Doc said DS isn't in pain but scared of pain - anyone ever heard anything like it?

[MumWith2Boys]

DS2 aged 2 had balinitis a few weeks ago. He's had cream and 2 courses of antibiotics but even so didn't seem to be getting any better - still crying with pain and holding himself, so we've been back to see one GP after another. But not getting anywhere.

Because this has been going on for so long and he's been so upset / sore we decided to pay privately and go see a urologist yesterday.

To cut a very long story short he told us that DS's balinitis has long gone. He isn't in pain. We mustn't make a fuss when he says it's sore. We're just to tell him he's all better. Basically he reckons it's all in DS's head - that he's scared of being in pain after being ill.

Does this sound right to you???

completely different but ds (also 2) makes a huge fuss whenever he needs a poo, saying that it hurts. he was constipated and it probably did hurt. he's not now and is still taking laxatives but is scared of going for a poo.

hope he gets over it soon

It can happen. When dd was in hospital last year she met a girl who had been terribly ill with (I think) salmonella and had developed psychosomatic pains afterwards. I would add that the treatment involved recognising that her pain was real to her and reassuring her.

On the other hand, we were told that dd's joint pains were psychosomatic when in fact there was an underlying physical problem that took years to diagnose.

What I would do with your ds is to have a very brief recognition ('dear, dear, quick hug'- well, you won't want to kiss it better- though maybe you could do what Swedish mums do and blow it better?) and then change the subject. But sound as calm and relaxed about it as you can.

I think Cory's right. His feelings may not be caused by physical pain right now, but they are genuine and it must have been a very nasty experience for him. So, personally, I'd do what she suggests.