NeoGAF

TheLastFantasy · 06:14 AM

Well, technically, it's on the very lower back near my coccyx bone.

For the past week I've felt pain when I sat directly on my lower back. I thought it was a bone thing, but when I was in the shower, I felt this big lump or something under my skin about 2 to 3 centimeters in width. And yesterday, the pain was too great. I slept horrible and I couldn't sit properly or even lie down on my back.

It's the Eid holiday here and hospitals usually take 2 or 3 days off except for emergency rooms. I went to the emergency room nonetheless and the doctor said I had a pus build-up under my skin or something. He referred me to a general surgeon whom I'm gonna visit in a couple of days for some sort of pus drainage procedure. The doctor also gave me painkillers.

Anyway. Has anyone experienced something similar? How does the procedure work exactly? Share your stories if you have any.

Scullibundo · (08-20-2012, 06:08 AM)

They're gonna cut it out and then you're going to have to go back to the hospital every week or so tohave the bandages changed until it heals up.

I know because I once thought I was in for the same thing, but that healed up by itself.

Avixph · (08-20-2012, 06:10 AM)

You may have a pilonidal cyst.

beastmode · (08-20-2012, 06:11 AM)

pictures?

spindashing · (08-20-2012, 06:11 AM)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilonidal_cyst

TheLastFantasy · (08-20-2012, 06:14 AM)

Well, whatever it is, I'm gonna need some sort of procedure according to the doctor from the ER.

Schadenfreude · (08-20-2012, 06:15 AM)

Originally Posted by spindashing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilonidal_cyst

Don't know why I clicked that. Good luck with your surgery, OP.

Volimar · (08-20-2012, 06:15 AM)

Be very very careful and make sure you take all of your antibiotics. This kind of cyst is notorious for getting infected. Keep the area as clean as possible, and if you use a topical antibiotic try to apply it while wearing vinyl or latex gloves. You do NOT want MRSA in that area...

Mister Negative · (08-20-2012, 06:15 AM)

Pilonidal cyst?

had one myself.

Shit's not fun. had to have it surgically removed. Wound was left open and packed and repacked every couple of days. I don't remember how long that went on for, but it wasn't a short amount of time.

You might not have to have yours surgically removed, I dunno. but that's what I went through. My personal experience almost seems worst-case in a lot of ways.

Baraka in the White House · (08-20-2012, 06:15 AM)

It's an asscess.

Router · (08-20-2012, 06:15 AM)

Yeah, I'm not clicking any links in this thread.

Pumpkins · (08-20-2012, 06:16 AM)

I had one of these ... Had to go in to get it surgically taken care of. Since then it has never come back. Recovery was not that bad (took a couple of weeks), just couldn't sit for a while.

Highly recommended that you do get it taken care of, otherwise it will just continue to flare up and be a bad time all around.

sangreal · (08-20-2012, 06:16 AM)

old

Lump above butt crack?

Has anyone here had surgery for a pilonidal cyst?

TheLastFantasy · 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by spindashing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilonidal_cyst

Yeah I just checked that out and it doesn't look like what I have. My thing is not in my butt crack. lol

Volimar · (08-20-2012, 06:19 AM)

Originally Posted by Mister Negative:

Pilonidal cyst?

had one myself.

Shit's not fun. had to have it surgically removed. Wound was left open and packed and repacked every couple of days. I don't remember how long that went on for, but it wasn't a short amount of time.

You might not have to have yours surgically removed, I dunno. but that's what I went through. My personal experience almost seems worst-case in a lot of ways.

Did you go to the hospital for it or a local doctor? My doctor told me that 3/4 of the time they don't need to pack it at all, but hospitals will to be able to bill for the procedure. He told me that the MRSA in my back didn't have to have been packed. I was so pissed at the hospital because packing that in was goddamn painful. I really wish my doctor would have been able to see me at the time.

OnkelC · (08-20-2012, 06:19 AM)

Originally Posted by TheLastFantasy:

Yeah I just checked that out and it doesn't look like what I have. My thing is on my butt crack. lol

gluteal cleft = asscrack.

TheLastFantasy · (08-20-2012, 06:19 AM)

Originally Posted by Pumpkins:

I had one of these ... Had to go in to get it surgically taken care of. Since then it has never come back. Recovery was not that bad (took a couple of weeks), just couldn't sit for a while.

Highly recommended that you do get it taken care of, otherwise it will just continue to flare up and be a bad time all around.

It seems that it will require surgical treatment, since it's not small.

spindashing · (08-20-2012, 06:20 AM)

Originally Posted by TheLastFantasy:

Yeah I just checked that out and it doesn't look like what I have. My thing is on my butt crack. lol

No, that's what you have. Pilonidal cysts occur on the butt crack.

The picture's terrible. I suggest you go to google images but uh...some of the stuff there is nightmare fuel.

Edit: Whoops? Lol. Oh... Well, here's hoping all turns out well OP.

TheLastFantasy · (08-20-2012, 06:21 AM)

Originally Posted by OnkelC:

gluteal cleft = asscrack.

Oops. That was a typo. I meant that it was not.

McNei1y · (08-20-2012, 06:24 AM)

Originally Posted by TheLastFantasy:

Yeah I just checked that out and it doesn't look like what I have. My thing is not in my butt crack. lol

Sorry but that's what you have, most likely. It doesn't have to be on the butt crack. It can be one either side of the cheek as well as a bit above the butt crack/tail bone area. I have had one of these... twice, actually. I just had surgery to help remove it two weeks ago. Ingrown hair/or just hair itself is normally the cause for one of these.

Mister Negative · (08-20-2012, 06:24 AM)

Originally Posted by Volimar:

Did you go to the hospital for it or a local doctor? My doctor told me that 3/4 of the time they don't need to pack it at all, but hospitals will to be able to bill for the procedure. He told me that the MRSA in my back didn't have to have been packed. I was so pissed at the hospital because packing that in was goddamn painful. I really wish my doctor would have been able to see me at the time.

Well, the surgeon's office was outside of the hospital, but the procedure was done at a hospital. I was only 14, so I don't really remember many of the details, but I do remember that our insurance covered it pretty well.

I don't remember my packing sessions being that painful. It was certainly unpleasant and uncomfortable, but I don't remember lots of pain.

Edit: OP, if it's on your tailbone, it's most likely this.

TheLastFantasy · (08-20-2012, 06:26 AM)

Originally Posted by McNei1y:

Sorry but that's what you have, most likely. It doesn't have to be on the butt crack. It can be one either side of the cheek as well as a bit above the butt crack/tail bone area. I have had one of these... twice, actually. I just had surgery to help remove it two weeks ago. Ingrown hair/or just hair itself is normally the cause for one of these.

Would this thing's procedure and recovery be much different than an abscess?

Crayons · (08-20-2012, 06:27 AM)

This happened to me when I was 11. It was by my armpit and I still have the scar. I had to stay home from school for at least a week while a nurse visited me.

Verelios · (08-20-2012, 06:27 AM)

I had one, but I just disinfected it myself and then cut out the flesh and drained the pus. The procedure was going to take way too much time/money and honestly, why the hell do I go to school if I can't even do that much.

It hurts though. And bleeds when you exercise (sit ups, etc). Do not want to go through that again.

OnkelC · (08-20-2012, 06:28 AM)

Originally Posted by TheLastFantasy:

Would this thing's procedure and recovery be much different than an abscess?

first,you will get a shot of crystal violet soultion into the abscess so the surgeons can see how far it has spread. the infected area will then be surgically removed.

CorvoSol · (08-20-2012, 06:30 AM)

I had a pilonydal cyst and I did NOT have to go back to get the bandages changed. I did it myself. Didn't even ruin any of my underwear. I DO endure the occasional ribbing from friends and family about the time I had a tail removed, but otherwise, whatever. It was painful, from what I understand it was gross, but life moves on. Every once in awhile I get a sharp pain or two, but nothing LIFE ALTERING happened. I had a cyst removed and moved on.

Don't you listen to all them horror stories. Modern medicine will take care of you.

CFK · (08-20-2012, 06:31 AM)

I think I`ve had something similar near that area. I exploded it and it healed itself, so I don`t think it was as bad as yours.

A word or advise to the faint of heart. Don`t google image cyst or abscess.

McNei1y · 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by TheLastFantasy:

Would this thing's procedure and recovery be much different than an abscess?

Well, they are pretty much the same thing. It depends on how severe it is for you. The doctor at the hospital tried to lance it, before they found out how bad it was. They said the lancing would have healed in a week or two while it drained. Unfortunately for me, I had it worse so I had to get surgery.

The healing process for surgery can vary. It can heal in a couple of weeks or a couple of months. You would need to do a lot of sitz baths as well as packing the area to absorb the shit that comes out of it. It's not fun. I had it alot worse since I also have some problems that exacerbate it so my recovery process was quite awhile so don't expect yours to be as bad as mine.

Bad7667 · (08-20-2012, 06:33 AM)

Originally Posted by Mister Negative:

Pilonidal cyst?

had one myself.

Shit's not fun. had to have it surgically removed. Wound was left open and packed and repacked every couple of days. I don't remember how long that went on for, but it wasn't a short amount of time.

You might not have to have yours surgically removed, I dunno. but that's what I went through. My personal experience almost seems worst-case in a lot of ways.

Yeah same here. Had my surgery in September and had a nurse or something close to one come everyday until January.

It really sucks OP if you do end up having the surgery.

TheLastFantasy · (08-20-2012, 06:33 AM)

Originally Posted by CorvoSol:

Don't you listen to all them horror stories. Modern medicine will take care of you.

Yeah I know. I'm prepared for a little share of pain and discomfort as long as I can get this thing out of me. I was just curious to how these things usually went.

CorvoSol · (08-20-2012, 06:42 AM)

Originally Posted by TheLastFantasy:

Yeah I know. I'm prepared for a little share of pain and discomfort as long as I can get this thing out of me. I was just curious to how these things usually went.

It really wasn't that bad AFTER it was over for me. Like, I remember feeling the pain one night, and the next I was supposed to be helping in the kitchen but was in way too much pain. I reached back and was bleeding, so I had to ask my father to take a look, and that's how I found out.

Really, the situation was more embarrassing than anything, since I kept having to drop trow for people. Otherwise, I had a surgery and had to shave and bandage my butt for like, a month, so meh.

abusori · (08-20-2012, 06:43 AM)

Oh gawd not this thread again! I had barely forgotten the horror!

*deletes sub*

MasterOfPastures · (08-20-2012, 07:20 AM)

My brother had one. That's bad shit.
Good luck, and I'm out.

bunbun777 · (08-20-2012, 07:42 AM)

Can we talk about hemorrhoids too or is that too derailing? Cuz I think I got one of those.

GasProblem · (08-20-2012, 07:45 AM)

Have a pilonidal cyst as well. Got it cut out and stitched up but it came back. It's not that big, so I'm getting treatment with a phenol injection in october. If that doesn't work I'm getting it cut out and they're leaving the wound open. Rather not go through that though, so I hope it heals :(

RangersFan · (08-20-2012, 07:53 AM)

seek out a specialist who is up with the latest procedures of dealing with pilonidal cysts. there is a high occurrence rate of it returning even if the surgeon cuts everything out.

DominoKid · (08-20-2012, 08:00 AM)

oh no not this shit again. i remember the last ass cyst thread...

*shudders*

TheLastFantasy · (08-21-2012, 04:43 PM)

Well. I just came back for the hospital. It was in fact a pilonidal cyst like a few of you suggested.

The doctor examined me and said that pus was already leaking out through a small hole in the skin and started draining all of it at once. That crap was painful and smelled so damn nasty. He said I'm gonna need to have surgery performed on me with general anesthesia and everything in a month or so after the swelling goes down. He gave me antibiotics and something for the pain.

Anybody had this cyst and had to undergo general anesthesia?

Ace Harding · (08-21-2012, 04:47 PM)

Originally Posted by TheLastFantasy:

Well. I just came back for the hospital. It was in fact a pilonidal cyst like a few of you suggested.

The doctor examined me and said that pus was already leaking out through a small hole in the skin and started draining all of it at once. That crap was painful and smelled so damn nasty. He said I'm gonna need to have surgery performed on me with general anesthesia and everything in a month or so after the swelling goes down. He gave me antibiotics and something for the pain.

Anybody had this cyst and had to undergo general anesthesia?

Well I guess I'll just throw out my lunch.

Edit: Sorry OP. Hope it all gets better,

Desmond · (08-21-2012, 04:47 PM)

God Luck OP. Got a pilonidal when I was 17. Fucking sucked is an understatement.

TheLastFantasy · (08-21-2012, 04:48 PM)

Originally Posted by Fong Ghoul:

Well I guess I'll just throw out my lunch.

Sorry. But it does say abscess in the thread title.

TheLastFantasy · (08-21-2012, 04:50 PM)

Originally Posted by Desmond:

God Luck OP. Got a pilonidal when I was 17. Fucking sucked is an understatement.

How long did take for you to completely recover? Was it painful after you had the surgery? Did it interrupt your daily activities much?

Ace Harding · (08-21-2012, 04:50 PM)

Originally Posted by TheLastFantasy:

Sorry. But it does say abscess in the thread title.

This is true. It also says "butt." I was warned.

Desmond · (08-21-2012, 04:51 PM)

Originally Posted by TheLastFantasy:

How long did take for you to completely recover? Was it painful after you had the surgery? Did it interrupt your daily activities much?

It was surgically removed and the wound was originally stitched closed. Stitches didn't hold so the would was left open and had to be packed daily for 2-3 months. It Sucked

marrec · (08-21-2012, 04:53 PM)

It's pilonidal cyst season on GAF again!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

...

Good luck OP.

Heavy · (08-21-2012, 04:53 PM)

Please see this thread: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=456934

TLDR: Be afraid, be very afraid.

TheLastFantasy · (08-21-2012, 05:08 PM)

Originally Posted by Heavy:

TLDR: Be afraid, be very afraid.

That's not helping. :|

Hoo-doo · (08-21-2012, 05:09 PM)

Originally Posted by Heavy:

Please see this thread: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=456934

TLDR: Be afraid, be very afraid.

Oh man, this thread.

Amory · (08-21-2012, 05:09 PM)

Lol there's a thread about these things like every few months.

Prepare for pain.

Featheredkitten · (08-21-2012, 05:27 PM)

When my husband was undergoing Chemo treatments he got one of these. Be careful with it because it CAN develop into blood poisoning (don't slack about getting it seen to). They'll drain it, or slice it open if they have to. If they slice it open you'll have to get the bandages changed weekly/daily. It will hurt. Especially because surgeons suck at wound care.