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.

@QueenCT I am so sorry. I'll share my codeine.

I felt properly awful last night and had to be put to bed - my neuro conditions means I get very tremory as a pain response - the shakyshakes, my kids call it - and I was in overdrive last night. However I woke up feeling less like death so I think the abx are doing their thing. My boss has been lovely and insisted I take more time off to rest and feel better, so I've just chilled in bed and napped.

It has started to drain! Nothing huge or exciting, just some vile smelling dark yellowy fluid but I'm taking this as a good sign.

Thank you all for your continued loveliness.

Sorry to pop back up, but is there anyone who has antibiotics for this diet of issue who has had major issues with sickness?

I've not eaten anything for going on two days because I'm so sick. The kids made me some garlic bread last night and I took one bite and threw up. Today even the thought of food makes me fetch. I've managed to keep some fluid down (fizzy water with a tiny bit of fruit juice) but anything else seems to be a no go.

I have also spent most of the last two days sleeping but I still feel tired!

I'm on fluclox and metronidazole, the fluclox I have quite frequently with no issues.

Ooo I feel for you OP. I had something similar in the same spot a few years ago and OUCH. It was very painful.

Agree with others, I wouldn't try and poke or squeeze it yourself. But mine did burst after a hot batch and oh... Wow... The satisfaction was like nothing else truly was one for Sporners Corner!

My OH had one of these that literally just popped today, he has been in SO much pain with it & isn’t a moaner generally so I sympathise. He did attempt to pop it which didn’t work & just made it more painful so wouldn’t recommend that. The good news is these usually pop in a couple of days, he had a bath then sat on the sofa & boom popped every where 🤢

Antibiotics really hurt my tummy too. Could you ask the go for something to calm it like omeprezole if you've got too much acid? Def have some actimel and as much yogurt as you can

Get better soon sounds like such a rough few days but what a wonderful family

Try to sip milk it can help with the stomach pain. Antibiotics especially strong ones with a double dose are going to be hell on an empty stomach. Try to nibble dry bread or crackers or digestive biscuits. Something bland. If you don’t feel better tomorrow phone your go you may need a different prescription.
You said your extremely tired. Any other symptoms like a temperature? Be aware of the risk of sepsis and infection spreading and if in any doubt phone 111 or out of hours gp

You could get a hideous infection and sepsis. Please for the love of god let the dr do it!

What do the antibiotics say about having them with /after food? Can you make sure you take them, preferably dairy?

It'll be the Metronidazole, it can have pretty harsh side effects. I just about managed 2 weeks on it last month. It's also one that alcohol should not be taken with as it reacts badly, but you're unlikely to feel like a drink on it anyway!

Oh Op, you poor thing! You’ve really been through the mill.

Most antibiotics make me sick as a dog too, and Metronidazole is the worst. Phone your Gp tomorrow and explain. They can prescribe Cyclizine to counteract the side effects. I find that while it doesn’t eliminate them completely, it reduces them dramatically, to the point I can get out of bed, eat, function etc.

Are you still taking naproxen but not eating? That will mess up your stomach.

@yunalis no I definitely won't take that if not on food! I've stuck to co codamol but I've had to keep taking the antibiotics obviously!

OH just made me a slice of toast and cut it into little fingers so it wasn't too overwhelming and I've kept that down which feels like a huge deal. I'm now trying a few quite bland little quinoa puffs. No dairy for me as I'm vegan but I have some plain Greek style soya yoghurt in the fridge that I can try tomorrow.

I'm a bit nervous about how ill I feel as I had necrotising fasciitis in my breast a few years ago after a botched biopsy. I don't think sepsis is a worry just now as I don't have a temperature and my breathing is fine, and whilst I'm very sleepy, I'm not befuddled when I'm awake. Kids are with their dad tonight but OH is here and pretty sensible so he is keeping an eye on me. Thank you all again for your kindness and concern. Bloody minge barnacles causing so much strife.

Minge barnacles 😂😂😂
Ahhhh op you are brilliant!!! Feel better very soon and well done on keeping the toast down

Maybe try some probiotics and prebiotic? If you're vegan you can get the powder that you can add to your soya yoghurt. The Abs are messing with your gut flora and you could do with trying to restore it a bit.

Hope you feel better soon

Do not take pre or probiotics until two weeks after the last signs of infection - whilst they do encourage the good bugs to grow they also encourage the bad bugs to grow. This is part of how I ended up with NF.

Re NF, sepsis - if you are worried get checked out. Nobody will mind you going to A and E for a check up on this if you've had a past history of it (talking from experience here). It's a blood test and waiting, but fairly simple and as I was told, they would rather I was checked and not panicking then not panicking and being rushed to surgery and intensive care.

I do hope you start to feel better.

Orampazapole (can't spell) may help your stomach. It improves the stomach lining in some way. I've had with antibiotics before and it did help.

Glad it's starting to go down. One of the antibiotics I was on - can't remember what it was or what it was for, made me so ill I had to take time off work. Wasn't anything to do with what the antibiotics were for. Just do what you can and try to eat a little. The co-codamol will be upsetting your tummy too - can you try swapping them for paracetamol now. Hoping your minge barnacle continues to reduce :) :) :)

@FlameFartingDragon

Do not take pre or probiotics until two weeks after the last signs of infection - whilst they do encourage the good bugs to grow they also encourage the bad bugs to grow. This is part of how I ended up with NF.

Re NF, sepsis - if you are worried get checked out. Nobody will mind you going to A and E for a check up on this if you've had a past history of it (talking from experience here). It's a blood test and waiting, but fairly simple and as I was told, they would rather I was checked and not panicking then not panicking and being rushed to surgery and intensive care.

I do hope you start to feel better.

Orampazapole (can't spell) may help your stomach. It improves the stomach lining in some way. I've had with antibiotics before and it did help.

So good to know! Thank you

You poor thing. I don’t always do well on antibiotics I always get thrush and terrible IBS afterwards. Metronidazole is a powerful and evil bastard too.

Metronidazole is awful stuff. It makes me feel really ill.
Agree that it is pointless and counter productive to take probiotics while on the ABx. You need to start them after you finish the ABx.

The hot glass bottle method is good for draining boils and abscesses. You use a clean glass bottle, carefully pour some very hot, but not boiling, water into it to heat the glass. Then empty it, place the opening over the head of the boil, hold it for at least 5 to 10 minutes. As the bottle cools it creates a vaccuum and draws the pus out.

The bottle needs to have a longish neck so you don't burn yourself.

How are you doing OP?

Hot flannel compresses until you see a GP. And go to A+E if it gets unbearable. Some may say it's not an emergency, but if analgesia isn't helping the pain, go.

@21NewNames I'm better, thank you. Just finished my antibiotics and preparing to go back to work tomorrow. The abx and infection made me really poorly - sickness, fatigue and kicking off all my autoimmune disease symptoms, and I was quite miserable over the weekend but I seem to be coming out the other side now. I've managed to reduce my pain relief and am actually eating again.

Actual barnacle is reduced in puffiness and still draining. I'm mostly leaving it to it's own devices, keeping it clean and as dry as I can and using sanitary pads to protect my clothes.

Glad you are feeling better, although it sounds a horrible journey. I hope you are fully recovered very soon.

I'm blaming this thread on my 'minge barnacle' flaring up for the first time in years....I noticed it last night and thought I'd but it but tonight it's definitely got to pea size so I'm calling gp tomorrow for anti biotics....no way do I want it going like it did before!
Really glad you're feeling much better now @Welshmaenad 😂