What would you with this?

[StiffyByng]

A large sebaceous cyst that I hate. It’s been there the best part of a decade - seen and diagnosed by a GP, hospital won’t remove unless infected. Many years ago my lovely hairdresser squeezed it away but it’s refilled, and has no head at all. I’ve got an appointment tomorrow to see if I can get it removed privately by my GP as a ‘minor procedure’ but I’m nervous he’ll say it’s too big - I can’t afford a full on private clinic.

Does look quite big. Fingers crossed they can do it for you

Oh bless you! Hopefully the GP can sort it for you - I’m shocked they won’t remove something so big unless it’s infected, it must be so awkward. Is it painful? Could you tell them it is?! 😬

Tell them it’s making sleeping impossible (as you sleep on your back) and that it is hurting you as you catch it on your hair brush.

If I had one like that I’d get it removed (I’d take out a loan if I needed to).

My neck does ache sometimes but it’s mostly not a problem. I am very conscious of it though and it makes my neck look awful obviously. I’m totally willing to exaggerate if it might make a difference.

I’d stress the mental health implications due to being self conscious and it affecting self esteem, combined with lack of sleep and pain.
I’m shocked they won’t remove it.

The hospital refused the referral. No removals at all unless infected. That was about four years ago now and it is getting bigger.

If it’s got bigger then I’m sure your gp would refer you back to the hospital again- if they’re not willing to remove at the gp’s due to it’s size.My daughter had a tiny one on her face as a teenager which grew and they didn’t hesitate to remove it as they said better to deal with it early on ( maybe because it was on her face near top of cheek) as once they grow it’s harder to get a better cosmetic outcome- I’d be really surprised that they would refuse you nie.good luck

@StiffyByng

The hospital refused the referral. No removals at all unless infected. That was about four years ago now and it is getting bigger.

I have some equally large sebaceous cysts on my scalp, which I spoke to my GP about last month. I have been referred (and referral accepted) to local cottage hospital to have them removed. They were removed about 10 years ago by the GP, but now complicated by scar tissue, hence referral. They are in a position that I can’t lean back on anything, they make wearing a hard hat difficult (I wear one most days) and they protrude through my hair and catch on my hairbrush.

Good luck with your appt tomorrow @StiffyByng

Thanks, @BikeRunSki. I hope your appointment comes through quickly.

@StiffyByng, I have a date at the end of next month.

I would totally exaggerate OP, tell them its causing pain and stopping you sleeping comfortably.

That’s very quick! The waiting lists for everything at my local hospital are beyond stupid because of Covid.

The sleep thing wouldn’t be completely wrong as I do sleep at a funny angle.

Ooh ouch. If GP can’t remove they should refer you on NHS. That is too big to live! Important to get it properly done to get the sac out so it doesn’t refill. Say it hurts!

Dh had a similar for all the time I’ve known him. He had it removed on the NHS about 5 years ago. But it was probably twice the diameter of yours. It used to itch as the skin was stretched over it. It was done under local and you can barely see the scar now.

You need to emphasize the impact it has on your life - does it make lying on your back difficult, you can only wear certain items of clothing or it impacts physically in some way?

I don’t think you’d be seen anytime soon as there must be huge waiting lists for medical treatments.

It does itch sometimes!

I live with someone who had a very large cyst like yours. They just keep getting bigger.

Squeezing the gunk out will make it smaller for a while but it will fill up again unless you have minor op to remove the sac inside it. All the time that is there it will just fill up.

After a while it will start to smell bad, and it will probably smell rank when it is operated on. But - once it is gone, it will be truly gone. A little op, sac removed, a few stitches, keep it dry for a while and you will forget it was ever there.

Get it done, you will fell so much better afterwards.

But - once it is gone, it will be truly gone. A little op, sac removed, a few stitches, keep it dry for a while and you will forget it was ever there

I’m not sure this is strictly true. Mine refill again, and need removing every 10 years or so. This will be the third time for one of them.

Can you save up and go private?

If the GP won’t do it for £140 (private rate) then I will look at other options. Thank you for the sympathy on here, as I was expecting suggestions involving sterilised knitting needles rather than such niceness.

All we ask is that you video is and share it! Good luck 👍

I think you need to up your game a bit with regards to making your neck ache and making sleeping difficult etc. It is NOT ok to be left with something like this. A family member had something similar removed by her GP as it was on her bra strap and she didn't pay.

Are you getting a bad back, perhaps, from sleeping awkwardly?

I’ve woken up stiff down that side. Very convenient for this morning’s appointment!

GP took one look and immediately agreed to remove in the minor surgery clinic next month. £160.

He did say he was surprised that the hospital had refused to remove one that size but my records didn’t show how big it was when that referral happened which suggests the last GP may not have told them. Currently a magnificent 4.5cm in diameter.