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Pilonidal sinus

1235

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Does anyone know how quick Jame's are? I don't think mine is severe, but at the same time I have had numerious antibiotics for it...

    I know what yer saying about college, but I have fallen so far behind already this semester: as painful as the recovery is, I think I'd have to end up sitting through it!

    Same case with work, I took 3 months sick leave in another job, which I was actually quite seriously ill and I was replaced...that's why I am reluctant to take time off....if I have to take one or two days after off I will...other than that, it's a no no!

    How long after are ye saying that you have to get it dressed for by the nurse?? Also, were ye awake for the procedure?? Sorry for all the questions, just havn't got much information from my GP about it!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 105 ✭✭chappy


    My first surgery I was in hospital for 3 days.The second I was out that night but still on morphine for 2 weeks at home.My district nurse has been great.I have been getting the wound packed this time for nearly 10 weeks and reckon it will be for another week or 2 still.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    D-day has arrived. In for the op in the morning.

    I've never been in hospital before so anyone any advise on what I should bring with me? It's a day case and the nurse said just to bring a dressing gown but I know when I get there the first thing I'm going to say is 'I should have brought.....'


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    hey all,

    Just saw the consultant there today and I'm on the waiting list now to have the surgery. He said that its rather big, even bigger than I had previously thought! They going to do it under general aneastic even though I did ask to go down the 'local' road but he said it would be far to painful and by the looks of it, it going to be a bit of a job.

    I was slightly concerned at the fact that they going to leave the wound open and that i'll have to get it packed and dressed daily for 2/3 weeks. I was thinking there earlier that I might need to get it done before xmas because my college exams are on in January and I am out on work placement at the end of January as well.

    I got the impression from the doctor that it would be in the new year, I was thinking of having a word to my GP tomorrow to see if he could get it brought forward, at least that way I will have time to rest over xmas hols...Do ye think that this would work?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 113 ✭✭stantheman8



    I was slightly concerned at the fact that they going to leave the wound open and that i'll have to get it packed and dressed daily for 2/3 weeks. I was thinking there earlier that I might need to get it done before xmas because my college exams are on in January and I am out on work placement at the end of January as well.

    I got the impression from the doctor that it would be in the new year, I was thinking of having a word to my GP tomorrow to see if he could get it brought forward, at least that way I will have time to rest over xmas hols...Do ye think that this would work?

    I would advise you give yourself plenty of time afterwards - particularly if you're going to ask your body to deal with the stress of exams, new job, etc as well as trying to heal.

    I had the operation done about 18 months ago and was advised by my consultant I could be back to work in a few days but it was over 3 weeks before I could comfortably sit again (I have an office based job).

    So I'm not saying it'll be the same for you, but do make sure you give your body time to deal with a general anaesthetic and surgery before you go throwing it into more work ....it will let you know if it doesn't like it, but better not to go that route!

    Good luck!


  • Registered Users Posts: 99 ✭✭ash.c


    bumping this up again, as unfortunately it looks like im back for the 5th time!! 10 months after 4th op, the longest i've gone between operations so thought i was getting somewhere..had a look and its tiny, looks like a pin prick, going to head down to health nurse on monday and see what she says, will prob have to head back to consultant.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭Mink


    Mink wrote: »
    Well, turns out it's healed & I don't need the surgery. I only wish I knew that beforehand. I've stocked the fridge & arranged everything to be home. Been in hospital since 7.45, got all prepped for surgery, just waiting to be wheeled in at 11.30 & the consultant checked it & said it's probably better not to operate as could cause more problems. He said he's seen it where it healed & never came back again. The little sinus hole is closed up & there doesn't seem to be any infection.

    Well although annoyed at only finding that out after all the rigmarol, I'm glad I was so lucky. I hope this luck rubs off on others on this thread & they heal up too without having to go through surgery!

    Thanks to all for the support & keep your fingers crossed it doesn't actually come back. If it does, I'll let you know.

    Well just over a year later it has raised it's ugly head again I'm afraid. Started noticing a sore bump a few weeks ago & it's after getting bigger & sorer the past two days.
    I'm sort of half hoping it will magically disappear again.

    When I was there a year ago, the consultant had said that if it comes back, just to call his dept straight away & I'd be booked in with one of his team. No he may have meant that if it came back within a couple months. Might try and call & see if can get an appointment straight away as I have a sort of open file there. Going to leave it a few days though & see if it goes down again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,316 ✭✭✭Reginald P. DuM


    HI Mink, just wondering are ya uising salt and water to treat it at the moment? I assume, being a regular contributor to the thread that you are...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭Mink


    HI Mink, just wondering are ya uising salt and water to treat it at the moment? I assume, being a regular contributor to the thread that you are...

    As of tonight yes. I think I have two separate tracts, managed to drain part of one - don't know if they link to the same sinus. Anyway yeah did the trick of a shot glass with salt & cooled-boiled water. They helped the past time so hoping that will help healing. It does seem like there is another tract that's still full if you know what I mean.
    I'm keeping a close eye on it & may end up going to GP soon


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 POAJ


    Hi all, I have had mine for about 4 years, I saw a consultant last week and she said it was a rather big one. She said she was going to refer me to plastics about having some kind of flap made. It was all a bit much for me to take in what she was telling me tbh! Just wonder if anyone know anything about this.
    Also how long after surgery can you get back to a normally enough way off life. Such as going back to work, playing sports, socialising, etc etc. I work in an office jobs so Ill be sitting most of the day


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16 Descav


    Hi,

    I'm just wondering did anyone go in for the full operation whereby they cut out a huge chunk of tissue and then stich you back up immediately. Its done under general anaesthetic.

    I got that done years ago but it was the 1st procedure they tried. It didn't even hurt before. I thought i was going in to get it lanced and then they did this to me.

    From what i've read....this type of operation should only happen after numerous other attempts to stop the problem.

    Just looking for feedback.


  • Registered Users Posts: 322 ✭✭SilverSparkle


    Descav wrote: »
    Hi,

    I'm just wondering did anyone go in for the full operation whereby they cut out a huge chunk of tissue and then stich you back up immediately. Its done under general anaesthetic.

    I got that done years ago but it was the 1st procedure they tried. It didn't even hurt before. I thought i was going in to get it lanced and then they did this to me.

    From what i've read....this type of operation should only happen after numerous other attempts to stop the problem.

    Just looking for feedback.

    I had this done last June after 3 other surgeries and about 6 courses of antibiotics. The stitches were removed and have had no trouble since (touch wood).


  • Registered Users Posts: 21 Babypanda


    Descav wrote: »
    Hi,

    I'm just wondering did anyone go in for the full operation where by they cut out a huge chunk of tissue and then stich you back up immediately. Its done under general anaesthetic.

    I got that done years ago but it was the 1st procedure they tried. It didn't even hurt before. I thought i was going in to get it lanced and then they did this to me.

    From what i've read....this type of operation should only happen after numerous other attempts to stop the problem.

    Just looking for feedback.

    Hi Descav. I had the same operation where they take the tissue out and stich you up, i've never know that, where only ament to get the operation after so many try's,
    I was told that having it done that way was a mini operation, Where in big case's they can take out the tissue in your back and leave your back open to heal by its self it could take up to 6 months or more to recover
    and then they told me about a third option which they call plastic surgery where they do some sort of flap on your back where the lump was.


  • Registered Users Posts: 21 Babypanda


    mishno5 wrote: »
    My son had his operation last August, was in hospital for a couple of weeks. He had the hoover dressing fitted. The hole was so big the nurses told me that they could have put their fist in it and you could see bone.
    When he came home he had a portable hoover dressing fitted so he could walk around. A nurse had to come everyday to change the dressing. The vac dressing was taken off in November the nurse still came everyday to dress the wound. She came every day until January this year when only a small hole about a inche was left. I dress this everyday but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. We've seen the plastic surgeon again and he has said if it hasn't healed by August my son is looking at another operation to plug the hole.
    I do recommed anyone who is suffering with this condition, long term, to try the hoover dressings. So far they seemed to have worked for my son . Good luck to everyone who's suffering with this condition my heart goes out to you. xx


    Hi i was just wondering about the hoover dressings you tryed with your son. I myself am going in for an operation on the same condition on my back in a few weeks time and was just wondering of your opinion on the hoover dressing and where i could buy one?
    Hope your son Healed well.
    Babypanda


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16 Descav


    Thanks for the reply. Thats what i thought, you usually get this many years after (less invasive) other attempts have failed.

    As i said I never suffered any pain from mine it was just by accident that i even showed the spot to my doctor.

    A week after my operation something happened and i suffered from Late post-operative haemorrhaging. I lost a lot of blood but luckily didnt need a blood transfusion.

    a few days later i had another operation whereby they opened up the wound and they let it heal over a period of weeks. The hole left was massive i could put my hand in it.

    Luckily there was no pain...all the nerves must have been destroyed after first operation. And after several weeks, the wound healed. I've had no problem since thank god.

    All this happened many years ago during my leaving cert which was annoying and i've always felt that there was no need for the invasive operation.

    However after hearing the stories from some people of having the problem and with serious pain for years, i count myself lucky now!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭Mink


    I'm resurrecting this...

    I'm the one that went in for 1st op Jan 2010 and was all ready to go but the cyst had healed and the consultant decided not to operate.

    Fast forward a year later, started getting the pain again. It's flared up on and off since Jan, drained it myself twice (NOT recommended) and did the bath / boiled water with salt thing and it would go down but it's back again the past week or two & it's angry!!

    Spoke to GP & she said to just call the consultant's office I was with before in Connolly & just get it done.

    I'm raging, thought I beat it. And to top it off, only started a new job a few months ago & on the usual 6 mths probation so don't know what will happen with time off etc.

    Luckily I'm not really in much pain at all, it only hurts when I sit a certain way or lying down on my back. I count myself lucky as I know others have severe pain with theirs.

    Grrrr!:mad:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 105 ✭✭chappy


    I had 8 years of mine coming and going before I got operated on.I honestly believe they only fully subside after surgery!

    You will not know yourself once you get the op


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭Mink


    Thanks chappy,

    How long did you have to stay in hospital or were you out same day? How long til you could go back to work?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 105 ✭✭chappy


    @Mink

    I got out on the same day but according to all the nurses/doctors I've had mine was an extremely bad case.My wound was absolutely huge.Not to be disgusting but you could fit 2 full fists into it.

    I went back to work after about 2 months but only part time as I still had the nurses coming to pack every month.I have some other health issues with caused complications with my healing so the wound is only completely closed a little while.I'd say altogether it took 8 months to completely heal.

    Most peoples wounds are no where near the size of mine so don't be put off.I know people who were back to work after 2 weeks.You really don't realise the difference it will make to you until you have it removed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭Mink


    chappy wrote: »
    I got out on the same day but according to all the nurses/doctors I've had mine was an extremely bad case.My wound was absolutely huge.Not to be disgusting but you could fit 2 full fists into it.

    :eek: Ouch!!!!

    Okay, I don't know that mine would be that big. The bump at moment is the size of a 5 cent piece maybe & last I heard the tract was about an inch.

    My wish would be to just be off for a week, if it was two weeks I'd deal with it & take some of it as holiday time or something.

    Wow I can't believe you didn't get the op before then. I'm glad for you that you did get it in the end!


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,770 ✭✭✭youngblood


    Mine is there for about 6 years
    it flares up, I salt it, it gets better,
    never goes away but always there,

    Im just wondering if people here would have any advice?

    Today I was thinkin, what would it be like if I didnt have it? and maybe I should go for surgery?

    I've read the horror stories on this forum and many others, I've read about every technique possible under the sun, and still have no idea what I could get done if I approached my doctor about getting it sorted.

    I can keep it under control but ye know yerselves whats that like-so what would you guys recommend?

    Keep it as it is? Or surgery?
    If so, where should I go? What should I ask about?
    Any advice?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 105 ✭✭chappy


    @Mink... thanks.It really has made a difference to me.When mine would drain the empty pocket I could feel under the skin was about the size of a tennis ball so mine was extreme.

    @Youngblood....If I was you I would suggest going for surgery.The longer you leave it the deeper the tract will go which was why mine was so severe.The most successful technique seems to be an open excision but you should get a surgeons opinion.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭Mink


    Go see your GP young blood, they'll refer you to a consultant & you can discuss it with them. They won't really decide what type of op to do on you until they get you on the operating table & open it up.

    My thought is that if it's not healing then it's a constant wound/infection and that can't be good.

    My brother in law went to A&E with his 11 years ago as it was so bad. They took him right in for surgery & it's not come back since. Another friend of mine (female) had a couple open wound surgeries, then she had a closed one & hasn't gotten it back since in 8 years.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16 Descav


    I agree youngblood, the best thing to do is talk in as much detail as you can with your doc or consultant?

    My problem was nobody told me what was going to happen. Keep informed and make sure the doctors are kept informed too.


    Also I guess one issue not mentioned here is the scar, its fairly big. i'm not sure if this is normal but in effect the doctors sewed the top of my back side together, to reduce the chance of friction and reoccurance. my backside does look pretty wonky now.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,770 ✭✭✭youngblood


    Thanks guys, it seems everyone's operation is different, but majority seems to be open wound procedures which require daily packing for 2 months?

    It just seems like such an horrendous brutal and unedifying operation-monthly flare ups?-or operation? is what it has come down to it seems....
    Thanks guys,all the info and what to do's helps


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Hi all,

    I got a letter from a consultant (in the mount carmel i think), with an appointment...It's in a few weeks time after a 3 year wait...

    I was just wondering should I book time of work...I was thinking of the day of the procedure & the day after...would this be enough?

    The sinus that I'm getting removed is around 1 inch in circumference.. I have been told by my GP that I will be in and out as a day case, and will have to get dressings done daily. He also said that it will be done under general anaestic, another thing which I'm anxious about!

    What is the general thing with these cases? Is it in and out in one day, and do you have to attend the hospital for dressing or can your own GP's nurse do them?

    Also, is it very uncomfortable after the surgery? Thanks in advance


  • Registered Users Posts: 908 ✭✭✭Overature


    hey guys, i had the operation there nearly a week ago for the sinus, wasnt that big so they just stitched it up, im changing the dressing everyday. I have a little bit of scap build up at the top of the incesion and im just wondering is this normal or is it a sign of infection? does the wound tend to expel a certain amount of fluids after surgury? thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭Mink


    flossie - best you read back through this thread as there's lot of stories from boardsies re their pilonidal experience. Don't be put off by horror stories, yours sounds about same size as mine. I reckon you'll be off work a week but check with the consultant you are dealing with.

    Overature - I'd imagine most wounds weep a little, I'd be worried re pus etc. Check with the nurse (you're prob supposed to see the public health nurse) or have a check up with the team who did the surgery no?

    I'm still waiting on apt at Connolly. I had to get my GP to send a new letter some weeks ago as I'd not been into Connolly for over a year. Then waited weeks, then found out the consultant she sent the letter to is not there anymore and they are still waiting on a replacement. So got GP to send yet another letter to a different consultant. Asked girl in bookings what she estimated & she said a month or two wait :(

    My cyst is flaring up every week or two, it more or less drains by itself but it's uncomfortable & it's draining onto my clothes, ick. Hoping I'll get an appointment sooner then a month.


  • Moderators Posts: 24,367 ✭✭✭✭ChewChew


    Mink wrote: »
    flossie - best you read back through this thread as there's lot of stories from boardsies re their pilonidal experience. Don't be put off by horror stories, yours sounds about same size as mine. I reckon you'll be off work a week but check with the consultant you are dealing with.

    Overature - I'd imagine most wounds weep a little, I'd be worried re pus etc. Check with the nurse (you're prob supposed to see the public health nurse) or have a check up with the team who did the surgery no?

    I'm still waiting on apt at Connolly. I had to get my GP to send a new letter some weeks ago as I'd not been into Connolly for over a year. Then waited weeks, then found out the consultant she sent the letter to is not there anymore and they are still waiting on a replacement. So got GP to send yet another letter to a different consultant. Asked girl in bookings what she estimated & she said a month or two wait :(

    My cyst is flaring up every week or two, it more or less drains by itself but it's uncomfortable & it's draining onto my clothes, ick. Hoping I'll get an appointment sooner then a month.
    Mink, what consultant were u origionally referred too? We had a new consultant who started monday.. Please feel free to PM me your details and I'll check it out for ya!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Hi,

    I had my operation over a year ago for the third time and am happy to say i'm free of the horrible problem!!! no pain nothing it's been going on for over 5 years and this is the first time i've felt really well again!!!

    I attended a doctor at the Beacon Hospital he was brilliant i had to leave the wound open and let it heal the area was pretty big and took 3 months to heal (longest 3 months of my life!!) getting the dressings done daily. That was the first time it had been let heal like that previously i got stitches. every 2 months it'd happen again.

    THere is an end to the problem and i feel for anyone who is suffering from it. But hang in there it does go away!!!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Just had mine operated on 2 days ago, 1st op, it's appearently fairly shallow and has been left open and packed everyday. Not painful at all but uncomfortable, and given how close to my ass it is, keeping it clean is not the easiest. I org. thought it was a spot, up to the point it burst and made a MESS. Can't wait for it to fecking heal now.

    For anyone thinking of just leaving it, I have read that if left untreated it is possible that new tracts will branch off the sinus, needing an even larger excision.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭Mink


    Hi Pita, yes that's a good point not to leave it and hope for the best. I've been tempted to. I had an apt for mid Oct but it got moved to December. It had calmed down for the past month or so but I'm sensing it's return this week! If I get seen end of December then I'm hoping to get in for the operation maybe the following Feb?
    I've been told by someone who got repeat operations that it only went away when they had a stitched up operation


  • Registered Users Posts: 47 dobaluchi


    If Only I had done this first. It does'nt have to be so difficult.

    Wow, just searching on boards for a health issue and came across this thread for PS. I had PS when I lived in London aged about 22. I had it removed locally by a GP. I returned to Ireland and yep you guessed it, it returned again. I was scheduled for an operation in the old Adelaide Meath Hospital and had to return for the old wound dressing nightmare made bearable by the sexy nurses.

    Anyway it was' nt healing as it should and by a friends recommendation, I arrived at the sports and acupuncture clinic in Tallaght.

    The lady there did a vega test with this machine that reads your bodies energy levels and she told me that I had PS. I did not tell her. She said she gets loads of women in with it. I was amazed she discovered it with out me telling her. Anyway she gave me these drops to take in water 3 times a day and lo and behold it healed internally.

    The docs were amazed at the rapid healin and I did not tell them how I was cured less than a week.

    She also told me I had recurring infections in my right urether which was also true and gave me drops for that. I used to get excruciating pain every 6 mnths but it never once affected me after that.

    If only I had discovered this before all those operations. I thinkmthey are gone now but there is a chap in still organ that has this machine. It is alternative but it worked for me and sooooooooo much easier than trad medicine. It's worth a shot.

    Also it's worth mentioning that you might want to wipe your ass with your hands between your legs so you clean from the top of your ass downwards and not upwards.

    The combination of bacteria and sweat and hair friction is what causes it. So wipe downwards and use wipes to area clean will help reoccurrence.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3 cutehoor


    Hi All!

    New to boards - first post, and as I have been through the mill with PS I thought I'd share.
    Firstly for me I have PS disease which I think was hereditary. I'm not overly hairy and laser or veet wouldn't have mattered a damn.I had recurring PS not due to cleanliness or hair but simply because I was prone to pits forming.

    I first got the symptoms in 2006 and had emergency surgery on it, told by a lovely surgeon that it was a "nest of hairs" that collected at the base of my spine and that it wouldn't come back. I asked if they found any hair in it (my complete shame at an ingrown hair) and low and behold he didn't fine anything but stressed it was caused by a hair.

    5 weeks of packing later and told it wouldn't reoccur I was sent on my merry way back to normality. Over the next two years it flared up about 3 times but I caught it early got anti biotics and got it sorted.

    I moved to England in the mean time and it flared again, emergency surgery again - packing this time 8 weeks. Told I was a hairy so and so, that it rarely if ever occured in women. Also told it wouldn't come back.

    Six months later flew back to Ireland for a weekend, felt a twinge thought I'd go to hospital just to be on the safe side. Surgery again. 6 weeks packing.

    Back to London and I made an appt with a private surgeon through Bupa. He assessed me and actually explained what pilonidal disease was. Basically I had 5 pits at the base of my spine (cleft of the buttocks, you know yourself!) any of which could become infected - due to dead skin, a loose hair (from my head) certain fabric, if my body was run down and not able to fight the intruder!

    He said that he would perform the Karadakis flap procdeure on me with a 60% success rate. He then changed his mind after the initial consultation because, yep you guessed it, it came back again.
    He performed the lindberg flap (95% success rate) which takes out all of the tissue with pits and the old scar tissue and moves the offending area creating quite a big scar and flattening of the area.

    I haven't looked back. It has simply changed my life.

    Most people shouldn't get a reoccurence but if you do, I suggest you go to a specialist colorectal surgeon.

    As for dealing with the pain, tramadol and solpadol did the job for me.

    Bathe the area daily before packing with warm water, not only does this keep the area clean, it also numbs it a little before the packing.
    in all the times I had it, it never got infected and the area always healed very well. Bathing I think is key, with a good diet and vitamins to counteract the amount of anti biotics.

    If the PS bursts, straight into a bath with sea salt and sit in it for ages and clean as much as you can. Then straight into the doctor / nurse for a thorough clean out. This helps recovery only, not reoccurance.

    I think I could write a book about the damn thing, which is possibly one of the most embarassing illnesses for a girl!

    Anyway, I'll keep an eye on this thread and if you need any more info ask away!


  • Registered Users Posts: 322 ✭✭SilverSparkle


    After having my last surgery in June 2010 and not posting in here since then I'm worried that I will have to post in here more often... My pilonidal sinus has been hurting me for 2 weeks... It feels like a pulsing pain and the scar is a bit puffy :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3 cutehoor


    Silversparkle, it sounds like it is infected again. Get to a doctor as soon as you can and they make be able to give you a good dose of antibiotics.
    The things with these buggers is they flare up any time so getting to a doctor immediately is the best thing you can do.
    Then get your doctor to refer you for surgery to get the pilonidal sorted, once it reoccurs once you can be sure it will reoccur again.

    Best of luck!


  • Registered Users Posts: 322 ✭✭SilverSparkle


    cutehoor wrote: »
    Silversparkle, it sounds like it is infected again. Get to a doctor as soon as you can and they make be able to give you a good dose of antibiotics.
    The things with these buggers is they flare up any time so getting to a doctor immediately is the best thing you can do.
    Then get your doctor to refer you for surgery to get the pilonidal sorted, once it reoccurs once you can be sure it will reoccur again.

    Best of luck!


    This is the worst scenario ever.... After 4 surgeries in 7 months I had hoped it would all be over... I will go to my college nurse tomorrow and see what she says :(


  • Registered Users Posts: 322 ✭✭SilverSparkle


    So now I'm on a course of antibiotics in the hope it will kill any comeback of the PS!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 roman.cica


    how much could cost this surgery? if i don't have medical card?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭James Forde


    Just to answer the above question. I recently had the procedure (day patient) I was referred to the hospital by my doctor so I only had to pay the fee for the use of a bed. I don't have a medical card or health insurance.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 39 Bumblebee Man


    Just had my surgery on Friday. The doctor said it went fine. Hooked up to a vacuum dressing with a pump I've to carry with me. The dressing's to be changed twice a week and they reckon it'll be 4-6 weeks of healing. Gonna be a long few weeks.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8 Rosielocks


    Hi folks,
    So glad I found this thread, it's weirdly comforting to know there's so many people out there who have been through the same ordeal! The only thing is, it doesn't seem to be updated too regularly and I desperately need some urgent advice from you guys, so I'm praying someone will notice this! Here's the craic (I'm going to include all the gory background info, so this may be quite long, sorry):

    My whole drama began about four years ago. One evening (after sitting up doing last minute uni work for about 48 hours) I got a terrible pain - I'm sure you all know the one - and by 3am that night I ended up ringing the doctor on call because I honestly thought I wouldn't last til the morning. It was that bad! I went to see them first thing the next morning and they didn't have a clue what was wrong, just told me it was an internal infection, doesd me up on painkillers and anitbiotics and sent me on my way. That seemed to do the trick, and at that stage I was blissfully unaware of abceses, sinuses or anything of the like. I'd never even hear of them. You know where I'm going with this...

    Then, about a year later, one beautiful summer's day, the pain came back. This time I was able to ride it out for a day or two before it got so bad I went to the doctors. It was a different doc this time and again they had no idea and ended up it telling me it was a rare (and very painful) form of muscle strain unique to women. Since I still had never even heard of a pilonidal sinus, I took his word it and went on my way once again. I even went home and googled what he said it was, and the symptoms seemed quite similar. My other half was away that weekend, and I have no hesitation in saying it was the worst few days of my life. On the Saturday I went back to the doctor's and again saw a different one. I told that one about what the other one had said it was so he didn't even examine me, instead just said 'yeah, that's very painful alright' and gave me a pain relieving injection that lasted just about until the end of that afternoon. By the Sunday I was throwing up and hallucinating and by the time my boyfriend came back on the Monday he found me in agony and half out of it on the sofa and took me straight to the hospital. I had an emergency operation on an "ischiorectal abscess" that night and spent the next 9 days in a isolated room in hospital pumped full of antibiotics that were so strong they made my blood feel like it was on fire. Apparently the poison from the abscess had got into my system because it was left so long, so there's a cautionary tale for you all right there! Turns out because it wasn't in the usual place for this type of thing (and it was very deep) it was an easy mistake for the doctors to make.

    Right, that's the first half of the story, and here's where the ps comes into it. Following that intial op I had about two months of packing, and about a month or two after that with no bother at all. Then the area began to swell up, just like what's been described so many times here. Luckily, it wasn't an abscess this time but instead had developed into a sinus, meaning once it would swell to a certain size it would burst with all that yuckiness (better out than in, believe me!). The first time this happened I went straight back to the doctor's, yet again being seen by a different one. At least at this stage I knew what and where the problem was, but that didn't make that trip any better - the bloody man took a scapel to me without warning and hacked out it right there and then. The entire medical centre must've heard me screaming! Then he gave me more antibiotics and sent me on my way - again. I also needed packing for about a week or two after that incident.

    The next few times it flared up I was obviously aprehensive about going back to the doctors, and tired to ride it out for a while. It was becoming too regular though, and eventually I had to. It was at this point things began to change - I found a wonderful doctor who knew what he was at, and I've still with him I'm glad to say. He used to be a surgeon back in his home country and had only gone into general practice when he came to Ireland. He was the first one to think to even mention to me that it wasn't an ingrowing hair that was causing my bother too (I'd always just presumed it was, though no one else had said so) but rather it was the result of a really minor problem I have with my tailbone (it didn't form properly when I was a baby, basically I don't have one!). Apparently cartilidge was growing under my skin and causing the infections. Anyway, he arranged for me to have another op. I went on the waiting list and after about a year and a half of regular flare ups I had it last year, followed by about a month of packing.

    At first it seemed like that was it, I was free. But the day I felt that familiar first twinge I realised my optimism was unfounded. I tried to ignore it for a few months but eventually I had to go back to the doctor. He knew how much I didn't want to go through the whole op thing again, and I had just started a new job, so the first time he just gave me more antibiotics - although he was aprehensive about it and warned me that probably wouldn't cut it. They did work, though, but only for a while. When it came back - even worse this time - I went back and he put me on yet another waiting list for surgery.

    That was around January this year, which brings me up to my current predicament. At that stage it really was flaring up every week or too, and quite badly, and that continued for a few months. I've become well used to it, but it really was still affecting my quality of life and I've had to cut back on the decent painkilllers because I was taking them too bloody often for my own good. The thing is, at that stage I hadn't told my work about being on the waiting list because I thought I was only going to be working there until April, but they've since kept me on. The ps kept flaring up for a while in the months since then, but I still never mentioned it because I just presumed I'd be on the waiting list for at least a year and I thought I would be given plenty of notice from the hospital regarding when my op would be. Then about two months ago I got a phonecall from the hospital asking if I still needed the op - at that stage it hadn't flared up in around a month, but I was just expecting it to be back as usual any day - and I said yes. Then they asked if I would be able to go for it before September because they'd had some cancellations, and I told them I had two weeks off booked for the end of August but because work was so busy I probably wouldn't be able to do it any time other than that. They said they'd be in touch and when I didn't hear from them again I thought I was just put back on the really long waiting list because August didn't suit them.

    Then today I got a phone call - they have me down for this Monday coming! I'm literally back two days from my holidays, and to make things worse in the end I never told my bosses about it because I thought, when I hadn't heard from hospital, I was just back on the long waiting list. To make things even more complicated, my ps hasn't flared up at all really in the meantime, so I've been around four or five months free of the thing - which is highly unusual for me. In fact it's the longest I've gone without it since this whole fiasco began four years ago. There's been twinges, and slight little pains, but no swelling and no bursting.

    I'm going to go to my GP tomorrow to ask for his advice, but do any of you out there have any experiences of the things just going away by themselves? Please, please tell me yes! If not, what the hell am I going to do??? I honestly can't afford to take the time off work at the moment - it's mental right now - and I simply can't turn around to my boss and say I need at least another week or two off when I'm only back from a two week break. I've got some holidays left, but I've those booked for six weeks time when I've a family wedding in England which I really can't miss. Any advice at all would be very, very much appreciated here :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭john kinsella


    Hi Rosielocks,

    I am just after recovering from a PS open wound surgery. (back playing rugby and in the gym after two months after waht was apparently a very bad case)

    PM me if you want to discuss.

    I know 8 other people that have had it done too and none had it go by itself im afraid.

    My surgeon said my healing powers were quite amazing, so let me know if you want to know what I did during healing process. (wont go into details here)


  • Registered Users Posts: 329 ✭✭Smeggy


    Hi all,

    I've just been diagnosed with one of these pilonidal cysts and my doctor has referred me to the hospital for removal. The thing is I've had it for a long time but it only flares up maybe once every 6 months! I didn't even realise it was any way serious until my sister-in-law told me she had one removed few years back so I went straight to the doctor. Interestingly they say it mostly happens to men but from reading this thread it doesn't seem to be the case.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,770 ✭✭✭youngblood


    Went to my doc today to discuss this and advice was not surprising

    He said basically he's slow enough to recommend surgery, he's seen jobs
    done on peoples pilonidal sinus that he wish he had never sent for surgery.

    He, as many of you know, said, surgery is no assured fix of the problem.

    I was concerned about leaving it for so long and was worried that if I didnt do something about it now that it would be dangerous if left untreated. (i've had it for more than 6 years)

    In my case he said it was fine, and wouldnt be a problem considering it location and size

    I am one of those sufferers who's PS only flares up once/twice a year, the rest of the time it almost disappears and is unnoticeable

    He also said he wouldnt recommend me to go private and use my health insurance but to go public and get a consult and take it from there.

    Having read volumes of information over the years on this subject he kinda affirmed all my thoughts and reasoning. This is a second GP I've consulted on this and both had the same opinion as outlined above. I will go for the consult when ever I am called for the appointment so will keep this post updated when I hear.

    As normal, any advice appreciated
    Y


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,770 ✭✭✭youngblood


    Would you believe Im still waiting to be called?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Hi all,
    Pretty sure I have a pilondial cyst. At the moment I would class it as uncomfortable and annoying rather than very painful. It does seem to be getting worse though. I am bathing in salt. I don't have a GP but will find one for an appointment after the long weekend. I have a lump kind between my buttocks and bottom of back is tender and warm. Sitting is sore after a few minutes. No sign of draining though- although I don't know where it should drain from?
    I am hoping some of you could advise me on how to talk to the GP. I haven't been to a doc in years. I will be on summer holidays in 2 weeks until Sept but won't be able to take any time off next year so should I insist on an operation (have VHI) to be carried out ASAP so I can heal over summer and won't have to have an emergency op next year? To anyone who has had an op, was it after months and years of suffering or did you just have it done so it wouldn't come back? Also,I have nobody at home who could possibly pack a wound, could I do it myself?

    Would appreciate any advice. Hope to get to doctor on Tuesday. Thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 88 ✭✭Miseryguts


    Has anyone had this surgery lately and what is the recovery like?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭john kinsella


    Miseryguts wrote: »
    Has anyone had this surgery lately and what is the recovery like?


    I had mine done in 2012

    Send me a PM if you have any questions.

    Or if you go on to www.pilonidal.org you will find loads of good info in their forum


  • Registered Users Posts: 4 MN1988


    I'm glad I found this thread. Had a breeze through some of the stories - great relief to know others can share their experiences.
    I haven't seen any recent posts though and I have a question.

    Mine came on about a week ago, doctor put me on anti-biotics but it seems to be getting worse and more infected. If I have to get surgery does anyone know the cost and where I can go around Dublin?
    Cheers.


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