Mycoplasma genitalium testing

[nguquestions]

Does anyone know where I could get tested for mycoplasma genitailium in California? I was diagnosed with NGU at an STD clinic 10 months ago (via urethral smear) one week after receiving unprotected oral sex. I tested negative for gono and chlamydia. Treated with 1g azithromycin and one week Cipro. Discharge and burning after urintation disappeared. Had testicular discomfort so I returned a week later. The swab test suggested the NGU was gone. The Dr. gave me two weeks of doxy just in case. I finished this and then developed sensitivity around the head of my penis (that I feel whenever I walk as my penis rubs against my underwear....like my boxers are made of sandpaper) and it appeared like my urehtra was much pinker and puffier than usual. Returned to the STD clinic and he said it was no big deal after another urethral swab and urine test and said I was clean.

My GP gave me metradinazole as well as difulcan (one dose). No change to my penis irritation issues. I tested negative for HSV II (+ for HSV I but I have had this forever). Urologist inspected me and found nothing wrong. Both saw no WBCs in my urine.

So I am out of thoughts as to what could be going on. My only thought at this point is mycoplasma genitalium. Does this sound like a possibility given the symptoms (no lesions/bumps, no discharge, sensitivity/irritation around the coronal edge and slight pinkness at the urethral opening)? I guess I am trying to understand the difference between NGU and mycoplasma genitalium. Does a negative test for NGU via swab mean no mycoplasma genitailium?

I have looked everywhere for a test and found only one place that wil provide it but it is over 220 miles away. I will make the road trip if necessary.

Thanks everyone!!!

[shaken2core]

Here is some reading on M Gen.  Maybe it will help you.  

[shaken2core]

This a very good question and had been addressed in many studies.  Often times persistent NGU after all those treatments can be caused by M. Gen. just as you suspect.  The difficult part, as you've enocounterd, is getting tested for it.  Testing is usually done in clinical studies or in a few labs via PCR.  You may want to speak to your doctor about this and then he/she can order the test and collect the sampled from you and ship it to the lab for testing.  

The differenece between NGU and M. Gen is that NGU is a condition cause by bacterial infection, M Gen is one of those bacteria that can cause NGU.  M Gen definitely sounds like a possibility given the meds you have taken and the remaining pain.  

There are a couple other antibiotics you can try to clear this up.  Erythromycine may help.  In addition to that you can try Moxifloxacin as a last resort.  This is a very potent druge that can have lasting side effects if you're not concious of them.  You can speak to your doctor about these and see what he thinks.  Please let us know how things go and if you get tested, please let us know what your results are.  Many men are suffering from the same issue.