reading about what may cause or exacerbate Pilonidal cysts I realised I fit into a lot of categories: * genetics – women on my maternal Grandmother’s side of the family all have large bottoms…
* weight – I became an overeater at about age 9.
* posture – I spent most of my teens sitting (slouching) reading & studying.
* sports – first 3 years of high school I did inter-school Gymnastic Trampolining, then after I got my first bike at age 15 I rode it EVERYWHERE.
* work – I had a weekend job at a Marina ferrying boat owners back & forth to the moorings; even in flat calm seas, with any speed the dinghy would bounce heavily… and me with it on the hard metal bench.
When I was 16 I had a Pilonidal cyst which became an abscess (probably due to continuing trauma). I didn’t know about it, just that over a few months my tailbone had started hurting, and not for the first time; the cyst could even have been there since my trampolining days. Walking around a street fair one weekend it hurt worse and worse, then at home that night the abscess burst – I didn’t feel it but Mum saw that the back of my skirt had a huge pus & blood stain. She took a look at the wound, tried to stretch it open so it would empty (ow). I had to lie on my front overnight because of the pain. I didn’t pay much attention to the doctor’s sessions; Mum discussed the treatment options with the surgeon, they decided on a Closed Excision procedure.
Given the time and place (Sydney, Australia, 1985) the only anaesthetic option offered was a General. I know the procedure wasn’t immediate because I remember very clearly going on a 3-day bushwalking trip with my sister, and when we got back being taken from the train station to Hospital Admissions in my grubby hiking gear; I had to fast that night with the op. in the morning. I can vaguely remember lying face-down over the curve of a convex table in pre-op; the next thing I can remember is lying on my front – again! – spending the next week in a hospital ward with periodic painting of Betadine on the sutures. I didn’t need to continue changing gauze packing, just keep it clean; the incision healed very quickly with no post-op infection, and thankfully in 26 years I’ve never had a recurrence of the cyst.
All I have to remind me is a scar like a train track, a surgical “sacral dimple”, and a few dead spots where the nerves were (possibly) severed. With what I’ve read lately I think I was very fortunate to have a skilled surgeon and excellent care in the hospital & at home with Mum – all of which gave me a great outcome. About 6 months ago my cousin’s 13yr-old daughter (Mum’s side again) was diagnosed with a Pilonidal Abscess. She had an open excision with gauze packing; my aunt is a registered nurse – she took time off work and came to stay with them to take care of the post-op care. So far, so good, although we all know not to assume it’s done with (yet).
JESSICA – I don’t know if this is relevant to you, but look at Myofascial Release / Trigger Point Therapy. I have a lot of problems both from injuries all my life and one huge car smash; I’m always trying to find my magic cure-all and this kind of physical therapy sounds like it fixes underlying muscular problems which cause referred pain and LOTS of other issues. Good luck anyway.