Topic: MEN: embarrassing topic that I'm asking for my friend's Lyme husband:
Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715
posted
He has Lyme, Babesia and maybe Bartonella, too. His worst symptom that has persisted for over 5-years is itchy/uncomfortable balls (er testicles). They're "kind of" rashy but not really and even more than an "itch" it's a constantly present and bothersome sensation.
She was too embarrassed to post but I feel for the guy as it's consistent and highly uncomfortable. He's been to a urologist and tried every cream in the book.
When he's been good on his anti-candida diet, it still persists and even his PCP who is lyme literate is finally at a loss for an explanation. Great.
He's getting a full blood panel taken but I don't think it's going to be relevant to this problem.
When he was in remission from Lyme for 1 1/2 years, it went away so I definitely think it's connected to the TBD's.
Anyone out there have this problem and had it resolved? I know it's a sensitive topic but I'd appreciate any and all feedback that I could pass along!
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I'm not a male and don't know anyone with this problem but fungus (not necessarily yeast) comes to mind. Other possibilities are eczema or perhaps dry skin.
Maybe try changing to a different type of underwear? Boxers instead of briefs? Try changing laundry detergent? If it's laundry detergent you would think it would bother him in more places but the skin there may be more sensitive.
Has he tried seeing a dermatologist? A muscle tester?
Hopefully someone who knows something about this will come by with some help.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
It means that he is not getting enough sex, and so consequently, dem spermz is jus "itching" to get out! This would be my approach....heh heh.
And yes, what you heard in school is true....failure to relieve the pressure will result in a splosion. If that happens, there will be itchy fungus everywhere!
-------------------- You're only a failure when you stop trying. Posts: 945 | From U.S | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
HPV also comes to mind
Posts: 713 | From Los Angeles | Registered: Oct 2007
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
To be honest, itchiness is the least of your worries. Some men have a significant drop in testosterone with lyme which can do a lot more "real" harm than simple superficial itchiness. Use some gold bond powder and be thankful it's not worse.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi Clarissa -
Babs can cause this itching -- its Horrible -- Its non stop and not much that I tried will help until the babs is mostly killed off-
On the rest of his body dose he have small slightly red bumps that are slightly raised ??
This rash sometimes has a nerve effect that when you scratch one bump you can feel it somewhere else on your body ??
Also this rash can form a small white scab on the top of each bump that is ruff to the touch --
One thing he can try is to rub Clove Bud Oil on the rash--it dose help alot but the good effect wears off threw use --
Clove Bud oil is what Novacane (spelling) is made from-- so the skin gets numbed
Clove Bud oil is Cheap about $8 and the bottle will last a long time -
You can buy online or at health food store-
--Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715
posted
m0joey: why does HPV come to mind? Interesting. If HPV came up in his bloodwork, do you know what kind of meds they give to treat it?
Thanks for all of your feedback. I do believe he's seen a dermatolisgist, as well, and this is NOT like a simple jock-itch. I thought of yeast, too but he's done many trials with probiotics and diet...not sure about diflucan, tho.
It is by no means his worst symptom (he's had the sh%t kicked out of him by these diseases, too) but it's the one real puzzler and constant.
He's not a complainer but his wife mentioned it to me and I thought it quite serious that NO one has been able to figure it out for 5-years. I mean, he literally cannot walk long distances because it becomes so uncomfortable/painful & itchy.
Micul: Is that lack of sex thing true? Does actual sex release something that would make the testicles have some form of relief?
I know this seems kind of like a silly topic but picture if it was one of your thousands of symptoms...Lyme is simply evil!!
Any further input would be appreciated, and again, thanks for the input thus far!
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Clarissa wrote: I thought of yeast, too but he's done many trials with probiotics and diet...not sure about diflucan, tho.
There are many types of fungus. If he's been to a dermatologist they would have ruled out common fugal infections that would cause this. Of course there could be other fungal infections that are more obscure.
Diet and probiotics are not enough to get rid of a systemic yeast infection, especially for someone who has lyme.
You said that when his lyme was under control, the itching stopped. It's possible that his immune system can keep whatever is causing it under control but when the immune system is more involved with trying to keep lyme under control, the other infection flares. Or... maybe it is lyme disease but I haven't heard of this as a symptom of lyme.
Does his wife have any symptoms that could be caused by a contact infection with his testicles? Any kind of vaginal infections? Yeast? Anything like that?
Just throwing ideas out there and trying to keep this at the top for more help.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
that was where my em rash was...it went away after a couple months but worried me to death. mine wasn't ultra itchy but a little bit itchy and was warm to the touch. but what might be able to help your friend is to tell him to wear boxers (if he doesn't already) and try drinking pau d'arco tea daily for 4-6 weeks. maybe that will help
-------------------- do your best to educate the rest because 9 out of 10 doctors don't know jack about tick borne illnesses Posts: 437 | From shawangunk mountains, ny | Registered: May 2008
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i wash our clothes twice, the second time with no detergent.
that way absolutely no soap is left in.
might help...
has he tried epsom salts bath?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
does he have any manifestations of HPV aka genital warts? May wanna take a peek. Asymptomatic for most but troublesome for few.
Posts: 713 | From Los Angeles | Registered: Oct 2007
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Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715
posted
You guys are AWESOME. Thanks so much for taking the time to give such thoughtful and wise advice and also for sharing your personal experiences.
I will pass all of this information on as I feel knowledge is power and you never know where one of your ideas or experiences may lead.
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Now seriously tell him to try bagbalm yes thats right.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
When I was twelve or thirteen I had a horrible rash on my abdomen about at my belt line. Itchyness is a horrible undertatement. It would be so itchy it would drive me insane! My skin would prickle when I shirt just barely brushed it. I would sometimes lose control and just claw and scratch at it till it would bleed like crazy and then my mom would get ****ed at me. My mom was in Nursing school at the time and asked her proffesor about it, she said her husband had the same problem and learned it was a fabric softener dryer sheets allergy. So, of course I tried it and it worked!!! What a relief! It went a way in less than a week. So obviously there are a million reasons to get itchy balls but this is one thing that he must definitely rule out as a possiblity.
Posts: 21 | From Minneapolis | Registered: Dec 2008
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mojo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9309
posted
Fabric softener sheets should be outlawed! They are SO bad. Thankfully my GYN and Dermatologists both told my daughter to stop using them - she won't listen to me. I won't even allow them in my dryer because they build up a film in the dryer, too.
Even regular fabric softener is pretty bad. I use only environmentally friendly laundry detergent that is non toxic and only when very necessary use the same type of fabric softner. When I use bleach I rewash. My washer is set at extra rinse.
Sounds anal but everyone is happier and healthier LOL.
Posts: 1761 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
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This would be my approach....heh heh.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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