the 2nd urologist referred me to) believed that this was related to nerves in the penis. He is a pain specialist and put me on Nortriptyline.
The dermatologist (urologist said I should see one) also saw inflammation and diagnosed the rash as a non-infectious seborrheic dermatitis. He prescribed a topical antibiotic / corticosteroid, which I used. I also tried a steroid. It has reduced some of the redness but not relieve any of the described pain or urine dribble. I am concerned about the use of a topical for an extended period (skin thinning) and have stopped using it. I have a follow-up visit with him scheduled.
Medication:
1. Doxycycline 100mg x2 times a day for 10 days, initially when symptoms started. No relief.
2. Topical cream for rash: Ala-Quin initially for 4 weeks, then tried another steroid cream. Has somewhat resolved the rash issue (not totally).
3. Metronidazole (Flagyl) 2g, x 1 dose for Trich as there is not a great test for this (urine apparently has weak sensitivity). Trich can cause swelling, come and go symptoms, etc.
4. Nortriptyline 20mg every day to resolve nerve issue. I just started this.
5. Supplements currently taking: 1g of Quercetin daily (shown to reduce inflation in clinical trials), Multivitamin, AHCC, Folic Acid, Vitamin E and B12.
The symptoms continue to persist and these treatments have not worked.
My Questions:
1. Does this sound like an STD? Could it be another bacteria pathogen or NGU?
2. If this nerve related due to some trauma, would it cause the rash?
3. Are there any ideas regarding further testing or a diagnosis? I was considering a semen culture but don't know where to have this done.
4. Would a HPV virus cause these symptoms? In men, I believe the HPV virus is typically asymptomatic and/or presents itself with warts.
5. How can I test for HPV other than a biopsy of the penis or penis scrape (which most doctors don’t perform)?
6. Could this be yeast related based on the symptoms? I have noticed an increased coating on my tongue which scrapes off and dry mouth symptoms. I have also noticed the coating and dry mouth is much worse after drinking alcohol or eating sugar (yeast related).
I should mention that my anxiety over this is through the roof and am aware of some changes in my body as a result of it (anxious, no hunger at times, weight loss, etc.). I also think the dry mouth could be related to anxiety.
Please, I am looking for some help! I know there is someone out there that can help me as this has gone on for so long. This is such a struggle and always on my mind.
Further, I am terrified about infecting a new person who I just started dating. A couple doctors indicated that I was safe to have intercourse as I was well tested, but I don’t feel right about having intercourse with the symptoms persistent.
Thanks all for your help. - Steve
12 likes, 867 replies
jack3288 Guest
Posted
Any updates on this? Having a similar issue and haven't had luck with a diagnosis
jack3288 Guest
Posted
Any updates on this? Having a similar issue and haven't had luck with a diagnosis
dave30131 jack3288
Posted
Me too. I've read through all 32 pages with hope that I'll see a success story, but it seems like this could stick around for a while. DRE of prostate was normal (but Ofloxacin prescribed just in case.......no improvement so far some 60% of way through the course). PSA normal, Kidney function normal, negative for diabetes, UTI, STDs and hematuria. 1-week course of Doxycycline before the Ofloxacin was a waste of time.
I have no obvious surface issues on my genitals, but i had a couple of red halo-ed scabs appear overnight on my abdomen about 3 inches above my penis which I was concerned were changing moles. Doc thinks that they're either folliculitis or herpes.
My wife gets cold sores occasionally, so the herpes theory is credible I guess, but she is always careful to wait for them to clear up before she comes anywhere near me!
I will probably be asking for a referral to a urologist, but in the meantime, I'll start increasing the intake of soluble Vitamin C drinks and cranberry juice.
On top of all the urethritis/dysuria and urinary frequency, I've noticed pain in hands and feet bones, so I'm wondering if this is linked to reactive arthritis maybe.
johnfigs19xx dave30131
Posted
hey buddy i have alot of the same symptoms its baffling that these doctors dont even care what is your next step you are taking ?
dave30131 johnfigs19xx
Posted
Hi. I'm early in the process, so I'm first going to try to get to see a urologist. I first of all want to 100% rule out any malignancy, so I'll ask for a scan and/ or (if they must!), a cystoscopy (cringe).
I'd like a western blot test for HSV if at all possible, too (not that a lot could be done to treat it). But at least I'd be less anxious if symptoms attributable to HSV were to come back again after a period in remission.
Unless there's a remarkable improvement over the weekend, I'll be calling the doc on Monday to ask for the urology referral.
What's your game plan?
john64602 Guest
Posted
just an update
i just saw another urologist earlier this wk.
he did a prostate check and it there were no issues noted. he did an ultra sound of my bladder and it showed i was t emptying my bladder all the way. so he has prescribed me yet another round of antibiotic "bactrim" for 4 wks. He also put me on Flomax and Urecholine and said those should help me empty mg bladder fully and atop the constant urge of feeling like i need to pee.
i havnt actually started the meds yet and after taking so many antibiotics i am skeptical to take anymore. i am going to start flomax tommorow tho and see what happens. then phase in the urecholine if i dont get any sense of urgency relief. i am not particulaly fond of the side effects of any of these meds.
ill keep you all posted.
Steves8012 Guest
Posted
A chap posted on here recently saying he had found a solution and was diagnosed with enterococcus faecalis. Said he was given an antibiotic cream that sorted it but cant annoyingly now find the post! Any ideas or did anyone read it?
john64602 Steves8012
Posted
i had enercoccus faecialis found in my urine culture but i am not cured even after wks of antibiotics. also i just saw another urologist who only prsceibed me more antibiotics for 4 wks plus an alpha blockers and a med to help my bladder empty completly. anyways maybe you were talking about me...
Steves8012 john64602
Posted
ah no some bloke said he had it nailed down which seemed encouraging. Was going to check back on the cream he suggested
s52331 Guest
Posted
Did anyone find a treatment for this? Have had same symptoms for a year now.
pistonhead Guest
Posted
an update:
I took the next gen urine test many have mentioned on here.
I got my results back. There were 4 x types of bacteria in my urine. The interesting one is "Enterococcus faecalis" which was present in my last urine test done by the consultant urologist 12 months ago. At the time he prescribed a long dose of Nitrofuroten but said he thought the bacteria was a contaminant. So it looks like it was not a contaminant as its present in this more recent test and that also the antibiotics did not get rid of it.
So my doctor has prescribed co-amoxiclav and seemed quite confident it will help me. i will report back how I get on.
jake39738 pistonhead
Posted
ok, just dont forget to report back
s52331 pistonhead
Posted
May I ask what the official name is for the next gen test?
pistonhead s52331
Posted
you cant post it on the forum as they wont allow you to advertise the name of a specific brand or company. PM me and i will share the details.
Erickson7 pistonhead
Posted
dont forget to keep us updated please!!
pistonhead Erickson7
Posted
I only started the antibiotics yesterday. I was on holiday last week, some antibiotics make me sick and I didnt want to feel s**t while I was away. Once I finish the course I will report back.