Will this cyst ever heal?

[lurkinginthenorth]

About 7 years ago, I noticed a pea-size lump on my back; bottom of left shoulder blade. It has never bothered me.

Then last Saturday (29th Aug) I was uncomfortable under my left arm. Asked DH to take a look and he said there wasn't anything there but I had a huge cyst on my back. I thought he meant the little pea size lump and when I went to check, it was 10 times the size, sticking out and becoming rather pink! Typical, bank holiday weekend!

So on Tuesday (1st Sept) I went to my GPs. My discomfort had spread to my breast and I couldn't lean back on a chair or lie on my back at night. He offered antibiotics or removal at my 'local' hospital. He said the antibiotics rarely work (would need a few courses) and that it would probably return (infection that is!). I opted for the surgery and that afternoon I went to hospital.

Over 2 hours later, someone finally came to see me. I had my vitals taken in preparation for the minor op and I mentioned that in February I was in a side room for my c section because I was colonising MRSA of which I had treatment for beforehand! Cue worried healthcare assistant who cam eback and said I would get a side room. BUT 10 minutes later the surgeon came, announced they wouldn't take it out because the infection needs to clear and they may not get all of the cyst wall. Fair enough I thought, but why the 2 hour fucking wait to tell me that??? She then went on to say that they wouldn't get paid to do it (?!?!?!?) unless it was a problem (Er, hello!!!!! Infected!!!!!) she then said they would if I really wanted to and yes, clearly it was causing an issue but disagreed when I mentioned how the GP said it would reoccur and also my DF had one and it kept coming back! After I agreed to be seen in clinic when the infection was under control, she then said it would be best to avoid a flare up again!?!?!?

An hour and a half after that, I was STILL waiting for the antibiotics they said would take 15-20 minutes and during that time nobody came to see me. i went to 'complain' at the nurse's station, they looked perplexed at my question ("Where's my antibiotics?") and said they would get back to me.

Half an hour later, I walked out in disgust! Clearly after nearly 5 hours, they were not going to treat me so 24 hours later, I picked up some antibiotics from my GP (clarythromycin or something - without getting up off my arse to check!)

So I have been on these 3 days now. During that time my cyst has worsened. It has become bigger, or rather the red hot patch around it has, tender, painful and sometimes stinging. I am at my wits end trying to find a comfortable position in bed. Bad enough with a baby who doesn't sleep well!!

Weird thing is, surgeon said a 10-day course of antibiotics, GP said antibiotics and surgery in 48 hours if no improvement before I opted for surgery instead of antibiotics but then when I returned, gave me 5 day course of it at only 250mg each!

I have 2 days left and I think I have to go back for another course. Stupid thing is, i thought I was having the infection DRAINED not so much the cyst removed. I thought that would be too but primarily I thought I would have the infection taken out.

So how likely will my infection clear and have no more recurrences?

Will the NHS remove it if the infection doesn't clear? How many courses of antibiotics will I have to take before surgery is considered?

So annoyed with the difference in medical opinion, care and obvious difference in antibiotic treatment!

DH thinks they fobbed me off with surgery due to suspected MRSA colonisation DESPITE me being treated, having a c section and being fine and the time of day (4:30pm).

Can you tell I am annoyed????

It is really frustrating that your op was cancelled, been there, all preparing yourself and then the let down.

Is the abx that you are on what the surgeon was going to give you? If not you may have a problem. If they think you have Mrsa in the wound (was it swabbed?) you will need a specific course of treatment. Just read that the Mrsa was spotted at c-section. Were you not swabbed (nasal, groin, wound) as part of pre-op appt?

Generally with cysts they remove the lot especially if there is a history of reoccurrence.

I am not clear how you left it with the hospital - did you walk out with no follow up plans?

I would say you need to go back to gp and ask for a wound swab.

On a more practical not have you tried a hot compress for the cyst? It may help to sooth it bring it to a head?

Hope it all gets sorted.

The hospital did take nasal, armpit and mouth swabs prior to the op but as it was 10 minutes later I was told the op wouldn't be happening, i have no idea if I am still colonising it.

When I was told prior to my c section, I got swabbed at 20 weeks but for some reason, nobody told me until I was 28 weeks pregnant. I was given nasal oitment and a shower gel and stict instructions when to use it and given a side room when recovering from the c section but nobody told me if I was still harbouring it. So as to this date, I have no idea!

I am allergic to penicillin and the surgeon came to see me 10 minutes after telling me the op wouldn't happen to say they didn't stock the antibiotics on the ward and were waiting on pharmacy to get back but they were shut at 5pm, 15 minutes after the conversation. After waiting (technically 1 hour 55 minutes) for these antibiotics that I wasn't told what type, nobody could tell me what was happening. I went to check but nobody was able to givw me any answers! I was hungry, thirsty and had children to take care of and it had been almost 5 hours since my arrival so I walked out with the intention ofseeing my GP again. They had my number and nobody even bothered to phone to tell me they had the antibiotics or to check where I was/if I was okay!!!!

The next day my GP (who I had seen in the first place - it was him who referred me on the same day) gave me the antibiotics.

Clearly there is a discrepancy here because the GP said if I didn't want the op, he's prescribe some antibiotics but after 48 hours if it had not cleared, he would send me to the hospital anyways but the hospital (York) made it VERY clear they do not treat cysts unless they were causing a problem DESPITE it being hugely infected!!! The hospital said a 10 day course of antibiotics (again didn't tell me what type) but my GP prescribed me 5 days at just 250mg each tablet, twice a day.

Were swabs taken on the day of the op? If yes I think once you shared you past history that is why they didn't proceed.

Unfortunately when you walk from the hospital this would be seen as walk out, guessing you have no mh or SN. I don't think they are obligated to chase you up, I would check with hospital whether they have closed his episode of care because you walked out. I know this sounds tough but they are under a lot of pressure and generally won't chase you, nor is the system quick. Please don't take this the wrong way but you wouldn't have left if you had the op and there had been complications no matter you hunger, DC etc.

The abx prescribed is one that is used for skin infections, usually for a longer duration (10 days) has your gp requested to see you in a few days?

Not sure regarding what the surgeon was saying about not doing op if not a problem. It clearly is a painful problem that is likely to reoccur if not treated, as you obviously don't want to be taking constant rounds of abx.
Think you need to contact hospital and gp to clarify on the road forward.

It may also be that on the day the infection was too great and they want it under control before doing the op.

Sorry for typos eating scrambled eggs and typing needs to be a no no

You sound like you believe that there should be exact and definitive answers to the treatment of your cyst.

Protocols change (why your GP and hospital's opinions are different) and are likely to take into consideration a number of factors like general health of patient, how ill they are and other complications such as MRSA and the patient's ability to handle a specific treatment.

In my view the potential MRSA was a risk to you, a number of courses of antibiotics would be the best first option to use rather than leaving you with a wound not able to heal properly.

I have absolutely no issue with the change in treatment plan. I have an issue as to why it took them OVER 2 hours to come and tell me that in a cramped box room though and also why after 1 hour 55 minutes no antibiotic turned up, nobody could actually find the person dealing with me and even after complaining nobody came to reassure me.

I appreciate they were busy. Talk in the relatives room (waiting room was full) was about how beds were hours away before being given out. Apparently an issue with women only wards being full.

The cyst is worse unfortunately. Just finished the course of antibiotics. They haven't touched the infection unfortunately. The 'site' is now massively inflamed, red, hot, little white pustular (or whatever you call them) have appeared and the centre seems a bruised purple colour. Very sore, can't sleep on my back and turning from side to side is impossible without having to wake first.

Back to the GPs. I had no message to follow up with the GP at all.

At least I have no fever, chills and aches and pains!!!

I would tell him that you do have fever, chills, aches and pains!!

If you want some proper ABs

Lol, "proper"abx have been given...
Do go back to gp today op. I hope you feel better soon.
Unfortunately your hospital experience sounds horribly familiar, sadly it is a reflection of the over stretched under-resourced nhs.