Unknown Abcess

Updated on November 05, 2009
E.B. asks from Oneida, TN
19 answers

I have a cyst like thingi in a very private area. Ive been to the dr several times over it. When I was pregnant they told me it was a boil and gave me antibiotics which seemed to help for a short time but not much. When I was about to give birth the dr cut into it with scissors ans then said it wasnt a boil and that he probally shouldnt of cut it open. He then stitched it back up, im told it looked like chicken fat when he cut it. Since then it has been seven months and it has grew and grew and is VERY painful. It hurts to wash, set on hard thing like a bench, and especially have sex. I am scheduled for a surgical consult cause even with two rounds of antibiotics drs dont know what it is and i finally told them I just need it removed because its interfering with my quality of life. I dont know if it has anything to do with it or not but ive also had diarrhea almost every day (usually several times) since about the same time I got the place. It is closer to my anus and a little bit on the side. Does anyone know what it could be or has anyone had something similuar? Im nervous about surgery and wondering about others experiences. It is about the size of a ping pong ball.

*** To answer some questions...like I said in the second sentence of my question, I have been to several doctors over the cyst. That includes several different OBGYNS at a practice, my family doctor, the nurse practitioner who works there and even a few mid wives. So for the people who are criticizing me for not going to the doctor more often I can only say that I dont see how I could have went any more. When I was pregnant, I was told it was a boil so I assumed the antibiotics would cure it over time. I have already had the cyst cut open by the DR who delivered my son, so it isnt a type of cyst that needs to be drained. Thank you to all who offered advise and not criticism.

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So What Happened?

So I went to the surgeon yesterday and he believes it to be a Bartholin Cyst. They are sending me to a different OBGYN to confirm and then they will schedule me for surgery to have it removed. I will let you know what I find out.

**update. The Obgyn says its not a Bartholin Cyst. After getting three opinions the result is that no one knows what it is. I am, however, still getting it removed on the twenty third.

**update I had my surgery and it went well. I got my test results back and it is a rare cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. Im going to have a second surgery with an oncology surgeon. IT is not scheduled yet

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A.D.

answers from Nashville on

E.,
I hope by now you've already seen another physician about the cyst, but I just wanted to weigh in with my experiences... I went to the ER one weekend because of the pain you described. It was an ingrown hair. I couldn't believe something so small could create a cyst that large and painful. I still wince to this day thinking about it. They lanced it, and then installed a draining tube for a few days. Hope you find the answer soon! Hugs!
- Adele

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C.D.

answers from Nashville on

Hi E.
I wanted to share with you my experience. I had a "growth" very close to the anal area which became larger and I became very sick. It was a festula which is a hole in the intestine and it had been leaking into my body. They were not sure how long it had been this way but at first they thought it was just an infection from an ingrown hair. Once the surgery was over and I started to heal, I noticed that the injury was still leaking which is when they realized it was a hole in the intestine. Which means they had to do another sergery to repair the intestine. They are not sure what causes this. Sometimes it is stress or a bacteria. I healed up just fine and it has been over 10 years. I hope they find the problem and correct it for you.

Cindi

3 moms found this helpful
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B.S.

answers from Huntington on

Sounds like a tumor/cyst.Benign tumors grow fast but are usually not painful. THe diarreah could be from your antibiotics,you could have developed c-diff which is an fungal infection in the bowel due to too many antibiotics and has stripped your normal bacteria out of the bowel which is a protector. have them culture the cyst/tumor and send off some also to biopsy-insist on it!

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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K.P.

answers from Memphis on

Sounds like Bartholin's Gland abscess or whatever it's called -- my sister had that. But if your OB doesn't know, then it may not be.

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D.E.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

I'm not a doctor (but I play one on t.v.) No, sorry...just kidding. Seriously, based on it's location,the abcess sounds like it could be a Bartholin Gland Abcess. Antibiotics alone won't cure it. Usually, it must be surgically opened and drained. Years ago, I had something similar in my armpit...same symptoms, different locations. The doctor made a incision, drained it (same "chicken fat" pus stuff), packed it with sterile gauze allowing it to heal from the inside. It took a week or so to heal. He removed the gauze a few days later. All this was done in his office, not too much pain...he numbed it with a local. That was fifteen years ago, I haven't had a problem since. Of course, get it checked...let us know the outcome. I'll keep you in my prayers.

D.

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M.S.

answers from Greensboro on

Hi E.,

I don't know what this is but when you said chicken fat it reminded me of a cyst my husband had in the very center of his back. It got to about half the size of yours. They told him that it probably was a granule of dirt (something that wasn't getting washed well) or possibly an ingrown hair and like a pearl, the body kept putting a coating of that chicken fat looking stuff to buffer it and kept it from irritating. He did have it removed and has no trouble since. He was warned not to let anything like that go again as his was very close to his spine and the "chicken fat" was poison if punctured.

When you do find out what it is, make sure you pin the doctor down to tell you why it reoccurred and how you can keep it from coming back again. I'm so sorry you're having so much pain!

God bless!

M.

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M.S.

answers from Memphis on

I have had cancer down there, from what I know it does sounds like a cyst or gland issue. But do insist on a biposy of the material to be certain. You should not have to live the way you have been living. You have to be your advocate for your health, if you think something isn't right see a doctor and if they don't do something about it, see another. These days doctors have to see so many patients to earn a living, that even those who deeply care for their patients are overwhelmed.

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K.S.

answers from Raleigh on

I know that has got to be painful! Yes, see the surgeon. I am surprised they did not biopsy it, though I don't suspect anything bad at all. Good luck.

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M.J.

answers from Louisville on

I am not sure if you have asked about lymph nodes. I don't know if you have a lymph node there or not, but it sounds like when my son's lymph node swelled from cat scratch fever. His was a different lymph node but I know there are lymph nodes in many places on your body. You may want to ask about it.

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B.M.

answers from Charlotte on

Hello E.,

I was going to suggest that it could be a sebaceous cyst until you said it was the size of a ping pong ball.
I suppose it still could be one but it is certainly best to get it checked.
Good luck to you,

B.

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W.M.

answers from Nashville on

Oh my goodness! Go to a Dermatologist! I am not sure where Oneida is compared to Nashville but my Derm is in Franklin, TN and she specializes in that area down there. I would have thought a boil too but usually they go away and do not grow that big. Could it be an ingrown hair? Not sure that big but maybe. I would say that you did what the docs said and trusted them. I would do the same thing. The problem is that when they don't know, and they don't always know, they will sometimes pass off antibiotics and let it go. That is not the cure all anymore, and now ppl are getting staph infections and MRSA b/c they are immune to antibiotics. This just happened to me. So, go to a Dermatoligist asap, they are skin professionals and if they don't know the can refer you to who does! Don't give up and hopefully the surgeon you see next can help. If they cannot drain it b/c it is 'fatty' then they will have to remove it. But, they will numb it and remove it and then stitch it up. I had a mole removed from there and the thought hurt worse than the actual. :o) You will be ok, please let me know what it is. This is a good learning tool for us to know what things are. Hope it is all ok soon!

W.

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L.M.

answers from Memphis on

Before going the surgery route, try going to Wal-Mart or a pet store and purchase a bag of Instant Ocean(it is a sea salt, people use for salt water tanks). Put liberal amount in bath tub with warm water and stir..take a sitz bath(enough water to sit in) for about 30 minutes at time.(read a book and relax). Depending on the intensity of cyst or boil should start leaking out shortly after leaving bath. Will be gross and foul smelling, but gone! Instant relief! Take a shower and smile!

I have been through the same routine as you-down to the delivery of my second child with a huge cyst right there. I have had numerous drs. telling the same thing as they told you...not knowing what it is..I finally had a O.B. that told me to do this and it works! Unfortunately, it will come back, but a good indicator when there is an infection somewhere in your body.I know it is painful, but hopefully, this will be a remedy for you as well as it has been for me numerous times!

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C.S.

answers from Rocky Mount on

Dear E. sorry it took so long to respond just got to read your post. I had the same thing happen to me and yes it was a boil they had to go in and remove it ,it hurt real bad made my bp go up and all. But once removed was just fine hope this helps C. s

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E.R.

answers from Greenville on

I believe the diarrhea is from taking antibiotics which strips your intestines of good bacteria which help you digest food properly. Any time someone (adult or child) is prescribed antibiotics it is a good idea to take refrigerated probiotics in pill form or to eat yogurt to balance your system.

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E.M.

answers from Louisville on

Im not sure of the shape of it but i will offer this, since you have been to the doctor several times i would assume its not HPV. i have something KIND OF like you describe it can be very painful and after a few diff trips to the doctor it turns out it was a very over grown skin tag. nothing like i had ever seen.... i have not had it removed as of yet but now that i have good insurance its going to be gone soon!

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N.G.

answers from Fayetteville on

I'm so sorry this is happening to you! I once found something down there, too. It turns out it was an ingrown hair. My doc told me to use either a warm compress (warm wet washcloth) for about 10 minutes each time to open the pores; this may soothe the area if you can stand the direct contact. Or you can try soaking in a hot bath. Hope this helps!

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G.H.

answers from Memphis on

First, you should have gone to an obgyn and if you did a second. If you did that also then a cancer specialist! Things like what you describe should not go on-attended for months especially if it's growing!
Get off your butt and get moving!!! You have a child who needs you for life.
Good luck and God bless

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C.S.

answers from Memphis on

E.,

Please donot be afraid/nervous to go to the doctors regarding this knot. You would rather know now than later, before its actually to late to do anything about it. It has to be some kind of infection. You do not want it to spread into your blood stream. Why did you wait until it became the size of a ping pong ball? Get to the doctors office NOW!!!!!!!! You will not regret going.

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