I am 60 yrs and have one risky exposure about 10yrs ago in 2010.  All the early STD tests came normal couple weeks after that incident. Hence resumed normal sexual life with the spouse. However, I used to get recurrent urethral burning and testicular pain after the incident, for which I was visiting urologists. I had been treated with multiple antibiotics like Cipro, Zithromax and numerous times with doxycycline.

In 2013, 3 yrs after the incident, noticed an unusual sore formed on the foreskin and treated with penicillin if in case it was syphilis for both of us without any tests conducted.  18 mo after this issue, FTA-ABS syphilis test came negative.

In 2017 for continued urethral burning issue, my PCP ordered FTA-ABS and RPR blood tests and FTA-ABS came REACTIVE with -ve RPR.  Ten days later a repeated FTA-ABS along with the syphilis screening test were negative from LabCorp. 

Few months after this episode, started to have unusual stiff neck, headache, ear and eye pain and continues.  Also having sensations of burning soles of the feet and a recurrent postnasal drip.  My sinuses were normal at ENT’s CT scans and postnasal drip does not respond to antihistamines or steroid sprays.

 Eye vision degrades somewhat with double vision at times and sometimes ringing noises in the ears, headache, tight neck and confusion. A recent FTA-ABS and RPR both -ve.

Here are my questions

1.   Are these symptoms related to a possible neurosyphilis?

2.     Continued to have flareup of urethral discomfort, testicular pain with prostatitis.

This issue is lingering in my mind from time to time because of the following unjustifiable events.

1.     There is some unusual flat sore on the foreskin which came up in 2013, has no justifying answer to it. Never happened such a thing in the life in such a location. Even experienced ID doctor suspected it could be syphilis sore. On 4th day of the appearance of the sore, he ordered RPR which came -ve. Unfortunately, took the antibiotic without further complete diagnosis. 

2.     Subsequently a year and half later to that, the FTA-ABS was -ve, which assured me.

3.     In 2017, a positive FTA-ABS is another thing that triggered in my mind, later cooled down after re-test.

4.     Just summarize at one place, for the 4 to 5 years I have the following issues. Tight or stiff neck, headache, unspecified facial pain (varies time to time), recurrent ear and eye pain without a reason, confusion, tiredness, spontaneous frontal pain and connected postnasal drip that does not respond to antihistamines/steroids (infact, more headache using them), double vision in the eyes, frequent ringing sounds in the ears. There is no clear diagnosis so far and very pronounced nowadays.

5.     For the continuing neurological disorders and unresolved issues from the experienced ENTs/neurologists, is another reason to have this doubt in my mind and seeking your invaluable advice.  I would be very happy if I don’t have neuro-syphilis, but how would I be certain. I apologize if these questions are irritable but hope you don’t get me wrong. What would you suggest for my next action plan?

I am very grateful for your kind help. Thank you so much.