The Full Story Start to Finish

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Anonymous

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"Can you drive while on the meds?"

Not really. I am taking presciption strength (800mg)Motrin and Percocet (2 tabs every 4 hours). They knock me out completely. This morning though I took the Motrin without the Percocet and still cried on them when they changed the packing. It is getting hard for me to get there in the morning with someone else taking me (as I am overseas and not many friends here yet). I am thinking that this morning though I was "overpacked" because it has never hurt throughout the day even when on my side as it has today. I am headed back in though this afternoon for a changing... just waiting on hubby to get home. Wish me luck...[:?]
 
Sasha

Sasha

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Anonymous

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I'll have to ask about the dressings... I am in Germany currently and there is a limit as to what they order for the hospitals on base but I will see what they can get. The dressing change this afternoon was done by my regular nurse and she agreed that I was "overpacked". Not to mention apparently the dressing was put in dry cause it hurt like h3ll when she pulled it out. I have no say as to who I get to see but I think after this morning's experience and what the Captain found who did the change for me I don't think I will have to worry about being "overpacked" or packed with dry dressings. She made a point of letting me know she wouldn't be in the office first thing due to her own dental appointment so I know not to go in till after 9:am. I love Captain Henderson at this point. 5 more days till my follow-up with the surgeon, and we'll see what he says about surgery to remove completely. Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed (ams, legs, toes too :D) Best Wishes to everyone!!
 
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Anonymous

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[:8)] YEAH [:8)]
For the first time in two weeks I can sit like a normal person!!! Had my two dressing changes and it is still painful, but once that is all over the pain isn't soo bad and today is the first day I am able to sit and have it not hurt of feel like I have a cork in my backside. Also, got in touch with the Human Resources Dept. on base and they have held the position for me!!! WOOHOO[8D] Keep everything crossed for me that my luck doesn't run out. Best Wishes for everyone else.
 
C

chikluvs2blaze

New Member
Hello I am 22 yrs. old and my 4th cyst is growing at the moment[V]. The 1st time it ever came out I was at a very bad point in my life. I was with my ex, my family wasn't talking to me and we were broke. !st it started off as azit then it got bigger to the point that I couldn't get out of bed. I had to lay on my stomach and the slightest movement of my legs was as if I was going to die. After a week and a half of agonizing in bed my aunt brought me some antibiotics. I took 2 that day and went to sleep, the next day I woke up and the cyst had popped on it's own.[:p]. This was such a relief that I did'nt care about anything at that moment. My son was 3 months old at that time and all I wanted was to hold him in my arms. My aunt told me that I had to get surgery to remove the cyst but I was stupid and didn't listen. Exactly a year later it came back but 3 times worse. As it started to grow I went to the doctor and he gave me antibiotics. I was soooo happy thinking it was gonna pop again but it made it worse. It got really big and I was in the worse pain ever. "AnditStarts" I completely understand everything you just went through. At 5a.m I could not bare the pain so went to the hospital and they lanced it. "WHEW" what a relief it was but of course then the 2 weeks of changing the gauze came along. But I kept my head up high and went through the whole process and finally got the surgery to remove the entire cyst. I was sooooooooooo happy that it was never going to come out again. So, a year later (8 months ago) it came out again I couldn't believe it. I felt like killing the surgeon. Once again I went through the lancing and dressing and all the weeks of pain and agony. The doctor that did the lancing really freaked me out cause he said the 2nd surgery would be more delicate. So like an idiot I avoided it once again. Here I am 8 months later and this stupid cyst is coming out again. It's been 4 days. It isn't at it's worst yet probably in 3-5 days I'll be rushing to the hospital to get it lanced again. I already memorized the whole process. I am at work right now and I can sit but with my butt sticking out and me leaning forward and it still hurts. The real pain begins in a few days and I am dreading it soooo badly. I've been crying all day at work because this is the worst thing that could happen to anyone.:(. I don't wish it not even on my worst enemy. I keep asking myself why me. The surgeon told me that it could reoccur after the surgery, but the chances are very low. Well there you go, me and my damned luck. I had to be that low chance. I know a couple of people that had this and I am the only one that has had a reoccurance. This really sucks. I am so scared and it's not even the 1st time it happens to me. I would like to know if theres a way of stopping it from getting any bigger. I would still have to get the surgery but is there a way that I can make it go away and stop it from getting bigger to not have to go through the whole lancing???????? PLEASE HELP. Any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
 
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Anonymous

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[=(]Well after yesterdays gloriousness of being able to sit with no pain and being over joyed with that... it was short lived when today I was forced to use the ER to get my dressing changed as the other office is closed on the weekend. Keep in mind this is the same ER that hooked me up with the surgeon and admitted me for 5 days. Well.... they have a lovely (yet understandable) protocol that says all wounds have to be looked at by the Doc on duty. Fine fine whatever I am now up to having had 26 people seeing my backside. Well he came in and the first thing he did was pull my butt cheeks apart as far as they could go,causing me to come up off the bed in pain... he says to me, "yeah I always have to be the bad guy" at which time he took his pinky finger into the wound and ran his finger throughout my wound. I wanted someone to shoot me. I had to drive myself so I took no pain meds, although my dressing changes had warranted any for the last two days. I came home and I balled my eyes out for the next half hour from the pain. I am "supposed" to have my dressings changed two times a day... did I today... NO. I have just the one hospital at my disposal since I am overseas. I will go first thing in the morning as by that time my dressing will be over 12 hours old. My husband is going to be driving me so I will be taking ALL pain meds required to get through it. ...[=(][V]


Oh.... and now I have no idea if I was lanced or excised because the ER doc said I was excised (he was "supposedly" in on my surgery, but Dr. Subramanian (my surgeon) I could have sworn said he just lanced me..... I will find out Tuesday during my follow-up.

As to your question "what can you do to keep from it getting larger?" I would suggest going in to your doctors at first sign of it being there and getting on antibiotics, when that does work (give them 48 hours) go back and insist on treatment of some sort even if it means lancing before it gets larger... at least it gives it an opening to drain into rather than allowing it to swell. Other than that I have been told keeping your backside as clean as possible, dry, and hair free helps prevent them. I am going into my surgeon with the info on the "butt lift" technique, I am not considering it as of yet since this is my very first abcess/cyst but he is open to my concerns and suggestions for treatment as there are various ways to treat and it all depends on your life (social, home, work) as to which method is best. I hope I've helped.... I'll keep going with my story. Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed that tomorrow's dressing change will go smoother for me. Best Wishes[:eek:)]
 
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Anonymous

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[:I] 27 Is my new number of people having seen my backside. It truly amazes me the number of people who want to "just take a look" because they've not seen this before. Afer yesterday's ordeal I took ALL my pain meds before going in. I was soo in la la land that I didn't feel her pull my plug. I did feel every bit of the packing though. I have drained more in these past two days then I have since my (what I think I had)lancing. I chalk it up to the "streeeetch" and feeling around that was done yesterday??? Is this possible or am I getting a second infection that I need to be concerned with??? I can't wait to see my normal nurses tomorrow and see if they see a difference. Not to mention all weekend I wasn't swabbed out with damp q-tips. They just repacked. I was told it wasn't necessary both days. Raised somewhat of an eyebrow with me since I had more drainage. I hate not really having a choice for medical care. It did go better today. The doctor was too lazy to come out of his office to come take a look THANK GOD!! Therefore I was able to sit and go about my day more normally, unlike yesterday where I just layed in bed on my pain meds crying. Well any advice would be appreciated. I don't want to mouth off unless I am right. Best Wishes to every one.
 
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Anonymous

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Hrm... well I went to my regular practioner's office for my bandage change twice as I have been told and they agree that I am now drainy a considerable amount more than I was before. We are hoping that it is because of the "exam" I was given by the ER doc on Saturday. I go tomorrow for my follow-up with my surgeon. I am hoping I can get my confusion settled as to whether or not I was lanced or excised. I still say lanced. I am also going to see what he says about the extra drainage I have going on now. The nurse who did my dressing changes today said that if it persists I may be put back on antibiotics just in case I am trying to get a second infection. (LORD I hope not) Wish me luck... and Best Wishes for everyone.
 
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Anonymous

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[:8)][:8)][:8)]
Ra Ra Reee Kick me in my knee
Ra Ra Rass Kick me in my a--

I had my follow-up with my surgeon. I was put straight on if I had a lancing or a full excision. I was right... just a lancing. This is the first time he has seen me in 1 week and 4 days (my husband too). The surgeon was very pleased with my healing process and said now we need to start packing less and less as to not heed any further healing. My husband hasn't seen my PC since I was in the hospital and he agrees that there has been a great deal of healing that has taken place. Since I am limited as to who I can see my surgeon is a General Surgeon. He has been under the supervision of a CR surgeon though for the last five years so I do have the benefit of him having this CR surgeon at his disposal for consulting. The CR surgeon now works at another base a good hour or so away. He believes that because I had an acute abcess that I have a 50% chance of it returning. He feels that with the way I am healing I may just be in that group of people who no longer having any more problem so long as I keep the area clean and dry. He said he would say to shave back "there" but I have no hair... duh! He isn't sure if the cyst was actually caused by skin cells or not since the fluid didn't yeild any bacteria and there was no hair. He really believes I just had a pocket back there that was irratated with the extreme amount of bike riding we were doing. I have no idea. I just know I am pain free for the most part now. I am super paranoid about second infections and I DO NOT want to go through this type of pain again. He believes we should do a wait and see because if I were "meant" to go through this as some of you have the unfortunate luck too, then it will show its ugle head sooner rather than later. I don't know. I think I want to heal first and get my foot in the door working somewhere first. Any advice??? Oh... and he has recommended changing the dressing just once a day now. Yeah!!! Well that is it for today... Best of Luck everyone.
 
A

Anonymous

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I'm glad to hear things are much better. I have been reading and posting since the day you first wrote.

My advice is to let it completely heal, and maybe it will stay away. But if it does come back at least you know more about the cyst now and will able to recognize it. Good luck with the rest of your healing.
 
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Anonymous

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[:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)]
Woohoo... first full day of no pain relievers!!! There were times on occasion I thought I was going to end up taking one, but I got through it. Today though I have a second appointment with my doc... seems the antibiotics may have caused another problem for me (seeing how I am a girl I am sure you know what I mean)... Lovely!?! I tried keeping up with eating yogurt but seeing how my Kolase wasn't exactly working I had laid off the yogurt the last few days I was on antibiotics... I have never had one of "these" before either... so all kinds of "firts" for me this month... and the not soo good kind. *pouts* I just want to feel normal again. *pouts* Best Wishes to all.
 
J

Janmcwb1

New Member
Lactobacillus which is the active ingredient in yogurt comes in pills in the health food store. I am not 100% sure if this may work,but may be worth looking into.

I can tell that you are feeling better from your recent posts! I am glad to hear that the pain is receding.

Jan
 
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Anonymous

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I recently had my first bout w/ a PC. Mine unfortunately was on my inner thigh about 1" from my pubic area. I have never had anything so painful. It came on within 1-2 days and by day 4 I was hobbling around the house with a 101-degree fever. Of course that was on a Saturday and the general docs are gone for the weekend. By Monday, I had no choice but to go to work which involved alot of stairs at some local courthouses and sitting and waiting for my cases to be heard!! Ouch!! I managed to call my doctor in the morning and he recommended 1) antibiotics to be started immediately (Cephlaxin) and 2) an appointment with a surgeon.

Wednesday I was able to see the surgeon and because I was already on the antibiotic treatment, he was able to lance the PC there right away. Of course the pressure just from him touching and trying to drain it was UNBELIEVABLE! And the local anesthetic did nothing to help with numbing the area...something about the content of the cyst being too acidic!! I left the office in similar pain as when I went.

By Friday, I was actually back to work and feeling much better. I'm going back to the surgeon today (8 days post lancing) for a check up. Thanks for your website. Now I know the right questions to ask. Will keep you posted on the outcome.
 
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Anonymous

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*pouts*
As my luck goes due to the mass amount of antibiotics (found out was getting some 2000mg/every 6hours when in hospital--not to mention orals I was already on before that) I know am fighting yet another infection but of a different kind. I have never had one before not in my 27 years... not one. I was given Diflucan and now I am dealing with its side effects (headache and abdominal pain). It is getting rather hard for me to remain optimistic at this point. I was able though last night for the first time lay on my back without pain. I am still taking the motrin given me (800mg tablets) but that is to bout the side effects I am now going through the other pain from my backside has pretty much gone. I can't feel when they pull the plug on me during the dressing changes just some pressure when they pack it back. I was told that they now cannot fit the end of a q-tip all the way in my wound. YEAH... I have done quite a bit of healing from what everyone tells me. I just hope that having to put up with all this other stuff isn't going to set me back. I would give anything to take a normal shower (am still on stricked no baths no showers--just "sponge-bath" type so to speak). I am tire of having to hang my head over the tub to wash my hair (keep in mind it is mid-back length). grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr[:^][:^][:^] When asked how I was doing when I was in my docs office yesterday I told her I wasn't doing all that great and don't think I could take much more of this. I am not prone to illness or being hurt or put through any pain so you can imagine how hard this is for me to accept. *sighs* Well best of luck to you and Best Wishes...
 
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Anonymous

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[:I]:D[:I]
Woohoo... finally I am having a normal kinda day. The ER visit this weekend so far hasn't been bad at all. The doc who was on last week that tried to divide and conquer my backside wasn't on so I had a really nice one doing it this weekend. YEAH! I am now up to 31 people having seen my backside though.... have diffinitely learned not to be embarrassed. I have my second follow-up appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday. I hope everyone is having a good weekend. Best Wishes All
 
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AnditStarts

New Member
[:^][:^]
This sucks butt (pun fully intended)... So today in the ER they didn't have to look at me look at me, just change the dressing. Seems simple enough. I haven't really need pain meds unless getting examined (as Dr. REALLY take a look). The nurse doing it for me was rather nice and polite and was very keen on not hurting me, but for some reason she caused the corners of my incisions to bleed. That is when I started really feeling it. I wonder if maybe the corners had started to heal together and she accidently pulled them apart (we were supposed to lay off packing it all the way to promote it to close up finally)? Does this sound familiar to anyone??? Has anyone had this problem before?? Should I be concerned?? I have taken a round of pain killers to help with the pain I am experiencing now is there anything else I should do?? Please keep in mind I have been under instruction of no showers or baths and I have no packing material at home as I have been required to go to hospital for my changes....Help?!?[:xX]
 
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AnditStarts

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[:?][:^][:?][:I][:?]
So today was a bit of a busy day for me. Riding along, sometimes driving, getting up and sitting a lot. Then when EVERYTHING was done I went in for my daily bandage change. This time the Capt. was able to do the dressing change (she is the actual nurse for me, change is usually done by her asst/tech). She is fantastic I love her. She cleans me cleans me. She also leaves me with a LOT less of a bandage rather than one that covers my entire backside (keep in mind I have just a one inch incision at the very cleft as my cleft can be). I find out today the smaller bandage is a good thing as my skin in that region hasn't really seen the light of day let alone been able to breath due to all the tape since my procedure. Apparently my skin has had about all that it can take as it is now irratated and red. Feels dry too. Anyway... she hasn't really seen my wound for a week and said she could barely get the usual amount of packing in and was forced to cut it down twice. I am painful though?!? Is it because I over did it today? Should I be concerned about infection coming back? I am really scared to have to endure all this over again. Advice anyone?? Has this been a factor for you?? Thank you in advance and best wishes for everyone.
 
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AnditStarts

New Member
[:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)]
NO MORE PACKING!! NO MORE PACKING!!
Today was my three week follow up with my surgeon. His words..."FAAAANTASTIC....I don't want to see you back till you are completely healed." YEAH! No more packing just cover it with a small 2x2 and report once a week to my normal place to have them double check that there is still no infection. WOOOOOOhoooo. I get to take a shower now. YEAH! He also prescribed some Tylenol with Codene to help with some potential pain with my going to work and wishes me continued luck on healing. I am sooooo happing now. No more packing!
[:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)][:8)]
 
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AnditStarts

New Member
Paranoia has set in for me. It has been since Tuesday that my wound has not been packed and I am soooo scared of it getting another infection or crusting over or closing wrong or too soon... What to do?? I feel like my hands are tied. I can't see my backside no matter how I manipulate myself cause all I have is a small compact mirror (and the one in the bathroom above the sink). We've been putting wet to dry dressings on it still though... just laying them across the top sorta and taping them in place. I know I am beating a dead horse to some extent.... but never had I felt such pain and discomfort and I really do not want to go through all of that again. *sighs* Best Wishes everyone and I will still keep popping in.
 
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