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.

I've had dozens of these over the years.

If they're nearer the pubes they're called retention cysts (according to one gynae I saw).

I've also had Bartholin's (was my first experience of such things). Softened with warm washcloths in salt water, waited until the head looked ready and burst it myself.

The pain! The relief!!

One GP said salt baths at first sign of them then bicarb baths after. A few drops of any essential oil in the tub overnight gives a lovely scented bath to relax in.

However, the best thing I've found for recurrent cysts is to tackle them the minute you notice that starting ache. Alpha H Liquid Gold dabbed on a few times a day softens the skin, brings them to a head quicker and allows me to pop them just by squeezing between fingers and thumb. Instant relief and getting it cleaned out better with a big burst keeps them away longer.

If you suffer with those hard, painful, un-poppable cysts around your chin/jaw every month try the Liquid Gold as soon as they arrive. They magically pop and clear away overnight. I decided to try it on my vulval cysts after my jaw successes.

I don't work for Alph H and suppose anything similar would work. I'm just going by my own experiences.

Agent I use Alpha H anyway so this is v helpful! Thank you!

@Welshmaenad

Agent I use Alpha H anyway so this is v helpful! Thank you!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Horrible bloody things but tremendously satisfying to burst. The key is popping at the right time and the AH will help.

Disinfect afterwards. The last thing you need is a stay in hospital right now.

I had a Bartholin's cyst once. Very very painful.
I applied hot flannels to it and it developed a head and the pus started to come out by itself. I didn't need to have surgery or do surgery on it myself but yours might be large/worse.
Try the hot flannels anyway - they can't do any harm - and they do provide some relief from the pain while you're waiting for an appointment.

Forgot to say that a crushed aspirin in hot water dabbed on helps with the pain, too.

Dear god, I can remember one growing by the second when I was at work, the pain was getting unbearable and I was eyeing up any sharp office instruments with a view to a bit of DIY surgery in the loo, thankfully it reached its peak and I managed to pop it by pushing with loo roll. The relief was immediate!

Fingers (and legs!) crossed you get some relief soon. Glad they’re taking you seriously.

For sports injuries they recommend alternate hot,-flannel and cold -ice-pack. It helps reduce swellings and is soothing.
Dear husband says " If going the DIY route, a sewing needle is too fine, the flesh closes around it and seals as it is withdrawn.
Sterilise whatever you find by holding in a flame.
Clean tissue from say 3rd down the box."

I asked him because he has done DIY on swellings on his ear.

He says go-for-it rather than go mad with pain, it will be way safer than a hospital in 1890s.

Keep an eye on your temperature and let them know if you're hot because that might suggest you're getting an infection off the back of it. best of luck, sounds painful!

Good luck, let us know how you get on!

I'm back! Dr was LOVELY. She said there's no point sending me to hospital right now as it hasn't 'organised' into a head/collection of pus. So I have two very strong antibiotics and if it doesn't shrink or form a head then drain by itself I'm to go back.

I was quite looking forward to a release of the pressure/pain so I'm a bit gutted but she speaks sense. Off home to take loads of pills and have a nap I think. Thank you all for hand holding and advice!

Bartholin's. Needs to be drained in A&E. GP can't do it.

Bartholin's. Needs to be drained in A&E. GP can't do it.

You've not met my GP, she loves doing shit like that!!

I’ve had this and it did burst in the bath in the end. Hot bath and anti inflam’s!

Bartholin cyst. Agony. Do not operate on yourself, your GP should be able to give you some antibiotics to bring the infection down, or drain it is needed.

Yeah sounds more like just a standard cyst/abscess in that location. I get them v regularly (monthly probably) and they are not the most fun!
Keep going with warm flannel compress as they can really help

So glad the doctor was lovely. Have a hot bath and a nap. I echo pp to keep using hot flannels it will come to a head much sooner and it provides relief. Good luck

I burst mine walking round Asda.

Don't do it yourself.

Maybe don't deal with this at home OP.

But do trot over to sporners & tell the old lags there about it, it sounds like an epic burster.

Please don’t do this on yourself - hubby had cyst the gunk can get into your body and make you really sick - dr will have you seen to.

Sit in a hot bath, A&E if coming to a head.

For the record we are very glad you have had medical attention and now have answers.

I’ve had something similar and it wasn’t a Bartholins it was on the labia ,we started with the normal antibiotics which didn’t help and eventually ended up on rifampicin ( and something else) and that killed it off , it did ooze but never really exploded as such . Hope you get some relief soon OP .

I burst mine walking round Asda.
Using a needle?