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vulval abscess... to solid to lance... help!

34 replies

farewellfigure · 14/01/2015 17:12

Hi. I went to A&E this morning to ask them to lance a vulval abscess which was total agony. It's not the first I've had one and they've always 'gone' on their own after a day or two and have never been as painful or big as this one. Anyway, the gynae doctor said that the lump was too solid to lance and gave me a prescription for Nurofen (no way was that going to even dent the pain) and antibiotics. Then while waiting for the prescription, the thing burst anyway causing much mess, smell and embarrassment in the hospital loo. Does anyone know why an abscess that was 'too solid to lance' could than miraculously burst itself an hour later?

I'm at my wit's end with these. This is roughly my 7th although I've lost count. It was incorrectly diagnosed as a Bartholin's cyst abscess which could have been operated on, but now it's been diagnosed as a vulval abscess, there is no operation to make sure it doesn't recur. I'm not sure I can cope with any more. Does anyone know why they keep coming back?

Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
IDismyname · 14/01/2015 17:16

I've no answer, but didn't want to read and run.

Hope you are back home with a cup of tea, and have started taking the antibiotics.

farewellfigure · 14/01/2015 17:26

Thanks. I've had a much needed shower and a cuppa. I'm not taking the antibiotics as historically once the abscess has burst it gives me no more trouble apart from being quite tender until it's fully healed. The gynae doctor rang me shortly after seeing me to say she'd had her opinion backed up by her senior. I told her it had burst and she confirmed that there was no need to take the antibiotics if I was happy that the abscess was draining successfully and was no longer infected.

I'm beginning to wonder if I don't wash properly or something. I always understood that over-washing your bits was a no no, so I don't go mad down there with soap. I wash, obviously, but not a good old scrub with flannel and soap. Maybe that's the problem.

OP posts:
noddyholder · 14/01/2015 17:32

Maybe the antibiotics would stop any residual infection returning

shouldnthavesaid · 14/01/2015 17:38

I can empathise.. I have 7 or 8 dormant cysts in my vulva that have abcessed before - biggest is about the size of a hazelnut, smaller ones are sizes of rice grains etc. They're all in between skin folds and I've been told they'd be incredibly hard to remove , because in all likelihood they'd nick a nerve or cause scar tissue. I've already had quite major vulval surgery before and am reluctant to have anything else.

I think I was once told one could have been removed but it would have to be in a very specific state, never has been done.

Gynaecology have never been very forthcoming with an answer, but did suggest that the oil glands are too active and are blocking up and that's why I get these cysts/abscesses. I've had a mirena coil fitted as it apparently it could help this, and the plethora of other gynae problems I have. Have to admit I don't get as many flare ups now as I did before.

I remember having Botox injections mentioned once too, but I suspect that would cause just as much nerve problems as minor surgery would.

If you can get antibiotics to have at home for when you need them, that might help? Flucloxacillin's a good one - I had a packet in the cupboard for about three years, so I didn't have to wait to start taking them when I needed them. There are ointments too and creams.. I remember being prescribed trimovate, canesten with hydrocortisone and clindamycin ointment. Canesten with HC is especially good, doesn't sting and prevents flare ups of soreness quite well.

Would also try to follow basic skin care advice - no nasty bubble baths, washes, no scented sanitary pads, plain cotton pants, letting the area breath.. And try not to squeeze anything that does come up, that does introduce infection and scar tissue, etc.

Hope this latest one clears up quickly {{hugs}}

farewellfigure · 14/01/2015 17:38

Hm, I had a course of antibiotics about a month ago for a kidney infection (which it turns out was misdiagnosed). I got thrush. I wonder if thrush can cause abscesses? I am absolutely sick of my health at the moment. I feel like I hit 40 and it all went to pot.

Anyway, I'm loathe to take another course so soon when the gynae doc said there was no need (as long as it's all OK down there). I know they do a wonderful job but sometimes they make me feel absolutely dreadful and worse than the reason for taking them!

OP posts:
pigwitch · 14/01/2015 17:39

I would take the antibiotics anyway to prevent it flaring up again.
I've never had an abscess but I've had 2 cysts on my labia minora ( TMI sorry!) so I can sympathise.
Would it be an idea to try and get a gynae referral from your GP ?

shouldnthavesaid · 14/01/2015 17:42

I was going to suggest that too - do you know if it was a registrar you saw or a consultant? Might be best having a chat and examination with consultant, especially if you can see someone with a special interest. My hospital does a vulval skin clinic that's quite good - although a bit irritating (pardon the pun) as they have a habit of assuming everything can be out down to cheap washing powder, which isn't really the case!!

corkgirlindublin · 14/01/2015 17:50

I suffer from constant boils and spots around my vulva and my anus. I wash daily, have no STDs or anything. I have found the GP and hospital to be very dismissive and say some people are just prone to them. I find them so painful and embarrassing. I just spent the whole of xmas unable to sit due to a giant absess on my bum cheek. Sad

shouldnthavesaid · 14/01/2015 18:05

Doctors can be crap when it comes to stuff down below, I remember when I was 18 and the lumps started. Because of where they are, the GP insisted I was merely feeling my clitoris and made me feel an idiot. It took a while for someone to believe me and understand what I was trying to explain.

Pantone363 · 14/01/2015 18:07

Shock sorry but I've never even heard of this before. Sounds awful, poor you!

You should ask the sporners but they'll probably ask for a pic!

sebsmummy1 · 14/01/2015 18:11

I'm going to be a little personal but are you a healthy weight or overweight? Only reason I ask is that the area would get quite hot and moist if you are overweight and losing weight might actually help. Also a diet high in sugar is known to activate the sebaceous glands so restricting sugar and eating a healthy diet could also help.

I had a urethral cyst in my third trimester with my son. This seems to have created a weakness and I now find I get flares where the area is sore. For me diet is key and I have to cut out all caffeine to get some relief.

MsRyanGosling · 14/01/2015 18:50

It sounds like sometbing called

MsRyanGosling · 14/01/2015 18:51

FGS

Something called Hidradenitis suppurativa for some of you.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Flowers
ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 18:58

I would take the antibiotics if I were you. There is some kind of residual problem and these will help to clear it up. It seems very strange that she rang you up and said that they backed her up. I think there are a lot of inexperienced Drs. around, and they are having it drummed into them left right and centre, NOT to prescribe antibiotics.
Take them !

ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 18:58

I would take the antibiotics if I were you. There is some kind of residual problem and these will help to clear it up. It seems very strange that she rang you up and said that they backed her up. I think there are a lot of inexperienced Drs. around, and they are having it drummed into them left right and centre, NOT to prescribe antibiotics.
Take them !

ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 18:58

I would take the antibiotics if I were you. There is some kind of residual problem and these will help to clear it up. It seems very strange that she rang you up and said that they backed her up. I think there are a lot of inexperienced Drs. around, and they are having it drummed into them left right and centre, NOT to prescribe antibiotics.
Take them !

ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 18:58

I would take the antibiotics if I were you. There is some kind of residual problem and these will help to clear it up. It seems very strange that she rang you up and said that they backed her up. I think there are a lot of inexperienced Drs. around, and they are having it drummed into them left right and centre, NOT to prescribe antibiotics.
Take them !

ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 18:58

I would take the antibiotics if I were you. There is some kind of residual problem and these will help to clear it up. It seems very strange that she rang you up and said that they backed her up. I think there are a lot of inexperienced Drs. around, and they are having it drummed into them left right and centre, NOT to prescribe antibiotics.
Take them !

ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 18:58

I would take the antibiotics if I were you. There is some kind of residual problem and these will help to clear it up. It seems very strange that she rang you up and said that they backed her up. I think there are a lot of inexperienced Drs. around, and they are having it drummed into them left right and centre, NOT to prescribe antibiotics.
Take them !

ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 18:58

I would take the antibiotics if I were you. There is some kind of residual problem and these will help to clear it up. It seems very strange that she rang you up and said that they backed her up. I think there are a lot of inexperienced Drs. around, and they are having it drummed into them left right and centre, NOT to prescribe antibiotics.
Take them !

ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 18:58

I would take the antibiotics if I were you. There is some kind of residual problem and these will help to clear it up. It seems very strange that she rang you up and said that they backed her up. I think there are a lot of inexperienced Drs. around, and they are having it drummed into them left right and centre, NOT to prescribe antibiotics.
Take them !

ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 18:58

I would take the antibiotics if I were you. There is some kind of residual problem and these will help to clear it up. It seems very strange that she rang you up and said that they backed her up. I think there are a lot of inexperienced Drs. around, and they are having it drummed into them left right and centre, NOT to prescribe antibiotics.
Take them !

MsRyanGosling · 14/01/2015 19:49

Grin ozymandiusking

farewellfigure · 14/01/2015 20:31

Thanks ever so much for all the replies. I'll read them all carefully and look at the link. It's actually just nice to know (in a weird way) that I'm not the only one!

OP posts:
ozymandiusking · 14/01/2015 20:38

I am so sorry for that, I have no idea why that was posted so many times.
I am most embarrassed.

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