[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by RJK at 11 Mar 2001 22:54:27: Re: Thanks? Not Just Yet
As an answer to: Thanks? Not Just Yet written by Charles II at 10 Mar 2001 23:51:24:
>PROBLEM>> At the age of around 14 or 15 I developed a[n]infection... After this, I was no longer able to retract my foreskin - I had developed what I now realise to be phimosis... I am now 27, and have lived with the problem ever since...
> I have been too afraid and shy to visit the doctor for a full examination and cure. I have also tended to reject [most sex and] it is just the psychological factor of not being normal that causes the most distress. I am certain that I will continue to be sexually inactive as long as my problem persists...
>I really do not fancy the prospect of circumcision or any other surgical procedures which involve scalpels. I actually feel some 'relief' in knowing that my problem even has a name!
>RJK REPLY> I think its good you've decided to let a doctor look at the problem with the idea of fixing it. At the age of 27 it's high time you have a healthy, totally functional penis. I don't think it's a good idea for you to be dead set against surgery of any sort. A full circumcision may not be necessary, but a short dorsal slit accompanied by a careful probe to free the foreskin of any adhesions to the glans could be extremely helpful. If you checked out the correspondence on this site, you've probably already got a pretty good idea of some of the options. Best wishes, RJK.
>CII REPLY: Not so fast. This poor guy has grown up a virtual sexual cripple, and after 27 years is -not- on his way to getting the problem fixed. True (and equally sad), he is far from being alone. There is a whole subculture of victims that have never known normal sexual function and go on 'living' (if you can call it that) in pain. What is necessary here is nothing short of bold and immediate action. He must start right away, and set a 'reasonable' amount of time for any non surgical cures to bring complete relief. Failing that, such a severe and prolonged case of phimosis -probably- does call for surgery. On the bright side, in most cases like this, sufferers report that fear of the cure -was- worse than the disease.After 27 years, it doesn't seem reasonable to accuse this guy of going fast. If a cream shows promise and actually begins to work within a reasonable time, okay, but if nothing positive has happened after this reasonable interval (say 2-3 weeks), then it's time to proceed more drastically and, I repeat, a short dorsal slit is likely to solve things totally, and to do so within a very short time. Other corresponndence in this forum confirms what I've said here. There is, of course, no cause to be knife-happy or to act precipitately, but neither is there justification for continuing an unproductive course for any time after one has learned that it is not working. Best wishes, RJK.