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Original poster

abscess which won't go away and looks like it's spreading

154 replies

willow1995 · 05/08/2021 13:46

hello everyone.

I'm looking for some advice and also if any of you have been in the same situation as me.
I have an abscess near my tailbone for around 2 years. it came up after I gave birth. it was 5cm deep and 8cm wide. I had an operation to have it out and things were fine until 3 months later it started coming back. since then every few weeks it fills up quite large and then disperses apart from this time. it's been dispersing gunk for about a week and a half and now it's turning a slight purple around the edges, also there seems to be purple looking veins coming away from it and growing larger every day. I am on antibiotics which I have been on for over a week and a half. but now I also have a lump on my spine as well which could also be a abscess.

I keep going to my GP but they just keep telling me to rest and that's it.

I don't have a temperature but my back is painful and I feel dizzy. no headache but my head feels achy and my neck feels achy too.
I'm getting concerned but unsure what to do. I do have an operation in the next 3 months to get rid of the abscess again but they haven't given me a date yet.

I'm concerned about the purplish veins coming away from the abscess.

if anyone has been in the same situation as me then can you tell me what happened to you and what you did?
also any advice would be great. thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 13:49

oh and also the doctors keep giving me different antibiotics to try and tame it but nothing is working. this year and last year I have been on so many different types of antibiotics it's ridiculous. any help would be appreciated

OP posts:
Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 13:51

I can also show photos but they are very embarrassing 😳

OP posts:
pickingdaisies · 05/08/2021 13:53

The purplish veins sounds really worrying to me, OP, is your GP aware of them? In your shoes I think I'd go to a&e

Juanbablo · 05/08/2021 13:54

Oh gosh, that sounds awful for you! Have you been able to get a face to face appointment with the doctor or was it over the phone?

Ninkanink · 05/08/2021 13:55

Look for sporner corner! - you will be lauded there, and there will be no need for embarrassment. They also know a lot about things like this as many of them have experience of it.

You could report your OP and ask MNHQ to move it for you.

I hope you get it sorted soon!

pinatastick · 05/08/2021 13:56

You could ask for this to be moved to Sporner Corner, they'd love to see a picture!

I'm sorry I can't offer any advice but I can see why you're concerned- must be frustrating!

Ninkanink · 05/08/2021 13:56

But tbh I agree with others - radiating lines could indicate an emergency so I would definitely go to A&E today.

GiantCheeseMonster · 05/08/2021 13:56

This sounds horrible and potentially very dangerous. I would be going to A&E today, I think.

Marcipex · 05/08/2021 13:57

I’d go to a&e with that.

DonLewis · 05/08/2021 13:58

If it doesn't seem right (and it really doesn't from your description) you need to keep on at the GPs. It's a horrible position to be in, because we're conditioned not to make a fuss, but unless you're in front of a doctor, they're not wondering how you're getting on.

Get another appointment and tell them you think it needs more than antibiotics. Has the nurse seen it?

Sounds sore and pretty debilitating tbh. Hope you get it sorted soon.

Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 14:11

thank you everyone for replying. the purplish veins had only started a few days ago and they have been getting longer down one side of my bum cheek. antibiotics don't seem to be working. (with this abscess they never do.) my GP is being useless and not much help at all.
my symptoms are-
achy head but no headache
back pain but bearable (have a high tolerance for pain)
pain in between shoulder blades but ibuprofen seems to be taming it a bit.
abscess still leaking gunk- yellowy, bloody and green but no smell.
abscess looks red and purple
oh and I haven't been able to sit properly on my bum for about a year....

OP posts:
Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 14:12

oh and feeling fizzy and sometimes abit disorientated but then goes away

OP posts:
DonLewis · 05/08/2021 14:13

Omg, a year of not being able to sit down? Go back to the doctors, every day if you have to. Are the veins the infection 'tracking' b cause if they are, you should go to A&E. It could lead to sepsis and needs to be taken really seriously.

You poor, poor thing.

Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 14:13

and what's sporner corner? I'm new to mumsnet so unsure what that is. many thanks xx

OP posts:
Notavegan · 05/08/2021 14:14

Have they told you if it's this condition?
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pilonidal-sinus/

DonLewis · 05/08/2021 14:16

Sporner corner is a board where people post photos of spots and boils.

Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 14:17

@DonLewis I'm not sure if it's tracking but the vein looking things are getting longer. there's no red streaks though, just swollen, purple big lump with now purple veins coming away from the abscess. and yes I can sit on one side of my bum but cannot sit properly. I do have an operation in the next few months to have it taken out again but it's just the veins and dizziness that is concerning me x

OP posts:
LittlefairyMum · 05/08/2021 14:18

Sounds like sinus. Has your GP mentioned this ?

Basically you have sinus symptoms and the abscess gunk

Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 14:19

@Notavegan yes that is the one! the surgeon told me that he's taking the whole sinus out and sewing it back up. last time they only took the abscess and left it to be packed for 3 weeks but it came back. so been suffering for 2 years. have an operation in next few months but just worries about these purple veins coming away from it and also feeling dizzy and achy x

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 05/08/2021 14:20

This really needs sorting NOW.

Your GP is less than useless.

RainyAfternoon · 05/08/2021 14:20

willow1995 don't worry about the comments about sporner corner - it's a lighthearted board for people that love spots and gunk - I think your abscess sounds more serious than amusing. The purple lines and other symptoms sound a bit worrying and I think it might well be an idea to get it checked out at A&E to check the infection isn't spreading. Good luck.

DonLewis · 05/08/2021 14:21

Look, your doctor wouldn't put up with these symptoms. You don't have to either, but you do have to keep pestering them.

Is there anyone with you? Would they be able to advocate for you? The dizziness sounds concerning. It all sounds really concerning.

The best advice you'll get is to go and get medical attention, even though you have been, even though you don't want to bother them, even though you don't think they'll do anything else, even though you're not sure it warrants it.

Other options: do you have a walk in centre? Minor injuries even if you can't fave your GP again?

TheGriffle · 05/08/2021 14:21

I’d try your gp or 111 once more then head to a minor injuries unit or a&e if you don’t have one if you don’t get any luck.

DonLewis · 05/08/2021 14:22

What would you tell someone suffering like this? You'd tell them to get to a doctor. For good reason.

Notavegan · 05/08/2021 14:22

My friend had that condition so I learned a fair bit about it from her. If you are feeling poorly from an acute infection they should be giving you treatment. A quick Google found this. Poor you. Don't ignore an infection definitely

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/100709pilonidalsinus.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjk04Pr_JnyAhXC8bsIHeeYDwkQFnoECB4QAg&usg=AOvVaw2e58BwH0Z4Wpzcl1e9cELt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/100709pilonidalsinus.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjk04Pr_JnyAhXC8bsIHeeYDwkQFnoECB4QAg&usg=AOvVaw2e58BwH0Z4Wpzcl1e9cELt