I am 56 yrs and have one risky exposure about 7yrs ago.  All the STD tests came normal few weeks after the incident. Subsequently having normal sexual life with the spouse. Later for having recurrent urethral burning and testicular pain, had been visiting to urologist. I was treated with multiple antibiotics like Cipro, zithromax and numerous times of prolonged doxycycline all along these years.  At around 3 yrs after the incident, noticed a sore on the penis and treated if in case it is syphilis for both of us.  Eighteen months after this sore the syphilis testing came negative on FTA-ABS blood tests.

Recently 4 months back at another urethral burning visit, my PCP ordered FTA-ABS and RPR blood tests in Labcorp, and blood FTA-ABS came REACTIVE but negative RPR, which terrified me. A repeated FTA-ABS blood test came negative along with negative syphilis screening test from labcorp 10 days after the reactive test.

I was having an unusual neck stiffness/tension along with on and off left ear or right eye pain for the past 4 months. A second FTA-ABS blood came negative (this one is performed 87 days after the 1^st reactive test). Now my PCP suspecting any possible neuro-syphilis?

Here are my questions

1. Are these symptoms related to possible neurosyphilis

2. Is this possible having neurosyphilis with negative FTA-ABS blood tests

3. What are reasons for positive FTA-ABS blood test and subsequent negative tests in few weeks later

4. Still suffering from recurrent urethral pain, meatus redness and later extending to testicular pain along with right eye pain- My doctors not able to figure it it.  Loosing hope and waiting for your expert guidance

Repasting due to font size in the original post

I am 56 yrs and have one risky exposure about 6yrs ago.  All the STD tests came normal few weeks after the incident. Subsequently having normal sexual life with the spouse. Later for having recurrent urethral burning and testicular pain, had been visiting to urologist. I was treated with multiple antibiotics like Cipro, zithromax and numerous times of prolonged doxycycline all along these years.  At around 3 yrs after the incident, noticed a sore on the penis and treated if in case it is syphilis for both of us.  Eighteen months after this sore the syphilis testing came negative on FTA-ABS blood tests.

Recently 4 months back at another urethral burning visit, my PCP ordered FTA-ABS and RPR blood tests in Labcorp, and blood FTA-ABS came REACTIVE but negative RPR, which terrified me. A repeated FTA-ABS blood test came negative along with negative syphilis screening test from labcorp 10 days after the reactive test.

I was having an unusual neck stiffness/tension along with on and off left ear or right eye pain for the past 4 months. A second FTA-ABS blood came negative (this one is performed 87 days after the 1^st reactive test). Now my PCP suspecting any possible neuro-syphilis?

Here are my questions

1.     Are these symptoms related to possible neurosyphilis

2.     Is this possible having neurosyphilis with negative FTA-ABS blood tests

3.     What are reasons for positive FTA-ABS blood test and subsequent negative tests in few weeks later

4.     Still suffering from recurrent urethral pain, redness and later extending to testicular pain- what are my next steps. Loosing hope and waiting for your expert guidance

I am outlining below to get a better picture of my long-standing issues. Providing better clarity.

Issue 1: From the time, I had the first external exposure 7 yrs ago, I have been experiencing the following symptoms in this order repeatedly.

The symptoms start within a day of direct contact with my wife with a minor itching around the glans and the fore skin, followed by redness on glans and meatus. A day after this, some discomfort and burning in urethra, and the pain extends to the base of the shaft. Two or 3 days later pain goes to one of the testicles and the burning continues 2 cm inside urethra from the meatus. Typically, I end up to a doctor office and get treated by Doxy which seems to work at least initial times. Urologist suggested to treat my wife couple of times for 7 days and I go on long term up to 6 or 7 weeks.

Everything is normal as long I am using condom for longer periods like 6-9 months. But the symptoms reoccur in the same sequence above as soon as I go direct exposure with my wife. This has been proven repeatedly many times with direct contact -  is my present situation for the last 6 to 7 years.

Issue 2: While this has been going on, I first noticed with an ulcer on genital at around 3 yrs after the first exposure and both of us got treated.  As I pointed out in my first mail, 4 months ago I had FTA-ABS blood positive and repeated same tests came back negative 10 days and 87 days later.

For the last 4 months suffering with constant neck stiffness, tension and pain. For the last 2 yrs, experiencing left ear pain with blocking feeling and unusual right eye pain. These symptoms stay on 2 or 3 months and reoccur again after few months.  For 4 yrs, experiencing intermittent burning feet soles with stickiness.  I am generally healthy otherwise, with pre-diabetic A1C of 5.7 without medication. Had multiple visits to eye doctor which did not resolve with the treatments.

1.     Please provide some guidance on item 1, which seems like STI, but all tests –ve. What should I do next?

2.     I am worried if I have neuro-syphilis based on the neck, ear, eye and feet issues for long time. As I was on doxy for many times and longer durations, would it be possible I have –ve blood FTA tests, but hit with Neuro-syphilis. I am looking for your invaluable guidance.

3.     My wife at 42yrs had few holes on retina and her short vision degraded rapidly, but her long vision seems to be good. Is this related to any STI or syphilis?

4.     Please provide me your expert guidance what should be our next steps. Do you recommend any tests/doctors.

Thanks you so much.