Post by pilonidalstories.com on Aug 28, 2017 12:53:03 GMT
“I thought I’d add my story as a cathartic exercise for myself, and who knows, it might help others! I am a 23 year old girl from the UK with no other health problems. I had my first flare-up when I was 19. The doctor thought it was nothing serious and prescribed some routine antibiotics for skin infections. My gut feeling told me this wasn’t right. I was in so much pain, I was given a course of ‘blockbuster’ antibiotics. By now I was basically bed-bound, couldn’t study, work (I was a bartender) or exercise. I got some prescription strength painkillers which made me black out and feel nauseous, the only thing that helped was really hot water on the area which was probably only a distraction!
Eventually this abscess burst in the shower, I went to the doctor and he was able to express the pus. It was excruciating and absolutely revolting, the smell was like death. But I could walk again. Hurrah!
4 years down the line with a couple of ‘warning twinges’ when I’ve been stressed or the weather is hot, I had another full flare-up about three weeks ago. This time I got some strong antibiotics, and waited for it to burst. It didn’t, and I was walking like a duck, struggling to sleep. Ever the avoidant optimist, I tried to shrug it off, hoping it would sort itself out, knowing that it wouldn’t. On my mother’s insistence I drove to A&E (Emergency Room). The doctor there took one look at it and I was booked for emergency surgery the next day.
In the UK this operation is done under general anaesthetic. Doing it with local anaesthetic seems pretty barbaric unless there’s a good reason you can’t tolerate a general. I didn’t know anything about it, I went under and then came to, still full of opiates. The relief was fantastic, and instant. All the staff were fantastic and this gave me great confidence.
I’m now nearly two weeks post surgery. My wound is 3 cm long, 1.5cm deep and healing well. Having the dressing changed the first time was incredibly painful, I cried all the way through and then fainted after. If you’re having any kind of open surgery try and see if they’ll pack it with alginate packing. It turns to jelly and it’s much less painful to remove. It shocks me to read that in some countries you’re expected to pack your own wound/get a family member to do it for you. I feel really lucky that the NHS exists and provides excellent aftercare.
Keep walking around to provide blood flow to the area. Don’t lift anything too heavy, drink lots, eat good food, lots of protein (an occasional glass of wine doesn’t hurt!) and remain optimistic. It’s not pleasant, but things can always be worse. I’m hoping to avoid future surgery but will have a consultation so I can weigh my options up.
People who have never had this will never fully understand the pain, the pressure, struggling to move, turning over in bed, getting comfortable is impossible. The pain, and being hypervigilant so as not to bump yourself is exhausting. Being young and so completely crippled all of a sudden is very distressing.
If you’re in the middle of a flare-up, don’t wait. Insist on being referred for drainage surgery so you can get some relief. For all the women and girls out there, pilonidal disease doesn’t only happen to hairy-arsed truckers. You can be scrupulous with hair removal, and rinsing your (head) hair after washing it, and it still happens. It doesn’t make you any less feminine, we just all have our areas where we’re vulnerable. More people have had it than let on – just don’t let it rumble on when remission, and often complete recovery are only a few steps away!”
Eventually this abscess burst in the shower, I went to the doctor and he was able to express the pus. It was excruciating and absolutely revolting, the smell was like death. But I could walk again. Hurrah!
4 years down the line with a couple of ‘warning twinges’ when I’ve been stressed or the weather is hot, I had another full flare-up about three weeks ago. This time I got some strong antibiotics, and waited for it to burst. It didn’t, and I was walking like a duck, struggling to sleep. Ever the avoidant optimist, I tried to shrug it off, hoping it would sort itself out, knowing that it wouldn’t. On my mother’s insistence I drove to A&E (Emergency Room). The doctor there took one look at it and I was booked for emergency surgery the next day.
In the UK this operation is done under general anaesthetic. Doing it with local anaesthetic seems pretty barbaric unless there’s a good reason you can’t tolerate a general. I didn’t know anything about it, I went under and then came to, still full of opiates. The relief was fantastic, and instant. All the staff were fantastic and this gave me great confidence.
I’m now nearly two weeks post surgery. My wound is 3 cm long, 1.5cm deep and healing well. Having the dressing changed the first time was incredibly painful, I cried all the way through and then fainted after. If you’re having any kind of open surgery try and see if they’ll pack it with alginate packing. It turns to jelly and it’s much less painful to remove. It shocks me to read that in some countries you’re expected to pack your own wound/get a family member to do it for you. I feel really lucky that the NHS exists and provides excellent aftercare.
Keep walking around to provide blood flow to the area. Don’t lift anything too heavy, drink lots, eat good food, lots of protein (an occasional glass of wine doesn’t hurt!) and remain optimistic. It’s not pleasant, but things can always be worse. I’m hoping to avoid future surgery but will have a consultation so I can weigh my options up.
People who have never had this will never fully understand the pain, the pressure, struggling to move, turning over in bed, getting comfortable is impossible. The pain, and being hypervigilant so as not to bump yourself is exhausting. Being young and so completely crippled all of a sudden is very distressing.
If you’re in the middle of a flare-up, don’t wait. Insist on being referred for drainage surgery so you can get some relief. For all the women and girls out there, pilonidal disease doesn’t only happen to hairy-arsed truckers. You can be scrupulous with hair removal, and rinsing your (head) hair after washing it, and it still happens. It doesn’t make you any less feminine, we just all have our areas where we’re vulnerable. More people have had it than let on – just don’t let it rumble on when remission, and often complete recovery are only a few steps away!”