I have been dealing with my pilonidal cyst since I was approx. 22 years old. I am now just a couple months away from the ripe old age of 51. I used to tell them that it flared up every month along with my periods. I was told there was no connection between the two. It would build up so bad that I couldn’t sit, stand or lay down. It had so much pressure I couldn’t have a bowel movements. The lances then began.
I had my first surgery in 87 and spent a few days in the hospital. My best friend asked if they used piano wire to close it up with. The doc said he removed a mass a bit bigger than a golf ball. Great, right? All gone. NOPE, it reappeared. A couple of more lances, still it came every month. I had switched my doctors and decided to just deal with it. Month after month, year after year.
The second surgery took place. No surprise, it came back soon after, feeling like it never left and had no intentions of going away. I had to suck it up and deal with it. This time it was different. After reaching it’s most painful two days it began to form holes and begin draining on it’s own. And did this for the next several years. I was getting by with at least two non cyst weeks every month. I could do things during those two weeks. Finding strength from dealing with this and other medical issues I applied for a job, which I got, but was told I had to have this cyst taken care of once and for all.
Another surgeon another surgery. This time they went in and cleared everything from around my tailbone and instead of sewing it up, the plan was to use a wound vac and home care services. They both were extended several times. Months later I cancelled them both. That was in 09. Hate to say it, but, things have only worsened.
Currently there are two holes and drainage as I write this and weekly flare ups. I will soon be making an appointment with a C/R specialist and seeing what she says. Thanks to this site, I see there is a pilonidal specialist within about 10 miles of my house. I will see if I can be authorized to meet with him. Who knows, maybe 2012 will be the year I can live pilonidal free, being able to plan things using public facilities and giving my boss a full years worth of work… but, I’m not holding my breath.