Personal Stores Archive #15

Date:

July 31, 2003

Story

Well about the start of June when was I first noticed anything and that was lots of pain!!! Mine seemed to come on quick or it was there and nothing I never noticed. I went to a local clinic on a Tuesday and the doctor there gave me some antibotics an told me if it got worse, to goto the hospital. Two days passed and the pain was unbearable, so I went to the ER on the Thursday. The doctor there froze the area, cut it open and drained it. That was one of the most painfull things I have ever went through. Freezing and dermerol didn't cut the pain that much. I was to return to the hospital for a few days for gauze packing until a home nurse could be aranged. On Saturday while at the hospital, the doctor on duty didn't like the looks of it and called in a surgeon for a consult. She took one look at it and admitted me to the hospital. That night I went for surgery and she put me under (thankfully) and cut it open and drained more of the area that was missed by the first doctor. I spent the next day in the hospital on some IV antibotics and pain killers. I returned home to have a home nurse come and change my gauze packings everyday. I've been doing my sitz baths, showers, eating well, everything. She started with 40cm of gauze around the middle of June and as of this Monday was down to 3cm. I went back for a follow up to the surgeon on Tuesday and she noticed a new one forming already and told me to come back in a few weeks to see how it's doing and possibly have more surgery to have the sinus removed. By last night I could feel that pain starting again. Today when my nurse was here, she noticed it has doubled in size and she contacted the surgeon and I have another appointment tommorrow. So I will have to see what happens but I am not looking forward to going in for more surgery and repeating another month and a half of the nurse changing the gauze everyday.

Jay, leaning over his keyboard in Ontario.

Date:

July 29, 2003

Story

After reading your web-site I have to say I am glad there was no such site when I was diagnosed with a pilonidal cyst 30 years ago. I would have been terrified. Information is good but it should be kept in perspective. I was 16 and had a very bad infection develop. The doctor told my parents to have the cyst surgically removed. A general surgeon did the surgery, the incision was closed, not left open, and I was back to normal within 6 weeks (a small lesion did take some time to totally heal). I have never had another second of trouble with it, no reoccurrances, nothing. I do have a 5 inch scar but the operation and recovery was not bad at all. Had I known all the possible bad outcomes I would have been a wreck, luckily I didn't and the whole ordeal was taken care of with hardly any fuss or bother. My advice to anyone with this problem is to get it surgically taken care of.

Date:

July 28, 2003

Story

First and foremost I found your site very informative as well as somewhat calming in the face of having this thing excised.

When I was 18, one day I sat at my job doing tech support, and it was rather sore and hard to sit. I found this kind of weird but not really disturbing, so I ignored it. This wasn't an issue again until maybe 2 years later, while I was in school. I was never big on medicine and doctors but tried to be analytical about it. I thought it could be any number of mysterious ailments that would dissapear over time with impeccable hygiene and better diet. Neither did the trick, and maybe 5 months later, it became infected.

The worst part was the drainage. I must have ruined 10 pairs of boxers that way, as well as work shorts. My job has a lot of sitting to standing and vice versa, so that doesn't help matters either. I broke down finally and went to an ER, and got the diagnosis. He said it was too small to lance and drain, but put me on some antibiotics (Flagyl, I believe) and reccomended sitz baths. The meds killed the flareup but not the cyst itself. I finally, after a referral, saw my General Surgeon, who suggested excision. He calmly answered all my questions. Very reassuring.

Day of the surgery came without incident. I don't remember anything, really. I was very uncomfortable right after, but it got better as time went by. I was lucky, no gauze packing for me, I got the sew job instead. Less maintenance, but higher rate of infection. As of right now, i'm waiting to get unstitched, where i'm told that once thats done ill be almost back to normal. I'll add anything else later.

-G.T.

Date:

July 27, 2003

Story

Maybe I am just Lucky! I was about sixteen years old and one-day blood and this horrible smell was coming from my boxer shorts. I think it was a terrible bus ride that started my cist to drain. I never had a visible cist just two holes that drained. I thought for a while that aliens were abducting me. Then I started researching and found this site. I started to clean my bum everyday with Dial Antibacterial soap. After two years it has slowly stopped. Now it does not drain anymore and I can actually lie on my back without discomfort. As I head off to college I hope I never have a recurrence of my cist. I still have two holes and clean with my dial soap everyday. I know a lot of you will be kind of upset with this story but I feel better knowing I am not alone.

Jay, 18, Pa

Date:

July 27, 2003

Story

I didnt know why I had that pain, and felt pretty bad about it, I'm not dirty, what is this? I let it go for as long as possible, until it got to the point where I could no longer sit, or lie on my back, and walking faster than a crawl was excruciating, unfortunately, I had no medical insurance, and was forced to go to an urgency clinic. The doctor said that I had a pilonidal cyst and that it was absessed (oh, I hope is spelled it correctly, sorry if I didnt" he gave me a few shots of lidocain and lanced it. I must stress to any of you with this problem, GO TO A GOOD DOCTOR, please, dont allow someone less than qualified to perform this surgery! I've given birth to two children, one without medication, and this was worse, I vomited and passed out from the pain, it was that bad, possibly because I had let it reach such an extreme point. I had 8 years of no problems, but unfortunately, it has come back, same place but this time I'm going to do what I should have done back then, I'm going to a colon/rectal (eeew, those words give me the creeps) specialist, so that I can get taken care of correctly. Have to be honest I'm nervous, pain is not my friend, but hopefully this time it will be different, guess I'll have to let you know. I'm just so happy to know that this is a disease, and that it wasnt because I was "dirty".

Date:

July 26, 2003

Story

I remember throughout childhood, once in a great while, a small lump would appear to the left of my tail bone, and it would be sensitive to sit on depending upon the furniture. I remember also, a very subtle discharge could be felt or dicovered later on. Then, 20 years later, while practicing martial arts in the dojo, my partner accidentally made a little contact with a spinning hook kick that landed right on the spot of the lump. The pain was incredible - I thought he must have chipped my tailbone. This was the beginning.

Soon the area was swollen, and very painful, under increasing pressure. I went to the doctor, and they told me of my cyst. My partner's kick must have broke it open / 'activated' the cyst into a more prominent place in my life. It was hugely infected and swollen and painful. The doctor lanced it, and out came a flood of blood, pus, and fluid.

For the next several months, the newly opened cyst would often become infected. I would squeeze the cyst and out would shoot a stream of blood, or pus, or both. Over time, the flares up have become much farther apart in. Sometimes, it will go "dorment" and kinda disappear from the scene. But then, I'll notice a slight burning in the area, and I'll know that soon, the cyst will tell it's stories, and eventually reveal it's secrets. My wife enjoys doing the "surgery", and it can be a very rewarding experience when the "drainer" 'works' the sometimes stubborn cyst until it breaks.

When I first learned about my cyst - I was alarmed, and a little worried. But over the years now, the cyst has become more of a hobby, a release, a companion, even a friend. I know this account may sound a little strange, but hey, make the most of the pilonidal cyst - it is almost always a relatively safe, if sometimes demanding little friend.

Sincerely, Bill Ruppert, (and Mr. Cysty)

Date:

July 25, 2003

Story

this site was right helpful. i learned a lot about this painful thing in my ars. i am currently on anti-biotics. last pill today. so we will see in the next few days to see if the cyst is gone or not. my tailbone doesn't hurt anymore, but there is still a tiny little bump, about the size of a small marble.hopefully it was caught early, so i won't need surgery. i was reading up on some of the surgical procedures, and they made me quiver. but i know i can always turn here for support. thanks,

janne. toronto.

Date:

July 25, 2003

Story

Hi, I am Maria and i'm a 17 year old gal from Mexico city. I noticed a lil wet thing on my underwear some times about 6 months ago but i dissmissed it. After some months i told my mum, who is a doctor and she checked it out, she told me it was a pilonidal cyst but she said it was so small i could have it excised by a dermathologist. The cyst continued having this greenish thing like puss (eek)... so two weeks ago we went to the dermatologist and she checked it out and told me.. i dont know exactly what it is but we can remove it tomorrow, and u'll go home the same day, its gonna be so wasy.. so i was quite happy; my mother told me.. we should have a 2nd opinion, lets go with a surgeon. so we did.. and he checked me out and said: omg u got 3 cysts and these need surgery and 3 weeks of healing.. thank god we went with this surgeon otherwise i dont know what would have happened. these little holes were infected so my mum gave me some medicine ( antibiotics? the next day. I had the excision surgery 4 days after that apointment and.. omg i was so nervous.. i had the epidural anesthesia...after the surgery as usual i was feeling kinda bad and tired but the thing here is that the doc. he didnt leave the wound opened, they closed it by sewing it. i spent 3 days at the hospital with local anesthesia, a catheter?sp-- and lots of care. the hospital and the nurses and the doctors were amazing which is great cos i thought in mexico we didnt have such good institutions.. so now im back home.. i've been like this for 10 days.. i am better everyday with painkillers its so unconfortable and frustrating but this is great and i pray they dont come back. next month im moving to candada so i wann be healthy and everything. the wound is closing by now, healing.. not already healed but its on its way and im happy to have a doctor at home. PPL PLEASE.. HAVE THE CYST REMOVED there's no better thing than that. I wish u all luck!

Date:

July 24, 2003

Story

Wow....this site is very helpfull.I am planning to have the surgery in about a month im just waiting for my crappy health insurance to kick in.Basically i am curious to find some other people that have dealt with this disease or are dealing with it now.I would love to meet some people in the seattle area...or anywhere for that matter.I would enjoy befriending some new people because i know that i will have a more positive outlook about everything after recieving the surgery.For I have had this problem for well over 2 years and find it hard to meet people who understand and dont have a problem with it.I am a completely normal guy and would love to meet some new people. Thank You for this wonderfull site and the ability to reach out to similar people.

Date:

July 23, 2003

Story

WOW! This is a great site!

Anyways, I was suffering from this painful menace for around 5 years. When i was in highschool i had an accident in which i fell onto my tailbone. Soon after that incident I had a painful area around my tailbone and it would sometimes get swollen, but i dismissed this at first because it would always go away and never drained. But, I soon realized that each episode would get more and more painful, so i made a trip to the hospital. The first visit was meaningless because i thought that i had broken my tailbone and they took x-rays but nothing became of it.

The second visit to the hospital was around 2 years later, on June 11 2003, also left me with no answers. I was given a laxative and some keflex and told to contact my doctor about a change in my diet because they thought i had an impacted bowel.The next day i went back to the doctor, because i could barely walk or move my legs, and they immediately found out that i had a Pilonidal Cyst. It was then drained, which was extremely painful,and told me to go and talk to a surgeon. I had my excision on July 09 2003, and i'm still healing, it's only been two weeks but i already feel better. The first week was the worst but i'm feeling like it was well worth all the pain now. I've had a nurse come to pack my wound once a day, because my wound was around 8 cm deep, and it's healing beautifully now.

The moral of the story is if there's is anyone out there that is suffering with this painful cyst HAVE THE PROCEDURE DONE. Yes, it will take 8 weeks of healing time, but most likely you've already suffered with this for years and 8 weeks will seem like no time at all.

Andrea, Chicago, IL.

Date:

July 22, 2003

Story

I noticed a red, swollen, and sometimes painful area around my tailbone area about three years ago, but didn't take it seriously until it began "draining". The draining, at first, was very sporadic (once every few months). It wasn't until it was on an every other week basis that I scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist. The dermatologist didn't know exactly what it was, unfortunately, and perscribed Keflex and told me to come back if it happened again. I returned to the dermatologist, and saw 2 different ones, and was perscribed Keflex over and over again until it was finally concluded that it was a cyst of some sort. Local surgery was performed (which was surprisingly not as painful as expected), but my cyst unfortunately swelled up and drained a week after the stitches were removed. I returned to the dermatologist, was given MORE Keflex, and was referred to a general surgeon to have this problem taken care of.

All of the release forms, waivers, percautions, etc. behind dealing with outpatient surgery scared me more than the actual procedure did; needles, tubes, stitches, and all. I woke up from the anastesia with an allergic reaction (vomiting) and felt as if I had a diaper strapped on me.

I was very careful during my "recovery" period and avoided sitting (for the most part) until my stitches were removed.

Now, six months after surgery, I noticed a small swelling area slightly lower than where the original cyst was. I immediately went back to the surgeon and was given Cipro and was told to soak it in warm water every night. He said it would hopefully go away, but I'm doubtful of it due to this odd and pessimistic relationship that I have developed with my backside.

I'm hoping that a complete change in my lifestyle (bathing in warm water, sitting differently, shaving the area) will prevent this "infection" (as the surgeon called it) from draining and forcing me to undergo surgery again.

Date:

July 21, 2003

Story

Sasha,

Hi, I've been reading your site for at least a year or two. I have had recurent polinidal cysts for the past twelve years. Initially, I had the flap surgery done, but to not avail. The cyst returned and I had it periodically lanced.

On June 4, 2003, I underwent surgery again. It's been another inconvenient 8 weeks. Here's what I've learned from my experience with a pilonidal cyst.

There are four things I believe that are generally related to its recurence.

1. Stress - My flare-ups always occur under stress. I started using stress-tabs with zinc. Try to eat fish twice a week. Start thinking of beef as a luxury food. Trust me, you'll enjoy it more. Americans tax their digestive systems too much. This is so because the American diet is so varied and Americans usually eat large portions. When you tax your disgestive system, you lower your immunity. Get used to eating very small portions; it won't mitigate your energy unless you are a professional athlete.

2. Hygiene - I have always exercise a lot, sweat and dirt are aggravating factors. Doctor's recommendation is always cover up when exercising in health clubs. Give up the tanktops. Gyms are the filthiest places. Towel dry your tail really well and apply powder, which absorbs water.

3. Hair - Surgeon reccommends hair removal. I'll have this done upon healing. I'll report the results in a year or so.

4. Prolonged sitting - I can not help this and it drives me crazy. I'm a PhD student and sitting is part of my life and career. Be aware of your posture when sitting!!!. If you sit up straight, this takes the pressure off your tailbone. I use a cushion. This is embarrassing as hell; people think I have hemmorroids. Get used to it or pay the consquences.

I would also note whether you tend to suffer from other dermatological problems such as tinea versicolor, yeast infections, psiorasis, dermatitis, etc. My research suggests that the problem stems from an dermatological immunity weakness. I have tinea versicolor and what do you know? The two usually go together. Rationally, they could have separate origins but be facilitated by stress or injury. You may recall this problem was brought to public attention during the Second World War (Jeep-Riders Disease)when several thousand soldiers were treated.

Thanks so much for developing this informative website. Pilonidal cysts are very difficult to live with, not to mention embarrassing. You try to skirt the question by noting that the problem is your tailbone and not your anus. Best to all P.C. sufferers.

Sincerely

J.D.

Date:

July 17, 2003

Story

Cool site Sasha

Typical Pilonidal sufferer here. 29 yo, white guy, not fat, but HAIRY AS HELL!!

Had my first flare up when I was in HS, finally dealt with it 3 years into it. I was pretty stupid about it, as it was draining a good part of that time, and yet I just stuck some toilet paper in my underwear and went about my business hoping it would go away.

Got it excised in outpatient center. Think Dr. Buttmunch sewed me up as I don't remember "packing gauze".

I thought it was totally in the past, as I had come to laugh about my experience as a "dirty assed bastard"....I'm not laughing any more.

It's back with avengence, and I am getting ready to guy buy some Nair. Had my first scalding hot bath last night, and it brought back old memories.

Ah, I got 8 years of cyst free living, time to go get cut again...

Date:

July 16, 2003

Story

My name is Weston Fisher and I'm 19. About 18 months ago I discovered my pilonidal cyst when a wet spot would appear on my toilet paper that was coming from an area near my tailbone. I waited far too long to get it check (6 months) because I was not experiencing any discomfort and I happen to have no sense of smell and was therefore unaware of any possible odor. When it was diagnosed, I opted for immediate surgery. I had the surgery less than a month later. After going to college for my first semester I noticed that I was not healing. I had recovered to a point where I was comfortable in most situations, but the wound remained. After going to my local health clinic an average of twice a day for 4 months (luckily the clinic was free for students) for wuond cleaning and care, the many nurses and doctors at the facility recommended I see a specialist and I had to undergo further surgery. The physicians were not able to see any recurrence of the cyst, but were forced to assume that it was the problem. After my second surgery, I had a much bigger wound. Now, 8 months later, I still have a multiple open wounds that are draining and while I again recovered to a certain point, it appears I have stopped healing. I am about to go overseas and then back to school where I will continue what I have started feeling is a life long healing process. I have seen many doctors and nurses and nobody can explain why I still have open wounds in the area. I have had blood work done and have no history of healing problems. If anyone has any questions or advise, I am very eager to hear from you. -Wes

Date:

July 15, 2003

Story

Hello,i am 15 yearsold,i will be 16 september 12th. Last summer at 14 y/o i was doing like 5 crunches a day,about end of june i thought i pulled my tailbone but i had severe pain for a month.my mom couldnt persue me to go to the doctor till september 11th,i was put on anti biotics,through out my freshman year i kept getting blood/pain... my friends encouraged me to have surgery. my cyst isnt that bad but my surgery it next tuesday on july 22nd, this weekend im going to Loudon,New Hamp. to see nascar... every time i wear white pants/shorts it always bleeds. i'm more scared of the healing process, i was hopeing to get my permit this september and my liscence by may.i dont do too well with medical stuff, i have break downs just going for a physical!!! I thought im kinda healthy just a lil over weight,i always thought i wont need surgery but i found that out the hard way.Sometimes i feel like im just being selfish but this will be my first surgery,and im sooo scared,this website has helped a lot but im nervous because i was due for my period on the 11th but i havent gotten it,with my luck im gonna have my period when i have surgery and i kinda like to have my period be personal!!! i also kinda dont like to be waited on!i love to shop and i wont be able to for a while at least thats what im thinking. I'm hopeing i never have this problem again,and i guess i wont be dancing any time soon. I hope next summer i get to go swimming and have more fun! Yesturday morning we went to Maine,3 hours drive!! my cyst was killing me,we went to see family,we stayed for 3 hours,then 3 hours in the car again!ugh!i'm so scared. Thanks for this website it helped a lot,in health this past year,the teacher,she was so nice,she also helped encourage me to have surgery,but this website has helped but i'm still scared sence i'm only 15... Sincerley Erin from MA.

Date:

July 13, 2003

Story

My name is Chrissy and i'm 23 years old. My first pilonidal cysts came when I was 13. I have had 8 opeations on my tailbone. The last was the past April. My surgeon has told me that he will not operate on me anymore. I have seen 5 surgeons in the past. I have just recently seen another one. He wants me to have a skin graft done, which will leave me deformed. He wants to take out all the infected tissue and instead of letting it close together and heal, he wants to put the skin graft there. Which will leave like a little valley there. He says there is still a chance that it could come back. But he said that it would more than likely come back if I had a rotation flap done. Has anyone else heard of having a skin graft done to "fix" this problem? With the skin graft operation I will be in the hospital for 2 weeks and then home for 2 months of recovery. I guess if there is a chance that this will fix it then I have to take it.

Date:

July 11, 2003

Story

I'm an Asian male in my mid-30s. I've had this cyst for about 5 years and it would flare up every 4-6 months and more frequently recently. I thought all along it was just some kind of acne that refuses to go away. I finally saw a surgeon who told me about p.c. and advised to have it removed. I had my outpatient surgery last week. They put me under general anesthesia for about 30 minutes (the deepest, most peaceful sleep you'll ever experience) and there was surprisingly little after-effects. (It was a far cry from another outpatient surgery I had 7 years ago where I was vomiting and felt dizzy for hours afterwards. The anesthesiologist said they use better drugs these days.) Three days ago my doctor removed the bandage. After I left his office the wound started to bleed profusely and it wouldn't stop no matter how much gauze I put over the wound. After six hours of this (I must've lost 2-3 cups of blood), I paged my doctor. He told me to fill the cavity itself with gauze. I then realized that's what he meant when he instructed me earlier to "pack" the wound. I thought packing meant only to put tightly large amounts of gauze OVER the wound, not IN it. Anyway that did stop the bleeding. His other instructions are to take a 15-minute warm bath twice daily then pack it. Sticking your finger into the wound cavity is by far the worst part of this routine. Just thinking about it makes me queasy. Anyway the wound is now slowly healing. There is still some fluids coming out (mostly clear but with small traces of blood which I was told is normal). Thanks to this board, I learned other things my doctor didn't tell me, like keep the cavity clear of dirt and debris (I high-pressure rinse it after my bath - thank God for handheld showerheads), that taking vitamins A, E & C helps in healing, etc. My doctor said he was able to get all of the cyst out and that he didn't think it would recur. I sure hope he's right although this board suggests there's no 100% assurance.

Date:

July 10, 2003

Story

This website has been a major help to me. The quickie version of my story: Two months ago, at age 30(I'm female) I had my FIRST minor flair up. It was no biggie, no pus, no cysts, just redness & painful to sit. It went away after a few days. In June I had my second flair up. This was a monster flair up! For three days I couldn't sit, lay on my side.... it hurt to walk. I had a fever of 102. On the third nite the pus came. Ick. This is when I got on the web & searched out tailbone troubles. I found this site & called my Dr the next day. Last week I had day surgery. They gave me a saddle block(spinal). The Dr said this is better than general anesthesia because you get more pain relief after. It took about 6 hours before I could feel anything. (the downside was they had to cath me because I couldn't pee- I don't know if going general would have prevented that thrill of a lifetime). My post op instructions were to remove the packing two days after surgery & clean the wound with Hydrogen Peroxide two times a day. I've done this & today had my first follow up with the doctor. He says I'm healing great & should continue cleaning the site with Hydrogen Peroxide until the site closes. Frankly, this last day the site has been itching like crazy. I have another follow up in two weeks.

The pain is pretty much gone, sitting in the wrong position can cause pain(unfortunately I figure out what the wrong position is after I sit in it), and sitting for long periods gets to me, but otherwise I am sooo happy I didn't wait. My only fear, after reviewing this site is that I may have to go thru this again! Definitely one sequel I want to miss. The doctors weren't very informative(of course I could have asked more questions), most of what I learned I learned here. DON'T WAIT ACT NOW! Best of luck to everyone else.

Date:

July 10, 2003

Story

I am the poster "child" for P.C.'s and am here to tell you that from my experience, you should a) never delay any treatment or surgery if you have the time and cha-ching. b) never, ever believe that it will just "go away" and thus avoid dealing with it. I became an expert at delay. it is a mistake, plain and simple.

I am so pleased to find the information stream on p c's and have been a sponge for days, reading. thanks to all and I will try to help with an abbreviated story.

I am a 42 yr old white mail with typical characteristics and perhaps genetics for the ordeal I have endured. I have off and on (mostly on! :( ) dealt with this malady for well over 22 years. I began with the normal symptoms as an 18 to 19 year old and I believe I am my worst enemy for still dealing with this bloody mess after all these years for waiting as I did in the eary stages. (side note... both of my brothers had problems too but had early, early treatment with lancings etc.. and have never had problems again. (the "lucky ones"???) I, on the other hand, waited untill I had such a bad infection and cyst, ( I had always been able to "cure" them on my own before) it was like sitting on a softball. the day I was lanced I had a temperature of slightly over 103! needless to say I had stretched the limits of common sense. The thing that is still dissapointing to me and after all these years and seems to have not changed a bit, is the lack of information by doctors, and (my impression only)a lack of understanding the embarrassement connected with a puss-draining rear. I had surgery after my infection was gone, over 21 years ago. I had severe channeling (sinuses, fistula's you name it!) and was left with a world class canyon for a butt cheek. As "unspoken" as this malady is in the new millenium, imagine what it was like in the very early 1980's. the one technique I have not seen mentioned during my "new-found" research is any mention of the use of Silver nitrate which was used to inflict enough pain to my posterior that I believe it is a strong reason that I have never gone back to have my condition "fixed" again. Siver nitrate was used in an attempt to cauterize (sp?) my wound and to aid in the healing. (Imagine a long- red- hot-flaming cuetip stuck squarely into your wound.) yah baby, that feels, good, when can I come back for more. Needless to say, and to end this before I begin to get sarcastic, my pc has come back, it has come back often, and is back as we speak with a vengeance.

As a Pilonidal cyst sufferer for over 22 years, I can say with little sense of profoundness, I would with out fail, have a "flair-up" if I was near approaching a snowmobile trip (ouch!) a trip to Mexico (Hey, why is your swim-trunks red there?) or a very long car road trip. I currently have no insurance but have never been more ready for an end to my bloody curse (only women bleed, said Alice Cooper, heh! oh yah) and am so blessed to have found a site such as this to educate myself before my next and final (I can believe there could be a 50% fail rate as stated on walts but I choose to be positive) adventure into such a wonderland as is p.c. treatment. PLEASE DO NOT PUT OFF ANY POSSIBLE TREATMENT OR SURGERY, BUT AS OTHERS HAVE SAID, RESEARCH AND ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE, BUT I BELIEVE STRONGLY WE MUST DO SOMETHING PROACTIVE OR IT WILL BE WITH YOU FOR LIFE. DAVE

Date:

July 09, 2003

Story

I recently had my pilonidal cyst removed, and before I tell the, er, tale, I’d first like to thank the creator of and contributors to this Web site! It provided me with information and reassurance when I needed it most. I’m sorry my story is long, but I’m a detail freak, and one of the things that frustrated me most about this cyst was the lack of detailed information about exactly what people went through, from beginning to end, so hopefully all my details will help someone like me out there!

I first started noticing my pilonidal cyst a couple of years ago, and eventually figured out what it was, through a combination of Web research and family stories about my parents’ cysts. Yup, they both had them too, but my brother’s been lucky enough to avoid it! It’s four times more common in men than women, but I was one of those rare few women. I’m 22 (smack in the pilonidal age range, according to my doctor at my university), slightly overweight, sweat a lot, and have thick hair – all ‘risk’ factors for pilonidal cysts.

The cyst would only hurt when I sat down too hard or bumped around in a vehicle on a rough road. Otherwise, it didn’t cause me many problems. I was extremely lucky that I didn’t have the drainage or abscess that many folks experience. My cyst, instead, felt more like a hardened area of skin across the top of my ‘crack.’ It did have a number of enlarged pores in that skin, though, according to my doctor; I couldn’t see them, of course.

The last time it flared up before surgery, it was very painful. It felt hot and inflamed, and sitting was very uncomfortable. Upon recommendations from this Web site, I bought a coccyx pillow at a medical supply store and began using it while commuting (I drive 2 hours each day) and while sitting at work. The pillow did help, but I still could feel the cyst…and I worried a great deal about when it might turn into something much worse. So finally I went to the doctor, who prescribed me antibiotics (Zithromax – I can’t take Keflex) to reduce the inflammation and told me I didn’t need surgery just yet, but no doubt eventually would. The antibiotics helped, along with hot baths, but, of course, they didn’t do away with the cyst completely; the pain went away and the cyst was still there – a dark presence following me around!

Since my work and school schedule permitted this summer, in combination with some good insurance coverage, I decided to go ahead and exorcise myself of this thing. I consulted a general surgeon here in Austin, Texas. He described to me a procedure that I hadn’t heard much about, except from a couple of people on this Web site. He recommended a closed procedure, removing the cyst and the affected skin, and then suturing the edges of the elliptical opening closed. He would then insert a drain tube, which would remain in place, attached to a little pouch outside, for about a week. He said that this procedure resulted in a lower infection and recurrence risk, thanks to the drain, but would also result in much quicker healing time for me. Knowing that I could be out for 8 weeks with the open procedure, I chose to go with this closed procedure.

He did also say that I could put it off. It obviously wasn’t too bad. However, he told me again that it would only get worse, and it was best to take care of it while it wasn’t inflamed (after the antibiotics). If it became worse, I might have to have it drained before surgery, further increasing my time in discomfort and away from work, and it would be harder for him to get it all out.

The surgery was not difficult, although I was really anxious, having never had any surgery before (other than wisdom tooth removal). I did not want general anesthesia (breathing tube! Ugh!) and chose something called TIVA (not sure what it stands for – total IV anesthesia?), which knocked me out, in combination with local anesthesia in the cyst area. A spinal block was not an option, because the location of the injection would be too close to the incision area and present a risk of infection. I fell asleep right away and don’t remember a thing after I rolled over on the operating table (in the “jackknife” position, booty to the sky). I woke up when I was rolled into the recovery room, feeling just fine – no nausea, headache, or sore throat. They gave me some Percocet and I was soon feeling even better!

I went into the hospital at 7 am and was out by 11:30. My husband got my painkiller prescription filled (Vicodin, although I switched to Darvocet later because I got itchy and nauseous on Vicodin). I slept a lot of the day, but felt all right. My only problems after surgery were with the Vicodin; I nearly passed out twice in the two days following surgery, along with other dizziness and lethargy, and was glad to have my husband there with me for the first four days after surgery.

Going to the bathroom and moving around the house were very awkward at first; I worried a lot about my drain tube catching on a doorknob or otherwise getting messed up. I had to empty the drain pouch twice a day and record the output for the doctor to see when I went back to have it removed. Having the tube pulled out stung just a little – I worried about that too – but it wasn’t nearly as bad as it looked, considering it came out of my butt cheek, not the wound! I didn’t know that was how it would work, and it looked very weird. It turned out that I had no reason to worry.

Dressings were very simple with this procedure. The doctor put strips of tape across the actual incision to cover it and hold it together. Then there was a big dressing (with far too much tape, which hurt like a colossal Band-Aid when it came off!), which stayed on for 2 days. After that, I could shower (keeping the wound dry), and my husband put on new dressings (just gauze and tape) over the tape strips on the wound. The tape itched a bit, and my husband very patiently and sweetly scratched for me between dressings, since I couldn’t see where I could safely scratch! After the drain came out, I didn’t need a dressing anymore and could take normal showers, and the tape over the incision gradually fell off too.

The only special things I did nutritionally were to eat very well the week before – totally balanced diet, with lots of fiber (the narcotics will constipate you, so be prepared!) – and taking extra vitamin C. If you take herbal supplements, be sure to discontinue these a week before surgery (Dr. Andrew Weil’s recommendation), as well as Vitamin E supplements, as they can make you bleed more freely. After surgery, I kept up the good diet, with lots of protein and Vitamin C to give my body fuel to rebuild. Exercise wasn’t (and 2 ½ weeks later, still isn’t) much of an option, but I’ll get there soon enough!.

So now I’m happy to report that I’m cyst-free, and, with luck, will stay that way. My surgeon says that the recurrence rate with this procedure is about 10%. I had difficulty finding information on the closed procedure with the drain – even with Medline searches and the such, and even with the nurse at the clinic telling me it’s been done this way for years. At any rate, I’ve been very pleased with my recovery; I feel less sore and more comfortable sitting every day. I’m back at work now, although I still lounge across two chairs on my side for part of the day. I had my stitches out yesterday, and the incision looks great; it’s all well sealed up and not even visible unless I, uh, decide to display that area. It’s just a pink ridge about 2 inches long.

I hope that those of you out there – especially women who might feel self-conscious about mooning a male surgeon – will try to take it in stride and get it over with. I feel so good that I don’t have to worry about this problem anymore; I won’t keep checking to see if it’s started draining, or wonder when I’ll have a good opportunity to take time for the surgery. There’s never a great time for enduring something painful, right? Then why put up with a painful cyst every day? Good luck and best wishes to all!

Date:

July 09, 2003

Story

Hello fellow p. cyst suffers, I am a 22 year old female from NC. Here's a bit of my p.c. history: -'96 lancing -'98 excision of inflected cyst (inpatient hospital stay) -April '03 lancing -July 3, 2003 lancing -July 24,2003 a surgery schduled to remove the uninfected cyst (outpatient)

I could write pages and pages of my p.c. history, but I think the message I want to get across is THERE IS NO ASSURANCE it will never ever come back. I had a huge, major surgery in '98, thinking I was finsihed forever. 5 years later here we are, and I am schduled for another surgery. On a positive note, if this surgery can keep me from having one every 2 months, then it is worth it. I can handle the ordeal every 5 years instead, if I have to. Do not go to the general surgeon or colon/rectum surgeon thinking they are on a white horse come to rescue you. I did, and gave myself a huge disappointment. GET EDUCATED, ASK QUESTIONS, and have surgery. Even if surgery does not completely cure you (which it could) it will at least add more time between you p.c. occurances.

Date:

July 08, 2003

Story

Thanks Sasha! Like most of us, I found out about this dreadful condition the painful way. I had my first 'flare up' Feb '03. I noticed a pain/lump on my tailbone. (I had decided the night before that I should start 'getting in shape for summer' and performed ~300 situps on a carpeted hardwood floor! The next morning I thought I had just overdone it - as you all know - not the case - I had caused an infection-a-brewin'! I spent the first 3 days on my stomach, walking, bending and sitting very carefully until day 3 I couldn't take it anymore and I saw my PCP. He immediately (thank goodness) diagnosed my P. Cyst, wrote a Rx for antibiotics and referred me to a Gen. Surgeon. By the time the G.S. was able to see me, she told me it was "too hard" to incise. Antibiotics 'worked' and I went on with my life. Last month it was back (either a fall on my rump or other rigorous physical activity seems to have stirred it up again)! I skipped the visit with my PCP and went directly to Gen. Surg. (good thing I called early because it took 4 days to get an appt.)! I finally got in and my abcess was huge and painful. The G.S. incised it there in the office - - painful but not nearly as bad as removing the 'dry' packing the next day. I am no physician or nurse but I highly recommend a moist packing! On Day 2 of my packing (by the way, after my experience on Day 1 I insisted on pain medication and I'm no whimp!) the nurse told me that when she changed the bedding from my visit - I had soaked through the pillow with tears (and sweat)..YIKES! Day 2 and 3 on Vicodin were painful still, but MUCH more tolerable. My incision healed like a champ and I'm scheduled for surgery on 8/5/03. The surgeon informed me that she will close my wound and I'm a little afraid (from the stories I have read here). I would much rather pack and heal properly than close the wound and have to go back for more surgery! She did metion that my cyst is VERY small, so maybe that's the reason for the closure. I'll be sure to ask! I'll post again after surgery and let you all know how it went. Thanks again Sasha for this wonderful website. By the way, I am a 31yo, black, woman. And this condition usually affects 16-26, non-black/asian, men!! How did I get so lucky!??

Date:

July 07, 2003

Story

I would like to add my story to provide a little hope to those living with pilonidal cysts, in the hope that they will not be afraid to seek medical help and possibly surgery. My name is Misti, and I am a 26 year old female and I had my first flair up three years ago and I went to my family doctor after a couple of days. He told me what it was (not in detail just the name of what I had) and wrote me a prescription for Keflex, then sent me home in a lot of pain. I had another flair up about 6 months later and when I called for an appointment the nurse at the office told me not to come in that she would call me in a prescription for Keflex. I thought this was normal so I just took the medicine and when the cyst "calmed down" again I didn't worry about it anymore. Just to be clear about this I never had any drainage only what felt like a lump that hurt like hell. I went almost a year and a half without any problems until one night when I rolled over in bed, I knew it was flairing up again. This time I let it go on until I had no other option but to make a trip to the emergency room. There I was told that I had a pilonidal cyst (surprise,surprise) and the doctor told me that I had to have it lanced. After a very painful ordeal I was sent home with pain medication and you guessed it Keflex and the name of a surgeon to see. I went to the surgeon two days later to find out that the incision that the er doctor had made had closed up before the cyst was fully drained so I had to be lanced a second time and let me tell you it hurt. This surgeon told me that there was no need to have the cyst removed because after it was lanced it never returned. I was so happy to hear that. I felt great in a few days and never gave a moments thought to the cyst again, UNTIL a year later when it returned with a vengeance. I was in so much pain that I couldn't walk, sit, lay or stand without crying. I went to a different hospital this time and was properly informed on what a pilonidal cyst was. I was once again lanced and given pain medicine and Kelfex and another surgeons name. I went to this surgeon and was immediately at ease with him. He was wonderful and gentle, unlike the first I had seen. He informed me of my options and helped me make an informed decision, which was to have him do a Z-plasty. I saw him for the next month every week until he was sure that all the infection had been drained and I was totally infection free and he gave me a date for my sugery. I was so nervous about it that I was crying every night. I had had two c-sections prior to this but they were not planned like this, knowing that I was going to be put to sleep and cut open was not something that I would have agreed to normally had it not been for the memory of the terrible pain that I had when the cyst flaired up. So I went to the hospital on the date I was given and I was so nervous that they gave me a Valium. Thank god for that because I was about to get up and leave. I will tell you that what I had to do before the surgery was worse than the actual surgery. I had to have two enemas. After they finished all the pre-op stuff they rolled me out and put me in the pre-op room. I felt like I was floating from the Valium, all I remember is seeing my surgeon beside my bed then I feel asleep and this was while I was still in the pre-op room. The next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery and I felt like I had to vomit like I never had before. I was sick but (and this is the best part) not in pain. I was sick for about two hours and they just let me sleep it off. Three hours later I was up geting dressed and preparing to go home. I had what they call a Jackson Pratt drain in my back to drain all the excess blood and fluid from the incision. The nurse showed my husband and I how to empty it and close it up again. They sent me home with Lortabs and bandages. I was told that I could not lift anything over five pounds and I had to either lay down or stand. NO SITTING. I want to make this very clear since most of what I have read online about these surgerys have been nightmares. I have not been in any unbearable pain since this surgery on June 19th of this year. That is only a little over two weeks ago. They took the drain out a week after the surgery and I just had the rest of my stitches out (I had about 65 stitches) on July 7th and I feel great. I know now that I will probably never again have to go through the pain of having my pilonidal cyst flair up and then having it lanced, there is a slim chance that my surgeon did not get it all, but he is 99% positive that he did. So please take it from me, someone who has been though it and regrets not getting online to look up pilonidal cyst earlier, it you have a pilonidal cyst don't put off what needs to be done which is most likely surgery, it is not as bad as most people make it out to be and you will feel much better when it is over and done with. And most importantly, this is nothing to be embarrased about. Good luck to all you that are dealing with this problem.

Date:

July 06, 2003

Story

im going to add my story later,i do have a problem with the suggestion of good hygiene.you bathe 10 times a day and deeply effected tissue wont respond.thats like saying rub insulin on your skin,it might help.its misleading

Date:

July 01, 2003

Story

Hey there.18/m/new zealand. febuary 2002 i was at work and noticed a slight tingle on my tail bone only to discover at 4 a.m the next morning i couldn't lie on my back . i was 17 at the time 2 days later i had a cyst the size of a golfball drained only because of infection. it had to heal from the bottom up with a nurse coming daily to pack i t with a seeweed type of stuff. they then told me i would need follow up surgery to get the whole thing excised. i put it off for about a year then i got a letter in the mail saying i was due and i thought oh why not and went and had it done. i had 10 small stitches and 3 big stitches on the outside to stop the tearing of the small ones they removed the big ones after only a week and 2 weeks later i was all done. this was 2 months ago and all seems to be well.! Great website well done. Bravo

Date:

June 30, 2003

Story

I am here reading this and I can't believe that so many women suffer pilonidal disease. I have had three drainages and two major operations. I still have it, but control it myself by taking hot saline baths when it flares up. My two sisters recently attended hospital with abscesses under their arms, one sister had hers drained a few weeks ago and had it packed as well. My other sister was in hospital and told she had hiadrenitis supurtiva which now I am after finding it's from the same family.

Date:

June 26, 2003

Story

I am a 38 year old mother of three from Sydney, Australia and I had a pilonidal sinus for around 12 years. I noticed it around the time I had my first child. After progressively getting worse I realised that soon I would have to have it operated on, but I had heard such terrible stories of the aftermath of the operation that I put it off. A year ago a good friend of mine had her pilonidal sinus operated on with great success and so I went to the same surgeon. On April 15 2003 I had the whole thing excised and repaired using the Karydakis Flap method. This involves cutting out all the cyst and then closing the wound with a flap of skin that is pulled over from one side of the buttock, leaving a new crease slightly off centre. It was a surprisingly painless procedure. I had a general anaesthetic. The operation took around 40 minutes. The wound was sewn up with dissolving stitches and covered with a plastic waterproof dressing for 7 days. I could shower normally during this time. When the bandage was peeled off the wound was closed over and healed. Luckily I had no infection in the site, thanks to the airtight bandage. I had to be very careful not to sit or pull it open during the first couple of weeks. In fact, I didn't sit down for 2-3 weeks, but now, 2 and a half months after the operation, I am able to sit down without discomfort. This is the first time I have been able to do this for many years, as I always had a niggling sensation whenever I put pressure on the sinus. The surgeon who performed my operation is highly skilled. He is a colo-rectal surgeon and a Professor of Surgery and he has been carrying out this operation for 10 years. He assured me that the operation has a 95% success rate and over the years he has carried out the operation he had not seen a recurrence of the pilonidal sinus using this method unless there were complications during the initial healing period immediately after the operation. I have a great sense of relief and believe that I am finally cured! My friend is also doing well nearly two years later.

Date:

June 26, 2003

Story

I am reading this site because I appear to be having a small re-occurence. However my experience with having surgery was positive so I thought I would share it. My cyst was the size of a lemon by the time I went to the doctor. I had it excised and had to undergo the packing for quite a while. However it really was not a big deal - uncomfortable, but okay. One thing I haven't seen mentioned was that I wore Depends for a few weeks after surgery - thus I didn't have to worry about discharge or being smelly or anything. This was 15 years ago and I have not had any problem with the site until recently (probably because I have been doing a lot of horseback riding). Don't be too scared of getting the surgery!

Date:

June 22, 2003

Story

I would just like to add my own success story (so far). I am 46 and developed an infected pilonidal cyst for the first time ever (or at least the first time I ever knew about it) in January 2003. Had it incised and drained after two weeks but it was pretty painful for the next three or so. After some indecision in March I had it completely excised with primary closure under general anaesthesia and the healing period afterwards was shorter and less painful - maybe because by the time of the operation all traces of infection seemed to have gone. It's only three months on but so far I'm sitting pretty (always on a coccyx cushion though!) and there is no sign of complications or recurrence. Early days yet but I shall certainly not hesitate to have a complete excision again if I need to. I'm just glad that I haven't had to suffer this while making my way in life like so many of the young people posting here. As a hairy, overweight middle-aged male it helps to have lost all vanity already!

Date:

June 19, 2003

Story

Hello all, It has been two weeks since I had my surgery and already life has gotten better. I admit the fear of a reoccurence is still in the back of my mind but so far my healing has gone off without a hitch. I was diagnosed with the disease almost seven years ago after my first and worst flare up, since then they have all been moderate to annoying. I feared surgery, after reading some of the horror stories who could blame me. But let me just say the thought of never having to worry about guaze pads, smelly discharge, blood streaked boxers, smelly discharge, pain from sitting wrong, smelly discharg, soaking my butt, and smelly discharge is a dream come true. My doctor basically opened the tract(s) and cleaned them out. No sutures, no flaps, just an open hole in the crack of my butt about the size of a golfball. My need for painkillers ended after three days and I could sit comfortably after about ten days. I want to emphasize recovery points: change the guaze at LEAST three times a day, sitz baths, and diet. I cannot stress this enough. I followed all these guidelines to the letter and believe fully they are responsible for my recovery. It is my opinion that many (not all) of the post procedural complications arise from poor wound maintenance and diet. Use this site people. Without it I would never have gone through with the surgery , nor would I have asked the questions I did. Thanks Sasha, for everything!

Date:

June 18, 2003

Story

Hello, My name is Anna. I'm 21 years old and I live in Germany. ( Sorry my English isn't very good so I hope that you all understand me) In May 2002 i had my first operation at my Pilonidal Cyst ( here it is called Sinus Pilonidalis or Pilonidal Sinus Abszess. The wound was as big as an Orange and I had much problem with pain. Then the Wound was getting smaller and looked very good. A few days after Christmas my Mother looked at the Wound and told me that I must go to the hospital again and let the Doctors there look at it. The Doctors told me that they must cut a very thin skin out of the Wound. In February 2003 I had my third operation... the wound was then as big as a walnut. It started to heal right but not for long. Soon it started to heal at the top and the wound under it was still there. Then in April I had my 4. operation with a " Limberg Plastik" they took skin and put it together. The healing was not good at all... and now my Doctor said that he would make another operation. and try it again. I hope that it will be soon over! And that all the pain stops. Take care, Anna

Date:

June 15, 2003

Story

My daughter is 19 and just had her pilonidal cyst removed and has the open wound to prove it. She had been suffering with the awful smell and draining for some time, and a few weeks ago it got so infected that they lanced it. Then she had a painful and feverish week of recovery, on antibiotics, while we waited for the surgery day. The surgery was easy, she had a local with intravenous sedatives (she is a big wuss, so believe me she can't take any pain!) and she had one day on painkillers and now has no pain at all. The only thing is, the wound is large and I have to repack it twice a day. We both get faint, because it is kinda scary looking. She is supposed to go back to college for summer school next week, which is fine except she will have to do the packing herself, and we are not sure she can do it. Its hard to see, and at a wierd angle to do yourself. Anyway, she is thrilled to have had the surgery and to know that she won't have to live with the insecurity of her secret stinkiness. What a relief!

Date:

June 14, 2003

Story

I have already added my story before, which is now transferred to the archives section. I just wanted everyone to know that when this cyst does appear it does not go completely away by just lancing it in the doctor's office. there will always be a sinus cavity there. There is a much better chance of it staying out of your life and off your rear forever with the a complete excision. Another thing, I felt the pain with just the lancing was much more painful than I ever felt it was with the removal of the sinus cavity. I do not know if it is because the surgeon gives you stronger pain medicine or if it is because I was merely used to being poked on, but the surgery was easier to deal with than the lancing in the office. You also have to realize the difference in the sizes of the wounds you are having to pack is as well. All of it with no doubt is an inconvenience. Do not make the mistake I made by getting back in the gym too quickly,lifting things from the ground too heavy, etc. because it will make your wound split open again prolonging your healing. Mine split open three times already. It takes between 9-12 months to completely heal. Your skin there will be all new and you think "looking good" but in reality the elasticity is not the same and it is new skin that needs to be handled with care. You also might want to consider Vitamins A,C,E, and Zinc to help with your healing process. You just have to decide what is best for your body and you. Would you rather walk into a surgeons office every couple of months for a lancing or go through approximately eight weeks of pain with packing and inconvenience to help prevent this thing from ever coming back? I feel the answer is clear because my personal opinion is that I would rather have peace of mind at least hoping when I have a vacation planned or a holiday coming up with all of my friends or family I do not have to think in the back of my mind, "I hope that thing on my butt does not pop up when we are planning to go do this." If anyone would like to ask me any questions on here for me to write you back, feel free. I have had these on and off for three years and nothing really surprises me yet!! :))

Date:

June 14, 2003

Story

Thank you for your website and information to pass along to everyone dealing with Pilonidal Cyst Problems. Our son had surgery 3 weeks ago and we appreciate reading the articles on your website. We had a wonderful Dr. who removed my sons Pilonidal cyst and cleaned the track completely. The surgery was a breeze, it is just the healing process you go through afterwards that is very tedious. It is all worth it and we are happy our son went through the surgery to take care of this. He lived with this problem for over a year and is so happy he went through with it. Thank you and thanks agin for this website!...

Date:

June 11, 2003

Story

Hi. My name is Kellie. I am 17 years old.I first got the cyst in February of 2001. The first three days i had a small amount of pain. Then the pain got worse and worse until I couldn't even sit, stand, lay down, or anything. I couldn't sleep, I cried all the time. So one day my aunt took me to the After Hours Clinic at our hospital, because my mom was having surgery for a histerectomy. They told me it was a boil so they lanced it. They gave me a "donut" and antibiotics and told me to go to my family doctor to have it packed. After months of having that done it still wasn't healing. He said it's probabaly a pilonidal cyst and to have a surgeon check it out. So I went to the hospital and of course I had a pilonidal cyst. YAY. I was schedueled for surgery on May, 29 2001. The surgery went well, I had to have it packed everyday, which mind you hurt a lot. I went for check-up's every two weeks. They said it was healing fine. Then one day it burst open. So I went to the doctor and they said it was another one so I had another surgery on October, 29 2001. This time he sewed it shut. It was painful from the stitches and again they said it was healing just fine. So on May, 9 2002 I had another surgery. This time they left it open . No packing, no stitches. Just open with bandages covering it. So it was doing great. I thought woohoo I finally got rid of it. I had no pain, no drainage, no nothing. Then just last month I was going to the bathroom and when i wiped there was blood. I thought oh great i started my period. But then I felt something on my backside, so I wiped it with toilet paper and where I had surgery was just bleeding and bleeding. So I finally went back to the doctor and I was schedueled again for surgery which was yesterday June,10 2003. I'm in a lot of pain right now. I just want it to go away. I'm going to ask my mom to order the tush cush and I'm going to take the advice from this website. Thank you for making it.

Date:

June 10, 2003

Story

I am 21 years old, and for about two years I had this lump on my tailbone that was annoying mainly because it was always digging into me when I was trying to lie on my back. Got a doctor to look at it, diagnosed immeidiately. Lucky because it was never infected, unlucky because it was half the size of a golfball. Had operation on March 26th. Surgeon amazed by size of cyst. He closed up the wound with 10 stitches, with a further 3 large 'dogbite' sutures to keep buttocks together and keep strain off little stitches. He left a simple drain in the top of the wound. 3 days later dogbites + drain taken out. 2 weeks later all stitches removed. A few days earlier I had began bleeding heavily from hole where the drain had been. The day after the stiches were taken out the blood smelt rotten. I had developed a haemotoma (collection of blood). Back in hospital to have this removed by having it eased out through top half of wound which the surgeon had reopened. Wound was stuffed with caldestat every day. Long, slow, boring process. This has just finished and things are looking good so fingers crossed. I was about 5 weeks out of work and college and have only now resumed sporting activities. The website was an excellent source of information. Fair play!

Date:

June 07, 2003

Story

Apologies for the staccato style, not a good typist. I echo the previous writer's words and say 'much respect' to the Author of this Web site. Suffered for two years, got progressively worse ending with two cysts on opposite sides and very active, draining once a week, usually on a Thursday. Very depressed, affected everything especially love life, Wife enormously understanding. Number of visits to Doctor over this period.... anti-biotics, silver nitrate, no good, eventually referred to Specialist recommending surgery. Meanwhile diagnosed with high cholesterol, low fat diet, lost 35lbs, cysts became inactive and have been for 3 months. Not holding my breath but wondered if anyone else has experienced this, Doc says it's very unusual. Martin

Date:

June 07, 2003

Story

Hi Everyone: Kudos to the creator of this website. I only wish I had known about it before I got my cyst removed! About a year ago I had the surgery: It was a complete excision with primary closure (that means the whole cyst and any sinuses were removed, and the surgical incision was stitched closed). I had the stitches removed 10 days after surgery and have been doing well ever since! I have not had any problems: No infections, no recurrence, and only a small hair has grown back, though no actual cyst again. I suggest primary excision and closure for anyone considering surgery. From what I've read it seems that there are a lot of problems with infection and recurrence when the cyst is merely incised and drained. However, everyone's situation is different, and you should heed your surgeon's advice. I wanted to post my story, because last year, I was terrified of having the surgery. I had had the cyst for years and thought nothing of it: It was an occasional nuisance. However, the thing was infected and I saw my primary doctor who told me it'd have to be removed surgically. I visited a surgeon and we agreed to go ahead with the aforementioned surgery, though I was scared to death because I needed to have general anesthesia, since the cyst was too deep for local, and I didn't want a spinal. On the day of surgery, I had all I could do to keep from crying, especially as the anesthesiologist was prepping my hand for the IV. I was so miserable and in my own place of inner fear. I must say, though, that the doctors and nurses were all very good, and did their best to ease my trepidation. The anesthesiologist was talking to me and the surgeon was cracking jokes, although I was too scared to look at him and see him in his surgical garb. The OR was green, and there was a huge light overhead that was so bright, it didn't even cast a shadow. The last thing I remember before falling asleep was the oxygen mask placed on my face. Suddenly, it seemed like a second later, I was awake in the recovery room. I felt dizzy and my voice was hoarse, probably because when they give you general anesthesia, they intubate you (place an endotracheal tube in your throat) so you can breathe. But, don't worry: You're asleep when they do it and thus have no recollection of it. I was really nauseous when they wheeled me into the day ward. I couldn't keep anything down and I was dry heaving. They gave me demerol for the pain, though at that point I felt only a little sore. Then I was sent home. The hardest part was the second day: I was in so much pain and had to keep taking the tylenol and codeine (it would've been percoset, but due to my nausea, it was changed to the latter) every few hours. I just slept most of the day. By day 3, I had very little pain. I was out and walking around outside, and I only took my pain pills at night. I was amazed at how good I felt. 10 days later the stitches were out, and I was on my way to putting the mess behind me (no pun intended:)) and starting a new job. If there is anyone out there considering the surgery, please realize that there is nothing to fear! You'll have some pain, but that'll go away soon, and you'll recover quickly. Really, its not so bad.

Date:

June 07, 2003

Story

I got my first pilonidal Cyst when I was 19 years old (I'm now 47). I got the cyst after taking a fall but have since found out that several people in my family have had them (two brothers, an uncle, a grandfather and last year a female cousin who is 36 years old). So I don't know if my cysts were the result of a fall or just run in the family. Since May of 1999 I have had three more cyst operations. I'm just about to get my fourth! This one will be left open for packing for three months. For the most recent 3 operations they excised the first two (those stitches are the most painful thing I've ever had) and the last operation (in 2001) was left open and packed daily for three months. Luckily my neighbor is a nurse but let me tell you, you lose all sense of modesty when your mother, husband and neighbor are standing over you looking at a hole in your butt! I've done a lot of research on this and have complete confidence in my surgeon. I really think part of my problem is I have a job that requires me to sit most of the day (I work on computers). Sitting on one leg at a time has become the norm for me. I think if I could win the lottery and not have to sit all day I'd be cyst-free. I'm dealing with it. It's just a "pain in the butt" But for all those who don't know what to tell people, here's what I say: I have a wild hair up my ass and had to get it surgically removed!

Date:

June 05, 2003

Story

I just want to add a quick message. I was diagnosed with a pilonidal cyst a week after a full day of motocross riding. I noticed it but ignored it until the day it “popped” while doing some physical labor. I searched the web for what it was and went to my primary doctor. I explain to him what it was and he took a quick look. He said it was a common problem and to have it surgically removed. I got my referral and had it removed at the hospital. It is outpatient surgery and a simple procedure. I only “suffered” with it for two weeks before surgery, and three weeks after having it removed. I have had no problems with it since. My suggestion is to get it removed without waiting. I’m off riding my motorbike without any problems.

Date:

June 02, 2003

Story

Hey everyone, I'm going in for my surgery tomorrow at 5:00am. I just wanted to thank everyone for posting their stories and giving me some strengthen to go through with this. I feel like I already know so much about the surgery from you post and story. For everyone that is living with this, stay strong!