AIBU to go to A&E

[Sorespot]

Had terrible trouble with my labia minora for months, first a little ulcer which cleared up, then one inner labia (labius??) swelled up approx 50% and had a small hard lump in it, was given antibiotic cream and then Flucloxicillin by the GP, nothing worked, then a few days ago the small hard lump turned in to a large pea-sized tender lump! GP said it’s a cyst with fluid in it. Been doing hot compress since, it’s now burst itself in the night and is painful and bleeding 😓 and to make matters worse it’s only half drained, so the lump is still palpable and it might fill back up completely with pus! Going to ring GP at 8am for an emergency appointment but if they fob me off with ‘watch and wait’ etc what should I do? I’ve been in pain and discomfort for months and no one will help me properly 😓

TIA for any help.

What do you think A&E is?

Hi, give the GP a call as soon as you can. I'm a GP and would hope that you would be given an emergency appointment. I would review and depending on size and how well you are, either treat with antibiotics or refer to gynae for drainage. Hope you get it sorted and feel better soon

Oh ouch that’s painful. I would hope the GP would see you this morning, if not I would go to A&E!

Good luck

Ongoing conditions are dealt with by gp , an acute emergency by A and E. Your discomfort is in the first category.

Personally I wouldn’t be going anywhere near hospital if I don’t need to.
Have you emptied the cyst ? Then clean it with salt water a couple of times a day. Clean ST then definitely phone the GP.
You might need a referral to gynae if it’s not going.

I think you need to see the GP. If you aren't happy with being told to watch and wait, say that to the GP. I personally don't think it's an appropriate reason to go to A&E.

Is there not a minor injuries unit nearby? That may be quicker than having to wait at A&E and more appropriate.

I would get it seen today though.

Do you have a minor injuries unit within a reasonable distance? You might be seen quicker there than in A&E.

Otherwise yes, A&E if the GP won't see you and you're in uncontrollable pain and you're bleeding.

Call 111, they might be able to advise for the best service in your area. I've had an emergency GP appointment through them before.

Thanks for the replies, I’ll call the GP in a minute. My worry is a gynae won’t be able to see me for a million years, I doubt they’re magically going to have an appointment today to drain the cyst. My worry is it may turn septic due to the location and that it’s an open wound ☹️ (hence thinking about A&E).

@DinosaurDiana I’ve tried to empty the cyst with clean fingers and tissue, but I think it’s a few sebaceous cysts that have turned in to one giant mega-lump abscess! There are parts that don’t seem to have popped under the skin IYSWIM, then one part of the cyst (abscess?) has popped and flattened a bit.

Local Minor Injuries unit closed in the winter! Why god.

Hiya, there's an 'on call' gynae in the hospital and that's who I would refer to as a GP. They will see you that day and arrange drainage if needed.

DO NOT GO TO A&E FFS!! Yes it hurts but it is NOT an emergency or an accident (broken bone etc) don't be so bloody dramatic especially during a pandemic where covid is around the wards

@TeaPiglet

Will I would disagree and say getting that sorted is an emergency.

Covid does not trump all other health problems.

I was discouraged to take my son to a&e recently by a GP on the phone, glad I did as he had an X-ray and a broken bone

I would ring 111 if the GP doesn't take it seriously. 111 can then advise if you need to go to A&E or not. But hopefully GP will see you.

Appointments to see a gynae can be a year waiting list. I know, I have waited and waited. Anyone who says dont go to A+E (I know there is a pandemic) have you been in pain down there?? I had an abscess (2014) in my bottom when preg with DS. I went to GP and ended up being sent into hospital. However, I had to see a few GPs before 1finally realised what the issue was. They kept saying it was haemorrhoids. If your GP doesnt help you can ask for another. If they don't help you could ring NHS Direct. If they dont help then try A+E.

@TeaPiglet YOU’RE being ridiculously dramatic.
I would completely disagree. OP is clearly in a lot of pain and it doesn’t sound like it can be treated at home as prescribed medications haven’t resolved it. Due to the location it could easily get infected and turn nasty and very dangerous very fast.
I would call 111 initially but if no joy go to A&E. We’ve been repeatedly encouraged to go to A&E and hospitals with health concerns despite Covid and I don’t think this is a case of wasting resources or time. OP has waited months with this, it’s not like it happened yesterday.

If you're in severe pain then yes, I'd go to a&e.

I went to a&e with a bladder turned kidney infection during the first lockdown. I was in so much pain I was vomiting and seeing stars.

GP will ring me back in a couple of hours.

@WillowSummerSloth thank you for your advice, that’s reassuring to know about the on-call gynae.

I won’t go to A&E if I don’t have to, but I’m not sitting around in agony with a bleeding boil next to my urethra for days/weeks etc. The NHS is there to be used, and I know that A&E deals with infected abscesses because I had one on my groin crease before and they all said I’d done the right thing and drained it for me. I was away from home that time though and had no other option, hence asking for advice this time.

Anyone who has time to post on AIBU does not qualify for A&E.

First port of call GP, they may well send you in to A&E as a pre-arranged gyne patient who will see you directly in A&E having had an urgent referral from your GP. That's the way it works at our hospital at any rate.

While (as an A&E) nurse I agree that a cyst isn't in and of itself an emergency, a burst one that isn't properly draining, in an area that it can be tricky to keep clean etc. May well warrant an emergency review and possibly incision and drainage and IV antibiotics. I for one wouldn't be pissed off if you turned up in my triage room .

Hope you get sorted OP

The probleem here is a hlf ruptured cyst and cysts are full of nasty stuff and also refill if not cleared properly - its more than having a weepy spot. Dh had one on his belly and was complaining about it and he refused to go to A&E so got him a dr appt who - yup- sent hime to a&e. You have already done GP and antibiotic etc and now it needs more attention so a&e it is. Its not overly busy as there is no sports or school so I would go. Cysts can be v uncomfortable

There are some absolute gems on here already this morning.

Hope you get it sorted OP - it sounds awful

I think you will have to get it drained and looked at. I can’t see a GP doctor agreeing to see you, so you will need to go to A&E. I also went to A&E for an abscess on my groin, after I visited my local walk in centre and they told me to go straight to A&E. I think they were pleased as I had a junior doctor in watching (uck).