What to do with my infected cyst

[OuchyCyst]

twas a large 5-6cm cyst that has lived peacefully on my upper back for many years. Actually it was removed some years ago but grew back. Anyway, became infected, and I finished the antibiotics the GP gave me today. He said if the infection doesn’t settle I should go to A&E to have it ‘opened’. Do I go tomorrow if it isn’t better? Or hold on in case it resolves. There has been some small drops of gunk out that hole but not a lot. And no i wont’t squeeze it - it’s excruciatingly painful!

Then go is right that need draining!.

If the antibiotics didn't fix it then it will have to be drained. I had an infected one. GP gave me awful antibiotics, huge horse pills that tasted vile. He said sepsis is a concern with this type of infection.

Needs drained and the internal sac removed or it will fill up again

Go to A and E, needs draining

Ok that’s unanimous then - I will go in tomorrow morning - eek. I had one ten years ago that went similar and having it removed was the most painful thing I’ve ever had!

Please get them to film it, @OuchyCyst! It will be a souvenir for you and a cystfest for us!

I had one like that on the back of my neck 25 years ago and had to have it removed ans it came back a few times. Operation and overnight stay in hospital. It was so painful as it was really deep and it took a while to heal. However, it has never come back so was definitely the right thing to do!

Disappointed to say after a 1.5hr round trip, and 3hr at the hospital, the surgeons were too busy and also it’s still a bit firm. Needs to mature a while, so they’ve given me more antibiotics and I have to go back in a few days.

I'm very glad you got more antibiotics. What a frustrating day

@justasking111 Thank you. Yes it was. Think it’s an ailment that falls awkwardly between services as it’s not an emergency, but equally not something GP can do, and a referral to dermatology would not come through quickly enough.
The doctor at A&E suggested seeing the GP in a few days, to see if it was softer. I had to push back as the GP won’t see me, they prescribed on the basis of a photo at the start, but have since just said ‘A&E, A&E, A&E’ as they can’t do anything surgical. A&E don’t want me as they are too busy with more urgent cases. Ugh. I guess they will do something in the end? In the meantime I will continue on with my festering sore 🤗

What a shame the GP won't do it, minor surgery like that was my Dad's favourite bit of being a GP! Maybe their insurance is too expensive if they want to do that kind of thing these days.

Quick update - upon my return visit to A&E the doctor managed to get me onto the surgical list and I had it removed under general anaesthetic yesterday. No idea if they got the all of the cyst as it was abscess they were focused on, but wi pleased to have had it sorted hopefully!

Oh good! Hope you’re feeling better.

@Xmasbaby11 hello, just wanted to ask about your experience as my wound is also taking a very long time to heal. It has stalled at about 1cm cubed. Wound care nurses seem stumped so they are referring me to dermatology. Currently dressing it with gel twice a week. It’s annoying as I can’t shower properly or swim, and not sure whether to book a holiday for the summer as my fave bit is the swimming! Any tips for what helped yours heal?

I’m sorry it’s taking a while to heal. I was 23 at the time and lived with my parents, no kids etc and had no problems healing. I didn’t do anything special but I had a pretty stress free life and probably off work resting.