Bartholin Cyst / Hospital say too hard to drain!

[moderationincludingmoderation]

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?

I'm glad it has burst but only sorry you had to endure pain but can quite understand why you went ahead. I hope it clears now and that you can stride purposefully into 2024 rather than do a John Wayne shuffle into 2024

I remember one poster who called her cyst the 'follicle bollicle' it was so large

Fingers crossed here for you @moderationincludingmoderation - I’ve never had one this bad but recurring ones for 5 years and it’s bloody awful, hope things look up soon.

It was definitely the sort of content for Sporners Corners!

I'm fortunate enough to have private healthcare I can explore so I think as soon as offices open back up on Wednesday I might try to see another private Gynaecologist and put a plan together for the next emergency or cyst.

Merry Christmas everyone xx

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

If you have private healthcare, you may be able to claim from them for having spent a night in hospital. I don't understand why (surely it's the NHS with the costs, rather than you,) but a colleague was able to after having spent a night in hospital unexpectedly, so it's worth checking.

As though the cyst saw the scalpel coming its way and thought ‘bugger that. I’m outta here.’ It must have been so bad to have opted for the local and more pain to get the relief. Hope a better night for you, and you can eat and drink something now.

Such relief. Here's to it not coming back. I haven't had one for ten years... touvh wood

The easiest one I've managed was one I dabbed Alpha-H glycolic acid on every time I went for a pee as soon as I felt it coming.

Painful but popped a treat.

I wonder if the pressure from
the liquid in the local anesthetic entering the area was enough to tip it over the edge?

Yes possibly? They injected 3 times.

I'm home now. Just had a shower.

Going to keep a close eye on it. I can still feel it there... but so much less painful.
Hoping it mainly bruising and swelling and not filling right back up.
The Gynae and Nurse seemed confident it wouldnt do that that quickly..
Finger crossed.

Glad you have some relief. Hope it's not too sore as the drugs wear off.

Pleased you’re ok.
The way the NHS is forced to operate on the bare minimum is a crime in a country where taxes the one of the highest in the world. Where is our money going!!

I have to say, the nurses on my ward were absolutely brilliant. Kind, knowledgeable and all smiling and bright even though working through Christmas.
Hats off to them

Hope you are making a good recovery at home

I think I am. I am in a lot less pain and got some decent sleep.
It does feel sore and it's still 'there'... It was still draining overnight but has eased off now and it feels a bit more sore/there again... so
i keep panicking its just starting all over again.

But I guess i shouldnt expected it to all disappear so quickly after all it's been through..!

Don’t panic! Take your antibiotics, follow any instructions they’ve given you about baths and if it’s worse on Friday morning go back and get it seen.

When I had an abscess down there, I had to take salt baths twice a day for a week, which felt very decadent, but did seem to help.

They told me not to have any baths for 2 weeks! Just showers.

Did they say anything about hot water bottles or ice packs?

No nothing. Just to stick to showers, and not wear underwear if possible etc.
The gave me 7 days anti biotics to continue and codeine for any pain.