WIBU to attempt surgery on this myself if the GP won't?

[Welshmaenad]

Embarrassing problem alert, do not read it eating breakfast.

I have a really large, very painful abscess type thing on my labia. It’s developed over a few days and even though I am maxing out prescription strength co codamol and naproxen, it is SO painful. It’s maybe 2-2.5 inches along by now, red/purple, solid, warm to touch but no head on it or visible sign of pus.

I’m waiting for the Dr to ring me back to formulate a plan. My sister thinks I’ll have to have it surgically drained, has anyone experienced this? What the he’ll is it and where did it come from? I live with chronic pain and consider myself generally a bit of a tough nut but this has me sobbing when I have to move, and I feel quite sick.

If the dr won't drain it and there's no head, is there anything I can do myself to relieve the pain and pressure?

Additional AIBU - I've logged in for work to try to make it to a meeting I have this morning but after that WIBU to bag work off for the day? I honestly can't concentrate because it hurts, and it's setting off my autoimmune condition and I feel quite dreadful generally.

Sounds like a batholin cyst

Oh OP that sounds awful. Please don’t try and get rid of it yourself, I’m sure that needs surgery. Please sack off work and get some ice on it or do whatever you need to to be comfy

I get these relatively regularly although a bit smaller - warm flannel makes a big difference to the pain (and sometimes makes it burst which is such a relief!)

I feel for you. They are really painful. Get well wishes sent your way.

Nice warm baths?

Just to say if it is a batholin cyst it will need surgery. I got taken straight in with mine and it was a small op and nothing to worry about.

Ask your GP to refer you for a gynae review at A&E.

You’ll probably need to go to hospital to have it treated by the gynaecology doctor. The gp can arrange it.

Yes, it’s almost certainly a Bartholin’s abscess - a collection of pus in a blocked Bartholin’s gland.
Do not attempt surgery on it - especially as there is no head or discharging point on it.
Apply a hot compress to it, to try and draw it to the surface and form a head. As a PP has said, this may actually lead to it bursting and will release the pressure and pain.
If there is no pus, but just cellulitis and inflammation your GP can prescribe antibiotics.
If you have repeated abscesses and are overweight, it may also be wise to get your blood sugar checked as it can be a sign of type 2 diabetes.

Not necessarily. I've had a batholin cyst twice and managed to get them to go away thanks to MN! Put a load of magnesium sulphate paste on. I remember the exact moment mine burst as there was a sudden release of pressure. Other advice in this thread includes using a warm flannel. A pharmacist can also give good advice.

Should add - if you need surgery, the gynaecologist can marsupialise the pouch - a bit like turning it inside out to give it a wider neck - which improves the drainage and makes recurrence less likely.

Ouch I have been there! I put ice on it wrapped in a towel and then stuck a needle in it . I am normally really sensible but I couldn’t deal with it for another second!

Please don’t touch it yourself. You’ll likely not get it all and probably cause an infection. Have a nice hot bath for pain relief.

I've had these before. I've never seen a doctor about it to be honest. I do the hot flannel as suggested up threader stand in a hot shower with the nozzle directed at it and that usually tends to do the trick. I hope you find some relief soon x

I get these abscesses with crohns.
First step is antibiotics then drained if they don't work. Drained abscess may need packed which I found uncomfortable but better than the abscess.

Feel for u, they are fucking painful. Defo sounds like a bartholins cyst.

Mine kept bursting then refilling, eventually had to go under GA to have it drained and cleaned and closed back up. Hasn’t come back since then thankfully

Agh poor you, yes as PP have said if there's no head then don't attempt anything apart from warm flannel on top. If there's no discharge point you can just end up forcing the infection deeper down

Ouch! Those are painful. I had one refill after having it drained in hospital. I had a bath and gave it a good squeeze. It was incredible. The amount of stuff in there was insane and the relief instant. I cleaned it and it went away never to return. I can’t remember but I guess I was on antibiotics at the time.

Don't try to perform surgery on yourself, that never ends well. You'll only make it worse and could quite well end up seriously ill.

Go to the GP and they'll either drain it or refer you to the hospital. If the GP won't take action, then go to A&E.

Ive had cysts like this. My god the pain is eyewatering. Hot flannel and see if that brings it to a a head. The sheer relief when it bursts is wonderful. And the stuff that comes out. Sheesh.

Definitely go to A&E if your GP won't help. It needs proper medical attention, rather than home made surgery!

In the meantime, try a hot compress as others have suggested. It should hopefully help with the pain and will help to encourage it to come to a head.

I am utterly cringing reading this op it must be so sore! I would think lots of the above advice would help, warm baths and antibiotics mostly, has Dr not given you any even as a precaution?

I’ve had this and echo the warm bath!

Yes to hot flannel. I didn't expect it to work to be honest. I used this technique on and off for a day and it subsided - no explosion. Hope it works for you.

I had something similar and was told to take daily hot baths (just enough water to cover your fandango) with about a quarter of a tub of table salt in the hot water (no detergent).

And for the love of God don't go at it with a needle you noodle!