Hello. I am male, age 33. About 7 weeks ago, I was exposed to chlamydia by a female partner. My partner tested negative for all other STIs (ten panel test). I was tested for chlamydia on the sixth day and the thirteenth day after the encounter, negative both times. At some point between the two tests, while awaiting the first results, I began to worry I was having symptoms of chlamydia and/or other STIs, mainly gonorrhea or herpes. I'd sort of cycle between symptoms, first worrying about one thing, then another, pretty much manifesting or thinking I was manifesting anything you can find online about them. By the way, I've never had symptoms or positive tests before this. Anyway, my partner from the encounter became concerned about my worries, and got another ten panel test about six weeks afterward, and about 8 or 9 after her last previous partner--same result, positive for chlamydia, which she has not yet treated, negative for everything else. Meanwhile, the last of my lingering symptoms, which basically feels like a UTI, continues, in fact has worsened. I have been in a constant panic about it, urinating constantly and often uncomfortably (which I could be exacerbating it), always with my mind on it. So my question is, with all these negative tests, does this sound like hypochondria or something else? I should add that I have had issues with hypochondria in the past as well, most notably once being totally convinced I had multiple sclerosis (numb hand/arm that finally went away after numerous tests turned nothing up; my father had MS and I was about the age he was when he got it). I mean, I have had physical symptoms, very real symptoms, in the past. What do you think? It just doesn't seem plausible to me that I have an STI with her negatives and mine, but the symptom persists. I'll add, too, as perhaps it's relevant--I do consume a ton of caffeine and, unfortunatley, a lot of alcohol, the latter of which has increased some during this extremely stressful time.
Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases(STD)Specialist