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.

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

This is nineteen kinds of bollocks.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the replies and support 🙂

@babyguffingtonstrikesagain I don’t agree with that at all. My husband was responding to texts and work calls whilst writhing around in pain with an infected gall bladder. The doctors in A&E said that it was almost septic and tried to take it out there and then. This whole ‘don’t turn up to A&E unless you’re seconds from death’ idea is ridiculous. It’s often too late by then (not saying that’s the case with me today).

*babyguffingtonstrikesagain

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

Bollocks. Last year I took my friend to A&E and that was after an hour or so of her being in pain, but able to use her phone etc. Turned out she had a cancerous tumour that had twisted her ovary. Should I have not taken her because she could use her phone?

@babyguffingtonstrikesagain

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

Wtf 😂 so if you break your leg but your arms work don't bother using your phone

@babyguffingtonstrikesagain

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

Bollocks. Where would you go with a broken leg?

Crosspost @Perpetualheadache

@babyguffingtonstrikesagain

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

That is a very short sighted view. There are many, many emergencies where people are able to use a phone and be unsure whether to go in. I had a PE recently and only felt like I had a chest infection, which is what my GP diagnosed. If I hadn't erred on the side of caution I may not be here today. Not saying this situation is the same but that is not helpful advice to give.

@babyguffingtonstrikesagain

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

Oh for fucks sake

Minor injuries had to shut here because all the staff were needed in the main hospitals due to the pandemic.

Have you taken some strong pain relief? Hope you get an appointment today. As someone else said they might be able to get you a gynae appt, far more appropriate and useful than A&E.

@babyguffingtonstrikesagain

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

Ahh there’s always one. If I had broken my leg should I not go to a&e as I would still be able to use my phone??

@WillowSummerSloth @ShopTattsyrup just a quick question; should I be trying to keep the wound ‘open’ as it were? Just running a lukewarm bath to try and clean it and was thinking should I try salt water? I’ve taken ibuprofen which seems to be kicking in a bit but assuming it will still sting with the salt 😖 but as the abscess hasn’t drained completely should I be aiming to heal the cut or keep it open for further draining??

FML by the way - of course I’m in sole charge of my toddler this morning as well 😓

I have had similar to you but I was in a different place (mine was under my breast) and I needed it emptied and stitched up after it half emptied itself. The pain was indescribable and I was in tears whilst waiting to have it done as it got infected. I hope the GP sorts it for you and if not I would go to a&e (and I’m not normally one for suggesting that but infection can lead to sepsis)

@TeaPiglet

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

Such a dramatic post

Sounds like it could be this -

www.nhs.uk/conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/

Do not go to a&e. You need to speak to or ideally see a gp
ASAP who should refer you to the hospital. Hope it gets sorted.

I think just turning up at A&E is discouraged and would mean a long wait for you (and possible covid exposure). 111 should be able to funnel you into emergency minors which usually run alongside the A&E dept and give you a time to come in (which also helps you with organising childcare?) we have used this before with unwell children. But give the GP a chance first.

Thanks @Medievalist I have wondered before if it could be that, as I’ve suffered cysts and abscesses around my groin and armpits for years (lucky me). I’ll mention it to the GP when they call as there seems to be a particular group of antibiotics used to treat it (my third lot in three months... even luckier me).

Definitely GP first
There isn't much a&e can do unless it needs incision and drainage and they don't really like doing that unless it's desperate
(I say that as someone who suffers from groin and armpit abscesses regularly, I've probably had hundreds and only ever had one drained under anaesthetic)
It's shit but they can't do much to fix it except antibiotics, letting it heal and then something like silver nitrate sticks/surgery to close it if it doesn't

Hi sorespot I would keep it clean and use a warm compress to draw out any infection. But ultimately you need a doctor's opinion. It sounds super sore and although it's not an 'emergency' it's something that needs to be sorted quickly so a GP should be seeing this or making plans for you to be seen by gynae. Best of luck, hope the path to getting it sorted is smooth x

@babyguffingtonstrikesagain

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

Of course they qualify

Dd has been to A&E twice in the last few months and she was more than capable of texting, snapchatting and instagraming her bazillion ‘friends’’

The GP can get you an emergency referral to the correct doctor, which will save you time spent hanging around A&E and flashing your bits at various people who most likely won't be able to help to get the same referral. It absolutely needs seeing to asap, I'm sure they'll help. Hope you get seen to soon.

@Sorespot - I agree with @WillowSummerSloth - simple painkillers (ibruprofen good shout to help with inflamation) and warm compress and warm saltwater bath to encourage drainage but in reality if there's stuff in there that doesn't want to shift it may end up needing I&D to give it a proper clear out.

Hope you get sorted quickly! X

Good luck sorespot

Thanks all! I’ll update later with hopefully positive news.

@babyguffingtonstrikesagain

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

What utter rubbish.

It's also potentially dangerous advice - not necessarily in this situation, but in lots of others this could be harmful to someone.

Some MN posters need to be far more careful regarding their 'medical advice' to others.