Pilonidal abscess

[startalovetrain]

Sorry - grim subject matter ahead.

I've had a pilonidal sinus for a year or so but it's recently developed into an abscess.
Basically an abscess at the very top of my bum cheeks

I've had two rounds of antibiotics and the nurse was so shitty with me when I asked for a referral. It's painful to sit down, drive, even sleep on my back, and it's now reoccurred for the third time. She's told me it's likely to be months before I see someone about having it removed, which I understand due to Covid and it's a hefty procedure.

I'm keeping it clean with antiseptic wash, using warm compresses and avoiding tight clothes etc but it's just relentless - has anyone had one or have any tips on how I can get comfy? It's making me miserable

Sorry you’re experiencing this OP. My brother experienced this twice and both times had to have an operation for removal. I know from his experience that the pain is horrendous. Could you bypass the nurse and request a GP appointment? Or see another nurse at your surgery? You shouldn’t have to suffer this amount of pain and discomfort. You may have to wait longer to be seen but they need to start the referral process for you.

Also it sounds like you may need different antibiotics if you still have an infection x

Thanks @Rebeccasmoonnecklace! Hopefully your brother has got some relief now?

I'm on a different type so fingers crossed it starts to make a difference tomorrow.

Was his surgery the one where they leave an open wound for daily packing/dressing? I feel sick at the thought of it!

Have you tried a coccyx cushion @startalovetrain ?

You have my sympathy, I've had one since I was about 16/17 - 39 now. I had an op at 21 which didn't really work so now I just put up with it

@startalovetrain After the second removal my brother luckily has had no more problems. He did have an open wound and the district nurse used to come into clean and pack it for him. I don’t blame you feeling sick thinking about it.

I hope your antibiotics have started to kick in and that things get sorted for you soon!

Have you seen the practice nurse at your surgery? It might need dressing? They can teach a family member how to do the dressing as well so that you don’t have to go in too frequently to have it reviewed.

My dd had to have three lots of surgery to fix hers. It was a nightmare going to the surgery every two days to redress it.

Good luck. I know she found it very painful.

You need to see a specialist (not gp and not nurse - for gods sake I hope it wasn’t the nurse who gave you the antibiotics prescription) to get an antibiotic that works.

I have had it in my early twenties. It reoccurred twice, GP prescribes broad spectrum antibiotics that didn’t work, I then saw a surgeon who prescribed a different antibiotic that cured it. I never had one since. Op is a grim, grim thing that doesn’t even guaranteed to work, so I would recommend seeing a good specialist privately ASAP.

Hi there! I’m a 25 year old female, who had a pilonidal abscess when I was 21, I actually had to be rushed to a&e the first time, it was so big and painful I couldn’t move or do anything, I had the surgery and they left it open and I had to go for packing every day at the gp, it’s a pain having to do all that but it’s so worth and not as bad as it sounds, plus if your in a lot of pain you’ll be glad to get it done, but I would say I’ve had surgery twice now, and it’s actually just come back again but only tiny, sure giving me a little grief. So I’ve been back to the gp and they have referred me straight away, I’m not sure what they are gonna do this time? Do it again? It seems hopeless but I never wanna be in that pain when I was taken into a&e again, I know how you feel, it’s so depressing and it doesn’t help with confidence, I can’t wear white jeans in summer because just incase, I can’t sit properly most of the time, the antibiotics they prescribe me don’t work either. It’s an in going thing I think, a disease and if your lucky enough to have it once and never again, but in most cases it does return, either once again or a few times more 😔 I just wanted to share a little of my experience