Hello I am a uk resident. I have suffered with this horrid disease since I was sixteen (far from a hairy middle aged man). I took the diagnosis far too personally at that point assuming I was an ugly hairy person with a big dirty bum.
That in reality is not the case. I had another flare up in my final year at Uni and had to postpone my finals. I believe stress paid an important factor on those two flare ups so was conscious to not let it happen again. Whether it was the lowered immune system, the slouching posture when stressed or the sedentary nature of the cause of stress (studying) I am not sure. In both those instances doctors couldn’t see anything. I have a camouflaged version. It is only through the extensive pain and differing in size of each cheek that they were convinced they would be able to drain.
My most recent episode was similar in that only when the doctors saw my scars from previous drainages did they believe me that it was pilonidal sinus disease. They dont tend to listen a lot in the uk. So, they decided to EUA (examination under anaesthetic) to see if it really was there or not. I rolled my eyes saying it is there I can only lie down on my side without pain come on!!!
So I woke up from anaesthetic in the most horrific pain. Never felt anything like it. Maximum dose of Tramadol and oxygen was required. It didn’t touch the pain but it sedated me. Turned out, I was right, suprised? I wasn’t. I was suprised that tbey had decided to make an excision of the are and stitch me back up. I hadn’t given consent to that bit! That is why it was so excruciating. To make it worse they had also sliced right down the middle. Ouch. Butchers.
Im 4 weeks into recovery and still finding it hard to sit never mind sit back comfortably. There are a number of frustrating things that are consequential about these episodes.
Firstly, most ordinary working life revolves around sitting. Someone needs to invent a lying down desk.
Secondly, you realise how much your bum cheeks rub together when you walk. A humbling feeling that will make you appreciate all those times you were never in enough pain to take notice.
Thirdly, how do you get anywhere? Transport, including wheelchairs, are all sitting based! Its an isolating experience.
Fourthly you are constantly aware of potential threats ie. Swinging door handles, partners knees in bed, losing balance, children, stray objects left on chairs. Basically any hard object that could cause pain to that very fragile area. You have to get used to looking over your shoulder.