A Syphilis (?) Mystery - Sexually Transmitted Diseases Message Board

UBR · 09-09-2005, 07:53 PM

I posted on here about my enlarged thymus gland found on a chest CAT scan early in August. My story has some new details and I would appreciate any response anyone might have here.

My doctor has determined that soreness in my neck and chest -- for about a week now -- is from enlarged lymph nodes. He got back the results of my tests for the malaise and many general complaints I've had for the last few months, and there was a very strange result.

I tested positive (RPR) for syphilis. Well, I tested positive for that in 2002, then that particular hospital said it was a false positive. That's been three and a half years ago. At the time I had no symptoms outside of what they said looked like a UTI...I believe they chalked the false reading up to that.

I have suffered from anxiety all my life -- OCD mysophobia -- and only had one sexual encounter, a limited one, fifteen years ago! The doctors have admitted that this encounter probably could not have caused syphilis. My girlfriend did not have it that I am aware -- almost no chance.

Unless I might have been born with it some way and it's been hidden away for many years, I don't see how it could be syphilis. New tests have been done. I feel like I have the flu, in a way, but I don't. And I was wrong when I told the doctor I had no sore throat. I discovered tonight the roof of my mouth is raw-red.

It seems to me that the syphilis reading in the past, and this new one, might indicate I do have the disease. (But how?) For about fifteen years, actually, I have had a "blister" beside my (what should I call it on here??). I've never thought anything of it. I've read that syphilis "chancres" disappear. This thing has stayed, but I almost wonder if it was there before my encounter. However -- I think I would have been self-conscious about it.

The encounter was oral in nature, on me. That was it. So just under eleven years after it happened, I did have what was said later to be a false-positive result for syphilis, and now I feel tired and run-down and just generally bad, and a new RPR (reactive 1:1) says syphilis. Could this tie in with the thymus and the lymph enlargement/soreness, and does anyone know how all this might tie together? It's an embarrassing subject and one that is very odd for me to be dealing with, since I've had fear of germs for so long and it's caused me to not have any real "love life."

Thanks to anyone who may reply.

morrisun · 09-09-2005, 08:24 PM

I would ask about seeing a rheumatologist. People with Lupus often get a false-positive Syphilis test.

UBR · 09-09-2005, 10:57 PM

This is interesting because all year, people have been saying "lupus" to me when I describe how I feel.

I thought some tests run in March covered lupus. I wonder if it could be missed easily. Thanks for your reply.

morrisun · 09-10-2005, 06:57 PM

I was diagnosed with Lupus/Sjogren's even though my bloodwork came back normal. My rheumy felt comfortable enough treating me based on my history of autoimmune disorders and my many symptoms. I highly recommend you check out a book called Lupus Q&A. Good luck to you, I hope you find some answers and relief soon!

UBR · 09-13-2005, 11:56 PM

Thanks for the replies. I do, and don't, have lupus-like symptoms. It's amazing how hard it can be to pinpoint the cause of illness that a doctor can see is there. And it's amazing how doctors and hospitals aren't the fonts of shelter and concern we might expect them to be.