Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think abscess should be getting better not worse by now

45 replies

pinkandsparkly · 12/08/2018 20:09

I've had a nasty abscess on my left breast for two weeks now and despite being on the second lot of antibiotics and GIVE trips to the doctor it is more painful and swollen than ever.

There was a brief period last week where it was looking and feeling better after 7 days of flucloxacillin but when i saw my GP last Monday after completing the course he told me I didn't need any more and gave me magnesium sulfate to put on it to draw out the gunk. I did as directed and it was appearing to dry up but I woke up on Friday morning with it throbbing and red again.

Another trip to GP who gave me more flucloxacillin which I've taken religiously and I've tried to continue with the mag sulfate but it's just too bloody sore. I was really hoping it would be improving by now but it just varies from low level throbbing and stinging to excruciating pain, depending on how much I move and I don't know what to do.

I'm not normally a wuss about things but this is getting me down now.

OP posts:
Heratnumber7 · 12/08/2018 20:13

Go back to GP. I needed an operation under GA to clean out the breast abscess I had when DD1 was born.

Original poster
pinkandsparkly · 12/08/2018 20:31

Oh I hope it doesn't come to that, but I've got a horrible feeling it might. My sick points at work are really high already, they're going to go mad if I have more time off (other health issues too). Did your abscess follow a similar pattern Hereatnumber7?

OP posts:
Pringlemunchers · 12/08/2018 20:34

Ask about manuka honey , when you go back. A friend had similar and it wouldn't go , they tried that and it really helped.

CaptainHarville · 12/08/2018 20:41

When I had breast abscess the doctor used a needle to take a sample of fluid from the abscess to check the antibiotics I was prescribed were the right ones. It was not their intention but it really helped clear it as so much pus came out.

But I was referred to the hospital with the abscess by my GP who said I would need a procedure to drain it. But the hospital said GP was wrong and apart from inserting the needle to take the sample I didn't have anything other than antibiotics.

I would go back to the GP as it's possible that the antibiotics you've been prescribed are not suitable for the bacteria causing the infection.

Original poster
pinkandsparkly · 12/08/2018 22:08

Thank you so much for replying, I'm going to ring the Doctor again tomorrow and see what he says and I'll ask about getting a swab done to check the type of bacteria. I don't like how dark it's gone in the middle now and there is blood in the pus. It's truly gross.

OP posts:
Whitegrenache · 12/08/2018 22:11

Is it wrong that I want a picture Grin #sporner

SunflowerJo08 · 12/08/2018 22:12

I know it's a bit grim and TMI but for your own protection with work you need to take photos of it and document all your dr's appointments and so on. It's not fair for them to be angry about it and you if you have proof and stick up for yourself, they don't have a leg to stand on.

Birdinthetree · 12/08/2018 22:35

Have a look at hidragenitus suppurativa as an alternative diagnosis.

yellowspottedwellies · 12/08/2018 22:37

Picture!

Also, sorry you're in so much pain - I had one in my groin and honestly it was the worst!!

Original poster
pinkandsparkly · 12/08/2018 23:03

I've just put a new dressing on it but if you're good I'll take a photo tomorrow!

OP posts:
pregle · 12/08/2018 23:06

You poor thing it's the worst isn't it. I had a procedure last week to drain it, two rounds of antibiotics didn't clear it, I'm feeling so much better even though the daily wound dressing changes are a pain. Definitely call your gp tomorrow...good luck!

Original poster
pinkandsparkly · 13/08/2018 16:27

Well I woke up this morning (after a very bad night) and the redness had spread to over half my breast. I went to work and burst into tears and they sent me up to the minor injuries unit who then sent me to A&E. I had bloods taken and have now got different antibiotics and painkillers. I've got to go back to the breast clinic tomorrow morning to be assessed and they'll decide what to do next. Thank you for your replies ams sympathies to those who've had similar problems. It's a really nasty thing to have.

OP posts:
WeeM · 13/08/2018 16:37

They are absolutey horrible. the gp took one look and sent me To walk in a and e to get it looked at. I was kept in to get intravenous antibiotics, it burst on its own while I was there which was actually such a relief. I had it drained with a needle at least 4 times over the course of a month or so at a clinic as well as oral antibiotics. I also had an ultrasound on it so they could see exactly how deep the pus (sorry!) was so they could try and get it all out. Wasn’t pleasant but it was all done to try and avoid the op which is a lot more invasive. And it worked.
I did continue to feed from it the whole time as it actually helped relieve the pressure.
Really hope you get sorted soon.

FatTory · 13/08/2018 16:47

Ask them to swab for Pantone valentine leucocidin. That can effect the rate of healing xx

mathsy · 13/08/2018 17:04

I've had loads of these over the years and they are really, really painful. I found the antibiotics would take the pain away a bit but the only relief you get is when they burst. Having hot baths would always help mine to burst, but have lots of sticky bandages to hand as mine oozed absolutely tonnes of gunk over several days. I did have to have surgery to cut one of them out (under general anaesthetic) and I was on antibiotics for several weeks beforehand. They're truly horrible. Hope it bursts soon!

Heratnumber7 · 13/08/2018 17:53

Hi pink

Yes sounds very similar to me. Have you just had a baby?

I started having problems when DD was about 6 weeks old. Very sore area on breast. Red and hot and throbbing. Agony when I banged it.

I had a course of ABs, then another course of stronger ones.

We were at my parents for the weekend when I was in so much pain I started crying.
DM took me to her GP, who sent me straight to hospital and I was admitted and operated on that night.

I was in for maybe 3 days, and I have a lovely scar across my breast to remind me.

They didn't stich the wound in case the infection came back - it was left to heal by itself.

Bluelady · 13/08/2018 18:00

I've had two really nasty abscesses. On both occasions the GP lanced them - oh the relief! - and sent a sample of the pus off for analysis so I got the right antibiotics. I had to go to the surgery every day for about a week to get the cavity packed so it healed from the bottom up. Your GP sounds clueless, OP.

Original poster
pinkandsparkly · 13/08/2018 20:20

Hereatnumber7 no I don't have children. I had a cyst removed about 10 years ago and it's the scar site from that that's suddenly become infected. My GP said that it is fairly common to get further problems and that having it cut out only increases the chances of more problems in the future. I will find out more tomorrow when I go to the breast clinic but I think they might do an ultrasound to see what's going on inside. It is oozing pus and now blood too but not much and I can't squeeze it because any pressure is agony.

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkandsparkly · 13/08/2018 20:24

Bluelady i had a the original cyst cut and scraped out because it was deep in the breast tissue and had no exit hole. They packed it and I had to have the dressing changed daily until it healed from the inside. It never totally closed over though, I've always had a tiny hole but it's been fine for the last 10 years. This time it's way worse though and looks hideous.

OP posts:
Heratnumber7 · 13/08/2018 22:07

Just wondering pink because I've always associated it with trying unsuccessfully to Brest feed. But it may have been a coincidence that I got the abscess around the time DD was born.

Bloody painful whatever. You have my sympathies. They obviously aren't that easy to treat.

caseoftheexfiles · 13/08/2018 22:13

Never had one but my goodness it sounds agony! I hope you’re ok and it starts to clear up x

Birdinthetree · 13/08/2018 22:29

You guys with abscesses in their groin, underarms. under your breasts need to take a look at other treatments than antibiotics, it sounds like you have Hidragenitis suppurativa - if your abscesses are recurrent, they calm a little with antibiotics but it never gets rid of them completely then it's likely you have this condition - it is not quickly diagnosed - doctors seem clueless about it. There are many people who have used diet to treat this chronic condition - including myself, you may not want to consider it now but maybe when you are in enough pain and you have tried countless treatments like antibiotics, biologics and surgeries and still you're in agony you'll remember to google HS diet connection group on Facebook - it's very helpful - it has literally given me my life back!

Original poster
pinkandsparkly · 15/08/2018 06:52

I went to the breast clinic yesterday and the consultant sent me for an ultrasound. Unfortunately the stupid sonographer took it upon herself to try and squeeze the abscess with no pain relief as she said it was leaking by itself anyway! The pain was indescribable and I was writhing around the bed crying my eyes out. She finally stopped and went to speak to the consultant and I couldn't stop crying, I felt like a right idiot.
Mercifully the consultant decided to cut, drain and flush it under local anesthetic and I've now got a packed wound which is sore but nothing like as painful as it has been.

Thank you for sharing your stories, it's good to know other people have explained similar. And I'll bear that in mind Birdinthetree although mine is on top of my breast.

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkandsparkly · 15/08/2018 06:55

OK, for those that asked, here's a picture of it yesterday before I went to hospital!

GROSSNESS WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkandsparkly · 15/08/2018 06:56

You were warned...

OP posts: