That is really good news, Hurting. And don't write yourself off as old at 60. My husband is older than that (we had our first child when he was 62) and he certainly still is functional.
THE PAIN IS GONE!! Hallelujah!!
First, the dermatologist was no help at all. But I very nearly cancelled the appointment because I had felt a growing improvement (pun intended) over the last few days.
You see, like all the rest of you kind folks, I had been racking my brain about what might have changed before all this started. But I could think of nothing.
But I take a lot of meds and a few supplements. So four days ago when it was time to refill my weekly pill box, it finally occurred to me that I just might have started two supplements about that time. But that was two months ago, so my memory wasn't quite up to it.
But since I get all my supplements from Amazon, I was able to learn exactly when I ordered them and hence, when I started taking them. The time-frame for these two fit!
They were: Vitamin B1 500mg, and something called MitoTrax, which is supposed to improve mitochondrial energy production. Naturally, I stopped both and I'm certainly not going to be so stupid as to experiment in order to find out which! But my guess is the MitoTrax.
So, since stopping them both four days ago, everything's back to normal! Hooray!!!
And folks, if you think we old guys lose sexual drive and desire by this age, I have great news: That's total BS (At least in my case). So guys, put your minds at rest.
Anyway, getting back to the supplement issue I'm well aware that there's a hell of a lot of putrid, toxic, contaminated crap being sold as supplements. This is not news to me. However, I had let my subscription to ConsumerLab.com expire, and have no re-subscribed, so this shouldn't happen again. For those of you unfamiliar, ConsumerLab.com is THE ONLY credible, scientific, rational source of reliable information on many supplements. Like Consumer Reports, they buy all the supplements themselves so that the makes can't send them ringers. Then they perform chemical tests to look for contaminants, prescription drug doping, and the like and to ensure that the product contains exactly what it says on the label and nothing else.
Obviously they can't possibly buy and test EVERY supplement, so what you do is check their product list for the good and safe ones and don't buy anything else. Sorry for the plug -- I don't have any connection to them or work for them or anything like that, it's just that I feel stupid for not re-subscribing and checking with them first.
In closing, I would like to express my DEEPEST, most SINCERE GRATITUDE to all of you wonderful people for responding and helping me out! You are all the best!
Regarding the mystery illness with the high white-cell count, my guess would be that the current issue has nothing to do with it. That was a systematic infection, this is a sensitivity limited to a very specific place. If the severe infection you had years ago was a genital infection like an STD, it might be more of a suspect now, but it's hard to believe that something like, say, legionella would have caused some latent damage that only affects the penis.
Good advice from AnnieBrooke & GuitarRox. I think as Annie suggested, it's possible that you developed an allergy to the lube over time. Also, do check the ingredient listing carefully - not sure if you knew exactly what USED to be in it, but sometimes mfr's do change their formulas - ironically because some components could be more likely to cause allergies. They could've changed one that didn't bother you for one they thought was 'safer', but now the new one causes problems for you.
A couple other things that come to mind - 1) The 'satiny boxers' you wear - I have found I'm slightly sensitive to certain synthetic fabrics that, even though they feel soft & silky & comfortable at first, begin to irritate me after awhile. 2) What type of grip pressure do you use when masturbating? A lot of guys get into the habit of using a very tight grip & masturbating quite vigorously. That can cause problems when having sex w/ a partner because you've become accustomed to a lot of pressure & intercourse usually doesn't generate the same feeling. But also, I'm thinking a very tight grip (even with lube) could cause the skin to become too sensitive. I agree that seeing a Dermatologist might help, but I would also suggest seeing a Urologist. They deal with all kinds of issues regarding the male sexual apparatus & functioning. It's possible a Uro might be familiar with something like this.
This is definitely one of the tougher problems to pin down, but my suggestion would be, don't give up, keep trying till you get an answer. In the meantime, I would also suggest switching to natural fibers for underwear - cotton, etc. - and also try switching lubes to see if that helps. You might want to switch these, then avoid any stimulation (allow for some healing) for 10-14 days, then see if that makes any difference. Good Luck - I'm sure many of us sympathize with your difficulties & hope you find a solution.
We need to know if the pain is internal or external to really be able to help. Your post doesn't really describe it enough to say what type of specialty.
Sounds a little bit like some kind of nerve pain. That's the specialist I'd go to next if the derm doesn't help you.
Nothing that is new that you could be allergic to? No new body cream, laundry detergent, etc.?
Penis pain is the worst. Your doctor isn't recommending a specialist to see and just saying 'oh well'? That's not good medicine! So, is this on the surface level of the penis or inside of the penis where you are having the pain? Is it constant or when you touch it or when you urinate? Describe it a little more and we'll see if we can come up with some ideas for you.