Pilonidal Sinus/abscess on the bum

[CantsitWontsit]

I have name changed but am a regular poster.

Last week I found a spot on my bum, that over the course of three days grew into a huge abscess that required emergency surgery under a full anaesthetic to drain and pack at the weekend. I have never known pain like it. Childbirth was easier.

The dressings need to be changed and the wound re-packed everyday by a nurse. They said up to 6 weeks to heal and I can't go back to work until it has.

I didn't even know this was a thing! I am shocked. The Dr said it is usually makes who have very sedentary jobs (Lorry drivers for example) with very hairy arses that get this! I am none of those things. My marathon training is now messed up, I can't work out, I can't go to work. I can't sit down or lay on my back.

Has anyone any experience of this? Can you tell me nice stories about how you recovered in 2 weeks instead of 6?

My poor bum! The poor nurses who have to look at my bum everyday! My poor husband who is doing EVERYTHING now.

Poor me, because when I tell people why I am at home/not at work/the gym/running club, they kinda laugh a bit

I had this, twice. First time when I was 20, they gave me antibiotics as they said the surgery wasn't pleasant and I'd have to have 6 weeks off etc. Then I got it again when I was 8 months pregnant so couldn't have the surgery. That was 10 years ago. Really hoping I don't get it again as I think they'll go for the surgery.

I don't envy you OP. Just the pain of it alone was enough. I remember it really was agony with no relief.

The toilet fear has been abated, thank goodness! It wasn't so terrible

My wound isn't huge so hopefully it won't take too long. Got a dressings change in 40 minutes so will take painkillers now. I forgot yesterday, Christ on a bike that hurt!

I was fairly numb after the op so packing wasn't a problem for me.

I used to take a couple of painkillers and the district nurse came to my house.

Epsom salt baths as soon as you've healed enough to help with swelling. Don't do that just now, quicker showers and dry yourself with a hairdryer in that area.

You will be absolutely fine op, I'm sorry to hear you have one of these awful things! They're brutal.

Hopefully you never have a reoccurrence or a flare up, if you do, please look on the surgical hall of fame on pilonidal.org for a surgeon who specialises in the karydakis flap or the cleft lift.

Thanks Table, I will look. I cannot go through this again - the pain today at the dressing changes was horrendous. I read it can get worse before it gets better. I just sobbed, big wracking sobs. Felt like such a fool. The nurse was super sweet though.

Day 5 for every op apart from the last one was awful for me.

I don't know why day 5 but there's definitely a pattern. Where exactly was your abscess? Mine was right where my butt crack started.

I sobbed and sobbed after my first few ops. The post op care was awful. Packing, stitches, drains, you name it - I've had it. I didn't find it painful, it was the pilonidal paranoia that this thing could come back that filled me with fear.

Best op was the karydakis flap. All dissolvable stitches, fibrin glue to fill the space that was left, with more dissolvable stitches and paper stitches over the top with a dressing. No packing or stitch removal. The dressing was removed after 10 days so no checks unless I felt it needed one.

Invest in a coccyx cushion. No donut cushions. It has to be a coccyx cushion. Use when driving or at work or any hard surface.