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Original poster

Abscess - speeding it up

25 replies

LikeALeadBalloon · 05/02/2022 09:09

Yesterday was my final day of isolation and now I have a huge abscess on my bum and can barely walk. It was bothering me so much in the night I thought it would have popped but it's still there and more painful. I've not attempted to sit down yet!

I have plans for tomorrow Sad I wish I had gone to the doctors but I thought it would just go away and not keep getting bigger!

Can anyone predict how long the misery will be before it bursts?

OP posts:
lljkk · 05/02/2022 09:16

you don't have antibiotics?

totallytotalled · 05/02/2022 09:17

If it's in the cleft of your bum it's a pilonidal abscess. They get very very painful.

Warm baths. And a possible trip to the doctor for industrial antibiotics

I have them and they recur but the foster one was horrific.

Hope you're ok

totallytotalled · 05/02/2022 09:18

First one not foster

ThreeB · 05/02/2022 09:18

You can speed it up by putting a tea bag on it. I was in agony with one about 5 years ago and found this suggested as an old wives tale. I was so desperate that I gave it a try and it really does work. Pop the tea bag in a cup and pour over a little boiling water. Leave to steep for a couple of minutes and then squeeze the excess water out. Pop it directly onto the site and leave there.

Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 05/02/2022 09:35

It's not a pilonidal one. It's further down. I have heard those are hideous @totallytotalled

No antibiotics! It was a niggle until yesterday. I was sitting on a cushion for home working yesterday but I had so much on I hadn't thought about the likelihood of it getting worse. I can hardly walk today! Im still isolating so can't use out of hours.

Will try the teabag but it seems a bit mad!

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 05/02/2022 09:53

Antibiotics!

Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 05/02/2022 10:42

Logged with 111 now, should get a call back within 6 hours and then will have to ask someone to collect for me if they prescribe without seeing me. Why do these things always happen on weekends? Shame that pharmacies can't prescribe antibiotics although I can't actually go to one right now and I wouldn't get my bum out in boots so wouldn't happen anyway Grin

Thanks all, was looking for a magical quick fix

OP posts:
Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 05/02/2022 23:13

I have antibiotics! So relieved as the pain is awful now and at least I know I'm on my way to getting rid of it. Anyone remember how long it took for antibiotics to make a difference? I'm really hoping there's some improvement by morning because I can't handle it. Been watching tv this evening and can't focus for thinking of just cutting it out. Hoping to fall asleep soon just to stop thinking about it.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 05/02/2022 23:15

Would a warm bath help? Hot flannel?

userxx · 05/02/2022 23:16

I'd help it along with a hot flannel, as hot as you can take it. Antibiotics will take a couple of days to kick in.

Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 05/02/2022 23:22

Yes I've been using hot flannels, will do some more now and then try and find a comfortable position to drift off. It's definitely got a lot worse, I hope the next 24 hours aren't the same degree of worsening. It's nowhere near popping so that means it could get bigger!!

OP posts:
goingtotown · 05/02/2022 23:41

Hot flannels & Magnesium Paste on a dressing, this will draw the pus out.

PatterPaws · 05/02/2022 23:43

Hope you feel better soon Daffodil

Phrenologistsfinger · 05/02/2022 23:45

Epsom salt baths and epsom salt hot compresses, seriously effective!

Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 05/02/2022 23:56

Gosh I will be buying magnesium sulphate and Epsom salts first thing! My medicine cupboard is severely lacking anything of use right now!

Thank you for the flower Smile

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 06/02/2022 00:03

Salty bath would help.

tintodeverano2 · 06/02/2022 00:04

Put a towel down on your bed just in case anything goes in the night. Had a herniated pile a few years ago (which was agony and couldn't sit or walk or anything really without pain), and went to bed and it burst during the night and woke up covered in blood.

Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 06/02/2022 09:48

Ah no miracle overnight but I did sleep. Now this is no limb amputation but it is very fucking painful and I'm annoying everybody at home so will moan on here.

Done hot flannels and magnesium paste that I did actually have in the cupboard. No dressings though so it's toilet roll held in place with some massive knickers! Feels very very sore now so either it's the 'drawing' action or the pressure of the toilet roll. Have somewhere to be at lunch time though so will persevere for now.

OP posts:
Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 06/02/2022 15:19

Omg back home now, had a bath and more magnesium sulphate on. That paste definitely isn't soothing 🤣 but I have high hopes it's helping. On countdown to the next antibiotic. I will never ignore a niggle again.

OP posts:
Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 06/02/2022 21:54

Had another bath. Absolutely no sign of improvement. Work will be hellish tomorrow and can't take the time off. Will be staying up late to take an extra antibiotic and hoping that plus an early morning one will tip me over the balance to it getting better. Proper woe is me right now Sad

OP posts:
bagofconkers · 07/02/2022 18:24

How are you today @LikeALeadBalloon?

Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 07/02/2022 18:37

Today has been much better thank you! I didn't think there was any hope whatsoever and was dreading today because it was going to be so hectic at work. It was such a relief to find I could walk easier than yesterday, that pain was just something else. So it took about 7/8 antibiotics to see any improvement but it got significantly worse first!

OP posts:
Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 08/02/2022 20:34

So weird today it's felt like I had a burn rather than an abscess. Not the crazy pressure of before but burning and ultra sensitive like someone pressing your sunburn! Had a bath and some skin fell off 🤮 sorry if that's TMI! I think it has also been cellulitis because the area of redness was really big so I actually drew around it on sunday night to see if it grew on Monday but luckily it didn't. Will continue to keep an eye on it as I'm not out the woods yet, and still walking funny Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
LikeALeadBalloon · 08/02/2022 20:41

Also lymph nodes in groin are now also swollen. I'm guessing this is something that occurs post infection but will see how that pans out.

OP posts:
bagofconkers · 10/02/2022 15:59

Oh gosh - sorry to hear this is still dragging on for you.

Maybe worth checking in with your GP if new problems are developing?

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