Bartholin cyst - quick advice please, hospital won’t drain

[Fedupandsore]

Hi,

Currently in hospital waiting to speak to the registrar in person.

Have had a Bartholin cyst for several years now. It’s largely caused me no problems. Late last year it started to swell to big proportions and I had to relieve the pain/ pressure by popping a needle in it.

Over the past day or so it has become hugely swollen again but this time I can’t pop it with a needle. I’ve been to my GP who has sent me on to hospital.

Hospital refusing to treat and saying to wait until a routine appointment in 5 weeks time. I could cry. I’ve been up all night with the pain and pressure. Feel like I’ve got a golf ball stuck in my labia. I’ve also been asked not to put any more needles in it at home.

This can’t be right? Has anyone had urgent treatment for this? It’s a cyst not an abscess but has swollen with fluid that has nowhere to escape. The duct is blocked and has been for years

I think you should ring your doctor and ask them for a referral. If your GP sent you to hospital then they should presumably admit you and sort it?

Thanks Cauli GP has referred me, I’ve been sent straight to gynae ward.

If cysts become infected, they can become abscesses, so even if it was a cyst to start with, it may not be any more. Has anyone at the hospital actually examined you yet?

Yes I’ve been examined by junior doctor who has consulted registrar on phone. They’re saying it’s not infected or an abscess. I agree, but it has swollen with fluid that has nowhere to escape and I can’t stay in pain like this for 5 weeks. Junior doctor said she knows I’m ‘uncomfortable’ after I corrected her twice that no, it’s not uncomfortable, it’s painful.

Anyone else experienced this?

I had a recurring one that I treated with magnesium sulphate paste after many posters on here recommend it. It popped in the bath when I gave it a prod and has been no problem since 🤞

Stand your ground! If a man had a massive, painful swelling on his penis would they suggest waiting for 5 weeks?! I think not.

I’m bloody furious on your behalf Fedupandsore don’t go until they actually do something. It’s always women being left in pain and to just get on with it

I had one in my teens. It didn't cause me issues but I could feel it was there. I was examined by my gp and referred to a surgeon who removed it. They said they wouldn't drain it as it would be likely to come back. I would ask if surgery would be an option for you. (was painful for a few days afterwards and I've had no problems in the decade since).

I’ve tried magnesium sulphate paste and sitz baths. It’s too deep and no head as such.

I thought the same thing about a man Teddy trying to stay assertive but hard when exhausted and in pain. Still waiting to speak to registrar face to face.

Qcumber Mine has been fine for years, only just flared up now. They’re saying surgery is an option but want me to wait to discuss it at routine appt in 5 weeks leaving me in this state in the meantime.

You poor thing Fedup. If the meeting doesn’t go well can you put in a complaint to PALS? I don’t believe there is absolutely nothing they can do, at the very least drain it whilst you wait for an appointment. Awful.

I’m home. Absolutely exhausted. Honestly it has been horrendous. When the registrar arrived he did give the option to admit me but with lots of scaremongering about waiting 10 days on the ward because there’s people who are more urgent etc. So many disparaging comments like why had I had it for 6 years and only turned up now. Apparently some women are living with 10cm cysts and they can’t do anything for them either as they have to draw the line somewhere.

Offered antibiotics even though myself, junior doctor and registrar all believe it isn’t infected. Blood tests done and confirmed no inflammation markers. Still sent home with antibiotics.

Registrar seemed surprised at the size when he examined me but soon backtracked. Arguing the toss over my GP describing it as 3-4cm. Saying it’s 3cm and nothing can be done. I’ve just measured it. It’s 4cm. Long. Not including the width of it too.

He then consulted senior registrars and the option to admit was withdrawn. Told to go home and only come back if it gets bigger. Apparently the bigger it is, the better the success rate of the op. No consideration for the pain I’m already in despite me stressing that.

So much more I could say but the pain meant I got absolutely no sleep last night and I’m exhausted.

Poor you. I’ve had this happen twice and both times I was sent to hospital pretty much straight away. I was given what I think was called a Word Catheter to help with the draining. That fell out the first day so I was back in hospital having a marsupialisation the next day. It came back again recently and I was in the following week to have it operated in again.
It’s awful that they haven’t helped you because it does get so very painful.

Sounds terrible. Please press for treatment very soon. So you have anyone who can help fight your cause?

Thanks Pretzel and sorry you’ve had one too. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Can I ask how you found the marsupialisation? What is left to see once the wound has healed?

I don’t know what else to say to them Molly I had my DM with me today but she won’t be able to take more time off work.

Hi. The second marsupialisation was much better than the first one. Possibly because they didn’t pack it with some sort of bandage the second time and it healed much quicker.
Possibly there is a small hole left but you can’t really notice it.

Good luck and I hope you can get it sorted soon. X

Look up Apple Cider Vinegar with Barthlin cysts on Youtube Fedupandsore, it may help you. X