[Socks!]

DS1 is unfortunately circ'd and seems to have meatal stenosis. The only thing that's not adding up, is that I read everywhere that meatal stenosis basically develops after being circ'd, but isn't discovered until they start getting out of dipes. Well, I've had a naked bum running around here for the last few months and what appears to be meatal stenosis just started almost 3 weeks ago.

I've been trying to research treatment methods, but can only find surgery or inserting a catheder. Scary!
I've been given him Arnica and am putting the rescue remedy ointment on the tip of his penis, which seems to help a little. I've also completely had him out of dipes for the last few days now, which also seems to help.
The problem is that his urethra still scabs over completely and he is in very obvious pain when he tries to pee. He's starting to get scared of his body functions, I'm afraid. So I feel like I can't just sit and wait. I already took him to the Dr. twice, but they weren't helpful.
(Here's the thread about that http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=500094 Thanks to all here again for the replies that even lead me to research meatal stenosis)
Does anybody know where I could get more information on possible treatments or anything else I can do?

I read up on the foreskin restoration and I guess that is too hands on. What if I showed him how to gently pull the foreskin though?
I also read that a tight fitting speedo will keep the foreskin in place if you pull it over the glans. Do you think that might be a good healing idea? Speedos aren't exactly organic cotton though, so that might actually make it worse.

I just can't keep watching him suffer. I need to do something or be sure that not to do anything is the right thing. Help! I don't want to go to a Dr. who gives me wrong advice, but I have to go along with it, because I just don't know any better.

I'm sorry this is so long. I'm just really depressed and helpless and feel so bad for my DS.

I should probably also ask for advice in the EC forum, because he is just not even near dry at night. I don't want to traumatize him on the next thing too.

Trying to wake him now, so he can go potty...

TIA for everybodys help!

 

[baybee]

Here's a good link for you. I know how scary it is when your child's in pain.

http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2356.htm

 

[baybee]

Here's another link to a discussion from this forum on the subject of meatal stenosis.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...eatal+stenosis

 

[Lula's Mom]

He's been to the doctor twice, and they didn't address the problem?

Is there someone else you can see? A pediatric urologist? To tell you for sure that this is what he has.

I am so sorry. Everything I have ever read said meatotomy is the best (pretty much only) way to fix this. Scar tissue-whether it's because of decreased blood flow because of the severing of the frenular artery, or abrasion from diapers, we may never know- has made his meatus constrict. If there was any other treatment that I'd heard of, I'd tell you- I'm sure you are heartsick at the thought of cutting him again.

But so the good news is, the meatotomy has really positive results. And I agree with you, you don't want to put it off, since it's painful for him to pee. Having had a child with potty-training issues (pooping, not peeing) I know how easily a small issue can turn into a major crisis.

The article that baybee linked recommended an EMLA (topical anesthetic)dressing be put in place for an hour before the procedure. I haven't researched that at all so I don't know if that is sufficient, or if he should then have a shot to further numb him. Of course if he is not going to be still (and I can imagine it would be really hard to do!) then he'd need GA. This is all the stuff I would discuss with a doctor who's experienced in this procedure.

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

[Socks!]

Thank you for your help.
So I guess, if it really is meatal stenosis, surgery or the inserting of a catheder really are the only way of curing it.
This makes me want to take a video of my son trying to pee, so people can look at that, before they circ their boys. They for sure didn't tell me about that as a complication, but then again, I was pretty ignorant and just wanted DS to look like his Daddy.

Does anybody have an idea how I would find a good pediatric urologist in my area? LA / Santa Clarita. We have Kaiser, but I am starting to think about paying out of pocket as long as I can go to a doc who actually knows what he/she is doing.

Again, thanks for the help and the kind words. They really helped!

 

[baybee]

One of my intactivist buddies told me yest that the pkg insert for EMLA says it is not to be used on the genitals. I'm going to have to research that. Baybee

 

[Socks!]

Ok, thanks. Please get back to me on that.

 

[Quirky]

Since you're in LA, I would contact Dr. Paul Fleiss, who's an expert on intact/circing and would probably have a better idea than we do of what's the best option and who's the best doctor to see.

If you can't find his number in the phone book LMK, I think I have it somewhere.

 

[Socks!]

@Quirky I've actually tried looking for his number and haven't found it. Could you PM me his number?
I'm hoping he can maybe just give some advice over the phone. We are tight on money anyway. I wish he worked for Kaiser.

Yeah, right, I can sooo see this happening

 

[Quirky]

The sad thing is, I think Edgar Schoen, a huge circ promoter, works for Kaiser, and continues to promote circ through them.

Dr. Fleiss' email is [email protected] - I can't find his phone number right now but I will keep looking for it.

 

[Socks!]

Thank you for the email address. I will send him an e-mail and see, if I get a response.

 

[baybee]

Oh my gosh, the EMLA cream information is much worse than I thought.
Read it at
http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/EMLA/

 

[jessjgh1]

2JungsMama
I hope everything resolves itself with your son and this situation.... hugs to you.

This is an aside....

Yeah, I heard that EMLA was NOT recommended for infants, but then everything I seem to find lately still has it on the recommended list for pain preventative for circs.

Everytime EMLA comes up I always wonder... which one is it???

Jessica

 

[DocsNemesis]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. In all honesty, I would probably have him put under for the surgery. You dont want him to be afraid of the docs or to end up feeling anything during the procedure. I had to have my dd put under in May and believe me, it was scary, but it was the same thing-I didnt want her to be afraid of the doctors (she had to have her tongue clipped).
If you have to do it while he is awake, I would use a topical anesthesia first, let it really start working, then do a local as well. The local stings but I think that with the topical it will lessen it and it is better to make as sure as possible that he cant feel it. I also think he is too young to try foreskin restoration-I have never heard of anyone younger than 16 doing it. Its an interesting idea, but I dont know if it would work and it takes a long time.

 

[pdx.mothernurture]

EMLA numbs only very superficially, and is completely inadaquate for the most painful parts (separation of glans & foreskin and the clamping) of circumcision. I can't imagine it would be any more effective for meatotomy. And a local (injected) anesthetic is itself painful (like a beesting) to administer.

My dss (now 15) had meatal stenosis and a meatotomy under general anesthesia as a toddler. General anesthesia is always a scary proposition, but at least you know that they are completely unaware and painfree during the actual procedure. Dss still remembers how much it hurt to pee for awhile after the surgery though. I'm sure a topical anesthetic ointment or spray-or, letting him pee in the bath or with water running over his penis (like from a peri-bottle like mommas use post partum) to dilute the urine-might help with that.

His surgery was a long time ago, and I hadn't met his Dad yet so those are all the details I can share. Good luck to you guys, and I'm so sorry you're going through this. If meatal stenosis was never mentioned as a risk of circumcision, you may want to contact Attorney's for the Rights of the Child (ARCLAW: http://arclaw.org/ ) for legal advice/referral. Meatal stenosis is incredibly common, occuring in about 1/10 circumcised boys.

HTHS...

Jen