Personal Stores Archive #26

Date:

April 30, 2005

Story

Hey, fun reading huh? Okay, here's what happened... I'm a 31 year old male and at least a year ago I felt a bump on the top of my "crack" while in the shower. It didn't hurt. It didn't bleed. It was just a bump. I have kind of cruddy skin so I just thought it was a zit in a really bad place. It stayed there for months without so much as a twinge of pain. Then in the summer of '04 it started to swell and get really painful to the point that sitting was excrutiating. Thinking it was just a zit gone nuts I put up with it. I told my partner at work "I have this really painful zit and I can't sit down." She loved that of course. So anyway, during the summer it burst. I was just so happy it finally didn't hurt anymore I didn't think about it again. I thought it was over. Wellll I was wrong. Now I had a sinus hole that I couldn't see, I mean who goes looking down there? It leaked every so often but I didn't think much of it. Anyway, one day this Feb. my partner says "You had a cyst!" For whatever reason she says she was on WebMd.com "just looking" (she's a hypochondriac) and she came across pilonidal cyst. She makes me take a picture of it (we've known each other a long time) and lo and behold, I had a sinus hole. Very weird. Then I read this website and I'm like "Okay, this is not getting any bigger. No way." So I make an appt with the doc to make it official. By the time I got to the hospital for the surgery I had FOUR sinus holes. I may have just missed them originally but who knows. I'm now on day five after the surgery. It was really not that bad. I think I'm already having infection issues but I can't be sure until Wed. when I see the doctor for a post surgery appt. I've only had to take one pain pill the whole time. I got the open wound surgery so it's very weird taking care of it by myself. Hopefully I'm doing a decent job. Good luck to all who are getting the surgery. It's not as terrible as everyone was telling me. Just kind of... inconvenient. :)

Date:

April 30, 2005

Story

Ok, here is my story. I am a twenty nine year old male. When I was sixteen years old my brother came home from the Army for Christmas. Ofcourse, being young guys we proceded to get hammered on booze all night. When the night was over I had somehow managed to pass out ontop of a rather large phonebook. The phonebook was positioned just so, that the corner was pointing right into the top of my cheeks. Anyways, I woke up the next morning and I noticed that the area was very sore and red. The area continued to get more sore and began to swell. The swelling continued for about a week and a half untill the pain was unbareable. I just kept my mouth shut and delt with it anyways. Finaly, after about a week and a half, the darn thing ripped open the flesh and drain the most horrible stuff on earth. It continued to drain for another week or so. Afterwards it healed up nicely and I never had another problem with it. During the last thirteen years I've noticed that I had a large U shaped lump over the tail bone. It never hurt or gave me any problems, so I just forgot about it. Fast forward to three years ago, while working as a truckdriver hauling fuel, I was hit in the back by a very large fuel loading arm that had swung down off the rack (my fault). The impact nearly sent me to the ground. Within a few days I noticed some swelling in the tailbone area. Once again my back was swelling up again. I was filled with dread because even after ten years, I still remembered quite vividly what it felt like the first time. I didn't know that there was a name for these things, I just thought that I had some weird thing in my back because of my youthfull stupidity. I was not too inclined to have a DR. messing around with my backside as I'm sure most of you are not either. So once again I just delt with it untill it burst. (I have no sinuses to allow it to drain-and yes, I have tried to cut it open and puncture it myself many times). Once while driving a truck in heavy big city traffic, it ripped open. Well I still had a job to do so I just continued on while blood was running down my legs. Fast forward three years, This thing has been coming back every three to four months. Every time I just let it swell up untill it ripps open. This has happened about ten times. (no I don't like pain--yes it hurts like hell- and yes I guess I have a high pain tollerance and too much pride to see a DR.). Fast forward to today. I have an appointment to see Dr. Bascom and once and for all get this damn thing cut out of me. I'll post an update in about a month. I have come to think of this as Bin ladens disease, because so much trama and hell has been caused by one tiny little pain in the ass, that for years has eluded capture. It lies dormant for months or years leading us to believe it is gone, only to spring up and stick us in the back when we least expect it. Not to mention that it prefers to hide out around dark areas where the sun doesn't shine!

Date:

April 30, 2005

Story

Hey everyone, here's my story! About two or three years ago, 2002 - 2003 I noticed a slight pain and went to the doctor. The doctor checked it out and diagnosed me with the pilonidal cysst problem. Well he gave me Cipro 500mg and it went away, I've been fine for almost two to three years. Recently I've had more pain around, after visiting the surgeon recently, he tried to close the cyst using silver nitrate. The cyst was already open and draining at the time of the visit to the surgeon. Well unfortunately that did not work and has only created a worse problem. Now it seems that the cyst is a chronic condition. Constantly the cyst will fill up, then drain, fill up, drain, etc. I am stuck in this loop. I just visited the surgeon today, and he says the best thing to do is have surgery, so I've scheduled surgery for May 12, 2005. We'll see how it goes! I've had this thing lanced before and I can tell you, it is quite uncomfortable. It's ironic because when I went to the ER there was a guy in another room screaming! Well needless to say when they started to lance, I felt everything, I'm not sure why, they even gave me morphine, however I felt every incision, it was the most pain I've ever felt in my life before! Regardless, I was screaming! I'm pretty nervous about having the surgery done, and I hope things will go well. The surgeon plans on closing everything with stitches so I don't need packing but he said he may change his mind while I'm on the operating table. I pray that I will not endure such pain that i've endured before. The only thing I can say to other young males experiencing this problem is to get it checked out immediately, the chances of it going away are not very likely!! Yes it is VERY PAINFUL! But, it's all worth it in the end. I just pray that I will not have this problem again! My surgeon says there's almost a 100% chance I will experience this problem again in my lifetime. I'm only a 21 year old male and I just hope and pray every day that my surgery will go okay and it will not come back. I can not imagine going through the pain I experienced at the emergency room again!!!! Good luck to anyone who has it, this is quite a problem!

Date:

April 29, 2005

Story

I'm a 58 year old female who has been having pilonidal disease/scar problems since I was thirteen. I was born with a hole at the end of my tail bone and when I was 10 I fell on step and the whole thing erupted. Causing my mother to bring me to a doctor which in turn sent me to a surgeon. The doctor scoop out the entire cyst and born tail bone and sutured the incision up. I remembered being in so much pain that I cried the 5 days I was in the hospital.. A year after my first surgery the incision split open and I had to go back to the surgeon.. He started burn the incision with silver nitra on a weekly basis, and told my mother to but me in the bath tub twice a day with hot water and use a bar of soap and scrub the incision until it would bleed. ( I would screem and my poor Mother would cry, tell me if she could take the pain for me she would). The incision final healed and I didn't have any problems until I was playing sports in high school and was kneed on the incision causing the incision to split again. I had to start the hold procedure over again go to the doctor, itc.. The next problem I had was after high school and working when I start having pain near my tail bone and waking up during the night getting aspirins and my sister hearing me cry and she would get me an aspirin until the next morning when I found out that I had taken too many aspirins.. I went to the doctor to get it check and I developed anyother cyst. My mother rest her soul nursed me back with hot compress and love. Now my skin between the rectum and the incision will not stay healed, it bleeds and I have something foul smelling coming out the cut. I been to the doctor and they tell me to pack it with saline solution and gauge and wait for it to heal (I am not a diabetic been checked). Sometimes I get terribly depressed about the problem until I rememeber what my mother told me one time. She said, "Daring just a Christ had to carry the cross, remember this is your cross you have to carry" and this helps.

Date:

April 28, 2005

Story

Hi there. I'm a 16 year old guy from Norway.. For me it all started with a red bump in my crack.. My father told me it was a Pilonidal Cyst at that point (because of my brother and uncle have had this shit) but I didn't believe him.. So I went on, hoping it was just a friendly small wound because of too much sitting. But it started to drain. It was a disgusting thing coming out there. It smelled like hell and looked like too.. So I went for a doctor in September 2004.. She gave me some anti-biotics.. This didn't help at all.. So I went back to the doctor and she sended me to the hospital.. A professional doctor at the hospital told me to wait a couple of weeks to see if the cyst would heal itself... It certainly didn't.. This was in November 2004.. Now it drained even more and was more painful.. So I decided to go the doctor AGAIN.. she sent me to the professional doctor at the hospital once again.. This was in February 2005.. She did a big and excact consideration about the cyst... She decided to send me to a surgery... On 1st April I did the surgery (Exactly 4 weeks ago).. I had a general anaesthetica, and I was pretty shocked when I saw the first pictures of my open wound.. In the start we packed some salt dressings (don't know if it's right spelled or what) twice a day in the open wound. It was a pain HELL to take these dressings out.. They were stick to the wound.. It was terrible.. But after some 4-5 days we started to use the incredible Aquacel... its basically some weird thing that absorbs fluid and turns into gel. Its great. It doesn't stick to the wound or hurt AT ALL.. the only pain was cleaning the Exudate from the wound.. I didn't have a chance sitting in the start and was completely abscent from school for these first four weeks.. Actually yesterday was my first day at school after the surgery.. I have no started to sit.. I can't sit for any longer than 45 minutes.. the wound is probably half the size it was after the surgery.. I hope i'll never get this back, because it's been some of the worst weeks of my life.. Not fun at all.. Now i'll have to be very aware of the hygiene and the hair removal.. And to everybody who is afraid to go to the doctor with this: It probably won't go away, and it will just get worse! Get to a doctor and let him/her tell you what to do! If I remember I will probably write here when my wound is healed..

Date:

April 27, 2005

Story

After finding out i had 2 compressed discs in my back and travelling from the North East of England to Sweden to see a specialist for this problem imagine to my surprise to find a swelling in my lower back. The pain got gradually worse each day and on about the 5th day I couldn't sit or bend down. I put it down to my disc problem but after a phone call to Sweden and a trip to my GP i found out that I had this cyst. I was given a course of antibiotics, which after another couple of days didn't seem to be doing anything. Then on a Sunday afternoon I asked my wife to take a look and what happens next is not what I recommend but she pressed on the swollen area and what can only be described (by my wife) as the worst thign she has ever had to smell in her life came out for a tiny hole at the base of the lump. She kept of pressing and I kept hitting the roof every time, but after about an hour of this the relief was a joy to behold and I nearly went jogging (only kidding) I thought this was the end, but I was quite rightly mistaken. A few weeks later I had the most horrendous flu which kept me bed ridden for 5 days. I lost 14 pounds in weight and felt like S**t !! Then to top it all when I felt a little bit better this lump came back. I went straight back to the doc's and after pleeding with him to send me to the hospital he refered me. But imagin to my horror when he told me it would be 4-6 weeks. The good old NHS. I pleeded some more but he, who obviously has never had ones of these cysts, told me to take yet more antibiotics. On getting home I and my wife made a descision NOT to take the antibiotics and to allow the cyst to get worse and then something might be done. 2 days later and anotehr trip to the doctors but this time I saw a young doctor who suggested we get it sorted out straight away and when I asked him when and he said NOW I could have kissed him. And now 5 weeks after having it removed I feel 600% better and I have more energy than I have had in about a year. I sleep like a baby and I look like I sleep as well and don't have dark rings under my eyes. My advise to anyone who is suffering with this god forsaken affliction. GO TO YOUR GP, IF HE GIVES YOU ANTIBIOTICS DONT TAKE THEM AND GET THE BLODDY THING REMOVED YOU WILL FEEL LIKE A NEW PERSON. I'm not a doctor, but I have had this and it is not nice I still have a open wound in my back, and not to sound to dramatic but I have my life back. I am still going to go and kiss the doctor that sent me to Hospital,

Date:

April 27, 2005

Story

Good lord - it seems like there's a good deal of us around! Here's mine - it's not a scare story so don't worry! About 2 years ago, noticed some discomfort in the backside area when sitting down - I have, well, had, this habit of sitting on a hard chair streched out with all the pressure on my tailbone. I just imagined I'd streched something and forgot it, after about three days it was worse so I investigated - a little prodding around revealed a little lump just to one side of my, ahem, crack - I felt the other side - nothing. So, now I know that it's not bone - so thinking "lump" I trooped off to the doctor who introduced me to the world of pilonidal sinus. For two years I've left it alone - been busy training as an airline pilot - it flared up a couple of times and made itself felt so took antibiotics for a few days and it'd go away again. Anyway, now I'm done with my training and have until a week into june before my 1st job starts, I decided to go ahead with the operation which I'd cancelled a few times. Was in for 23 hours, general anasthetic - and now I'm on the district nurse, packing and dressing routine. I didn't have any pain after the op for for a while afterwards - mine is apparently quite small as these things go - but occasionally it becomes excruciating and I feel like I've been shot. And the smell - I guess of the packing and wound doing their thing - isn't one you'd pay to experience. My dog is fascinated by it however. I'm praying that this'll be at least workable in time for June. I had the op 7 days ago - and have been happily walking around with no problems - it's just the sitting that's a little troublesome. I'll regale you guys with news when there is some! All the best!

Date:

April 25, 2005

Story

Hey. Im a 21 year old girl from niagara Falls,ON.About a month ago,I had started to feel a little bit of pain on my tailbone, but i just figured i had maybe bumped it on something, or sat down in a chair to hard. Well, the pain got worse and worse over the course of only about 5 days.Everybody kept telling me to go to the ER but i was scared,,i couldnt bend over to pick things up, or barely walk,,it was horrible, so i decided to go get it checked. Well, it turned out to be a "Pilonidal cyst" When i heard that word, it was scary to me, as i had never heard of it before. But fortunatley, the doctor advised me that he was going to lance(drain) it, and he said i would feel immediate relief.The worst part about getting it drained was the 4 freezing needles they had to give me in a row,,,,it was awful, i think probably everyone in that hospital that night must have heard me scream!, then they packed me with gauze and sent me home and i had to return every day for the next week to have the gauze changed,,VERY painful when they are taking the gauze out of your open wound,but all in all, i am very glad i had it doen, and a monthn later, after alot of epsom salt baths, i am fine and feel great again:)

Date:

April 24, 2005

Story

Hello. I'm an 18 year old female from Canada, and I'm a last year high school student. I had a pilonidal cyst. I just had surgery to have it removed...about 2 weeks ago (the procedure was done on April 12, 2005). Boy...was I happy, but the thought of surgery...it scared me but I calm down. Now, I was on vacation last summer 2004 in Europe, and I noticed something was wrong when I was sitting down, or lying on my back. A great shot of pain hit me...and I got scared...I thought something was wrong with me. But, I just thought it was nothing so I ignored the pain. The pain went away, then it came back...and then it went away, and it came back again. In the middle of October 2004, I noticed my pants and underwear had been getting dirty. I had even more pain...it was worse than what I've felt before. I even noticed this weird odour...it was dicusting. Anyway, my mother saw what was happening to me, and she suggested we go to the doctor. We went to my doctor, and the doctor told me I have a pilonidal cyst. I didn't know how to take the news...I sort of broke down. So this is the answer to all this, I thought. My doctor suggested that surgery would be the best way to fix the problem...without general anesthetic. My doctor prescribed anti-biotic tablets...but they didn't help. My family didn't want me having the surgery...so I decided to see if it would go away. I was wrong...I waited too many months...and the pain got much worse. I couldn't do exercises I normally did...and I had to miss so much school because of my problem. At times...I was naseous, but I'm not sure if it's related to this. I couldn't bend over...I couldn't sit down properly, and I couldn't sleep with my back flat...I had to sleep on my sides and I always woke up with shouler/arm pains. The leaking got so much worse...it was bleeding too. I had more holes in the cyst...there were multiple openings...from what my doctor told me. So I realized that I'm never gonna get better unless I get the cyst removed. I made an appointment with a general surgeon, and I made an appointment to have the procedure done. My surgeon used local anesthetic, and then she did the procedure. She cut my skin off...where the cyst was...and she let it drain...and she removed the cyst..and she discovered what caused the cyst. I had too many ingrown hairs...and she removed all of them as well. This procedure didn't take long because I had a pretty mild case. It took about 15 minutes. I didn't need any stitching, so all I had to do was keep the wound clean and apply anti-biotic ointment (I used Polysporin "Triple"), and cover the wound with a bandage or gauze. I was back in school after 2 days, and I feel so much better now. My wound is healed now. I'm back to my regular exercises...and I feel really good after a great workout. But, my surgeon did tell me that I might still have ingrown hair deep inside...but they shouldn't be a problem. I thought I was the only one who had a pilonidal cyst in the family...but I just found out that my dad and his sister had one, but they didn't have ingrown hair...they had extra bone or something like that on their tailbones (they had theirs removed twice), and their parents also had cysts, but they never did anything about them. Anyway...I'm glad I had mine removed...and I hope I never have to go through that painful experience again.

Date:

April 24, 2005

Story

I had no idea what a Pilonidal was until reading up on this website. Looking back before abscess/surgery/nastiness I realise I did actually remember noticing a "sinus" in my natal cleft probably a couple of years ago at least. It certainly did flare up on occasion, but usually I'd hardly notice it. Then at the end of October '04 it flared up badly. I did my usual "oh it'll go down, it always does" and paid no attention to it. Then it got bigger, it hardened and was excruciatingly painful to sit or lie down a certain way. It got worse, to the point that even walking was killing me. It was the sort of pain that made you just want to run to the toilet and vomit. I eventually decided "enough is enough", having worked out it was an abscess of sorts, and made an emergency appointment at my GP expecting him to just take a large needle and drain it. You could imagine my surprise - and fear - when my GP takes one look at my swollen behind and says "Yep that's a 7cm abscess, that's going to have to be excised and drained under general anaesthetic". Cue a wimper from me. I'd never been under General before, and I was - in a word - terrified. However, the doctors at A&E (ER) took good care of me - it didn't help that most of them knew my brother as a former doctor in the department ("Oh you're JOHN'S wee sister" whilst examining the monster between my buttocks, was rather embarrassing at first) - and were very sympathetic. I had my operation that same afternoon and was kept in overnight just for observation and pain relief. I missed Bonfire night dammit! I was back at University (studying medicine - ha ha!) the next monday. Post op everyone expects you to be in quite a lot of pain - I was left with an open wound to heal by granulation, they didn't stitch it because otherwise it would simply reform - but in fact I'd been in so much pain previous to the surgery I think I'd been "desensitised" to it. Healing up took about 2 months in total - had a few setbacks with overgranulation of the scar tissue, my heart goes out to anyone who gets the Silver Nitrate, it is in fact a bitch. I'm now left with a scar which only I really know is there, it can be uncomfortable at times, but I know it'll shrink down soon enough, and I'd never want to go back to having that abscess driving me nutty. My advice to anyone who suspects they've got a Pilonidal is swallow your pride/fear and get to your doctor. I was told by the nurses that they're surprisingly common now, especially in young people (having to sit through classes/lectures) and long distance lorry drivers, and the op I had was pretty much routine for them. Rachel - 18, Scotland.

Date:

April 23, 2005

Story

Hello, I am a 21 year old female. I recently had my cyst drained but only after about a week of excruciating pain that only got worse as the days went by. The last night before I finally went to a doctor, the pain had gotten so bad I was ready to go to the emergency room. I had no idea what could be causing so much pain in my tailbone. I could not sit, stand, bend over, it hurt to do everything. Finally my boyfriend took a look, and there in my cracki he found a lump the size of a ping pong ball. Needless to say I was very worried at the discovery of a lump in my butt. My best advice would be... If you have not fallen directly on your tailbone and are experiencing pain go to the doctor immediately, the pain will only get worse! One last note, get it drained and request to be put out. After ten shots in my butt that were suppose to numb the area, I felt the entire surgery. At one point the doctor had to stop because I passed out from the pain. This surgery is very uncomfortable and painful but once it is complete and after a day or two of healing, you will feel like a new person.

Date:

April 21, 2005

Story

Lisbon, Portugal: Hello there, I’m a 25 year old who had surgery to remove the cyst less than 48 hours ago and I’m feeling fine. Before this I had to be drained three times, that was painful as hell, before, during and after. First time I had this I ignored it, friendly advice… don’t! Back then I was working eight hours a day, most of the time standing up, for four days in a row (it was a car show, hundreds of new models and I couldn’t sit in any of them without my eyes popping out of my face). Those of you who have this condition know what I’m talking about… I took all sorts of painkillers trying to take my mind off the excruciating pain I felt. At the end of the four days, the mysterious pain went away… just to come back one year later, when I got it drained the first time and discovered I had a pilonidal cyst. Ok, so, having a bunch of strangers looking at your private parts isn’t the best thing in the world. Feeling a third cheek growing bigger by the minute is far worst. Afraid of the O.R. and especially the anesthetics, I ended up getting drained once a year until I finally decided something radical had to be done. That happened last Tuesday… in thirty minutes it was all over. I got a perfectly standard Na Cl IV, local anesthesia and two nurses and a surgeon looking after me. I realized then that my fears during pre-op were overrated. Today I went to the hospital so that they could take a look at the packing, I was kind of worried because of the heavy fluids (or so they seemed to my uneducated eye) but the nurse cleaned the wound, packed it and said everything was fine. I’ve been able to sit almost normally since shortly after the surgery, sleep normally and do most of the things I usually do, I just do them in slow motion to ensure nothing goes wrong. Word of advice to open-minded men: Pads. Your mother, girlfriend or wife uses them once a month and this is your once in a lifetime opportunity to use them as well, without feeling kinky. The fluids coming from the packing are bound to ruin some underwear, pants and everything they come in contact. The pad will do the exact same thing for you as it does for them… absorb the fluids, hygienically! Best of luck to all of you, my e-mail: thebadnews@gmail.com

Date:

April 20, 2005

Story

I'm a 30 year old, healthy male, and I had what I thought was just a recurring boil or pimple at the base of my spine on & off for a year or so, until I finally decided to get a GP to look at it....lo and behold, I have a pilonidal sinus! The lump never got bigger than a large pimple, so by other accounts, it was relative minor (or so I thought). I had my surgery Wednesday 13 April. I was given a general anaesthetic, and was in surgery for (apparently) about half an hour. When I awoke, I was on my back in the hospital bed, with (as I was later told) 11 stitches in me and a vacuum pack draining fluid (which I referred to as my new tail), covered with a waterproof seal. I ended up in hospital for 2 days - one day as a precaution after the GA, and another because the doctor "didn't trust me not to go and split my stitches" - great faith in me as a patient! After having my 'tail' removed, and my dressing changed, I was discharged on Friday with Panadol, Voltaren (anti-inflammatory) and Endone (heavy-duty painkillers in case of extreme pain). I removed my dressing on Sunday. Luckily, I have not been needed to take any painkillers for pain - the whole area seems pretty pain-free (considering I have a 3-4 inch wound and 11 stitches holding it together). On Tuesday after a bowel movement, I noticed a bit of pus and blood on the toilet paper, so I raced down to a local GP as a precaution. I was told that part of the wound (less than a quarter inch) had 'broken down', but this was almost normal, and as I had no rise in temperature, no associated swelling in the groin or glands (which would be the case if the infection was within the wound, as opposed to a superficial infection just on the surface), and no signifcacnt pain, the GP just swabbed me with a bit of antiseptic and sent me on my way. I am now showering twice a day to try and keep the area clean, and also applying Betadine and a dry dressing each time to keep the risk of infection down. I am due to have the stitches removed in 6 days time (and that can't come soon enough). Fingers crossed I will be able to take that Melbourne to LA flight in 2 weeks time without too much discomfort!

Date:

April 19, 2005

Story

I had my first story on March 11, 2005. I am the 37 year old male that likes to play golf. Well, I had the surgery three weeks ago and I am ready to go visit the doctor for the follow-up visit. About the surgery, I had the spinal shot to numb me from the waist down. The surgery lasted about 5 minutes or atleast it felt like it. I had no feeling in my legs for three hours after the surgery. That day, I had no pain anywhere. I thought the healing process was going to be painless. The next day, I started to have somewhat mild pain. I had to take the Roxicet. I had a really nice home nurse. I bought a ton of supplies at the pharmacy for a month's worth of packing. Well, I got the wrong kind of 2-by-2 gauze. I got the sponge instead of the square gauze to allow the wound to get air. Since the home nurse only visited once a week, I had a week of pain until she pointed out we were using the wrong gauze. My wife was a really great nurse in between. My first week, there was a lot of pain, a lot of blood and not much sitting. I could only sit for 20 minutes at a time. The second week, the bleeding and pain went away. I just finished the third week and it's almost healed. I have played golf, done a lot of walking and have been able to take care of the "Honey Do" list. I have been taking a picture each week, so I could see it heal myself. The only complaints I have are the doctor was not "available" at all for consult. That sucks, when you have a lot of questions. I still have a minor pain in my spine where they gave me the needle. The tape is destroying my skin. Skin prep is a must. Plus, I had to get the expensive gel bandage that stays on for four or five days at a time. That's it. Thanks to my wife and the home nurse, it wasn't a really bad experience. I was working 3 days after surgery. I would only do a few hours at a time the first week, since I had to sit a lot. I am glad to have had the surgery to remove this PC and I hope it never comes back! Good luck everybody and take care. Bye for now.

Date:

April 18, 2005

Story

I first got my pilonidal cyst last year at the age of 18 which was my senior year of high school around Easter. The first day I felt this horrible pain was on Easter Sunday while I was at work it hurt so bad. I thought I hurt my tailbone the night before while I was out at the club with some friends. That day at work I just kind of ignored it and thought the pain would go away well a few nights later I was back at the club with some friends thinking that everything was ok, well I was wrong that whole night all I did was sit while my friends just danced the night away. After the club I stayed the night at a friends house and the next morning I woke up at like 7 a.m. in such pain I called my dad and he told me to come home and soke in some epsom salt and which I did. Well, that did not work at all I ended up calling off of work and going to my mom's house so she could go with me to our family doctor. He examined it and told me what he thought it was and gave me an antibiotics and some pain medication which ended up making me sick. The next day I was in even more pain that before and I went to the emergency room and they said the same thing and but gave me some different medications for it and reffered me to a specialists. The next day I went to see the specialists thinking that he was going to just look at it and set up a day to lance it but I was wrong he lanced it that day and that was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life he did give me a shot to numb it but I still felt everything I never cried like the biggest baby that day. My mom and little sister was with me when I got it done my mom had to leave the room because of the smell. This all caused me to miss my senior prom which really sucked but luckily I did get to go the year before because my boyfriend was a senior. That still was not the end I got another one this year at the age of 19 which I just got lanced two days ago. Except this time I got it done at the emergency room becauses I was in some much pain before I went I was in tears once again. I had an appointment with the specialists but I couldn't wait that long. I was going to get it surgically removed but unfortunately I can't because I am 3 months pregnant and they can't put me to sleep but trust and believe after I have my baby I will get it done.

Date:

April 17, 2005

Story

(female, 26, Bahamas) i have stories of my pilonidal abscesses but right now i just discovered my fourth one and this is my first time visiting this website, so i don't have time to visit the discussion board, i need advice from someone who has had as much of these as i've had, all have been fairly large like golf balls, please e-mail at bahamabeauty_78@hotmail.com, i don't wanna go to the doctor

Date:

April 17, 2005

Story

Today is April 17th 2005. Early in January 2005 I noticed a bump on my lower back just above the crack of my butt. It felt like a pimple so I just ignored it as it steadily got more painful. Near the end of January I went to the clinic to see a doctor who gave me a topical cream to put on it as he thought it was just some type of rash. One week later I was back to the same clinic but this time saw a different doctor. He recognized it as a Pilonidal Abcess and lanced it right there in the clinic. He gave me a small needle right in the abscess to numb the pain then he cut it with the scalple, it did not hurt at all. I could feel the warm puss run down the inside of my legs. Very gross but a huge pressure relief. I went to the clinic everyday for 1 week to have the pack the wound. It never did heal though and I continually had blood and puss stains on my underwear. My family doctor referred me to a specialist/surgeon who set me up for excision of the entire sinus cavity. One week ago today I had my Pilonidal Abscess removed by the surgeon. They gave me a spinal epidural, it scared me a lot thinking about this but they gave me wonderful drugs in my IV that made me so doppy I had no idea what was happening. They created some type of amnesia. I don't remember the needle going in, they shaved my back and butt...don't remember that either. Best thing was I was wide awake 5 minutes after the proceedure was completed. My numbness from my waist down took 1 hour to wear off. Everyday a nurse comes to my house to re-pack the wound. It has to heal from the inside out so they are telling me to expect packing for 5 more weeks (6 in total). Two things that suck. 1) Having the nurse come every day. 2) My wound stinks! The odour is horrible and makes me gag. The nurse says this is normal and it is not infected. I know I have another crummy 5 weeks ahead of me but it was worth having the surgery. I have before and after photos if anyone is interested. troyw@rogers.com Hope this helps others! Troy.

Date:

April 16, 2005

Story

My recent trip to the "gates of hell" with this pilonidal cyst and the success I have had treating three cysts has prompted me to start a website explaining my story and what I have done to GET RELIEF from this most terrible hidious disease that I never even knew about until December of 2004. I am not doing this for any financial gain or compensation. I just want to help others, if that is possible. thanks http://pilonidal-cyst.tripod.com/

Date:

April 14, 2005

Story

I'm a 24 year old female. I got my pilonidal cyst for the first time my first year in college. I then got it again about 3 moths later ( i loose track sometimes, as you're about to find out i've had this thing so many times i can't count) I went to a surgeon in my hometown, Dallas a few months later and he lanced it in his office,packed it and monitored it 2-3 times in the next few weeks. he told me there was a surgery but he didn't want to do it, and recommended office procedures first. he said the surgery was a slow healing process.

So after this it came back again! Went back to the same doctor, did office procedures, packed it, lanced, changed the dressings. So by this point it's about two years since i fist had the cycst, and i would get it about every few months. So i finally decided to get another opinion and go to a different doctor, because the cyst now came back again (this was about march of 02) the new surgeon took me to Day surgery and drained it and set me up for surgery the next day! So i am thinking this guy knows what he's talking about! the surgery, i should say is better when you don't know what to expect. My case i think is different, i think mine is very deep. not all people have drains, i did. and that was the worst part. it was inserted in my butt cheek and went to the cyst, where all the stuff drained into a little pouch (you can't go out in public w/ that thing) i was prescribed 5 refills of pain killers!

The recovery was painful, hard to sleep, always haivng to be on your side. you're very helpless and sore! i walked aorund liek an old lady, limping! My mom got me a baby intertube. the surgeon said to get that blow it up and put it under your rear to lay on, it really helped! SO after all that it came back again!!! about 5 months later! so i had the surgery again, not the full blown surgery, the scar wasn't healing that well, and i had an infection so he said he would basically clean it out, and it should take care of the problem. after that it was gone for a while, 5-6 months, and then it came back, this story is getting very long, but basically, it's come back about every few months. and now it's back again and more painfull than ever it feels like i have a series of them along my crack. Has anoyone had the reaccurance rate as much as i have? Any ideas of anything to do? i do hot compresses, and mine always drain really fast 1-2 days it is the ongoing pain and frequent reaccurance i can't deal with it! i am so frustrated, and feel like i don't have any other options!

Date:

April 14, 2005

Story

A Birthday to Remember(Or Forget)--- Hi everyone, I have read every page and most every entry on this whole website in the last week. My son complained of pain in tailbone at the beginning of 2005. I checked and did not see a thing and assumed he just bruised it doing an activity. Well, he continued to complain every now and then so last week he went to pediatrician who immediately referred him to a pediatric surgeon. I found this website in those two days inbetween appointments and became the Pilonidal Maven :} The surgeon took a look at a now minor feeling cyst and inspecting cleft found a few sinuses and announced his pilonidal disease diagnosis. Since I was now well read in the subject, I bombarded with him with questions. He said surgery was basically the best option and hopefully since early in the development, a closed surgery could be done with a 50/50 chance of infection and reopening of stitches needed but that is what he felt best to do. He was aware of the condition and had done multiple surgeries and explained that his disease has a mind of it's own many a time. So 6 days, later on April 13 (yesterday), my son had his surgery on his 16th birthday but managed to get his driver's license before heading to the hospital. He in no way wanted to delay so that he could have a very nice summer in store and this "behind" him. After surgery, the Dr. informed us that his cyst was deeper then he would have guessed, but contained and not infected. He has 3 layers of stiches and top layer has about 12 stiches and will need to be taken out. He is not allowed to "sit" at all for 1 week and very little pressure at all for the next 2 weeks. So he is off of school for at least 10 days and then may have to go to certain classes where he mostly can stand...(school will work with us). He had a bit of pain immediately after surgery but no major deal and now we just got home and his only complaint is his back but not near suture..maybe from lying on his side and stomach for 24 hours now...I think the worst part of this will be the not lying on the rear to give this thing the best shot at healing possible. The Dr. was amazed at my pertinent questions and after surgery told me he did indeed decide to use the Methelyne Blue Dye to make sure he got everything he saw...he said "I thought of your question when doing this and in any case using this would not hurt". So now time will tell and we know that recurrence could come..but at least we tackled this head on from the start and are giving it our best shot. Anyone have a clue how to go to the bathroom for #2 when not suppose to sit on anything like a toilet seat??? Thanks for all the support and help here on this site. RK

Date:

April 13, 2005

Story

Hi again, I am the guy that wrote the story that starts “I have found relief”. I just wanted to ad some more details because I have read many of these stories and it almost brings me to tears to read some of them. I hope to help in any way I can. First, let me correct a date, my second pilonidal abcess started in March 2005 not April. Since that one, as I said a third one started but quickly stopped because of what I am doing. Here is what I think will help, at least it did for me: First: Stop all sugar and junk food, go on a lo carb diet (Dr Atkins) but keep your carbs around 60 grams a day or less. Lo carb is mostly salad, meats of any kind, cheese and cream cheese, some saltines, olives, sugar free jello, stay off of soda. Actually lo carb has MANY things to choose from. I have a list a page long. In my opinion, all infections feed on sugar (carbs) and if you lower your carbs to less than 60 grams a day, it makes a BIG difference in your health. Second: Put Coconut oil in your crack !! Coconut Oil is antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial. You must use PURE VIRGIN coconut oil, I buy mine from http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/ and it keeps for years. I spoon out a small amount, then transfer to my fingertips and then rub it on my cyst area. What a difference it made on my third one, stopped it dead !! Third: You need to get your lymphatic system going. Exercise does this. We all have a secondary vein system called Lymphatic. It does not have a pump like our blood stream does (heart) so we have to exercise to keep the lymphatic system going. BUT I HATE TO EXERCISE. So the most powerful thing is "up and down motion." This is best done by rebounding. (mini-trampoline). I bought mine from http://www.reboundair.com/ They are out of Orem Utah and it has a lifetime warranty. This is GREAT exercise and easy to do. Fourth: Keep your immune system UP. Men, chew on some zinc lozengers each day, take a multivitamin. I take LOTS of GARLIC also, it is a great infection fighter, as is Aloe Vera Juice (Sams Club by the gallon) and some other herbs. Well, I am not prescribing here, see your doctor, nothing of personal gain in these websites, just feel that if I can tell you what I am doing it might help someone. At 51, this pilonidal cyst thing is a real eye-opener for me. I am becoming diabetic and I suspect that is part of the problem, so it is a curse, but maybe a blessing if it forces me to make the right changes and STICK TO THEM. Hope I have been of help. If you want to write to me and tell me I’m crazy or whatever my email is myemail84094@yahoo.com

Date:

April 12, 2005

Story

· I have found relief !! Let me tell you what has worked for me!! Here’s my story, if this can help someone else, I hope it is worth the time to read it. I am 51 and never even heard of this pilonidal cyst until I got a huge swelling at the base of my spine in Dec 2004. I thought it was a lymph gland that had swelled up. I let it go and it finally burst and bled for weeks. I went to the doctor and had a hole the size of a golf ball. She packed it with a medicated gauze and it tooks about 2 months to heal. So I thought this was all over and BAM another one starts in April 2005. So here is what I did. I immediately went on a lo carb diet, eliminating all the sugar I possibly could. In addition, I put coconut oil all up and down my crack, especially where the new swelling had started. Lo and behold, it came to a head in 1 day, drained for another 2 days and only left a hole the size of a bullet, not a golf ball. Continuing with the coconut oil on occasion, and the lo carb diet, it is healing rapidly. THEN a THIRD one started!! So while it was still the size of a quarter, I used lots of coconut oil and in just 1 day it went completely away. Here is what coconut oil can do- · Contains Antibacterial, Antiviral, Anti-fungal Properties · Abundant in Medium Chain Fatty Acids · Helps to Improve HDL and LDL Cholesterol Ratios · Shown to Support Healthy Thyroid Function · May Help to Promote Proper Weight Management · Helps to Reduce Hypoglycemic Cravings · May Improve Symptoms of Digestive Disorders · Known to Promote Smooth & Supple Skin I think the real KEY to coconut oil is that it Contains Antibacterial, Antiviral, Anti-fungal Properties and I have no more pilondial cysts growing because I IMMEDIATELY, when I feel one, put coconut oil all over it (coconut oil is a solid at room temp) and in addition, I have cut the sugar that feeds infection. So I hope this information helps, it has worked for me, that is all I can say.

Date:

April 11, 2005

Story

April 11- I came upon your site due to my Pilonidal creeping its ugly head back in to my life. I had Polonidal surgery when I was 21, back in 1985. Other than the ugly scar, it really only bothered me in the last 20 years occasionally. For instance, I noticed it when I had a back-pack on my back, and the pressure of the weight would irritate it, but the pain would usually disappear within 24 hrs. However, lately, I am getting the original symptoms. I am not sure what the cause of the pain coming back, but it has been about 2-3 weeks of reoccurring pain. I have been hoping it would just disappear, but it looks like I will have to bite the bullet and go get it checked out again. I dread the thought of surgery again. I was on my stomach for weeks afterward. I don't have the same patience or pain tolerance as I did 20 years ago. I am glad to hear I am not the only woman that has had surgery and also the reoccurring symptoms ~Erin in Atlanta~

Date:

April 10, 2005

Story

I'm a 33 year old female and I first got the pilonidal sinus when I was 18, when suddenly one day I couldn't sit down at all due to this great big cyst. Went to the doctor, the specialist and then straight to hospital and got it removed -- apparently I had three sinuses all in a row, and the wound was inches long and deep. The first week was a shocker, couldn't sit down, couldn't walk, kept bleeding all the time. But after that it got a bit better. Trouble was the community nurses came over to my house every morning to change the gauze in the wound, but there were so many nurses in rotation, a different one every day, that nobody actually noticed after several weeks that the wound wasn't healing due to infection. So I had to go and get some more of the wound snipped out. This happened over and over again. Eleven months after the initial surgery it finally healed. Every now and then the scar gets itchy and tender, sometimes it gets a bit infected and sore. Since Easter it's been sore and I've just come back from the doctor to discover that part of the scar has come open, there's a hole the size of a 5 cent coin and they don't know how deep it is. It's infected too, so after a round of antibiotics looks like I'm going back to the surgeon. The thought of having to go through all that again really upsets me, I thought the nightmare was over and done with years ago and I would never have to worry about it again.

Date:

April 09, 2005

Story

Hey I'm a 19 year old male. I've been putting up with my pilonidal for about a year now. I guess my story's kinda like all the others on this site since I waited and never told anyone. Anyway I think this whole cyst deal began in April of '04. I remember one of my friends telling me one day in school that I had this wet spot on the back of my pants. I didn't think much of it at the time. When the summer began I started to notice that these spots were showing up everyday. I tried not to think about whatever was causing it. On the night of July 2 I was at work (I worked at Target last summer) and I felt some pain in my backside when I sat down for my break. I just thought that I had been doing too much lifting, so it should go away. The next day I was back at work but now I was feeling pain when I was walking around. That night I had trouble sleeping since I like to roll around in my comfy bed. July 4th was a day from hell. I could barely move around the store without feeling incredible pain. I was literally limping. And to makes things even better it seemed like the whole world decided to go shopping that day instead of having BBQ's. It was the longest 8 hours of my life, and I had no idea what was happening to me. When I got home i felt so exhausted and I had a headache and fever. I told my dad, who's a doc, that I had a rash. He took one look at it and said oh sh**. He had a pilonidal too right after I was born. So the next day I got an incision and drainage, which hurt a little but I felt so much better afterwards. I didn't have the cyst removed because my parents said it would have ended my summer and there wasn't enough time for it to heal before I left for college. I REALLY wish i had gotten it taken care of then because this semester has been really tough for me. The cyst has come back and it's much more developed. It drains a lot everyday and its smells bad too. Plus I can't sit for that long because it becomes too uncomfortable. So studying and sitting through classes have been really hard. I finally got the surgery scheduled for May 11. Hopefully nothing bad happens until then. I'm counting down the days...

Date:

April 08, 2005

Story

Hi. I am a 43 yr. old femal. Just wanted to post my personal story in hopes to help others. When I was 13 I had my first cyst. It broke, but then got infected and I went to the doctors and it was excised, drained and went away. In my late 30's it came back again after having a second child (boy). This happened about 3 times, flaring up and then going away. The doctor said he could not excise it until it was softer, because I would only bleed. He suggested, very warm baths and a heating pad, 30 min. at a time. They went away each time, but not after having to deal with a while. 2 years ago, I had another one while pregnant(another boy), this one broke and I kept if very clean and took a natural antibiotic and it was gone. I have one now, it is going away. This one, I believe started with taking high doses of Vitamin C, for some reason. The day after stopping the Vit. C. it is on its way out. From my personal experience I believe that my cysts flare up with hormonal changes and acids (coffee,chocolate and Vit.C). I have also had cystic acne since I was a teenager, and still have flare ups with that for the same reasons. I hope this helps.

Date:

April 08, 2005

Story

Hey there, I'm a 32 yo female who was diagnosed with pilonidal sinus when I was 16, although now, it seems that I was born with it when my mum revealed to me last week "Oh yeah, I remember I had to take you back to the hospital.." Thanks Mum! Anyway, my story is pretty much the same but when I was sixteen it was infected so severely that I couldn;t walk - can you imagine my delightful embarassment atthe hospital when the doctor asked (ie: directed!) whether I minded whther "these med students look'!! AAArgh, does it get more humiliating???? For years I have lived with pilonidal sinus and about twice each year it would become infected, usually aorund stressful times. Stupidly, or not (I'm not sure now!) I would lance the sinus myself! Don't ask how, but let's just say that it wasn;t the the most pleasant of experiences - but what it would do would get rid of the infection/pus and I would continue on my merry way! Two weeks ago, though, I went to my doctor for some anit-biotics to get rid of an infection that not even I could get rid of! He told me it was time for definitive action and told me off for not telling him when I was suffering. (By the way, he did say, reluctantly, that I might have prevented it for becoming much bigger!) Anyway went in for surgery ten days ago and had closed surgery, but have had some complications with the wound and the stiches not holding. MY EXPERIENCE has been that whilst it was painful for a couple of days, it was more of a strong discomfort and although I have been generally sleepy, I have felt pretty good. My stiches were taken out today (day 10) but I still have an open wound at the top and is about the size of a 10c piece (Australian). It's much more comfortable without the sutures and I feel 'freer'. I have a picture of my wound .... but rememebr the wounds look much worse than they actually are. I would like to reassure everyone out there that the surgery option is not ALWAYS horrific and that there are many success stories. Before I went in for surgery I was petrified about having an open wound, I know this is just stupid vanity, but hey, sexually, it's not very exciting! Thank you too, to this website which was crucial to my understanding of the illness and so reassuring in all the stories it has published. I wosh everyone the best of luck with their surgery. By 'That Girl' : vedette72@hotmail.com

Date:

April 07, 2005

Story

Hi, I'm male 25 years old, i was diagnosed with PC, 2 months ago. It really happened about a year ago, but had no idea what it was, I was scared to see doctor, (really Stupid). I finally decided to see a doctor, and that's when he told me about this, and i was sheduled for surgery. On Feb 26th i came back from surgery,they used stitches, i had about six of them.I have some friends that had PC but they never used stitches on them, usually they leave it open. First day after surgery did not feel anything, but second day, after i was of anestesia, oh my god what a pain!! I was taking Vicodin big time, helped a lot, now it's been over a month, how does it look??? Well how about it's still draining,I'm shaving my bottom, have my mother clean it with rubbing alcohol twice a day, (some pain) and using dry powder to keep it dry and pack it with gauze., My doctor told me it should not be moist, he said use dry powder. Everytime i see him, I'm more and more mad at him, be he said it's healing up good, there is no infection, hole looks 1/2 size smaller than last time. I'm trying to avoid sitting as much as posible. My advice to all of you : 1. Get it checked out (faster the better it is) 2. Try eating healthy (proteins) 3. Stop smoking (more oxygen to your body, faster healing) 4. Cheer up :) it has to be over some day come on 5. Use gauze, keep it clean and dry. I would love to continue but it's been about 20 Min. on this computer chair, and I really need to get up. Good luck to all of you, I will come back to post my message again, hope it gets better.

Date:

April 07, 2005

Story

Hi! I'm 26, male. About 5 years ago, I noticed that "my butt is bleeding". I had no pain at all. It was a small scar, so I didn't know what to do with it, so I did nothing. After month and month and years, I lived with it, and I was afraid of going to the doctors. I didn't know what it was. Last Christmas, it was so badly bleeding when I used the toilet "No.2". Then I said, okay, I should go to see the doctors. I went to my aunt's family doctor, and she said it's infected, so she gave me antibiotics, and said that I should come back in two weeks. While I had the antibiotics, the bleeding stopped, so I was happy, but after I finished the antibiotics, it was bigger. The doctor said I needed a surgery. I was afraid of it, but it was enough, I had no pain, but the smell and the blood&puss made me see the doctor. I didn't know then what I have. The other doctor said it has hair in it, so he will cut it. I said okay, so he did it. It was very painful at the begining, but it took only 5 minutes. After he said I should shave my butt, I didn't know why, and I should have a bath for 4-5 times a day, and I have to keep it clean until it heals. And after the surgery, he gave me a piece of paper saying "pilonidal cyst". He said that's what I had. After I came home, I went online to find something about it, so that's how I found this website. Now I know what I had, but I'm a little bit afraid of this. It was yesterday. I could change the gauze and pads by myself, but the first changing was more painful, than the surgery, because my butt has hair on it, and the tape was pulling those hairs out :-)) Now it's not bleeding, and it's smaller. I hope it heals soon. If something will happen, I'll come back to tell you. Now I'm happier, that I went to see the doctors after 5 years of hiding this. I wish I would have gone to see the doctors sooner....

Date:

April 07, 2005

Story

April 7th Daniel Alvares - 21 years old. I am a brazilian engineering student... things down here in Rio de Janeiro a a little bit tough for those with pilonidal cyst because of the heat. So I was about 16 when I found out about my cyst and only with 21 I decided to get it removed. So I got to hospital, got it all done in January 2005, and it is April now and it has not healed, instead healing, it is now infected and my doctor says the cyst is coming back to life. So I couldnt be more happy!! I have to operate again! Isnt that nice ? Anyway I will try to convince my surgeon to perform the Bascom Technique on me, since I believe he is not aware of its existence and reliability. Wish me luck, I wish you luck. (even though I dont know what luck is anymore). danielufrj@gmail.com

Date:

April 06, 2005

Story

Hi everyone. i first got my abcess on the 14th november 2004 i can remember, it was a sunday afternoon and that nite we were going to our local pub, i sat down and thought ow that hurts if i sit like that. anyway i survived the nite but the following wednesday i was lyed in bed and i was crying i was in that much pain. then the following sunday i was going to my grandmas for sunday dinner and i could not sit at all i just burst into tears and my mum said that is it we are going to a+e. so i got there and they said you have got a piloidial (cant spell it) abcess you are going to have to have it removed i just thought oh no. anyway i had it removed and a district nurse was coming everyday to pack it then i had to go to the hospital for a check up about 8 weeks later. the surgoen said this is not healing you are going to have the operation again. so on the 8th march 2005 i had it done again anf we are now on the 6th april and it has not healed one little bit. my district nurses have give up hope on me so now i have got to go to the doctors everyday for it packed! it is one of the most horrible things ever. the pain i went through and are still going through some days is unbeliveable! good luck to you all! xx

Date:

April 04, 2005

Story

I am a 20 year old male from Alberta, and my first infection happened in September 2004. (that is when i had it operated on) Actually, I have had bleeding and tearing for 3-4 years, but was always too embarrassed to go to the doctor to have my "male period" checked out. Looking back, it was stupid. Anyways, I had a summer job that consisted of sitting in a truck for up to eight hours straight, so that is what i assume caused it. One morning, before I left to meet my girlfriends parents, I noticed some pain and i attributed it to a bruised tailbone. So I went away for the weekend, driving for 3 hours straight. This was the worst pain I had ever felt. While on vacation, did not say anything because my girlfriend was so happy to see her family. after coming home, I took some tylenol and went to sleep. The next morning, I got up for work, and the pain was still there. I no longer could sit in my work truck, so my mom (who was visiting) told me to go get checked out. after sitting in a waiting room for an hour, I finally got checked out. however, the doctor sent me to the emergency room 20 blocks away, and I had to sit there for eight hours before seeing another doctor. They then performed the operation and I was perfectly healthy (lest the puss draining out). Then three weeks ago, I could feel the same pain coming back. so I went to see the doctor, and luckily i came in soon enough that I only had to take antibiotics. now everything is cleared up. YAY! So basically the moral of my story is to not be embarrassed about any medical condition and get checked out as soon as possible, because the results hurt if you don't

Date:

April 04, 2005

Story

(21YEAR OLD FEMALE) I HAD ONE IN JULY 2003 AND HAD IT LANCED THE WORST PAIN I HAVE EVERY FELT IN MY LIFE!!!!! THEY I GOT ANOTHER ONE AUGUST 2004 AND THIS TIME IT WAS MAKING ME REALLY ILL AND I GOT TOOK IN TO HOSPITAL AND HAD IT DRAINED AND AM NOW DUE TO GO IN TO HOSPITAL TO HAVE 'THE BASCOM TECHNIQUE` IN 3-4WEEKS REALLY NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT BUT AS LONG AS I NEVER HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THAT PAIN AGAIN AND IT MAKES ME BETTER THEN ITS WORTH IT!!! I KEEP YOU POSTED AFTER THE OP AND LET YOU KNOW HOW IT WENT... WISH ME LUCK!!!!

Date:

April 04, 2005

Story

(female, USA) My Pilonidal Cyst was surgically removed back in 1979. Yes, twenty six years ago, at the tender age of 17. While reading the accounts in this message board, I can see the medical treatments haven't changed much, if at all. My personal experience, from what I can recall, was also quite similiar to many of the stories here. One thing I will echo is not to wait to have surgery, if it's needed (and I have a feeling if you're reading this it is). Yes, you will endure pain (and embarassment - remember Doctors have "seen it all"), no doubt, but in the long run it will be worth it.<BR><BR> Twenty Six non-regretting years after having my PC removed, I still have a 1" long raised scar going up my backside and I can remember the day the nurse removed my first "packing" with incredible (screaming) detail (HINT!!!: when they instruct you to have a hot sitz bath prior to the packing removal, be SURE to soak as long as possible to soften that packing and scab!!!!!). <BR><BR>Another noteworthy point I'd like to mention is that 26 years later, I am still susceptible to body cysts on occasion; perhaps there's a connection, I wonder. Daily washing with Dial/Antibacterial soap, according to my Doctor, has disrupted the natural Ph balance on my skin, thus weakening my natural defences to fend off skin bacteria. I'm not sure if that Doctor was entirely correct in my particular case, but I continue to keep myself extremely clean and occasionally get these skin infections (although no surgeries have been required since the PC). <BR><BR>Remember: Things can always be worse. Imagine if you had this thing on the tip of your nose??<BR><BR>BEST OF LUCK!!!!!!!!

Date:

April 03, 2005

Story

When I was 16 I can remember squatting down to pick something up and feeling a tear. I didn't know it at the time but I had a pilonidal abscess. Obviously since you can't see it and being a typical male I thought nothing of it. There was some wetness time to time on the rear of my underpants but as it was summer I attributed it to sweat. There was no tailbone injury to blame it on in my case but I am hairy. A few months later I began to notice the blood, and still being naive and embarassed I again chose to ignore it. Over time, the smell and the drainage got worse and worse and I can remember washing off a substance resembling a cap of white flesh that expelled from the drainage end of the infection. Finally, I went to visit my mother and of course she immediately noticed the smell and the bloodstains in the laundry. She checked it out and had a nursing student as a tenant at the time so she also had a look. I was sent to a clinic and the doctor gave me the news. I had the typical pilonidal abscess and the infection had tunneled up my back and above the tailbone was a small hole where it had surfaced. I needed surgery. I had a huge chunk of flesh removed and never have I had so many people looking at my rear. The doctors would bring student nurses around as I was some kind of example - thankfully I am not too shy, and if I was, i'm not anymore. It had to be packed and all the usual treatments applied, sitz baths, antibiotics (fucidin was the one that worked best on me). The moral of the story is go to the doctor EARLY when something is even remotely wrong. As I was a member of a neglectful family, I was left to tend to myself for treatment. After the diagnosis it began bleeding almost daily. The condition wasn't the worst part - the worst part was the smell and being labelled unclean because of it. I was forced to attend high school where I was the object of ridicule because of the odor. Showers, nothing will help when it starts draining. I was relegated to wearing dark pants and an overcoat all the time in the winter even when inside. After the surgery I was given 2 weeks of home visits by a nurse to change the packing. After school started in september I was on my own to get to the clinic every day to have the wound cleaned so it would heal properly. I did the best I could but not having a license or car limited the amount I could go. After the wound no longer drained or smelled I stopped attending the clinic and considered the matter closed. It was not. I joined the army reserve that summer and was sent for training. It took all of 2 weeks for the unsanitary field conditions to reinfect the wound. Thankfully, the army doctors had treated this "jeeps disease" before. I was given antibiotics and daily cleanings - since I was there already I could actually go! The wound finally healed although I was subjected to more exposure to student medics and the like. That was 12 years ago. Last month I was getting into my car and I felt a "tear". I had been paying closer and closer attention to the area as the doctor had warned me that it was likely to reappear in time. I had begun a new job where I did a physical type of work and had begun cleaning the area with a antibacterial wet nap whenever I could not ensure proper hygiene. The alchohol weakened the skin over time (I didn't know why it happened until I read this site) and when the area was pulled by my movement it had let go creating a slight tear down the base. I immediately began washing the area and treated it with a polysporin type ointment and kept it perfectly clean. I checked the area daily with an improvised mirror setup and thankfully it healed on its own. I would normally have run to the doctor but I didn't have my prescription benefits yet and cash was tight. I endured multiple doctors, being a circus freak for dozens of nursing students, ostracized at school, forced to attend in spite of the smell, name calling at home, being expelled as I skipped as much as possible and being labelled a loser because of it. But you know what? I am 100 times stronger now - if my prostate needs checking or I find a lump on a testicle that could be cancerous I will get it checked whereas a normal man will not and I will most likely live because of it. The smell is gone, the wound is healed, I have a new respect for the handicapped and sick that I didn't have before. I am more sensitive to anyone having a hard time because I have been there. Would life be better if I never had this? Yes. Am I a better person for having survived this? Definately! Keep your head up, Life is rough when you are neglected and have nowhere to turn. All you need to do is survive. God Bless.

Date:

April 03, 2005

Story

April 4, 2005 I am a 36 year old female who was diagnosed with PC two weeks ago. I am greatful to have found this website for it has been very informative, thank you all. My cyst started out as a small red bump on Monday. By Wednesday the bump was the size of a quarter, full of pus, painful, red, tender, infected, about an inch to the right and about 2 or 3 inches around that side of the cyst was red and inflamed. I had been to the doctors a month earlier due to lower back pain that I could not get rid of nor knew why it was hurting. I was given Darvecet pain pills. I took 1 and the pain went away. A week before the cyst developed I was in pain again, took 3 pills that day and 1 the next. Well Wed. thru Sun I took 4 pills a day 5 on sat ( the bottle said up to 4 a day max). The pain was excruciating! The pain pills would last about 4 hours. When I would come down off the pills I would shake with pain that my teeth even chattered. My husband wanted to take me to the ER, But I didn't want the medical bills. If there is a next time I will. I saw the doctor on Monday and was put on Augmenten. My surgery is scheduled so I hope to be one of the ones to heal faster because I am a waitress and need to get back to work. Prayers are welcomed. I'll let you know with an update later. Lisa

Date:

April 03, 2005

Story

Hello I am 27 year old female and I am writing this as my cyst drains. It has opened on its on thank goodness. I first find out I had this problem almost four years ago shortly after the birth of my second child. It opened on its own the first 2 times. I was told to have surgery a year after having it but I choose not to since a women I met at work in nursing home was there due to infection. For 3 months. So I didnt get it done. I notice that it gets infected around the time of month for my period. Has anyone else noticed this? Anyways the longest I have gone without problems has been about 6 months. And believe me there are soo many stores of emergency room doctors calling everyone in to look. I am told that it is not common enough so when there is a chance to see one well, i guess amazing. LOL. So im told. Anyways I have decided maybe surgery is not bad but I have no idea who is to watch my kids all the time since the doctor says atleast 2 weeks of nothing and 8 more before better. Who knows but surgery looks better all the time. LOL.

Date:

April 01, 2005

Story

My pilonidal sinus (cyst) story began when I was 17 although I am sure that I had the problem for several years before noticing it. The main symptoms were discharge from the abcess through an open track and continuous body odour. I had my first trip to theatre in one of the school breaks when I was in the 12th grade. The surgeon opened the sinus and left packing in the wound. A few days later I wnet to theatre again to have the packing removed (again under general anaesthesia). I then had to take salt baths with the wound open. A week after that I went to theatre again to have a split skin graft. All up I was in hospital for 25 days. The place where the graft was taken is completely covered even when I wear briefs. Two years later I was in again. The wound had never healed fully. This time I had a double flap rotation repair (also known as a Z-plasty) and the shape of my butt was changed forever. The nasty part here was the removal of the drainage tube and approximately 60 stitches. I spent a further 20 days in hospital. A year later I developed sinuses in both reconstructed parts of my butt and these were excised and closed. Another 10 days in hospital. Two years later I had another recurrence of a single sinus and was allowed out of hospital after 5 days because the surgeon "didn't have to cut to the bone". The stitches were removed in the doctor's office. All up 60 days in hospital over 7 years (starting in 1981). Interestingly, I had minimal post-operative (or pre-operative) pain and was on a full diet immediately after surgery (yes, I had pre-operative enemas which were probably the worst part of the whole process). Fortunately, I haven't had a problem for the last 15 years.

Date:

March 31, 2005

Story

i am a 22-year-old female and i had my first experiance with my cyst last march. i had hurt my tailbone as a child so i thought that`s what it was at first. i had it lanced and it was the worst pain i`ve ever felt but it felt so much better immediately afterward. now here it is march again and i got another one-i went to the emergency room and they gave me keflex and said it was`nt bad so it might pop on it`s own. 3 or 4 days later it did. i had no more pain until now. it has been a month and i am still draining and i`ve been taking epsom salt baths but a week ago i began having pain. not in the same spot but i know it`s another one. i can`t go to the doctor again cuz it was 600 dollars last time plus meds...i can`t afford that every month with no insurance...i have been so depressed. i keep crying because all i want is to feel normal again. everyone is tired of hearing about it. i had to quit the keflex because it gave me a rash. i have about 3 days worth left so i`m gonna take that...i don`t know...i don`t want to live like this...

Date:

March 31, 2005

Story

To everyone who's ever suffered with a PC, you can understand how confusing and frustrating it can be to not only rid the pain, but not understand why it happened or what you need to do. I was at work waiting tables one busy Saturday night, a few hours into my shift, a pain had developed near my rear. I didn't think much of it, but the next night, it got much worse. By Monday night, I was crunched into a little ball on my bed, unable to move from the pain. I went straight to the ER, where I was misdiagnosed with hemroids, given a muscle relaxer and let go. The next night I went to a different hospital, misdiagnosed again with a possible cut in my rectum, given pain killers and sent home. The pain didn't subside, and I went to a specialist who examined me again. In pain, I showed him the problem and he also misdiagnosed me, saying I had a small cut on my anus. He gave me a cream and sent me home. I was angry, hurting, and pissed all at once. I went another 10 days, hoping the pain would go away, but it didn't. A close friend of mine recommended me to a family doctor, who examined me and found a PC that wasn't visible at the surface. It was infected, much deeper, and in need of immediate attention. The next morning, I was in the hospital and having it drained. It's been three days and I feel much better. There's still pain and much bleeding from the incision, but the pain of the abcess is gone. I'm taking the best care of myself that I can, changing the gauze and taking baths, both twice a day. I can sit pretty comfortably and walking is no longer a chore. Thank god the pain is gone, and I recommend anyone who thinks they have a PC, to get themselves checked out immediately because they pain can be excruciating.

Date:

March 30, 2005

Story

I'M A 17 MALE WHO UNTIL 2 MONTHS AGO HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS OR HEARD OF ANYONE WHO HAD IT. I WAS PLAYING BASKETBALL FOR MY HIGH SCHOOL WHEN I DIVED OUT OF BOUNDS FOR A BALL AND HIT MY TAIL BONE ON THE BLEACHERS. IT HURT AND WAS SORE, BUT DID NOT THINK MUCH ABOUT IT. THAT WAS ON A SAT. NIGHT AND BY MONDAY IT WAS KILLING ME. MY DAD LOOKED AT IT AND THOUGHT IT WAS A BOIL. HE TRIED TO SQUEEZE IT BUT THE STUFF CAME OUT DOWN MY CRACK. HE KNEW SOMETHING BAD WAS WRONG AND WENT TO THE DOCTOR THE NEXT DAY, WHO SENT ME TO THE SRURGEON WHO THEN DRAINED IT. I FELT A LOT BETTER AFTER THAT. WE DECIDED TO HAVE THE SURGERY 2 WEEK LATER. IT TOOK 22 STITCHES ALONG A 8" CUT. AFTER 2 WEEK I STARTED LIGHT THROWING FOR BASEBALL AND NOW AFTER ONLY 5 WEEKS I'M PRETTY MUCH BACK TO NORMAL! I SUGGEST TO HAVE THE SURGERY AND GET IT OVER WITH - IT'S NOT THAT BIG ON A DEAL. SINCE I HAD THIS DONE MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. WHO WOULD HAVE KNOWN? THANKS!

Date:

March 30, 2005

Story

I'm a man who had a total of about 5 flare ups beginning at age 23. The pain was excruciating, and each time I had it lanced with a local. Each time it was left open to heal on its own. On the last occasion (at age 30), the physician did something different: he packed the cavity with gauze and left several inches hanging out "as a wick." I was instructed to pull it out a week later after first soaking in the bathtub. While that was not a pleasant experience, I'm 63 now, and have not had another flare up for 33 years.

Date:

March 29, 2005

Story

I'm so glad that I found this page. I had my 1st and only PC in Jan. 1996. I was a very active senior in high school at the time. As most of you have said. I shruded off the pain as a pulled or sore mucle from something I did. I tried self medicating it for about three days. I took over-the-counter pain killers but they didn't work. Out of frustration I asked my mother to take a look. Have my mother or anyone look at my behind was just about the last thing a 19-year old girl wanted. She saw something red but had no idea and consulted my aunt. She told me to apply a heating pad to soothe the pain. That night I slept with the heating pad applied to my bottom and woke up to the most excruciating pain in the world. My mother very slowly drove me to the doctor's office because I was in so much pain that I could not stop the tears flowing from my eyes. Once I got their he told me that I had an infection and that it need to be surgicaly removed emmediately. I laid on the examination table while a few nurses and my mother held down and the doctor injected to longest needle I ever saw into my but ttorelieve some of the pain. Within the next hour my mother drove me to the out-patient clinic where I had my PC completely removed. The surgeon explained that the wound would be left open and that it would take about 3 months or so for it to close completely. I was comletely unconscious (I tolly recommend this option)for the surgery. All I remeber is the nurse telling me to breathe normally because it was only oxygen. (right) The next time I remember I woke up and my throat was scratchy and my vision very blurry. A nurse soon came to my aid and I asked her "So when will the procedure begin?" The nurse kindly informed me that it was completed and that I was in recovery. I experienced eimmediate relief from the pain after surgery. Yes the healing time is long. I was out of school for about a 1-1/2 months but definately worth it. I'm not going to lie, having an open wound in my a** for 3 months was not cool, but also not a big deal. I was in some discomfort during recovery but not much compared to the pain prio to surgery. It also helped that I was on some very power pain killers and antibiotics. VICODIN was my best friend. I also got over the embarresment of someone looking at my bottom very quickly. Nurses came to the house twice daily to rinse the wound and repack it. I returned to normal physical activities in time enough to participate in track meet and qualify for district and reginals. I finished 3rd in both disrict and reginals for my events. So the moral of my story to all of those young athletes out there is "JUST GET THE SURGEY!" It's worth it in the long run. I was 19 wheb I had my outbreak and now 27 going on 28 without a recurrence. Having a PC was the most painfull and God-awefull thing that I have experienced in my life thus far. I am blessed that the problem was diagnosed and remidied quickly without complications. I am Thankful to God for recovery and hope that my story has been insightful and not just too long to read.

Date:

March 28, 2005

Story

I'm 36 years old. About 2 weeks ago, I felt a bump on my lower back at the base of my spine. I was sitting a lot so I thought it was just a sore bum from sitting so much. Sure enough, after a few days, it went away. A week ago, the same bump came back. I didn't worry much about it until I was having real problems sitting. I was very sore and noticed 2 bumps just above each "cheek". They were rather small, but hard. I put a hot compress on them and after 15 minutes, some leakage came out. That night, when going to the bathroom, I wiped my butt 4 times with TP to get all of the puss out. I went to see a doc and he told me a had a PC. I'm on anti-biotics and I'm trying to schedule surgery (per docs suggestion). The next day I noticed a small bump with a hole in it show up in between my cheecks. Sure enough, when I pushed on my other two bumps above it, puss and blood came out of it. It must have formed out of "neccessity" to drain. I had to endure 3 more days of slight pain and a lot of drainage (at least twice a day of 4 wipes of puss and blood). Today, I'm not in any pain at all, but I still feel the two small bumps. The 3rd small bump appears to have sealed up a bit. Just an FYI that hot compresses really helped with the flow of puss and blood and I'm not in pain right now, so take this advice for whatever it's worth. I'm not a doctor, but if you are in pain, give it a try.

Date:

March 27, 2005

Story

I have had my PC since I was in High School (about 5 years) and have endured 5 flare-ups. I had the first 2 over 4 years and the last 3 between August of 2004 and January of 2005. I was in such horrible pain each time, I normally had to call in sick for two to three days from work and just lay on the couch trying not to move. I finally decided enough was enough and decided to have surgery to remove it. Being nervous about the surgery, I did some research to find out what it was like and found this website. It is wonderful, and made me feel so much more at ease. It is so nice knowing other people had the same thing I had and to read stories of surgery. My doctor was absolutely wonderful and answered all my questions too. I had the surgery 5 days ago and feel great. I am so happy that my PC is gone (hopefully forever) and I can be a normal person and not have to worry that sitting on a hard seat or something will put in me in pain for weeks. I wanted to post my story just to tell people that have endured many flareups that having the surgery is a walk in the park compared to that. My doctor told me it would hurt, and it is definately sore, but it is about 1/10 of the pain that I would have from a normal flareup. I am up walking and putting light pressure on my tailbone less than a week after surgery (I do have a closed incision however.) If I would have known it was so little pain compared to when it flares up, I would have had surgery 5 years ago. Thank you for this website and making us feel like we are not alone! :)

Date:

March 25, 2005

Story

Well, my english is not good but i will try to explain my story. The next week I will have my fourth surgery in two years, and all 4 because of a PC. First of all I would say that 4 operations is not the normal, but I would try to explain some tricks to avoid this situation in more people. My main mistake was my doctor. And his main error was to do the closed surgery the three times. Of course, I recommend you this closed surgery, but if the first time don't go well, then you must think to the open surgery the second time. The reasons are not clearly, but it's my conclusion. All three times go wrong at first month, and I ensure you that my wound was the cleanest of the world... I suppose that some people like my don't go well with closed surgery. In other way with this closed surgery you don't have any pain. I hope that with open surgery too... but what I really hope is that this bad dream ends.

Date:

March 25, 2005

Story

My story begins with my son who at the time was 15 years old, playing football for his High School Team. One day at practice, he had taken a fall directly onto his tailbone. The next morning he told me what had happened (only because his tailbone still hurt). I looked at the tailbone area and saw what looked like a blood clot just at the top of the natal cleft. It had an odd shape to it which actually ran down into the crack. I spread his crack opened only to be horrified by seven holes running down the entire crack just stopping before the anus. I immediately took him to his doctor who diagnosed it as "Pilonidal Cyst". I had no idea what was involved with a Pilonidal Cyst. The doctor told me about treatment regimens, starting with the basic keep it extremely clean and watch it for any changes. During the next year, we only had three minor flare-ups, with just some slight drainage. I did notice that while it drained, small clumps of hair would accompany the bloody pus. Well, exactly one year later, while playing basketball with his cousins, he took a knee to the tailbone area again. It was at this time that the cyst took on a completely different look. It was visible in the same area gain just above the natal cleft. Only this time it was about two inches long, about one inch wide and about 1/2 inch raised from the surface of the back. Following a trip to the ER on 10.10.04, the doctor there, put him immediately on IV antibiotics and a 10 day prescription of antibiotics with an order to contact a surgeon. We got an appointment with a surgeon one week later. During this week, I went online to find out all I could about Pilonidal Cysts. With the assistance of my sister, she found this website. It was a God Send. I read everything here I could and was so much more knowledgeable about Pilonidals than anyone could have imagined. It really paid off too. We had our consultation with the surgeon, Dr. Nicholas Poulos, Pediatric Surgeon at Nemours Childrens Hospital, Jacksonville Florida. He came in and examined Jordan and immediately began telling me what it was, what was involved, and what needed to be done about it. I promise you, when he talked with us, it was as if he had your website in front of him and reading from it. He expressed extreme knowledge about pilonidals and on 10.26.04, Jordan was scheduled for excision. The surgery took about 1 hour and was done out-patient. I was prepared to be his caregiver during his recovery period, which worried Dr. Poulos at first as he warned us that the cyst was extensive and the surgery was very extreme. The surgery was excision with open wound closure. The incision was approximately 8 inches long and about 4 inches deep. When I first had to do a dressing change, I thought I would be prepared after reading everything here and even looking at the pictures, but it was so much more than I had ever imagined, I guess because reality hit me that this was my child and not someone else. But through prayer and information obtained through this website we got through it. 1) I made sure he had a high protein diet 2) I made him drink Danactive yogurt daily (helps build immune system 3) I kept him out of school for one month until the dressing changes were changed to once a day 4) He took Epsom Salt baths twice a week 5) It is important to have them take a daily stool softener because the pain medicines will constipate you 6) He took Vitamin C with Zinc daily 7) He drank plenty of water, no sodas, ice tea, etc 8) He was instructed to have no physical activities until he was released from the doctor 9) I took heed to the necessary medical supplies that everyone here stated would be necessary for the dressing changes 10) Laser hair removal on and in the buttocks to prevent this from recurring We did twice daily dressing changes the first month, then once daily dressing changes afterwards and he had continuous bi-weekly doctor visits to shave the area and so Dr. Poulos could use the silver nitrate on him. He was exactly 12 weeks completely healed and closed! Dr. Poulos released him to full normal activities the end of January 2005. He was extremely amazed at the time-line. He stated that normally someone with this degree of a Pilonidal would take one year to do what Jordan was able to accomplish in 3 months! I hope my story inspires people that no matter how drastic it may be, you can get through it! Remember to pray throughout this entire process. You can do anything through God's strength. Jean

Date:

March 24, 2005

Story

Hi, I am the mother of an 18 year old male who like most of the other teens who have this didn't say anything about it for who knows how long. He was/is a kid who was pretty healthy and didn't complain much and he wasn't sick growing up. 2005 has been a bit rough for him. Everything started with what we thought was the flu. The cyst was found due to another issue that required many blood tests, and other multiple tests. Interestingly he was VERY modest and while in the hospital for these various tests did NOT want to remove his pants OR even lower them. Finally during one of the tests, the doctor lowered his pants and saw the cyst and smelled the odor. We had not seen it nor were aware it was there. This is an ongoing saga for our son. He is now dealing with an autoimmune disorder called Evans Syndrome which was diagnosed only 1 month ago, and now this Pilonidal cyst. As a senior in high school, he is going into his last 2 months of the best of the four years. Based on what I have read here, it's an aweful way to spend his last 2 months. He goes in for surgery in a week. Hopefully he will have the surgery if his blood levels are up. Please pray that they are up and he can begin to move forward....

Date:

March 24, 2005

Story

I just got my pilonidal sinus cut out, i had two abscessae above my bum. I'm also a girl, and i got the whole 'this is a farmer's/laborman's buttcrack problem' speech, but by the time i was in hospital i was in considerable pain, and really didnt care. Before i went to hospital to have the abscessae removed, i saw three GP's, took about 2 sets of useless and strong anti-biotics, and had one of them (all of you who have pilonidals will find this excruciating) SQUEEZE the abscessae in attempt to "release" the pus. This disgrace to the medical profession had literally grabbed hold and gone for it. (Half the waiting room undoubtedly went deaf). Anyway, shortly after that i was in hospital. The abscessae were cut out whilst i was under general anaesthetic administered via needle, the operation itself went well but i was sick/nauseous when i woke up. When the nurses changed my packing i was given a pain killer (Endone, a relation to morphine). Today is my first day home from hospital, and a nurse will be sent to my house daily to change the packing. I'm writing this to tell people to be conscious of this problem, and not wait as long as i did to get it treated. When i first got the abscess, i only had one, and it felt like a pimple so i ignored it. I had it for months, and then it died down and i forgot about it. It was back within a month-- with avengance. For those of you who have a pilonidal and think you can live with it, LET ME ASSURE YOU the longer you wait, the worse it gets!! Every time it flares up its worse than the last; the surgery will be MUCH easier if you get it done early. And if you're a woman who feels uncomfortable, see women doctors, my surgeon was a woman and a tribute to feminists everywhere ;) Hopefully my story will have a happy ending, and the healing process will be successful... to everyone else, good luck, best wishes! p.s. im considering hair removal options but would never wax or shave the area!! :S i plan to explore other options at a later stage, ill let you know if im successful *~*chloe*~*

Date:

March 23, 2005

Story

Wow, I found out that I had a pilonodal cyst today, thanks to this halpful page. I will go to the doctor to obtain his opinion and see what is the best solution for me. I noticed my pilonidal sinus about two years ago, it did seem strange, but since it produced no pain and no discomfort I thought of it as nothing. Recently I have a bit of pain when I sit in the toilet and that was the factor that triggered my curiosity. I never realized that this was so common, and I am glad that it brings no major concequences. I have smooth tissue with a bit of redness and a sinus, I will not let it escalate, it is a good idea to treat it before it becomes painful or it begins to drain. Thank you all for your support, it is helpful to know that I am not alone! I will come back to report my doctor's comments and recomendations. Thanks again!

Date:

March 22, 2005

Story

It's been about 4 weeks since I had surgery to remove a pilonidal cyst. I started to get the abcesses when I was pregnant. I thought it was just something weird happening because I was pregnant and weird things happen to your body. Well the bump would always go away so I never thought anything of it. About 2 weeks after I had the baby I got one and it was huge!!!! As if I didn't have enough going on with me. I went to the ER and had it drained. Not fun! I continued to get them for several months after that, before I met with a surgeon. He informed me that it would continue to return and become worse and surgery would be the best bet. So a few weeks later I was in the hospital having surgery. The recovery hasn't been as bad as what I expected. The Dr. stitched the sides down and left it open. I have to change the packing twice a day and I can pretty much do it by myself. At my follow up appointment the Dr. said it was healing extremely good. That was about 2 weeks ago and now it is almost completely closed up. I go back in a few days to see him again and hopefully I will be done with the packing and dressing all together. To all of you dealing with it right now please get the surgery done. Hopefully it will work out great for you too!

Date:

March 22, 2005

Story

Hi, I am a 31 year old female who was diagnosed in Nov. of 2003 with a PC. I have just under went my 8th drainage of this cyst. My family doctor in Nov sent me straight to a general surgeon, he opened it that day in his office (excruciating pain....the numbing medicine does not always work!! Hurt so bad I threw up all over his office about passed out). Since then, he has opened me 6 times in the OR. Last month, I went to see another surgeon, after my normal one told me because it wasn't draining on the outside (busted open) that I would be waisting his time. So this new doctor, who has been great tells me that my old surgeon who did my surgery and led me and my husband to believe that he was actually removing the cyst and it was just coming back..had in fact not removed it at all. So my new doc sent me to the hospital to have my 8th surgery, he put in a drain tube and informed me that we had to get rid of all the infection before actually removing the cyst. So it's been about 5 wks and I am still a bit sore, but I go back in next week to schedule the removal of the cyst. I sincerally hope this cures the problem. The day after my last surgery I was scheduled to start fertility treatments.....well so much for the idea of a new baby right now huh! I feel like my previous surgeon has not only took alot of money from me and my insurance group and made the hospital alot of money at about 3k due after each surgery and insurance...but he has took the opportunity of pregnancy away from me for at least another 6 months and let's face it....i'm not getting any younger. I hope that anyone dealing with this cyst gets the proper treatment from the beginning and doesn't have to go through what I have been through! God Bless....and Take Care!

Date:

March 22, 2005

Story

My story so far. About five years ago i had what seemed as a white head spot on the base of my spine.As it felt sore i stupidly got my wife too burst the spot using a pin!i know what an idiot i am. Anyway after about a week the spot eased but never totally went away. From then on i only had to bang the offending area and my cocyx would flare up and the spot kept returning into its original condition.Even sitting down slouched would cause it to flare up again. Once learning to remember not to bang or lean on the spot, 3 years past with only minimal fuss. Until the summer of 2004 when up it popped again and since then to this day it has been a permanent fixture on my rear end! Only now it goes through a weekly cycle of pain,discharge then scab.Although the pain is bearable the itching is unbearable. Just been to hospital to speak to the surgeon and i will be having the operation to remove my cyst in may 2005. Thanks to this excellent web site and all of you telling your stories , i now feel comfortable about having this op. I will update my story after the op.Fingers crossed for now!

Date:

March 22, 2005

Story

I'm 30 years old now and recovering from the cyst removal surgery. I had had the cyst for over 6 months and thought that nothing could be more painful, it was like the rawest, most tender charlie horse and like something was steadily pressing against it. I saw a doctor who was clueless as to what the flare up was (as it had at this time greatly receded)and was prescribed pain medication for the meantime. But once again it got worse, and again, and again. The cyst had reached the size of a golfball when i was referred to a surgeon who suggested prompt removal. Only one thing is certain in recovery, you won't get much information as to what will happen with the wound because each case is different. Mine stumped my surgeon as it steadily drained fluid for weeks. Just following the surgery I was connected to a drainage bottle and everything seemed tolerable. However, once that bottle was removed I was in pain like I had never felt. It took everything I had just to roll over in bed. I can remember being in too much pain to reach for the pain medication. A week after the surgery the wound burst and I was clueless as to what was happening. Everything around me was soaked in fluid. I stood over the toilet for over half an hour as a steady stream of fluid drained from the wound. Who would have thought that a vestigial gland could be so excruciatingly painful and messy? Over the next couple of weeks I was confounded by the steady level of pain and drainage. I was filling 4X4 gauzes 7-10 times a day and was prescribed antibiotics that gave me diarrhea so bad I couldn't eat. It is now 5 weeks later and I'm finally able to sit for more than a couple minutes at a time and experiencing relief. So word for anyone about to have the surgery...Clear your schedule! Make sure that things are taken care of beforehand and have someone handy to help you. There is no way to tough it out! If you can handle the pain, you may not be able to handle the mess. There is no timing for when the wound decides to drain. Yuck is the word...have fun!

Date:

March 20, 2005

Story

Here's my story from surgery at 17 to back to square one at 42: I had my first bout with this disease after a long car trip when I was 17 that I was sitting with my tailbone pressed against the edge of car seat. Well, a terrible swelling flared up and didn't go away, and the pain was so terrible (unable to sit/stand/sleep) plus malaise/fever that I had to go into the doctor, who was a general surgeon. He lanced my abscess w/out anesthesia, and I just about passed out from the pain as he squeezed my back to get out the infected material, and prescribed antibiotics. I remember just crying my eyes out afterwards in the car. (By the way, anyone nowadays who wouldn't give a local injection of lidocaine/anesthesia before lancing that kind of a painful abscess is a sadist, in my opinion). I was scheduled for surgery. I was in for a surprise. I thought it would be bad, but the post-op pain was just mind-blowing. The pain of the deep incision was excruciating. I had a deep vertical incision, and the about 4 rows of stitches were put across horizontally. (so many years later, the thick rubbery scars are so visible!) I remember the doctor telling me that he thought he got everything out and he rinsed the cavity thoroughly with antibiotics. The post-op took weeks, and again I remember crying in the bathtub in pain, and how it hurt *%#*%**!!! as the stitches were healing. It took so long to feel halfway normal again - a few months. I vowed I would NEVER go through that again. Well, a few years later, another cyst appeared (another one did grow back), I was about in my mid-twenties, and I had occasional flare ups over the years that I managed to control with Advil and Benedryl (LOTS) and luckily it would recede and didn't morph into a full-blown infection. Now, I'm 42 and my cyst progressively has flared up with infections for the past several months with my usual remedies not working. I looked up on the internet to see if they had come up with anything new treatment and surgery and to my chagrin, I couldn't believe that I was reading in 2005 the medical community hasn't come up with any substantial progress/cures in treating this disease, incl. the surgery (except the cleft lift which most physicians don't do.) That really turned me off to seeing a physician, too. Can't modern medicine come up with something better to treat this terrible condition? Each time I ALMOST made an appointment because I felt so miserable & ill, but then it went away. A couple weeks ago the flare up became so bad and I felt so ill, and the cyst was so big, that I finally made an appointment, although I knew the road I was about to take, and that it would set off a whole chain of reactions leading to surgery. As I knew, the doctor lanced it (but this time with a local injection, which stung, but was very effective, and I didn't feel any incision or excrutiating pain) and gave me some powerful antibiotics as he felt I was showing symptoms that the infection was starting to enter my blood stream. He also commented that the cyst was very large and deep (great). Now I have an appointment with a surgeon. Part of me wants to run in the opposite direction, but it's gotten to the point that I have to do something about it again. I also can't afford to be fighting off infections regularly, too. So that's where I'm at today, and I'll write back what eventually what course of treatment and what kind of surgery I end up with. I just dread this as I am the primary caretaker of three children, and I can't be taking time off (who will drive?) but I also can't afford to be laid low with a regular painful infection in my back. Oh, well...Best of luck to you all who have to deal with this...

Date:

March 19, 2005

Story

March 19, 2005 I just had my surgery yesterday to remove a pilonidal disease. I remember back about 6 years ago playing baseball when i was wearing my track pants (the ones with the zipper in the back pocket) when i went for a slide and i felt something scrape my lower back. It did scrape it (zipper) and i thought i had healed from it. About a month later it was infected but i thought nothing of it. A month passed again and i saw my doctor and he confirmed it was infected. I went on antibiotics to try and kill the infection. About a month or so later he thought it was this pilonidal disease. Well i was absolutely afraid of surgery so i just shrugged it off and kept on going in life, in pain. Then in Christmas of 2004 i said it was enough, booked the appointments and had it surgically removed. Its now the next day and yes it does hurt abit but in a couple of weeks, it will be as if it was never there. I have had other people who have had the surgery before tell me that when the close the wound up with stitches it does heal faster but can come back, instead of having an open wound with gauze soaking up the ooze. ya it does sound gross, but trust me, the surgery is worth it. K.Turner age 22

Date:

March 19, 2005

Story

Well, I'm 15...i first got this thing sometime in the fall of this year. At first it didnt hurt that much, but then it started to hurt worse and worse. I told my mom about it because my brother had something like this last year, not the same thing but the symptoms were similar (he had to get surgury to remove it...ahh). I was playing soccer for my freshman team at the time, and I was a goalie. I knew i needed to go to the doctor when before a game i dove for a ball during warm-ups and i couldnt/didnt want to play in the game we were about ready to have because i was in so much pain i couldnt stand up-right. The next day I missed school and went to my regular doctor. She told me it was a Pilonidal cyst and I should get it laced that day. So she sent me to a different doctor, and thats what they did. He numbed it, but i could still feel some of it and it HURT! But after he finished (it didnt take that long at all), i got up and surprisingly could walk around with no pain. I felt so much better. I had to go back the next week and get the gauze removed and I havent been back since. - BUT THEN - a few days ago I started feeling it again. Now its starting to hurt worse but I dont want to get surgury because I made the varsity softball team and our first game is in a couple of days. I know if i get surgury I'll be out for a few days and my doctor would probably suggest not to play sports for awhile...so hopefully i wont have to do that. I think im going to try antibiotics and hope the infection goes away for the time-being so i can deal with it later :-D well thats my story!

Date:

March 18, 2005

Story

I was diagnosed with a pilonidal abscess only a couple of months ago. I remember feeling a lot of pressure on my lower back without any pain when I sat down a month before I was diagnosed. I consulted my doctor about the pressure on my lower back. But since it coincided with my period, my doctor said it was nothing to worry about. The pressure went away within a couple of days. I didn't think it was going to return, but I was absolutely wrong!! Three weeks later, I felt an awful continuous throbbing pain around the same coccyx/tailbone area. I couldn't sit down, walk, or even lie down in some positions!! Wearing tight clothes and having even a light blanket on my lower back made it so much worse. I lost so much sleep at night because the intensity of the pain. I stayed up crying most nights because it was so unbearable and excrutiating. I was constantly taking excedrin and extra strength tyonel, which only reduced the pain for two to three hours. I had no idea what was happening to me. After a full week, I went to see my doctor who thought that I might have fractured my coccyx. So I went for xrays. I continued to take excedrin and tyonel to reduce the pain; however, the pain was getting more severe and I was starting to have fevers and hot flashes. The next morning, I noticed some kind of lump in the crease of my buttocks. I wanted to consult my doctor, but decided to wait until they received the results of my xray at the end of the week. Two or three days later, the cyst had ruptured. My boyfriend immediately brought me to the emergency room, where I was diagnosed with a pilonidal abscess. I wasn't feeling anymore throbbing pain. However, when my lower back or upper butt was even slightly touched, I felt a sharp shooting pain. The worst part of it was when one of the surgeon in the ER had to perform minor surgery on me to drain the cyst without any anesthetics. I was literally crying my eyes out. Afterwards, I was informed to take hot baths twice a day and change the dressing on my wound as needed with sterile bandages. I went for several checkups with my doctor to make sure my wound was healing and cleaned properly. A little over a month afterwards, the wound healed up without any scars from the surgery. Although I was informed that there is a chance that the cyst could return, I truly wish that it will never come back. After all the misery I went through, I can truly say that I know what physically pain really is. So I just wanted to wish everyone the best of luck in dealing with a pilonidal cyst!! If you think you may have it, consult a doctor immediately!

Date:

March 17, 2005

Story

Hi, I'm a 19 year old college athlete and I just had surgery to remove my pilonidal cyst. Everyone said it was going to be horrible, but I just had it yesterday and I have been walking around slowly today. I'm a rower and of course the positioning of this isn't the best, but the doctor said I'll be able to row in about 2 months max!!! Not bad. I'll admit it isn't fun having stitches in but butt crack, but if this will allow me to row without pain, I'll take it!! It really isn't that bad and if you are worried about the surgery, don't be. Everything will be fine. My doctor was wonderful and I actually went to a rectal and colon specialist. He knew so much about these and could give me specific details about mine. I know there are a lot of horror stories about surgery, but I just want people to know that it isn't that bad. Cheers!!

Date:

March 17, 2005

Story

HEllo - I am a 29 year old female and was first diagnosed w/PC when I was in high school. The first occurence was the worst and at first was thought to be a boil. It was lanced at a local urgent treatment center. However, about a year later I began to have a flare-up every 4 months or so. Having no health insurance (over 18 and just starting out) I would just suffer through each swelling and it would eventually drain itself and i would go on. Finally, in february of 2000 I had insurance and a steady job and the time to take off, so I had the surgery. I cannot begin to explain how painful the first few days post-surgery were, but I was relieved to have it "behind" me! Now, 5 years later, I am once again experiencing a little tenderness and a small pea-sized bump around the same area. I am very pensive about this. I have a Harley and love to ride, not to mention am getting married in less than 5 weeks! I visited this web-site to try and determine the likelihood of recurrance and am not too thrilled with what I have heard so far. Yet I refuse to let this thing keep me from doing what I love (motorcycles, four-wheeling, camping, etc.) I have an appointment for Wednesday with my doctor but obviously will not do another surgery until I am past the wedding and everything. The thought of that recovery again is gut-wrenching. Best of luck to those having the surgery for the first time, and remember the first two days are the worst and then the rest is a breeze.

Date:

March 16, 2005

Story

I'm 18 and I've had this bloody thing for a few months. Surgery is not an option at over 10,000-20,000 dollars. I can get medical insurance in six months, but I'm going into the Navy in about 3 months! I'm hoping to tell my officers in boot camp that I hit my tailbone on a rock during crunches and that it 'magically' appeared. I know, its cheap, but I don't have any other choice. At that point, they can help me get rid of it. Its kind of frustrating, but I've been talking with my father about it (so embarrasing) and he just tells me to shave it and keep it clean. I've also been taking anti-biotics for it. I think that if I can make heal up for a few months, go into boot camp, pass, then exit, I should be in the clear for surgery. Its risky, but hyigene is a must. If anyone can help me with ANY information, I would be very very grateful. Thanks, and take care! Contact: Kainweapon@japan.com AIM: Ujikaweapon

Date:

March 15, 2005

Story

Greetings, I, too, have this pilonidal cyst. I don't mind the pain and the "gross" aspects of it, but I do not have health insurance yet, as I am young and on my own. I have had it lanced twice in the past two months, and will probably need the surgery, as I have a feeling it will creep up again. Anyways, I am using this to conduct a quasi-scientific experiment, though. I am an astrologer, and I believe I know what is causing this cyst in particular. Even if you don't believe in astrology, I'd like to see if this particular combination is common in people who are affected by this. My e-mail is astrology_vedic@yahoo.com Good luck to all

Date:

March 14, 2005

Story

Hi! I'm an 18 year-old high school student and I recently found out that I had this disease.... I haven't had any surgeries yet, although my doctor told me to expect one to three. I go for my first appointment tomorrow, so I'm a little apprehensive. I thought I was just suffering from a pulled muscle, at first. I had nearly tumbled down a spiral staircase a few days previous, and this is what I attributed the pain to. Then it got much, much worse. It started hurting in a Wednesday night, and by 2:00 A.M. the following day, it had begun to bleed. I freaked out, I'll admit. I had no idea what was going on with me, but I didn't think it was anything serious. I'm admittedly a sissy when it comes to pain, so I tried to stick it up, and keep going. I missed school Friday and Monday, and the one day I did go, Tuesday, was like the day from hell. I had to explain to my teacher, teary-eyed, that I couldn't sit back down. Every speedbump was torture. The next day, one week after it started hurting, I found myself face-down on a hospital cot, a mere sheet seperating me from the annoying woman to my left and my nerves on edge. My mother had begun to drain the wound a few days prior, and I've never been so close to passing out. I'd never felt any pain like that before! The doctor informed me of what I had, and I couldn't even pronounce the name! I had never heard of it, nor had anyone around me. And how was I going to explain something like this to people at school? I had been gone a week, and I knew they would want some sort of explaination, and I knew the excuse that I had been attacked by ninjas because I was secretly a government spy wouldn't suffice. I basically told them it was a back condition that I would need surgery for. A good deal of my friends freaked, understandab