First of all I hope you all have a Happy Christmas and New Year. Let's hope things pick up in 2021 - I'm sure they will.
OK - I would like to pick your brains about this this one. First of all I was undecided whether to post this question or not - there are many here going through much more than this - I don't want to dilute the important threads.
Here goes anyway. I have an abscess on my back - about the size of an egg. One week ago I filled in the online 'consult your doctor' form and sent some pictures. Have I heard back from them ?
Nope. I do know though that's doc's have much more important things to attend to and are very busy.
I have a friend who is draining it twice a a day and without going in to detail there's still a load of nasty stuff coming out (at least a tea spoon full every day). It hurts a bit when this happens but I'm big and ugly enough to cope with that so no worries. I think though that antibiotic's would help with the infection - this is what I requested from the doc.
Now I know it's a minor thing - what worries me though if the infection spreads and causes a problem with my heart and kicks off afib. I've had it for a few weeks now and it's a little better but stil looks very 'angry'.
So my question is has anyone else had this and how did you deal with it ? I don't want the infection to spead for obvious reasons.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Paul
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Paulbounce
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Chase your gp again and again before it gets to Christmas and they close for a number of days. or ring 111. Infections aren’t good, push for treatment. Don’t let it escalate.
First of all Paul, you are important too and no one can say that your problem is any less urgent than someone else's, except your physicians. I would telephone if you can and ask for help.
My husband had a similar thing which turned out to be three infected cysts which gave him hell and he needed two lots of antibiotics before the horrible thing could be removed. If it's infected, it needs looking at - hubby had magnesium sulphate poultice but his was too far gone for it to work.
Don't risk infection with a dodgy heart rhythm, especially before Christmas and in lockdown? - phone non-emergency and ask for advice. Best wishes.
I had an infected sebaceous cyst earlier this year. The antibiotics didn’t work had two lots so sent me up to a&e who cut it out under local in the minor surgery department in what looked like a doctors office . The Registrar clearly enjoyed her work and kept showing me the gunk she was getting out . Lovely girl. Went straight home afterwards didn’t need antibiotics then. If I had another I wouldn’t bother with the antibiotics I would go straight up to a&e and get it cut out. Was only local it was a doddle . That would be my advice . The antibiotics made me feel awful the surgery was fine . Good luck
Peony, how I wish I’d just gone to a&e to have mine removed. My GP was going to do it but by the time I’d got to the top of his list it was too small, and then it was too infected - (long story) and by the time I saw a consultant it had become a potentially large operation due to scar tissue. They’d probably offer antibiotics first though but I might be wrong.
Hilly that sounds awful. I guess it varies but I was told by a&e that they cut them out because antibiotics tend not to work and they get them out because potentially left alone they can even cause sepsis . I agree with you it isn’t a minor thing. There is a hereditary aspect to getting these things , I remember my Dad getting two big egg sized ones cut out of his back when he was in his 80’s and he had AF and he was fine. Happy Christmas to you x
Yes, it’s strange how some of us get them and some don’t. I’ve had cysts in three locations, leg, back and behind my ear. Horrible painful things. I could write an essay on my cysts lol. First time one went nasty because the antibiotics hadn’t worked I was sent to a&e by my doctor, but it had become so big and infected they were reluctant to surgically remove it. Was put on two lots of very strong antibiotics which made it seemingly disappear ... until it recurred of course! Haven’t had any become infected for over a year but I live in dread!
Blame your ancestors Hilly ! I ve had a few cysts but only one that has gone bad so far . Half my abdomen was red and when I was sent up to a&e my temperature had gone up despite the antibiotics . The GPS put me on Flucloxacillen big dose it really made me feel rough . I would not hang about if I had another infected one . I share your dread ! All the best x
I advised Paul to try honey dressings. See my reply below. My GP is very enthusiastic about this and says it's better to avoid an antibiotic that will affect the whole system. Luckily our bees have actually given some honey this year as I was worried about a cyst on my breast stopping my hip op going ahead as they said you had to have no skin infections. I stopped the dressings before coming to the clinic as I thought the docs here would consider it bizarre but I will continue when I go home as there is still a little bit of pus that has come back . The last time I had a cyst on the other side it was much bigger but the honey worked a treat.
First of all Paul, this type of cyst isn’t a minor thing and I’m surprised your doctor hasn’t acted. I have a recurring infected epidermoid cyst on my back and the only thing that works is a course of antibiotics, or surgery if that doesn’t work.
If you’re on a direct oral anticoagulant you’re advised to avoid clarithromycin which is what used to work for me, but I’ve since discovered that Doxycycline is ok and works a treat for me. Don’t delay, you need to nag your doctor.
Maybe even pop into you pharmacy and ask their opinion while you wait for your GP to get in touch. They might even prescribe something for you. More and more pharmacies are doing this, and if you need to see the GP they’ll tell you. Good luck with that, it sounds painful.
That’s disgraceful! I ended up in hospital for five days with sepsis caused by a bowel abscess and during lockdown I had a tooth abscess, hoped it would go away (ha!) and ended up taking a huge dose of antibiotics. Also had AF 😩 Call 111 if available where you are 💜
As an American (well sort of as I live in Hawaii) I'm quite shocked that this does not get the immediate attention of your GP. Is this typical of treatment in the UK?
I know we're in a pandemic but an infection's an infection and untreated will get worse!
Not sure you can reach for generalisations about “treatment in the UK”. My Gp would be very active if I had an abscess, not sure why Paul’s didn’t - it would seem it needs to be promptly attended to. His post says he emailed a picture- who knows what happened to that communication? I hope Paul phones them!
Hi Paulbounce, I have suffered similar on occasion though yours definitely sounds worth pursuing with a GP I would say or your pharmacist may probably be worth seeing at least. I’ve had great success with Inadine patches & primapore dressings I initially had leftover from treating a surgery wound. The Inadine helps with the infection & the Primapore patch absorbs a lot of fluid from the wound & prevents it from getting on your clothes - which I was very self conscious about. I find they can have it drained and dried to almost flat (another point I can be very self conscious about) within a few days if checked and changed regularly.Hope you have it sorted soon.
I reiterate that you need to push your doctor. Sepsis is a thing and were getting close to Christmas. Lockdown or no, having something like this for such a long time needs attention as a matter of priority.
My dad had these a couple of time, not dangerous I dont think in themselves but need sorting due to infection, sounds like a sebaceous cyst, I had one on my ear of all places and had to have it cut out, ten minute job I recall, put a bit of pressure on the GP, they are using Covid as an excuse not to do stuff, I get they are under pressure but it's a minor quick job.
Use honey dressings. I have had infected cysts on my breasts that I have treated like this and my GP who is a beekeeper like my husband says it is the best way. Honey is antibiotic. Try to use organic raw honey if possible and Manuka would probably be the best to buy though it is expensive. First boil water and let it cool . Add a few drops of iodine . Wash carefully then smear on honey cover with dressing and leave 24 hours. The honey draws out the pus. Continue till all pus is gone and the wound starts to knit. If you wish to take an antibiotic internally you could take oregano oil capsules. These have worked for me to treat a UTI but they will upset your gut microbiome - maybe not quite as much as a regular antibiotic.
With all the helpful replies you've had Paul, what have you decided to do? I like Auriculaire's honey treatment advice. You could buy some Manuku honey from Holland and Barratt today. It's expensive, but worth it.
Also I once cleared H-pylori from my stomach by taking oregano and garlic oil capsules (my sister sent them from the US). Antibiotics had failed. So like the sound of the oregano advice too.
Please do something, as it would be awful to get sepsis.
The honey treatment sounds like a good idea. I'll also try and get though to the doc tomorrow when they are open - I'll not hold my breath though ! It's unbelievable that after a week there has not been a reply (they say 24 - 48 max). I even emailed the receptionist but still nothing. It's quite funny really as I know they recieved the email or there is a hell of a coincidence. I had a letter dated 22nd Oct asking me to call to make a routine phone appointment to discuss my med's with the pharmacist. I did and they said they would get back to me - I heard nothing. With in 30 minutes of emailing the surgry someone called and arranged the appointment for the call at the end of the month - the receptionist must have checked my records and realised it had been missed.
Had the thing for a few weeks now. There is some good news though - the swelling has gone down this morning a lot. There's not as much gunk coming out either.
I agree sepsis would be a nightmare. My main concern was that the infection would spread and affect my afib. I should have done something before I know - I tend to be far to laid back. It's just my nature but not always best.
I don't really want to go to A&E if possible. Honey and spending the morning trying to contact the doc seem the way forward.
I would like to thank everyone again for their ideas and help.
Paul
PS Jean. I'll likely catch you again on the forum before Christmas. If not though have a Kool Yule and stay safe. That message is extended to all of you - everyone is on Santa's 'nice list' so at least there's some good news 😇
Personally, I wouldn't be fiddling with it. You could be making matters worse and an abscess the size of an egg needs GP help. Ring and politely but firmly mention everything about this problem and say you have to see the GP before Christmas. It may be you have to have a telephone consultation but a prescription could be made out and left for you to collect. Don't leave it, please. I am not medical in any way but I don't like the sound of it. Good luck.
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