Deep Bartholin abcess misery

[NickyS17]

Hi,
I’m having trouble finding information and just wondered if anyone else had experienced a very deep (I’d say ‘internal’) Bartholin’s cyst abcess?
I started to feel unwell on Christmas Day and after a few days of feeling increasingly poorly (nausea, cramps, downwards pressure) and then finding a large painful lump I ended up at out of hours yesterday. The doc said she thought it was a Bartholin’s abcess as it’s around the right location, however it’s very deep. I was prescribed two different anti-bs and she said to give it 48 hours & go back to doc if worse.
Only thing is I’ve woken up today with it bigger and more painful than ever with nausea even worse (assuming from anti-bs).
Has anyone had one of these ‘deep’ abcesses before? Was it definitely a Bartholin’s or a different one? Did it go away with just anti-bs or am I likely to need it to be drained? I’m supposed to be driving on hol with the kids on Tuesday but the docs won’t be open on Monday and I’m trying to work out whether to cancel holiday or not. The way I’m feeling now I can’t even get off the sofa. So worried it might burst too with it being internal :( Can’t remember ever feeling this poorly & miserable!
Any insight would be gratefully received!

I would go to a&e if I were you.
It's probably going to need draining.

I was afraid of that :(

Maybe give 111 a ring and see what they suggest?

I’ve been trying to get through to out of hours nurse for some advice but no answer yet. Doc seemed fairly confident anti-bs could help so just trying to work out how long to wait!

Every sympathy OP, they are terrible things and so so painful. The antibiotics should clear it up. Until it burst, the pain from the pressure will be immense. Can you take ibuprofen for the pain. Ring for advice, sometimes a hot clean flannel applied to the area can help. It’s horrible I know. Hoping you are feeling much better soon

There’s a Sporners section here where you’d probably get better advice (you can report your post and request to have it moved). While they get a bit excited, there are some knowledgeable people.

I would say A&E though with lack of improvement, how ill you’re feeling and not 100% knowing what it is.

If it’s getting worse despite antibiotics then yes, you need to be seen again and they may well admit you. It might be that IV antibiotics can treat it but you need to be seen.

Yep 111, if no joy A&E. These can get nasty.

Thanks, most of the online advice and guidance I can find seems to say that once they burst it can provide relief, however as mine is not at the surface I don’t know what that means if all the yucky stuff can’t get out..

I'd go to A&E. You haven't got better with oral antibiotics so likely you either need iv antibiotics or you need it draining. Just go straight to the place the gynaecologists hang out.

@adios I'm here from spornland ;-) we'll "spot" the thread haha

Do you have a temperature at all OP?

No just chills.

And godawful nausea though I think the anti-bs aren’t helping!

Without wanting to scare you... chills and nausea can be an early symptom of sepsis.

It's more likely to be effects of the ABs but given how poorly you feel I honestly would seek medical attention again now

Ok thanks for the advice x

I had a similar, but different location, cyst years ago, and ended up having surgery over a bank holiday weekend. I’m sure you are going to A&E, and I think this is the right call.

@cakeymccakington

Hope you feel better soon OP

What Anna and Cakey said.
Go to A&E asap/now.

It’s a systemic infection now not responding to 48 hours of antibiotics.
It needs draining/surgery +/- IV abs
Don’t mess about with Ooh or walk in or 111, go direct to A&e.

Chills and nausea were the start of sepsis for me, you need to be checked out especially as you feel this way after 48hrs of antibiotics. They'll give you IV antibiotics, maybe drain the cyst and then you'll be on your way.

Please don't leave this, you need to be seen. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks for all the advice! Makes me feel like I’m not panicking over nothing!

Definitely not. I hope you get it seen to today and start feeling better

Chills = on-going infection affecting your whole body.

Go to A&E now!

Definitely go to A&E.

I had this around 10 years ago. If you’re feeling physically unwell and oral antibiotics aren’t working after 48 hours - go!

You may need an IV antibiotic and a very simple, quick surgical procedure (marsupialisation). You’ll feel so much better after that! Promise.

How are you doing?