[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Rood at 07 Dec 2002 03:55:00: Re: Good results - betamethasone
As an answer to: Good results - betamethasone written by Frankie B. at 07 Dec 2002 02:24:25:
Hey, Frankie, congrats on the retraction. It's always heartening for me to learn that someone has succeeded where I failed. I take it that you had a fairly preputial orifice to have stretched so quickly.
I'm a bit puzzled, however, over the problem with your "aim". I had the same problem when I couldn't retract...the preputial orifice seldom lined up with the meatus, causing no end of problems. To "play safe", I usually sat down to urinate. You may have to do the same, until you become accustomed to your new circumstance. You might practice in the shower...aim for the little drain pipe. That way any "misses" can be efficiently cleaned up. Remember that you had 37 years of practice the other way, so give yourself a break. It's a fairly minor problem, after all, considering the devastation circumcision might have presented. Smile and find joy in the process. You are really very lucky, after all. Rood
>I've been following the forum for some time, having had phimosis all my life. I'm 37 years old.
>Not wanting to go see a doctor - as much for the embarrassment as for the desire not to have to go through a cirumcision, I discovered that the topical steroid lotion I was prescribed to treat a case of persistent flaky scalp was actually a 0.1% solution of betamethasone ( the brand name in the UK is "Betnovate").
>As an experiment, I began to apply a daily dose of the betnovate to the opening and the outside of the foreskin (I diluted it by 50% with water to the 0.05% concentration recommended here and elsewhere). The results were excellent - within one week, I was able to stretch the opening and pull the foreskin about 1/4 inch down the glans. Within 3 weeks, I was able to fully retract the foreskin for the first time ever.
>The feeling was quite uncomfortable at first, with a lot of tightness around the base of the glans and where the frenulum joined the glans. The glans itself was incredibly sensitive at first as well. Over time, and with the help of some long soaks in a hot bath, things are much more comfortable now. A real result. Thanks to the forum and to the contributors here for scholarly advice.
>The only problem I have now is that urinating has become a pretty messy affair. There is no way to predict which way the stream will go - not a problem when I'm standing at a urinal, but a nuisance at home. I guess my "aim" will improve with practice. However, any advice from others who have had to "relearn" the fine art of correct grip-and-aim would be greatly appreciated....
>Frankie.