pilonoidal cyst

[DiverDude]

Has anyone ever heard of one of these? I have been having a lot of trouble sitting comfortably lately, and the pain is getting worse. It seemed like I had bruised my tailbone, but there is a 'lump' near the base of my spine.

I called the mom and aunt (she's an RN) and she walked me through figuring out symptoms and characteristics. She told me to research it on the internet, and every description exactly matches what I am being troubled with.

I have a close friend who said she had the exact same thing removed 2 years ago, and her 18 year old brother just recently had to get the same procedure.

I understand that I need to seek professional attention, but I was just wondering if anyone on the boards has dealt/heard of this and if you had anything you could share.

I'm so scared right now. Surgery is not only terrifying to me, but I'm also without insurance and my parents are financially unable to help me.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Rusty

 

[looseliam]

I've had these types of cysts in other areas.

WHen I find one beginning, I massage it. It usually keeps it from ulcerating.

If it does ulcerate, I flush the cyst and apply aluminum sulfate to close the wound/stop the bleeding. It must be kept clean and dry. Avoid cleaning solutions that inhibit new cell growth.

I get about 6-10 per year. It's left scarring, but that's about it.

It has affected my sex life as the odour from the ulcerated cyst is not pleasant, so I abstain until it's fully healed. Plus, I don't want to expose myself to something whilst having an open wound.

 

[hairycub29]

i work in the operating room and assist Drs in operations.. i have seen many many many pilonidal sinus operations...
get a consult and see what you need... try not to be scared if u need surgery.. if so come to Sydney and we will do it for you and i can hold your hand.... these things are very common and treatable

 

[arcarc83]

I had an operation on mine last year. It went away for quite a while, but coincidentally, it just returned about a week ago. Currenntly on antibiotics for a couple of days to try and get reduce the infection (which just reminds me I need to go take another dose before I go to bed), but I don't think they're working and will probably need another operation, methinks.

Don't be worrying too much about the operation. I was very nervous before mine, but it was short and I was out the day of the operation.

Within a couple of months of the operation I was pain free.

 

[Eagle653]

I had one and had the operation for it. You probably know that they grow at the base of the spine in the pilonoidal sinus. It's actually a birth defect in which the folds of skin there grew inward and hair growing creates a nest, or sack, that is subject to debris and infection.

Lansing it and antibiotics can bring temporary relief. The only permanent cure is an operation. There are two kinds: Open wound and closed wound. I had the closed wound, which cuts the recovery time about in half (10 weeks to about 4-5). The drawback is the scar and an increased likelihood of recurrence. Open wound is just that--they cut the thing out and pack it with dressing that you change every day for about 10 weeks, letting the wound heal from the inside out.

Either way, there is a chance for recurrence, but if the doctor removes the entire sinus, and it heals properly, you probably won't have any trouble. For some reason, they almost never occur (or recur) after age 45.

 

[racer2438]

my b/f had one also and it was very painfull. He had no choice but to get it lanced and drianed . It was hard on him and the changeing of the dressing was very painfull as they had to pack the hole with gause and make it drian. It was changed every day and they had to give shots to numb it which was very painfull in a tender area.

It did not fully go away but it does bother him every now and then and his way to control it is hot soaking baths and a heating pad. It calms it down from flareing up .

 

[Shepherd 2]

What I know about this,
is that many doctors are convinced this happens
in the womb for those who were probably in the
early stages of development going to be a pair of twins.

It is not an easy surgery, but you can recover
very nicely and not have any known residual side
effect from the removal except a scar at the top of your
bum but down far enough that most men's speedos will
not uncover it. But your health and comfort are most
important. I have known a dozer or so who had the
surgery, and no one had a recurrance of the cyst.
I say, have it removed and ask them to
close to limit scar damage later.
Also, today we have lots of scar treatments.
Shep+

 

[arcarc83]

I had one and had the operation for it. You probably know that they grow at the base of the spine in the pilonoidal sinus. It's actually a birth defect in which the folds of skin there grew inward and hair growing creates a nest, or sack, that is subject to debris and infection.

Lansing it and antibiotics can bring temporary relief. The only permanent cure is an operation. There are two kinds: Open wound and closed wound. I had the closed wound, which cuts the recovery time about in half (10 weeks to about 4-5). The drawback is the scar and an increased likelihood of recurrence. Open wound is just that--they cut the thing out and pack it with dressing that you change every day for about 10 weeks, letting the wound heal from the inside out.

Either way, there is a chance for recurrence, but if the doctor removes the entire sinus, and it heals properly, you probably won't have any trouble. For some reason, they almost never occur (or recur) after age 45.

Yeah, I had the open wound one. Packing it with dressing was a bit of a bugger every day, but my bf came round to do it. I didn't find it overly painful though.

 

[looseliam]

There are different ways of removal.

The doc lances the cyst, drains it and leaves it open.

Another is the Doc. lances it, removes the cyst wall and sutures the wound.

The latter has a less chance of recurrence.

 

[jaydizzo]

had this surgery december of 2004. at first i was scared im not a big fan of doctors and hospitals, but the surgery took a few hours. went thru with no problem at all.

there were a few weeks where amything sexual was a nogo and goint to the gym was no longer an option. each day had to unpack and re-pack the wound with gauze by far def not the funnest thing ive ever had to do. pop a few painpills and you can easily function thruughout the day.

Ever since fully healed never had a re-occurrence.

 

[looseliam]

I just had one trying to start the other day.

As soon as I felt the tell-tale pain, I just massage it with two fingers. Yeah, it hurts, but it was gone in two days.

 

[cesco]

oh man...i used to get them a while ago. For some reason it stopped. I was too ignorant to see a doctor, so I would wait for it to "pop", clean that sucker out with peroxide, put a dry bandage on it, keep it clean, and just wait.

I now get these type of cysts on the crack of my ass lower than usual, painful for a couple of days, my doctor told me it was nothing to worry about, just wait for it to pop, rub some antibiotic ointment on it, and keep it clean. That's what you get for a $15 copay in my neighborhood.

Good Luck

 

[uanightswimmer]

I had surgery on mine about 7 years ago. They drained and closed it. Thankfully I haven't had any problems since. In my experience, having them is a hereditary problem. My grandfather, mother, and brother have all had pilonoidal cysts. Good luck.