Hi all, I've read loads of threads about the agony that is Bartholin's cysts and the various treatments, but am finding it very hard to find any experiences or information about my particular situation!
I had a Bartholin's cyst for years, didn't cause any issues for pain for over a decade, but for some reason after having children it kept on becoming infected. I had one word catheter and the others all ruptured by themselves. After having two abscesses this year I finally decided to see someone privately and I have now had the entire gland removed and marsupialised (this is something they also do without removing the gland itself, but in my case they have removed the actual gland).
It is now two weeks to the day of the operation and I was expecting to be back at work imminently. My consultant said to expect pain and swelling initially which would gradually subside, and then it would feel a bit "pinchy" for a few more weeks until it fully healed. I have follow up booked with them in another two weeks.
For the first few days I had lots of pain and swelling but it did gradually subside and towards the end of the first week I popped out of the house for an hour or so, was able to walk around, sit reasonably comfortably for short periods. Around 10 days after the op I drove for a couple of hours two days in a row as we had an overnight stay somewhere. The night after the drive the pain ramped up and the next day I had very intense, raw pain and had to start taking stronger painkillers again (having taken nothing but ibuprofen and paracetamol for about a week). At one point I literally couldn't move without crying with the pain - extremely unlike me!! Since then I have reverted to sitting laid back on the sofa and doing the bare minimum (as much as possible with kids anyway!) and the pain is less but I feel swollen again and it doesn't take much movement to start feeling a little stabby....
I have been bleeding all the while as I started my period a few days after the surgery but have finally stopped and now I noticed that I have a clear/light coloured discharge, similar to when the last cyst was discharging itself (sorry, gross I know!!!).
My question is, for those who have gone through this procedure (not just drainage/cyst removal/word catheter - removal of the gland itself is a much deeper surgery and I believe the recovery very different) does this sound normal or infected?? I feel generally well in myself albeit it a bit tired.
I am not seeking medical advice, I will see my GP tomorrow but just seeking others experiences!
TDLR: If you have had your Bartholin's gland removed how was your recovery and am I a wuss for still being in pain after two weeks??!!
Thanks in advance for all who waded through my ramblings :)