I need help before I go to the dr.

[Rylins mama]

My 18 month old son has a very swollen penis with pus coming out. We have been in the ER all morning and now are going to a urinologist in an hour. They didnt seem to know what was causing this in the ER but when they discharged us they started to explain that they would have to circumcise him. I asked what would be our other option because that was not an option and he didnt seem to know. One thing I know, is that they are NOT cutting my childd in any way. I also got in an arguement with them about them wanting to force the skin back to get some pus out. I wouldnt allow them and told them that only my hands were to touch him and we got a sample without any retracting. These people dont seem to know anything about an uncircumcised baby so now Im getting worried.

Heres the thing... He was outside playing in the sun all day yesterday. He didnt have a diaper on for a little while and then Iput swim shorts on him with no diaper at all underneath. I had him lathered up in the same sunscreen that we always use and he is now broken out in sun poisoning all over his face, shoulders, arms, legs and a little on his back. It seems kind of weird that this all happened in one day. I dont know if thats the same type of thing or what. But I do know that we have NEVER had any problems with him and he also has a bath every day.

Any input here. I want to go in fully armed and knowing what options I have because I have a feeling they are going to be a bit biased. Please help!

[eepster]

It sounds like normal separation and smegma.

I'll be back in a minute with a link to an article.

[eepster]

http://www.mothering.com/health/prot...advice-parents
http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=764732?

I would not go to that appointment, if it's simple separation, it will clear up on it's own in 24-48 hrs.

[Night_Nurse]

I have no idea if the swelling is related to sun exposure or not. But just a warning - urologists are paid for services they provide. The doctor will make more money from circing than just treating with a med or something, so be prepared for that battle.

Tell me about the pus - is it malodorous or what color is it? Was this the first time it happened? Does your son have a fever? Is he urinating alright?
Has the swelling now subsided or is it the same?
Do you know if your son has started the separation process yet or not?

[PoppyMama]

If it's pus it should smell and you should watch for a fever. It may just be some smegma and a little swelling. Both my intact boys have gotten that on occasion and it clears up after a couple of days. I usually put some ointment on it and fold a soft diaper into their bottoms to cushion it- more for their comfort.

[Rylins mama]

This has been the worst day of my life. This doctor dropped my sons diaper while my husband was standing with him and I was sitting with the nurse and put a clamp inside and opened it up. I have NO idea what he was doing! My son started screaming so I jumped up and ran to him and asked him what he was doing. He said he was trying to help him by getting the pus out. I am still sick to my stomach right now. He really hurt my son and I feel so violated for my son. I have never seen so much blood come off of him. He started telling us he needs to be circed NOW and that this infection is horrible. Yet he didnt take any samples, didnt look at it or anything. I told him I need other options and that I am not circing. He agreed that he doesnt want to have to dod it but thats whats going to need to be done. He ended up giving us some anti biotics and told us he has balanitis? He wants to see us again tomorrow morning. I ended up taking my son to the pediatrician after and all the puss was gone but it is still very swolled. They didnt really touch it, just looked at it. The dr. was very nice. Said he doesnt want to go against a specialist but with anti biotics doesnt see why he would dneed to be circed unless its to stop it frorm happening again.

So heres where I am at... Im canceling the appointment tomorrow. Im going to give him antibiotics and keep it cllean. His temp has been the same all day at 97.9. He is peeing normally and is whining a little when he does but that is only since that urologist messed with him. The drs. said he has parvovirus which is the rash. The urologist tried telling me it was a staph rash from the infection. I really did not like this guy!!! The puss did smell a little odd and there was quite a bit. Does anyone know anything about balanitis? Im going to research now. What do you all reccomend? I am a nervous wreck. I do not want my baby being circed. And what (if there is) is a reason enouigh to HAVE to circ.?? Please I am in need of some advice here!

[eepster]

He probably doesn't have an infection and doesn't need antibiotics. Everything you described going on is consistent with separation. There was most likely nothing wrong with your DS before you went to the Dr.

Now he does have an injury though which may become infected. What that Dr did was akin to breaking a toddler girls hymen.

Do not go anywhere near that "Dr" again.

If your DS does develope an infection b/c of the injury the Dr gave him, use bactaricine on it and then start giving the antibiotics. Do not use neosporine it is too harsh for genitals.

[Rylins mama]

I called and canceled the appointment and informed him that I would never be stepping foot into that office again. Im so angry. I was talking to his nurse and I told him not to touch it until I got over there and to not retract it at all. He completely ignored what I asked of him. And my husband had no idea what he was doing. The ped. even knew not to touch it and they also knew that what he did was wrong. Im just so disgusted. This is why Im so scared of doctors. I dont ever even want to take him again.

[Night_Nurse]

Originally Posted by Night_Nurse

But just a warning - urologists are paid for services they provide. The doctor will make more money from circing than just treating with a med or something, so be prepared for that battle.

I've never quoted myself before, but it seems appropriate.

So this urologist knew you probably wouldn't be up for a circ (I'm sure that info was conveyed either in writing or over the phone when the ER gave report/sent records to the doctor for his consultation). So he's now caused more trauma to your son, so now the doctor can bill you or your insurance company more for an additional problem. And he did this after you asked not to retract? Does this sound like assault to any one but me? That's a serious question. Why does this mama have to pay for a subsequent doctor visit to the pedi because of trauma the urologist caused? Seems to me the urologist should be financially responsible for the problem he caused. I have no idea what type of clamp he used or why. I'm not sure how he could diagnose an infection if your son doesn't have a fever and the doctor didn't culture the discharge.
Please contact DOC and have them send the doctors and the ER some literature. Please ask DOC or ask in MDC's Finding Your Tribe for a foreskin friendly doctor in your area. I'm not 100% sure your son really had a major problem before he went to see the doctor but I'm pretty sure he might now.
If the urologist used a "clamp" of any kind to separate the foreskin from the glans (head of the penis), just leave it alone and hopefully the body will heal itself. If you ever need to see a urologist again I think you should find another one. It might behoove you to get a copy of your son's record from that urologist so you'll know exact what he did to your son.
I'm so sorry this happened to your son. I hope he's feeling better soon.

http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/

[Mama2Kayla]

OMG I am so sorry mama! Just remember, even if it turns out to be an infection, your ds does not need a circumcision to fix it. Little girls have infections too and no one recommends cutting any of their parts off. Boys deserve the same treatment.

If there isn't any fever, I would wait it out for a day or two. Hope your lil guy feels better soon!

[Night_Nurse]

Originally Posted by Rylins mama

T... And what (if there is) is a reason enouigh to HAVE to circ.?? Please I am in need of some advice here!

Sure, there are a few legitimate reasons to circumcise:

-cancer of the foreskin
-gangrene of the foreskin
-frostbite of the foreskin
-I'm sure there are others but that's all I can think of.

Now, certainly an elective circ is appropriate if the owner of the penis wants it. A small percentage of men have really tight foreskins that don't allow for comfortable erections during intercourse. If the man wants a circ in that case, that's fine but the other options should be made known to him - steroid creams, stretching exercises and/or a dorsal slit area all possible solutions to a tight foreskin.
At this point in his life, your son just needs a penis to urinate. Even if he has a "tight" foreskin as a child, it will probably stretch and accommodate as he gets older. You can always tell him as a teen that if his foreskin is a problem that he can confine in you or his dad and you can have him checked out (by a foreskin friendly doctor) then.

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by Night_Nurse

Sure, there are a few legitimate reasons to circumcise:

-cancer of the foreskin
-gangrene of the foreskin
-frostbite of the foreskin
-I'm sure there are others but that's all I can think of.

Now, certainly an elective circ is appropriate if the owner of the penis wants it. A small percentage of men have really tight foreskins that don't allow for comfortable erections during intercourse. If the man wants a circ in that case, that's fine but the other options should be made known to him - steroid creams, stretching exercises and/or a dorsal slit area all possible solutions to a tight foreskin.
At this point in his life, your son just needs a penis to urinate. Even if he has a "tight" foreskin as a child, it will probably stretch and accommodate as he gets older. You can always tell him as a teen that if his foreskin is a problem that he can confine in you or his dad and you can have him checked out (by a foreskin friendly doctor) then.

Don't forget prepuceplasti as one of these possibilities, it's preferable to a dorsal slit I believe.

[yarngoddess]

Ugh. This makes me SO sick! Poor baby- but good job momma for standing up and speaking out. I agree that what he did was totally inappropriate! I would be filing a complaint with the medical board. YOU (his parent) Clearly stated "Do Not Touch until I'm there" and were ignored So very sad.

How's he doing now?

[Mommy2Austin]

Originally Posted by Night_Nurse

I've never quoted myself before, but it seems appropriate.

So this urologist knew you probably wouldn't be up for a circ (I'm sure that info was conveyed either in writing or over the phone when the ER gave report/sent records to the doctor for his consultation). So he's now caused more trauma to your son, so now the doctor can bill you or your insurance company more for an additional problem. And he did this after you asked not to retract? Does this sound like assault to any one but me? That's a serious question. Why does this mama have to pay for a subsequent doctor visit to the pedi because of trauma the urologist caused? Seems to me the urologist should be financially responsible for the problem he caused. I have no idea what type of clamp he used or why. I'm not sure how he could diagnose an infection if your son doesn't have a fever and the doctor didn't culture the discharge.
Please contact DOC and have them send the doctors and the ER some literature. Please ask DOC or ask in MDC's Finding Your Tribe for a foreskin friendly doctor in your area. I'm not 100% sure your son really had a major problem before he went to see the doctor but I'm pretty sure he might now.
If the urologist used a "clamp" of any kind to separate the foreskin from the glans (head of the penis), just leave it alone and hopefully the body will heal itself. If you ever need to see a urologist again I think you should find another one. It might behoove you to get a copy of your son's record from that urologist so you'll know exact what he did to your son.
I'm so sorry this happened to your son. I hope he's feeling better soon.

http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/

Bolding mine. It actually would be considered battery. Undesired physical contact. Regardless of the charge it sounds like this doctor needs to be held accountable for what he did after being told not to do what he did.

[PuppyFluffer]

I agree - battery. But who has the bank account to fund the lawsuit?

I am trying very hard to find a reason to not feel the way I feel towards the medical community. They are making it very hard for me to change my negative opinion.

[Rylins mama]

He looks much better this morning. He has a cloudy discharge still. He is swollen, his penis feels almost hard and its a little red. He just got pretty upset when he peed but I can imagine that it hurts from what that doctor did to him. After thinking about what happened all night, Im horrified. The doctor saw his penis and within 5 seconds started whatever he was doing. Like my son hadnt been sitting with it all day just fine. He took no steps to explain what he was doing, what he thought was wrong... NOTHING!

That was the most terrifying day of my life. And I feel for other moms that take their babies there with any kind of a problem. As my ds was screaming and I was trying to bounce him and talk to him, this doctor kept saying that my child was "very very sick, do you understand what Im saying to you"? I told him that he is not sick, that he is acting completely normal, temp is 97.9 ALL day long, and his rash is parvovirus. He kept repeating over and over again that he NEEDS to be circed right now today, like its not an actual surgery or something? I told him no, that I know there are other options. He seriously looked at me like I was the craziest person in the world. Afdter I kept refusing he told me he would "give me a chance to make him better but it will turn out in a circ". At that point I walked away from the man and let DH get the antibiotics.

I know this dr. has and will do this to other moms and as scared as he made me for my son, I still have my head on and know that what he was saying was not true, I fear that other moms will just cave into it though. What he did was horrifying, and I will never get the way I saw my son out of my head.

Now my question is... What should i watch for with his penis? At what point might he need to go to the ped?

This is the first time my son has been seen by a dr. since he was 2 weeks old. This is why I dont go to doctors. Its sad that I feel even worse about it now, but Im just so sick and tired of the medical community.

[daisymommy]

(((HUGS))) mama. I'm no expert on the subject here, but I did Google Parvovirus, (typically a dog disease)--but in humans it's Fifth's Disease. Good grief, is that all? I've had it while working in daycare. It looks like a rash all over your body (which is probably why he said that, after your son was outside in the sun), and it makes you feel like you have the flu. But it doesn't have anything to do with his penis. It's a mild virus that one gets over fairly quickly.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/.../parvo_b19.htm

He may not even have it though; it very well could be a sun rash just like you said. But at any rate, it doesn't require any treatment other than comfort measures as when one has a cold or flu.

[glongley]

I second the previous suggestion to have the people at Doctors Opposing Circumcision send this doctor a packet of info about the harmfulness of what he did and the potential legal implications. The attorney for Doctors Opposing Circumcision, John Geisheker, will send a letter to the doctor/nurse/hospital pro bono (free) on your behalf telling them what they did was wrong and the consequences. Although it isn't a letter stating you'll sue, it ought to get their attention. It is fully referenced and should be very educational for them. Be aware that it is not likely to earn you any friends at the doctor’s office.

This doctor harmed your child in an unnecessary and traumatic way, and he need to get this feedback so he won't harm others. When you get past the stress of getting your little one well, please contact DOC. Don't hesitate, they are glad to do this for free, and unfortunately, do it all this time. Here's what you need to do:


Email John Geisheker at [e-mail]

Before you contact John, you will need the following information:

The name of the doctor who did this, the name of his/her practice and their (snail) mailing address.

The name of the hospital where the doctor has privileges, (the hospital where they practice) and the mailing address (even if it didn’t happen at the hospital)

The name of the CEO or Administrator of the hospital. (even if it didn't happen in the hospital, find out where the offending doctor has privileges and send it to those hospitals)

The name of the hospital's risk manager.

The name of the head of the department (OB, peds, emergency, etc.)

Baby’s name, date of birth, age.

Full detailed narrative of incident, what you were told, aftereffects.


Letters will also be sent to:

The state medical board in your state.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (hospitals fear them like a boogeyman)


John V. Geisheker, JD
[e-mail]
DoctorsOpposingCircumcision.org
1727--14th Ave., Suite #5
Seattle, WA 98122
Tel / fax [phone]
Cell +1. 206. 465. 6636

[mama2soren]

Oh, mama, I am so, so sorry that you and your son went through such terrible trauma.

For the sake of your son and the other babies that will be under this doctor's "care," don't let this go. The PP suggestion for contacting DOC is a great one. What your doctor did was WRONG. Tearing the foreskin away from the penis an 18 month old baby is downright unethical. I agree that it passes for battery.

Hugs to you and your sweet son. I hope he recovers quickly.

[MommytoB]

That's terrible ! Why are their so many doctors who harm little boys due to lack of education of foreskin knowledge poor boy !