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Original poster

Boil/abscess between breasts - large

140 replies

Becca19962014 · 02/07/2019 21:28

So I've had a boil for about ten days which over the last few days has got much worse. It's been growing and growing inward not outward because of the location. I spoke to an oncall GP who prescribed a days worth of antibiotics until I could see my GP today which I started yesterday as I was feeling seriously unwell (dizzy/sick/diabetes issues).

GP was very concerned because of location - it's literally between my breasts, I can't go without a bra as they're so big the skin between is very thin due to Ehlers danlos (EDS) rips open, and it's growing inward. They said to give it 3 days of antibiotics and go to hospital to get it "sorted out"

I am extremely phobic of hospitals/Drs/anyone medical even seeing GP is a massive problem. I had a panic attack at GP surgery and ended up locking myself in the toilet for ages sobbing in fear, eventually having to leave when staff came in to see if I was ok.

The only access I have in terms of mental health is the mindfulness group which made things worse, everything I tried to do to combat phobia has made it worse.

Is it likely to go away just with antibiotics? I can't have the ideal ones for it as I can't have penicillin so am on erithromycin. She was really worried but couldnt do anything in the surgery due to the location.

Local anaesthetic doesn't work with me at all due to my EDS so it'll have to be done without on top of having to actually go in without fainting (which I've not been able to do in ages) and I can't have any dressing on it due to the location as it just falls off because of my EDS.

Does anyone know about these things?

OP posts:
Soola · 02/07/2019 22:32

How squeamish are you about trying to drain it yourself?

I would have to lance it with a sterilised needle then do the hot bottle thing to drain it.

However, as you have medical conditions I would be worried about infections so I would go back to your GP again or ask for a home visit because of your phobia.

user1474894224 · 02/07/2019 22:38

Aahhh Becca19962014 poor you. I only know what I watch on Dr PimplePopper. And from what you say I wouldn't try to lance it myself. The other posters suggestion of asking for a home visit (maybe a health visitor or nurse can come and check it out/deal with it for you) seems to be a great one. Good luck.

notangelinajolie · 02/07/2019 22:40

I would go to your GP and ask them to remove it. I had one that was right where the wire of my bra used to dig in and so no surprise when it ruptured inside and got infected. It was horrendously painful and I ended up being on anti-biotics for 3 weeks. And now the bad news - its come back - apparently they can come back if you don't get the whole thing out. This time I'm booked in to get it properly lanced/cut out or whatever they need to do. I really don't care - I don't want to go through the whole infection/pain thing again.

LoafofSellotape · 02/07/2019 22:43

Have you used hot compresses and mag sulph paste?

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 02/07/2019 22:49

GP and nurse she spoke to said I must get it done in hospital. They cannot do it because of the location of it and size. I don't know why but apparently that matters. Also I can't have local anesthetic, well I can but it won't work. I was either to go to hospital straight from there, hence panic attack or take higher dose of the antibiotics from then and see if that helps. It doesn't look as big now, but that could of course be wishful thinking!

I can't actually get a compress on it because of the location. Ive tried and I tried putting a dressing as well in case sweat was making it worse but it just comes off. I can't take off my bra without my skin splitting (not enough to rupture it) and there's no room to really get at it wearing a bra, hence it growing in and not out.

I was assaulted in hospital so it's a major trigger for me for my PTSD anyway (panic attack and flashback with GP who I've seen for ten years) can't bear the thought of a total stranger Sad

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 02/07/2019 22:51

You can't hold a hot flannel to it?

LoafofSellotape · 02/07/2019 22:52

Are you saying you are wearing a bra constantly without ever taking it off?

Lougle · 02/07/2019 22:56

Could you ask the GP refer you to a surgical assessment unit, where they may be able to aspirate it with a fine needle? You really don't want infection in your chest, tbh.

Powerplant · 02/07/2019 22:57

Continue with antibiotics and use a hot compress to try to draw it out. Can they not drain it at GPs?

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 02/07/2019 22:58

Yes I am. I can only take bra off with help from another person due to disability otherwise I get badly injured and when I do due to my EDS the skin in between rips.

I'm aware it's disgusting. So please don't have a go at me about it. I simply cannot afford to pay for carer every day.

I was able to lift it enough for GP to see.

I have been trying to hold hot flannel to it but it's difficult as my breasts are very large and heavy - 42 G last measurement (NHS don't reduce even though they cause me a lot of problems) and need to be held up which i cannot do more than once or twice a day due to severe pain in hands. Again EDS related.

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 02/07/2019 23:01

I'm aware it's disgusting. So please don't have a go at me about it. I simply cannot afford to pay for carer every day

I wouldn't dream of it OP but it might explain why you have a boil and it might make it worse and you might get more of them. Maybe a support vest might be better going forward?

Even holding a hot flannel to it for 5 mins at a time will help draw it.

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 02/07/2019 23:02

There's only a&e here and general ward where people are kept before being sent elsewhere nothing else - for other more specialist things that's hours away and I can't travel, even if I could and got hospital transport it's not free anymore and I can't afford to pay given my financial situation. Another worry was that they'd say no and send me elsewhere.

The GP surgery can definitely not do it. I'm sure they wouldn't have insisted on it if it was possible given my outburst at the suggestion.

I need to try and sleep now. So ill look at any more replies tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
Becca19962014 · 02/07/2019 23:04

loaf I'm sorry for being defensive. My experience is of people doing so.

I can't manage vests. The only thing I've found I can wear is a special order bra as most don't fit and hurt a lot. Even with correct measurements as I can't have underwires.

OP posts:
Original poster
Becca19962014 · 02/07/2019 23:05

I've done flannel thing twice a day but like I said its causing a lot of pain in my hands and I can't move without sticks so it's meaning I can't move.

A pain in more ways than one!

OP posts:
chickhonhoneybabe · 02/07/2019 23:06

It needs looking at. Can someone go to the doctors or hospital with you? Or could you speak to the GP over the phone and get them to prescribe you some diazepam so it helps with the anxiety

Teddybear45 · 02/07/2019 23:08

Due to ED and diabetes don’t try to get rid of this yourself. It can cause sepsis. Just put your big girl pants on and go to the hospital. Phobias of things that are good for you shouldn’t be pandered too - what would you do if it was your kid with this problem?

TapasForTwo · 02/07/2019 23:08

Please, please, please see a medical professional. I once had an abscess in my groin and I was so unwell. You don't want to risk sepsis.

I would have thought that you would be entitled to having a carer without having to pay for it. EDS sucks. Flowers

CrotchetyQuaver · 02/07/2019 23:10

I had a boil/abscess/carbuncle at the very top of my thigh right before Christmas, sorry but a week's worth of antibiotics didn't touch it. It kept on growing and growing and the pain was agonising, despite taking every pain relief I could get off prescription. Eventually the pain was so bad I couldn't cope any longer and just needed someone to deal with it ASAP and get it gone. I went/was sent to OOH GP at our local hospital via 111. It was so far gone that by the time I went in for my appointment it had burst of its own accord. Vile and fascinating at the same time as it pulsed out. He sprayed some funny numbing spray around it and then finished the job and burst it properly with a scalpel. I didn't look. It hurt but in the right way. Then it was packed and dressed and I was sent on my way with a follow up/change of dressing appointment for Boxing Day.

Because if it's position, I couldn't deal with it myself. I think eventually the pain will make you overcome your reluctance to go to hospital.

I don't understand about your bra though, but could you not put some cotton wool or similar on top of the abscess so that there's a bit of padding? I did that with mine whilst it was still brewing. Veterinary gamgee and cohesive bandage to be precise. It was just so painful when the skin was in direct contact with my trousers and it was rubbing.

YesQueen · 02/07/2019 23:15

I have a condition which causes boils/abscesses
I've had one on my breast which cleared with antibiotics, if didn't ever burst, just shrunk back down. Most in my groin clear alone. I've had surgery on my armpit - if it's infected then local anaesthetic doesn't work anyway (I know you said it won't work on you also). I had a short GA, maybe 20 mins and went home afterwards all in a day case unit
Could you manage if someone was with you for the whole time? I was really scared having my first GA and I had a lovely heavily tattooed anaesthetist and he explained all his tattoos to calm me down

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 02/07/2019 23:26

I'm not pandering to my phobia. You clearly don't understand phobias - mine is medically classed as life threatening.

"Big girl" pants don't even come into this - this is not some stupid little anxiety. It is a life threatening phobia I cannot get any help with at all and what help I was offered just worsened it. Because they had the same attitude of patronising me.

I've no one I can trust. It taken two apppintments before I'd show GP.

Please try and understand what a phobia is.

Came back to see if there were any useful suggestions.
Wish I hadn't now.

Carers aren't free if you qualify for direct payments you must hand over disability benefits to cover part of the cost and I cannot afford to do that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Becca19962014 · 02/07/2019 23:27

I can't have more than 2mg of diazepam (which I already take every day) as it's very dangerous with my conditions.

OP posts:
Original poster
Becca19962014 · 02/07/2019 23:28

Oh and I can't have children.

OP posts:
Kanga83 · 02/07/2019 23:37

Oh you poor thing. Where abouts in the country are you based? Is there anyone at all who could come with you to hand hold? With your diabetes it's not something you can leave untreated. I fully get you have a severe phobia. OP, have you ever been referred for CBT or had therapy for PTSD? It would be much more beneficial than open group mindfulness. I understand you feel you can't handle a local anaesthetic, how would you feel about gas and air and sedation? I have to do it this way for internal examinations.

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 03/07/2019 10:03

I'm in rural Wales. No NHS mh therapy here except general mindfulness and meds. I've no money for therapy.

I tried building trust with social services, even went to an appointment with them but they were just tricking the advocate I had as they stopped helping the moment they disappeared. I trust no one now.

I can't have local anaesthetic as due to the EDS as it simply doesn't work. I don't know about gas and air. My experience in the past having treatment there was being told I must just put up with the pain.

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 03/07/2019 10:58

You might not even need anesthetic,it might be drained without it. Could you see a nurse at your surgery? Ime they are chatty and have a bit more time to work out a plan than a doctor.