I am 19 years old (female) and am suffering from a pilonidal cyst. My first encounter I did not know what the lump was but it was very sore and tender. I was leaving for the beach that night and my mom insisted on me going to the doctors beforehand. I went to a walk in clinic where they popped it and drained it. I was given antibiotics and a cleaner to put on it. (The ride to the beach was miserable, and so was my whole time at the beach) it cleared up within a couple of weeks of cleaning and more draining (nasty smell and color) I thought it was over then.
6 months later here I am. I went to the movies for a midnight premiere and a few days later my butt was hurting again and I assumed it was sore from sitting…nope it came back. About 5 days into it I was feeling sick couldn’t sleep and very stressed about it so my roommate took me to the ER. (The lump was about the size of a quarter) they told me they couldn’t do anything yet so I was given antibiotics and a small pain killer. They told me it was cellulitis and sent me on my way. Over the thanksgiving break it hurt more and I finally called a family friend who was a nurse and husband was a doctor who told me I needed to see a surgeon.
They made me an urgent appointment yesterday. I went in and sure enough, it was a pilonidal cyst. (I’ve never had any kind of numbing or any surgeries/ procedures) so I was freaking out plus my mom was hours away so I had to take the family friend I was talking about. The surgeon and nurse were both super nice and understanding so that was a plus. They numbed it (hurt so badly) then lanced it. The lancing didn’t hurt too bad except for when he went up in it to get some dried pus I felt the whole thing. (I was screaming it hurt so badly) but the beginning wasn’t too bad minus the fact that I was sweating, almost hyperventilating, and in tears from being so nervous. The nurse even told me the pain from this is worse than child birth (so goodbye to future plans of having kids) they cleaned it out very well and packed it.
Tomorrow I have to change the packing and clean it out and continue to everyday until I go back Monday. They gave me some strong pain killers and told me the packing will really hurt so I’m not looking forward to that part. So far I’ve been in way less pain than I was a couple days ago, I am so glad I got it drained. It should start healing soon and after that we talked about surgery because it is looking like a big must right now apparently. (I also have those two little holes..i need to read up on them) he said he would probably not stitch me up afterwards for a better result of healing bottom up..not sure if this is the best option. I would also have to follow up with wound care almost daily to get it repacked. So not looking forward to that part either.
This website is very helpful and I’m glad to see other people are also going through this crazy thing with me because no one around me seems to have these problems. Good luck to anyone else dealing with this problem. God bless!