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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:
toothpicklover · 05/08/2021 14:23

I’m a nurse, go up to a and e and say you feel unwell. Get them to check it. You don’t always have a temp when septic you can be hypothermic.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/08/2021 14:40

Go to A and E, spreading purple tracking needs to be seen immediately. Give up with the useless GP.

Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 14:47

how do I upload photos? I'm trying to but it's not working.

I'm not sure if the symptoms are to do with the abscess or the antibiotics they've put me on.
I did go to a walk in clinic a week ago and was told that it was beyond their capabilities and to contact my doctor which I did do and then was told by the doctor to keep with antibiotics and to rest. I have 2 children. I cannot rest unfortunately. I've been on these antibiotics for nearly 2 weeks. and before that I was on another type of antibiotics due to another infection (sinus infection).
problem is with a and e is that they are so over run at the moment and I was turned away (this was before the purple veins)

OP posts:
Leftbutcameback · 05/08/2021 14:54

Agree with others about A&E. it sounds awful, good luck OP Flowers

DonLewis · 05/08/2021 15:05

You are receiving some truly shocking 'care'. I feel for you.

Will you go to A&E? What would be your preferred course of action? What do you think you need?

BiscuitDrama · 05/08/2021 15:08

I think maybe new users can’t upload photos.

Can you send it to another user who could upload? I’d happily do that but I don’t know if it wouldn’t work. Anyone know?

Greenmarmalade · 05/08/2021 15:09

Keep pushing for better care and treatment- it’s the only way with the nhs at the moment. I’d also go to a&e.

Don’t minimize your synptoms- tell them “I’m very/extremely…” etc.

pickingdaisies · 05/08/2021 15:11

Has the GP actually SEEN your abscess? I know you won't feel like like doing this, but you have to insist that someone looks at you. This is urgent, OP. If the GP won't see you, and I mean actually examine you, in the next 24 hours, go to a&e and tell them about the tracking ( that's what the purple veins getting longer is) and about the pain and dizziness. The antibiotics are not touching the infection.

hopeishere · 05/08/2021 15:12

Very painful condition. Agree you should for to A&E.

Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 15:14

@BiscuitDrama I can send them to you. they are embarrassing photos but at this point I don't care anymore 🤷.

I would go to a n e but I'm worried that I would be waisting their time. my doctor was quite abrupt about my condition so it's kind of thrown me off a bit.
he did check my heart, temp, blood pressure and said it was all fine apart from temp being a little higher than normal. he did say my pulse is slightly jittery as well. but told me to rest and that was literally it. and got quite annoyed when I rang a few days later and said I was still feeling the same and again told me to rest.

OP posts:
jessycake · 05/08/2021 15:15

Go to A&E tell them you feel ill , you might need IV antibiotics and draining .

SaltySheepdog · 05/08/2021 15:18

Ring 111

Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 15:19

@pickingdaisies the last time someone took a look at my abscess was a month ago (pre op for the operation to take it out- hopefully in next few months) that was before the vein type things and before it filled up again.

I keep demanding with the GP to do something and help me but I keep being thrown away.

walk in clinic were useless aswell and last week I was turned away from a n e as they had so many patients there- i wasn't even looked at. x

OP posts:
Original poster
willow1995 · 05/08/2021 15:22

I can function but my head feels so strange and achy and so does my neck
and I am eating but I have to force myself because I feel sick and dizzy (especially if I move quickly).

OP posts:
Leftbutcameback · 05/08/2021 15:22

I think, as hard as it is, you need to be really firm with them. Say you are very concerned about infection. You can be polite but firm. In my (limited) experience, people who say they don’t want to waste NHS time are rarely those actually wasting time.

lissie123 · 05/08/2021 15:24

Please go to a&e now your symptoms are worrying

bloodywhitecat · 05/08/2021 15:25

I think this warrants an A&E visit today, I hope they take you seriously and you are seen.

DogsSausages · 05/08/2021 15:26

Dont worry about trying to send us a photo, get yourself down to hospital so the doctor can have a good look for you and see what treatment they can start.

sillysmiles · 05/08/2021 15:29

I would go to a n e but I'm worried that I would be waisting their time

You are not wasting their time. Just go straight to A&E and stop paffing about worrying about wasting their time or it not being hospital relevant.

DogsSausages · 05/08/2021 15:30

Dont drive if you feel dizzy and have neck pain, is there someone who can take you or get a taxi.

TheSecondMrsAshwell · 05/08/2021 15:30

This is not for Sporner Corner - where all things ikky are lauded and enjoyed (speaking as a royal sporner). This is for A&E. Seriously. If your doctor is not taking it seriously, you need to go and see someone who will.

Ninkanink · 05/08/2021 15:32

@willow1995

I can function but my head feels so strange and achy and so does my neck and I am eating but I have to force myself because I feel sick and dizzy (especially if I move quickly).
You will not be wasting time by going to A&E.

You need to be examined properly and your infection needs treating urgently as the antibiotics aren’t enough. You’re unwell and this can get very serious very quickly.

Suzi888 · 05/08/2021 15:33

I would also go to A&E on this occasion. Flowers

PotteringAlong · 05/08/2021 15:35

This is an emergency now. Get thee to A&E

Sexnotgender · 05/08/2021 15:36

You’re NOT wasting anyone’s time.

Get yourself to A&E, the antibiotics aren’t working, you sound properly ill and your GP sounds shite quite frankly.