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Post by smalltowngirlie on Apr 22, 2019 22:35:28 GMT
I am warning you right now, this is way too much TMI and pretty personal, but I need advice and some of you this will not even phase.
I am susceptible to abscesses, many times they will grow and reduce on their own, but I currently have one on the outside of my labia. It is about the size of a half gold ball and getting bigger and more tender. I need to see a Dr. but not sure what kind to see because of the location. I had seen a Dr. before about these, but because of the location I feel like I should see an OB/GYN even though it is just because of the location.
UGHH, why can't it be in a normal spot.
So will my usual (as in I have seen him once) be OK, or would and OB be better?
Can you tell I really just do not want o deal with this at all. Thank you for any help, or for a kick in the butt.
UPDATE - I am having surgery tomorrow bright and early at 7:30 am. She felt it was too large to do it in a procedure room, she wants to do it in an operating room, but she did not want to wait longer than tomorrow. Also, because of the location she wants to do more than just give me a local anesthesia, she wants to almost knock meout. She believes it is an abscess. It does not have the soft fluid part yet that makes it easier to drain, but she does not want it to get any bigger. I will also get to hang out at home on Thursday because she said I might be a bit sore.
So that is my update. I am now trying to get everything organized for me missing two filled days at work. I needed to cancel a full day meeting.
I am not worried about the procedure. I just want it done and start healing so I can get to work and be ready for family on the weekend.
POST SURGERY UPDATE: Everything went as planned. She did have to pack it which means I get to go back Friday to have that removed. It is pretty tender right now, but overall tolerable. You know those dogs that are sensitive to people’s illnesses or injuries, that is NOT my dog. I am trying to sleep and he is literally walking on me. He wants to play so he is jumping on my lap. I am sure he wants to go for a walk also, but that will not be happening for a few days. Walking is uncomfortable because of the location of the incision.
Overall I am doing well and DH is absolutely wonderful taking care of me today. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I truly appreciate each and everyone.
The answer to my original question is to go to an OB/GYN. 🙂
UNPLANNED UPDATE: Be warned, I will not hold back. I was not going to update, but wanted to share to maybe help/prepare someone else. Had my follow up today. The incision looked good, still a little red and swollen, but not as much and what would be expected. The plan was to remove the gauze and repack the wound. I have had this done before and it was not an issue. NOT THIS TIME. Pulling the gauze out was the mild discomfort I expected. When my Dr. started repacking, the pain was unreal to me. Anytime she touched the edge of my incision it felt like she was slowly sticking a needle into it. She was trying to be so gentle, but it hurt. I was literally crying while she was doing this. By this time she just had to get it done, but I know she was trying to be as careful as possible. She felt so bad. I was apologizing for reacting the way I did and she was apologizing for it hurting so bad. Here is why I am sharing - If you are going in for even the most minor procedure and they have prescribed you pain meds, TAKE THEM before the procedure, NO MATTER how you feel. It was not too bad this morning so I did not take any meds. That might have helped quite a bit to reduce what I felt. As soon as I got home I popped a pill. It is feeling better, but is still very tender. It is in a spot that unless I am sitting or laying down spread eagle, there is some pressure on it.
I hope my experience helps others. This is not something that is often talked about, please learn from my mistakes.
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Post by dewryce on Apr 22, 2019 22:39:54 GMT
Personally I’d see an on/gyn but that’s just a comfort thing. If it’s a regular abscess I think a GP could treat it just fine.
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Post by fwscrapper on Apr 22, 2019 22:40:17 GMT
Do you have an OBGYN you already see? If so, call them. If not, just call your MD.
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Post by smalltowngirlie on Apr 22, 2019 22:43:11 GMT
Do you have an OBGYN you already see? If so, call them. If not, just call your MD. New to the clinic so I don't have any regular Dr's yet. I need to schedule my annual exams but have not done so and I am not sure if this is the best way to introduce myself.
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Post by smalltowngirlie on Apr 22, 2019 22:44:24 GMT
Personally I’d see an on/gyn but that’s just a comfort thing. If it’s a regular abscess I think a GP could treat it just fine. Most likely a normal abscess, it is just the location that is throwing me off. Having to be that exposed is never comfortable, but at least an OB would be more used to it.
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Post by Merge on Apr 22, 2019 22:47:46 GMT
Ahem, sadly, I am very familiar with boils/abscesses in this spot. Switched to an unscented body wash and the problem went away.
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Post by smalltowngirlie on Apr 22, 2019 22:50:01 GMT
Ahem, sadly, I am very familiar with boils/abscesses in this spot. Switched to an unscented body wash and the problem went away. I use regular soap most days. I have had a few most of them stay small. I had one that resulted in emergency surgery, that was fun. There is actually a condition that makes people more susceptible and there is medication you can take. I am about to that point. I am really tired of these.
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Post by pjaye on Apr 22, 2019 22:52:13 GMT
Is it on the actual labia...or a bit lower down on the side near the vagina? If it's lower down at the bottom of the labia near the vagina, then it could be a Bartholin's cyst and it's probably better to see a ob/gyn as the treatment for these can be more than just draining the cyst and it sometimes requires surgery. If it is higher up on the labia itself, then it won't matter who you see as the treatment will likely be either antibiotics or draining the cyst or both. But see whichever Dr you are most comfortable with as both can deal with it.
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Post by Merge on Apr 22, 2019 22:52:32 GMT
Ahem, sadly, I am very familiar with boils/abscesses in this spot. Switched to an unscented body wash and the problem went away. I use regular soap most days. I have had a few most of them stay small. I had one that resulted in emergency surgery, that was fun. There is actually a condition that makes people more susceptible and there is medication you can take. I am about to that point. I am really tired of these. I'm so sorry! I know how painful they are.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Apr 22, 2019 22:53:20 GMT
I would definitely see an OB/Gyn, they just see more of things like this.
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Apr 22, 2019 23:00:11 GMT
Personally I'd go with the doctor who sees female genitalia all day, although both doctors would be capable. I take that back, not all GPs do sutures (which this could need) whearas an OB/GYN would be guaranteed as they are surgeons as well.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,292
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Jul 6, 2014 21:50:44 GMT
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Post by lesley on Apr 22, 2019 23:05:29 GMT
You say you’re prone to abscesses? What other places do you tend to get them? I ask because I have an autoimmune condition called hidradenitis suppurativa which causes terrible abscesses that occur mostly under my arm, on the outside and underside of my breasts and also in my groin. It was diagnosed by a dermatologist who also deals with my ongoing treatment. It’s a delightful condition. Not. I hope that isn’t the cause for your abscesses, but it might be something to look into.
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Apr 22, 2019 23:13:57 GMT
Is it on the actual labia...or a bit lower down on the side near the vagina? If it's lower down at the bottom of the labia near the vagina, then it could be a Bartholin's cystToday I learned from a pea we have pea glands in our vaginas 😆
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Post by Zee on Apr 22, 2019 23:15:38 GMT
Is it on the actual labia...or a bit lower down on the side near the vagina? If it's lower down at the bottom of the labia near the vagina, then it could be a Bartholin's cyst and it's probably better to see a ob/gyn as the treatment for these can be more than just draining the cyst and it sometimes requires surgery. If it is higher up on the labia itself, then it won't matter who you see as the treatment will likely be either antibiotics or draining the cyst or both. But see whichever Dr you are most comfortable with as both can deal with it. I was going to post the same. ETA I had a Bartholin's gland cyst many years ago that required surgery.
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Post by christine58 on Apr 22, 2019 23:19:10 GMT
Personally I’d see an on/gyn but that’s just a comfort thing. If it’s a regular abscess I think a GP could treat it just fine. Most likely a normal abscess, it is just the location that is throwing me off. Having to be that exposed is never comfortable, but at least an OB would be more used to it. Whoever you can see the quickest. Any idea what cause them??
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Post by smalltowngirlie on Apr 22, 2019 23:26:53 GMT
You say you’re prone to abscesses? What other places do you tend to get them? I ask because I have an autoimmune condition called hidradenitis suppurativa which causes terrible abscesses that occur mostly under my arm, on the outside and underside of my breasts and also in my groin. It was diagnosed by a dermatologist who also deals with my ongoing treatment. It’s a delightful condition. Not. I hope that isn’t the cause for your abscesses, but it might be something to look into. Ding, ding, ding. That is what was discussed last time. Lovely condition to have. I have had one under my breast, one on my toe, and above my breast, my current one and my all time favorite that required emergency surgery, 1/2 inch from my anus. A 6 inch incision, 15 yards of gauze and a scar I have never seen. Yes TMI again , but if you know the condition you cannot be shy about talking body parts.
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Apr 22, 2019 23:30:54 GMT
Ditto the Bartholin's Cyst info. I had one nearly 40 years ago. (To add to your TMI, it opened spontaneously and the fluid was neither colorless nor odorless.)
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,292
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Jul 6, 2014 21:50:44 GMT
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Post by lesley on Apr 22, 2019 23:41:54 GMT
You say you’re prone to abscesses? What other places do you tend to get them? I ask because I have an autoimmune condition called hidradenitis suppurativa which causes terrible abscesses that occur mostly under my arm, on the outside and underside of my breasts and also in my groin. It was diagnosed by a dermatologist who also deals with my ongoing treatment. It’s a delightful condition. Not. I hope that isn’t the cause for your abscesses, but it might be something to look into. Ding, ding, ding. That is what was discussed last time. Lovely condition to have. I have had one under my breast, one on my toe, and above my breast, my current one and my all time favorite that required emergency surgery, 1/2 inch from my anus. A 6 inch incision, 15 yards of gauze and a scar I have never seen. Yes TMI again , but if you know the condition you cannot be shy about talking body parts. Oh God, you have my utmost sympathy. I’ve been very fortunate so far in that I haven’t needed surgery, although some of the abscesses have taken weeks to drain and close, and surgery might actually have helped. My biggest issue is that I get crops of small abscesses. At the moment I have about 14 under my left arm and down my side, but in the past this has risen to 40 or 50 at one time. It hurts.
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Post by smalltowngirlie on Apr 22, 2019 23:46:11 GMT
Ding, ding, ding. That is what was discussed last time. Lovely condition to have. I have had one under my breast, one on my toe, and above my breast, my current one and my all time favorite that required emergency surgery, 1/2 inch from my anus. A 6 inch incision, 15 yards of gauze and a scar I have never seen. Yes TMI again , but if you know the condition you cannot be shy about talking body parts. Oh God, you have my utmost sympathy. I’ve been very fortunate so far in that I haven’t needed surgery, although some of the abscesses have taken weeks to drain and close, and surgery might actually have helped. My biggest issue is that I get crops of small abscesses. At the moment I have about 14 under my left arm and down my side, but in the past this has risen to 40 or 50 at one time. It hurts. I don’t get bunches. I really feel for you. I do go in and insist they do something. My first one the Dr gave me antibiotics and sent me home. Two days later it went from golf ball size to grapefruit size. At least that is what it felt like. I was told it should have been drained at the first visit. I had a lot of people at the hospital asking questions and checking on me. It took me a while to figure out why I was getting so much attention.
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,821
Jun 25, 2014 23:21:30 GMT
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Post by scrapngranny on Apr 23, 2019 1:39:12 GMT
I had a Bartholin’s cyst and saw my gyn. That son of a gun hurt like hell, thankfully I’ve never had another one.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,788
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Apr 23, 2019 1:49:01 GMT
melissa might be able to shed some light....
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Post by busy on Apr 23, 2019 1:55:57 GMT
My first choice would be to see the doctor who'd treated my previous abscesses, if I were in your shoes. If that weren't an option, I'd go to whichever could get me in soonest.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Apr 23, 2019 1:56:30 GMT
Ahem, sadly, I am very familiar with boils/abscesses in this spot. Switched to an unscented body wash and the problem went away. I use regular soap most days. I have had a few most of them stay small. I had one that resulted in emergency surgery, that was fun. There is actually a condition that makes people more susceptible and there is medication you can take. I am about to that point. I am really tired of these. Warm bath with Epsom salts. I had one there once (it wasn’t abscessed but a cyst that hurt) and soaking was a relief!!
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 23, 2019 2:06:00 GMT
You say you’re prone to abscesses? What other places do you tend to get them? I ask because I have an autoimmune condition called hidradenitis suppurativa which causes terrible abscesses that occur mostly under my arm, on the outside and underside of my breasts and also in my groin. It was diagnosed by a dermatologist who also deals with my ongoing treatment. It’s a delightful condition. Not. I hope that isn’t the cause for your abscesses, but it might be something to look into. Interesting. I am also prone to assessed/cysts. I have had them pretty often on or near my bikini line in the last few years. I’ve also had them behind my ear, on my neck and jawline. The last two to three weeks I have had sores under my armpits. At the moment my right armpit seems clear but the left has two that aren’t huge but big enough And they are more tender. They haven’t drained at all and don’t look like they need to. About 6 weeks ago I had a staph infection on my chin. Prior to taking antibiotics for that I was having frequent small breakouts on my nose that I attributed to rosacea. Since taking the med my skin has been great—until today. I have a few small things that are starting to form. I made a dermatologist appt for something else but will ask about this tomorrow when I go in.
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
Jun 25, 2014 21:53:42 GMT
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Apr 23, 2019 2:20:35 GMT
You say you’re prone to abscesses? What other places do you tend to get them? I ask because I have an autoimmune condition called hidradenitis suppurativa which causes terrible abscesses that occur mostly under my arm, on the outside and underside of my breasts and also in my groin. It was diagnosed by a dermatologist who also deals with my ongoing treatment. It’s a delightful condition. Not. I hope that isn’t the cause for your abscesses, but it might be something to look into. I have HS and it’s so painful. It get worse in the summer so I’m dreading the upcoming heat.
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Post by tracyarts on Apr 23, 2019 5:58:39 GMT
I had minor hidradenitis suppurativa since my early 20s. When I started taking Plaquenil for Sjogren's syndrome, it went into near total remission. I think I've had two minor flare ups in the years since I started the medication. Which is awesome, because even minor/class 1 HS is no fun at all. You say you’re prone to abscesses? What other places do you tend to get them? I ask because I have an autoimmune condition called hidradenitis suppurativa which causes terrible abscesses that occur mostly under my arm, on the outside and underside of my breasts and also in my groin. It was diagnosed by a dermatologist who also deals with my ongoing treatment. It’s a delightful condition. Not. I hope that isn’t the cause for your abscesses, but it might be something to look into.
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Post by pierkiss on Apr 23, 2019 9:33:23 GMT
An OB/GYN should be able to drain that for you right away. I am sure they have seen that before, and you shouldn’t feel worried or bad about it. That’s pretty much the only doctor I would go see for trouble with my labia.
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,402
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Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Apr 23, 2019 10:14:17 GMT
Could it be a Barholin's cyst?
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momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,153
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Apr 23, 2019 10:35:20 GMT
I know you are new to the clinic, but if MD there has seen you previously about this i'd return to him/her. Otherwise i'd go with whoever could get you in quickest. That can't be comfortable and i'd be looking for the quickest route to relief!
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Post by hop2 on Apr 23, 2019 10:36:18 GMT
See someone ASAP. If it gets worse than ‘tender’ go to the ER. Believe it or not you can get sepsis from an abscess.
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