Bartholin Cyst / Hospital say too hard to drain!

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I've read lots on here about popped and drained cysts, but anyone had a Bartholin's Cyst too hard for either?!?!

I've had a large Bartholin's Cyst appear since Monday night. Got more and more painful. I saw GP on Wednesday who said it was large, definitely infected, prescribed Anti biotics, advised it would likely need draining but start with anti biotics.

I went to a private gynaecologist this morning, in lots of pain, absolutely dreaming of having it drained and the relief. She said. "No way can I drain that here - you need to go to A&E. it's too risky etc."

I was in tears, I was under the impression she would be able to drain it there and then!

Went to A&E. after 5 hours faffing finally saw their Gynae. I was so excited for her to drain it. She said "nope it's to HARD. It's not drainable, we need to just remove it under GA"
Suggested admitting me, putting me on IV antibiotics, and waiting for a space in surgery but warned it's not 'urgent' so I'd be bottom of the list and being a massive trauma hospital centre in London... helicopters in all the time.. it could be days. And it's Xmas.

I chose to go home as pain is manageable ish for now, and she prescribed better pain killers. I'd rather be here where i can do warm baths, eat well and get sleep.

Hopefully I can get through to the other side of Xmas and get it sorted then.

Anyone had similar?

Magnesium sulphate?

Care Magnesium Sulphate Paste 50g, Drawing Ointment for Inflammatory Conditions amzn.eu/d/6PWzx4d

Epsom salts in hot bath water?

You poor sausage! How utterly miserable! Really hope it can be sorted pronto.

My doctor always recommend cold compress alternated by hot compress to help them to pop up.

Try to get the surgery, but it’s good if you can wait at home. Mine got drained, but came back immediately twice. I had to go private to get a surgery and only then it stopped. I don’t think draining is very effective.

I was recommended this and tried it earlier in the week... but because it's so hard, and doesnt have a 'head' i stopped and that was confirmed by the Gynae inA&E. She said it's completely solid, so nothing can drain even if there's an opening.

Maybe worth another shot though? It's just so sore down there... salts etc feel harsh!

I've been doing these, but again, GP and Gynae today said a bit harsh on the bits and as it's such a hard cyst, nothing to 'draw' out as such

I am keeping up warm compresses and baths though as they are sweeeeet relief! And may help liquify/draw..?

Thanks for all the replies so far x
If it was bleeping xmas it would be simpler!

Why always the dramas at Xmas?!

Same happened to me op - I had emergency surgery under GA , I feel for you , it's so painful. If it's infected I think that's the only option.

Mine did come back but not infected, and I'm seeing gynea again in April with a view to getting it sorted with surgery again .

I hope you manage to get in asap after Xmas . Sending hugs.

Thanks @capabilityfrowns

Was yours too solid to drain too?

Hope you get it sorted once and for all in April

I've nothing helpful to add but I hope it softens immensely this weekend and gives a big squishy juicy pop asap.

Goodness you poor thing, I really hope it gets sorted ASAP for you x

Do you have private medical insurance? Sometimes they can find you a dr who can operate under GA.

sometimes they do need operating on I've had 2 operated on

I had marsupialisation under Ga but honestly it was so painful I do t think they could have drained it - to do that they need to inject local and use a scalpel- I couldn't even sit down in the waiting area . They were very kind at a&e, but my temp and heart rate were high , probably due to the pain .

When it came back (not infected) I had it drained but within 8 weeks it was back

It's now 10cm . It's horrendous to look at but not painful - I'd like it gone for good but unfortunately I think once you've had one they are prone to come back . I'm single , there is no way I'd let anyone down there 😂. I do hope you get in fi surgery because it's absolutely grim when it's an infected cyst . Good luck x

I've heard this so will give it a go too, thank you x

It feels like it needs some sort 'moisture' down there as a mot of the pain is from possibly from rubbing and dryness...
Any safe recommendations??
Vagisyl?

Something feels different down there... it feels like it's shifted? And more pressure possibly?
The positions that were comfortable are no longer comfortable, and others are better..
Those of you for whom it popped on its own,
Does this sound familiar?
Or am i just hopeful and its just gotten worse?!

Apply heat?

I'm in the bath!

I developed one 8 days after I gave birth - because of the swelling and trauma from the delivery I just assumed the pain etc was normal. I then noticed I couldn’t sit on one side from the swelling and then realised I had a Bartholins abscess. Incredibly painful. Antibiotics didn’t work (they don’t tend to work for an abscess because the pH of the pus is too acidic) - went to ED and gynae saw me and inserted a catheter (I can’t remember the proper name) - basically it drains the pus but also forms a false tract which then should become permanent (the catheter is meant to be removed within 2 weeks). Mine was 5 cm in diameter. Unfortunately it fell out within 3 hours and getting home but I opted not to have it re inserted because it was so painful (probably also the swelling etc from delivery). They don’t usually drain them because they will re accumulate so they insert these tiny catheters and allow a tract to form. If that doesn’t solve the problem then they offer surgery but the success rates aren’t great.

I had the biggest ever just as we went into lockdown, my gp phoned me while I was in the bath "I can just stab it with a needle right", he wasn't keen but I did and bless the holey fuckery. It's nearly been 4 years though and I can still see where it was.

It's common to need them removing under GA they sometimes need packing so heal inside to outside. Local anaesthetic doesn't work in infected tissue is another reason. You won't be competing with trauma patients as they go on a different list with different surgeons. Your best bet is asking to go as "golden" case. They have to be short simple procedures and are first on the list so arrive for 7am, surgery at 8. Obv if we have something life threatening coming in u may still be bounced but its the most likely way of getting sorted. Hope you're better soon

I had mine removed under GA, OP.

Sorry I just re read what I wrote and I got it completely wrong - I meant to say the antibiotics didn’t work because they usually don’t work very well for abscesses (oral antibiotics). The comment about the acidity of the pus was regarding the local anaesthetic which they injected before inserting the catheter (it did nothing but I was given entonox which was great lol). Apologies sleep deprived brain!