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Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/08/2002 Time: 10:27:10 |
| My friend has recently suffered with a Bartholin's cyst, which thankfully has been treated successfully and has healed. However, she is very concerned as someone told here this could become cancerous. Is this true? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 18/10/2002 Time: 16:56:53 |
| I believe I have a Bartholin Cyst |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/10/2002 Time: 18:26:01 |
| I had surgery for a Bartholin's abscess in August and felt that it hadn't completely gone away. 7 weeks later the dr said it had recurred and sent me back to AandE who prescribed more antibiotics. 2 weeks later it still hasn't gone away totally. I have not had any indication that such a cyst can be cancerous but would appreciate any other help or info as info given me by the GP and the hospital doctors has been very vague. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/10/2002 Time: 18:30:14 |
| In January I had surgery for a Bartholin abscess, everything I have researched states that aspiration can cause recurrence and there really isn't any way to prevent the cysts. Now I have 2 and I'm scared! The articles also say that cancer is rare but it still could happen. Is there anyone who can relieve my fears???? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/12/2002 Time: 17:40:43 |
| what are bartholin's cyst caused by?? can they be a side effect of radiation treatment to the pelvic area? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/12/2002 Time: 00:56:06 |
| I've had a bartholin's cyst for 4 years. It grows and bursts. It sometimes emits blood then green stuff! It's never silent. Sometimes its itchy, sometimes sore. At 2 gynae aps it was non existent!!! How weired is that? How is it caused? How can we stop it? No medication has worked. Antibiotics included! I've got another developing that is why I'm writing. Help! What causes them? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/12/2002 Time: 14:17:00 |
I have suffered from 7 bartholin cyst's in the space of just two years, I have a general anthesthetic twice and taken god knows how many antibiotics.
Now it's back again and to be honest it's a real nuisance.
How can you stop them? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 18/12/2002 Time: 03:20:03 |
| I've had a bartholin cyst for the past 10 years. I don't know if marsupialization or removing the whole gland is the best. I'm over 40. Has anyone had either of these procedures done? How long is recovery? Was it worth it getting it done? Mine has never been infected but the size of it is annoying (golf ball size). I don't know if I should just leave it alone or get something done. Any advice? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/12/2002 Time: 17:22:34 |
| I have had a Bartholin Cyst Drained in May. ....It has now come back.....What are some of the side effects???? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 27/12/2002 Time: 23:30:36 |
| I recently had a cyst burst and the gyno said that since i had a catheter placed for a month leaving a permanent hole at the site of the cyst that i should consider having the entire gland removed because the cyst should not come back if there is an opening allowing constant drainage. i have been treated for these for the past 3 years and i think it is time to end the cycle. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/01/2003 Time: 11:19:10 |
| I've just had an absess on the gland removed. A most painful and embarassing month was spent previous to that. Does anyone know how to reduce the risk of recurrrence, or what causes them in the first place. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 22/01/2003 Time: 05:05:40 |
| I share most of the pains mentioned in this site on this cyst and equally interested in getting rid of this. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 28/01/2003 Time: 04:08:20 |
| I'm wondering about the pro's and con's of having a catheter inserted following drainage. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 29/01/2003 Time: 03:51:40 |
| Have had recurring bartholin cysts for 4 years no.After 3 marsupilizations,2 drainages and a disastrous lancing,I urge you all to heed my advise.Never allow your doc or gyn to lance the cyst,it screws it up for good nine times out of ten.If they try to convince you to get the whole gland removed,wholeheartedly reply NO.Only allow a marsupilization.My gyn didn't hesitate in discouraging me from gland removal.I'll never forget his words.''It'll mess you up down there,and I don't want to do that".The recovery is astronomical as well.Also,the use of antibiotics and catheters is useless.If you get recurring cysts,just get the marsup done,because they get easier to deal with after that for they don't fill up as much and release the cystic fluid earlier on.By the way,ever notice how no one in the medical profession can supply you with a clear answer as to why they occur??Well,I'll tell you how mine did.Not being lubricated enough for intercourse,the impact of my partners thrust on my vaginal wall was the cause.I will never forget the feeling.Yes,they can be caused by trauma to the area girls.Mine certainly did,and I am convinced that the whole reason why I continued to get them was because some idiot butchered it initially,and called it "lancing". |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 29/01/2003 Time: 16:08:24 |
September 2001 i had my first bartholin's cyst and it got very infected and was so swollen i could'nt move ... i went to hospital and they didn't seem to know whatto do about it .
Anyway i had a homeopathic remedy (dont know which) and it went right down ... it burst and was not very pretty.
since then it sprung onto the left side and i've had that constantly since 2001.
All this talk abt it becoming cancerous is worrying as i'm only 18.
One thing which sounds gross but helps me is to press the swollen area as it seems to drain . not sure if this is normal but the lump does go down ...
i'm just soo confused. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 29/01/2003 Time: 16:10:32 |
I found this hope it helps:
Definition: The Bartholin's glands are a pair of pea-sized glands on either side of the vaginal opening. They secret a small amount of fluid that moistens the area. (Contrary to speculation, they are probably not more active during sexual activity.) Sometimes the ducts draining these glands become clogged, creating a round cyst, which feels like a lump, and can become irritated, or even infected. This cyst is NOT cancerous. Unless it is causing uncomfortable symptoms, it is not usually treated.
Rarely, cancer can form in a Bartholin's gland. About 4% of vulvar cancer is of this type, and vulvar cancer as a whole is less than 1% of all the cancers a woman can get.
Pronunciation: BAR toe linz (noun)
Common Misspellings: Bartolin's Barthollins Bartholans Bartholin
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 03/02/2003 Time: 19:43:15 |
I've had quite a few for the past three years, all re-curring in the same spot. I had a ward catheter put in, then the next year I had a marsupialization done. I definitely preferred the marsupialization. I do agree with the woman who said NO to removal of the gland. I was told it could be disfiguring and was not always necessary.
I found that each time I started taking birth control pills my cyst would soon come back. Every time I stopped the pill....the cyst would stay away. I did this about three times. To this day, I do NOT take birth control pills...and I have not had a re-currence. It's been about four months since my last cyst...but they would re-cur every month while I was on the pill. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 05/02/2003 Time: 05:02:38 |
Wow.How very encouraging to here someone say that being off the bc pill has helped her.I myself just decided to go off the pill for good after being on it for 14 years.I have only been off of it for a month and a half now but interestingly have not had a problem yet.Aside from feeling like myself again in so many ways.Boy did the pill screw with my system. I'm the one who went on about being anti-gland removal by the way,and I really appreciate the positive report.It will be interesting to note how being off the pill will affect me after reading your testimonial.I'm so happy for you.The pill does so many bad things to a womens body,it would not surprise me in the least to find that it worsens this as well.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 05/02/2003 Time: 11:36:32 |
| What is marsupulisation? What is a cathether? Would it be better to leave well enough alone if its not unbearable. My recurring cysts (two) over 4 years are not related to the taking of oral contraception. I think we clutch at straws sometimes. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 05/02/2003 Time: 12:50:45 |
I'm sure there are different things that activate the cysts. For me it seemed to be the pill.
As for leaving it alone, that's obviously up to you. If they don't bother you or concern you, then I don't see why you would want to undergo surgery. I would think that getting them checked every so often would be a good idea though. Just to be on the safe side.
I myself did have some that did not bother me...but just went away on their own. Other times (most of the time)...I had the hellish pain to endure until they burst on their own. But the extreme pain was what sent me to get surgery.
Marsupialization is when they cut an 'x' shape in the cyst area and stitch the flaps to the skin so there is a tiny opening that looks like a square. This give the cyst opportunity to drain and it helps clear it out completely as it heals so hopefully another cyst won't re occur. I'm not positive but I think this procedure is supposed to leave a miniscule drainage hole.
The catheter (my first procedure) is just that. It's a tiny tube that gets inserted into the cyst. There is a balloon type thing at the end (that part goes inside the cyst) that gets filled with air to help the cyst stay open so that it can drain. The idea is to have the skin around the tube heal so the cyst has more time to drain completely. The other end, the drain tube portion, just kind of gets 'stuffed' up inside you to keep it out of the way. I had some problems with the drainage end falling out. I was told to just push it back up....but it made me uneasy.
I prefered the marsupialization (second procedure) only because the catheter was well, gross to me. I didn't like having a tube inside me for that long. Besides, I've heard more success stories with the marsup. than with the catheter.
One thing I find unsettling is when I asked the doctor who performed the first surgery if there was anything I could do to prevent them, he told me there was nothing I could do.
A short while after the catheter procedure was over with and I had fully healed, I got another cyst. I scheduled an appointment with the same doctor and I told him I wanted another surgery. By the time he saw me again, the cyst had burst on it's own. After examining me he told me there was nothing there so he was going to cancel the surgery. I argued saying that I knew I would get another one next month in the same spot (around my period, as usual) but he said, "You don't know that". He refused to schedule a second surgery.
So, if anyone is planning on getting the surgery, you have to make sure you have a cyst...otherwise there is nothing for them to work with.
Good luck! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 06/02/2003 Time: 03:26:06 |
I just found out today my friend has Bartholin Cancer - Tumor has been removed by gynocologist/
but has invaded
the rectum & a portion was removed. Dr. says he
has never seen this type of cancer - very, very fast
growing. He is researching info on how to treat -any help - we don't want to loose her. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 06/02/2003 Time: 19:45:20 |
| i've had a bartholin cyst for 4 years.I finally had surgery to drain it, and I'm not sure if it's gone. How long does it take to heal up after surgery? It's been two days and I don't think it's all drained or gone down.The doctor said I'd be on "mt feet in no time". |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/02/2003 Time: 15:33:16 |
Depending on the surgery you've had, it may still be draining. It also may just be swollen from the incision.
My surgeries took about two weeks to heal on average. I'm talking about no more soreness, swelling went down, etc. I'm sure it's different for everyone. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/02/2003 Time: 17:04:42 |
| Many thanks for all of the above information. I came off the pill and within 1 week had a bartholin cyst... my doctor has opted for a wait & see approach, I would be interested in hearing about alternatives to 'encourage' the disappearance of the cyst. Any medics and/or holisitics care to contribute? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/02/2003 Time: 20:16:47 |
| I had a bartholin's cyst (by the way, the dr. insisted it was an abcess even after he drained it and the fluid was clear) about 2 months ago. It didn't actually bother me or cause any pain, I just wanted to get it checked out. The dr. drained it and put in a catheter for about 2 days. As soon as the lidocaine shot wore off, I was in excrutiating pain for 3 days. It hurt to bend down and sit certain ways. Anyway, the dr. said if came back, which of course it did immediately, that he would do the catheter again, and then resort to surgery if it came back for the third time. I REALLY dont want this catheter thing again, and I am wondering about this marsup procedure. Are the women that had it satisfied? Was it a painful recovery? How long ago did you have it done and have the cysts come back? Please tell me anything you can about your experience! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/02/2003 Time: 05:46:13 |
I've been getting these things for about 4-5 years now. Basically my doctor's approach was just to wait the small ones out until they burst on their own and that it was no great cause for alarm unless they continuously get bigger and don't go away, or become increasingly sore and unbearable. I was also told they are incredibly common occurrences among women with most mistaking smaller ones for pimples.
I've had spans where I get one continuously for months, and other times where I won't have one for months. I didn't find that being on or off the pill made any difference. For me one will usually pop up around ovulation or when I'm under heavy stress, other than that I see no pattern of occurrence and I'm not sure whther these are just coincidences either. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/02/2003 Time: 12:42:49 |
From what I've read in alot of forums like this, marsupialization is the preferred treatment for b.c.'s.
I personally preferred the marsup. procedure to the catheter. I think, in general, that it is a less 'disruptive' procedure. Also, I was caused some pain immediately following the catheter procedure.
I'm the original person who linked MY cysts to being on the pill. I'm not saying this is what causes it in other people, I just found that PERSONALLY by being off the pill (once it was out of my system) I no longer got cysts. I found that out after going on and off different types of birth control pills over the course of about 3-4 years.
I would typically get one once a month about a week before my period. Whenever I was completely off the pill, I had no problems with cysts. This may have just been the way my body reacted to the pill.
I've done alot of reading about bartholin cysts but still haven't found anything that directly causes them.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/02/2003 Time: 13:58:16 |
OK, I'm still on my first one, so bear with me, but I've been doing a fair bit if reading up in a desperate attempt to find something definitive on the subject. It's actually pretty hard work.
As far as causes go, most sources seem to agree with my gynaecologist and what other people here have said: it really is just bad luck. A little excerpt I found may help with why most doctors are so refreshingly vague:
"In the past, Bartholin gland abscesses were thought to develop mainly from gonococcal or chlamydial infections. However, it is now thought that the infection is usually from the normal bacteria that are found on the skin and in the vagina. In one study, 67 different bacterial isolates similar to the natural vaginal flora were reported in a series of Bartholin gland abscesses.
"Other bacterial candidates include those of the type commonly found on the skin or in the gut and which cause abscesses and infections elsewhere in the body. These are known as staphylococci, streptococci, or coliforms. In this case you may simply have picked up the bacteria from your own skin surface and for some reason, perhaps some sort of brief and temporary breakdown in your immunity, an infection forms. It is common for these abscesses to involve more than one type of organism."
The greatest risk factor for developing cysts is (helpfully) prior history of cysts. Other possibilities that I have come across include trauma (injury to the area), stress and lack of personal hygiene.
Equally, there's relatively scanty advice for taking preventative measures. There's the usual advice for all things gyno: wiping back to front, loose cotton underwear, personal cleanliness, no vaginal sprays and using condoms. Otherwise it seems to be grin and bear it. Once it's developed, I've only found two things recommended: warm towel compresses and warm sitz baths. Again with the excerpt:
"Special sitz bath basins are available, but the simplest method is to sit in the bathtub in a few inches of warm water. The water should not be so hot as to burn the skin but should be fairly warm. These soaks should be done for 10-15 minutes at a time, 3-4 times daily. This treatment is frequently all that is needed for Bartholin cysts."
Sorry if I'm teaching you all to suck eggs, but I've found it thoroughly frustrating that there just isn't the information available even at the most basic level about this condition.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/02/2003 Time: 17:36:58 |
One thing I found that worked to drain my abcess was to take a small heating pad and keep it on the cyst (I know, it's awkward) for a while. Usually this would speed up the process of the cyst bursting. I found it helped because rather than endure the long-lasting pain of the cyst growing, it got it over with faster.
I know there are people who would say keeping a heating pad on your skin for a long time is a bad idea. But I had done it many times and it did help to burst the cyst. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 12/02/2003 Time: 01:32:10 |
| Greetings everyone, I just joined this discussion on Bartholin's cysts. I guess I a senior advisor here, having suffered my first BC about 20 years ago. That one was the worste: I was young, and went to an old school male GYN dr who didn't say a thing to me, just wheeled in the scalpals and threads and some terrible looking drainage tubes...when i asked what those were, he told me that that was how he was going to fix my problem, and I'd have to wear that tube for a week or so...I ended up jumping off the cot and leaving. He wagged his finger at me and told me I'd be back...well that night, I was sure wishing I had had the procedure done, it was the size of a grapefruit, red hot...I finally fell asleep, and woke up the next morning all wet, but without the cyst. It had burst that night. I have had minor problems over the years, maybe 4-6 times total...either after I wear jeans or have sex without being lubricated enough for it...the cysts have not ever been that large, mainly a walnet size. I work on my immune system build up, take warm sitz baths...and really hope it isn't going to get worste. I too fear about cancer...but my GYN doctors all ladies have never thought too much of that fear. I don't know about these cysts though, how much longer I want to deal with them...I refused to have the one I have now lanced...it doesn't seem to be growing anymore, but it is sore. Well, interessting reading about others with the same problem. I don't know of anyone else who has them...good luck everyone... |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/02/2003 Time: 13:43:52 |
After recurring problems over a few months, I have just had the Bartholin abcess removed. It had become very painful and the antibiotics weren't working, so my doctor got me into hospital. The surgeon was fairly vague as to what she removed exactly - and I was in no state to really find out. She said that it was roughly the size of of a very large walnut - originally they had intended to open it out and stitch it, as people describe above, but once I was in there - hey, they decided to take it all out, as it would only come back otherwise. It has been two weeks since the operation. The nurse assured me that it wouldn't affect my sex life as there are other glands that act as lubrication too. I also want to say that I have not taken the pill for at least 10 years (I'm 37), so personally wouldn't put its occurrence down to that and cannot find a link to my periods.
Anyway, its been quite a shock having an operation down there, and the information that you are given is confusing. Its also very hard to explain to other people - especially as I have had to take time off work and still feel sore and weak from the operation. Before I had to go into hospital, I was pretty determined to find a homeopathic remedy - working on prevention rather than cure. Now I am seeing a hypnotherapist to try and help with the healing process. I just sincerely hope it doesn't come back as the whole thing has been a painful and frightening experience.
I agree with the person above - it is interesting to hear what other people's experiences have been - and yes, good luck with it all |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/02/2003 Time: 20:46:33 |
| I got my first Bartholin's Cyst when I was pregnant 4 years ago. It was so painful that I had difficulty walking. It was about the size of a large egg. My doctor prescribed antibiotics and told me to come back in a week. The antibiotics did nothing! I ended up having it lanced and a catherer put in. The catherter had a balloon filled with water inside the cyst.The water was supposed to hold it in place.I pulled the catherter out myself that night. It was hurting and driving me crazy! The cyst has come back 3 more times. The last time, I was determined not to go through the lancing and catherter torture again! I repeatedly took sitz baths with a handful of salt in it. I remembered several people telling me that they had used salt to cause carbuncles to burst. It worked ! I have not had another one in over a year now! If I ever get another one, I will definitely try the salt technique again before I endure the lancing! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/02/2003 Time: 21:48:09 |
I got my first cyst two years ago. After repeat trips to the doctor..word cathiter, marsupilazation and eventually removed the one gland. They scraped a mass the size of a baseball from my right side. It was tested for any abnormal cells, nothing but normal bacterial in it.
About two months ago, the other side started acting up, filling with fluid, becoming sore and painful. I've run two courses of antibiotics, had a word cathiter inserted......I don't want to continue with the rest of the steps.
Someone PLEASE tell me there is an alternative to be cut open. Are there other glands for lubrication during sex? Will my sex life ever resume to normal? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 16/02/2003 Time: 10:18:41 |
| Just out of interest - does anybody else suffer from severe constipation just before a cyst appears? It always seems to be that way with mine and I wonder if they are connected. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 16/02/2003 Time: 17:10:16 |
| I also have suffered with bartholin cysts. My doctor wants to do a procedure called marsupialization. Has anyone had this done? What is the recovery time? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/02/2003 Time: 23:31:54 |
| I have a bartholins cyst that has become infected and now have an abcess. Can't walk, stand for more than a minute or two and am in excruciating pain. I've been given some heavy painkillers and antibiotics, but need something done as soon as possible. Doeas anyone know a really good gynocologist in London? I'm willing to pay privately if I must (although I'm broke!) but I'm desperate to find someone who knows what they are doing, and will interfere as little as possible..... Any reccomendations re where to turn would be much appreciated! Thanks |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/02/2003 Time: 23:31:54 |
| I have a bartholins cyst that has become infected and now have an abcess. Can't walk, stand for more than a minute or two and am in excruciating pain. I've been given some heavy painkillers and antibiotics, but need something done as soon as possible. Doeas anyone know a really good gynocologist in London? I'm willing to pay privately if I must (although I'm broke!) but I'm desperate to find someone who knows what they are doing, and will interfere as little as possible..... Any reccomendations re where to turn would be much appreciated! Thanks |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 18/02/2003 Time: 06:32:41 |
| I was wondering if anyone had a history of cysts in their family? Just last week I got a Bartholin's Cyst for the first time and for some reason it just burst on its own today. My mother told me that my grandfather on my father's side would get cysts all the time. Does anyone else also have cysts in their family history or do you think it could just be a coincidence? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/02/2003 Time: 06:45:50 |
I have sat here and read all the posts... wow! I never knew anyone that had/has a BC.. Thank you for all opening up and telling us about the different procedures. I have had a BC off and on for 7 years now. I went to my gyn for my yearly exam and she mentioned it to me- that it was there and she would like to either lance it or put a cathetor in it. It isn't bothering me but having occasional pain in the area. I just don't feel comfortable with the idea of a cathetor.... I agree- antibiotics are a waste of time.. they have never worked. I agree with the warm baths a few times a day especially when they are infected.
Has anyone just tried lancing the cyst? Does that work? Any problems afterwards???
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/02/2003 Time: 03:01:05 |
| I have had two catheter's inside of me 6 months apart. Eventually 1 year later I had the marsupialization. It was less painful for two weeks ( the same amount of time as the catherer's), now they tell me the chances of reoccurence in 2 %. I would prefer this surgery every 6 months to a tube that sticks out and irritates every part of that area. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/02/2003 Time: 03:01:05 |
| I have had two catheter's inside of me 6 months apart. Eventually 1 year later I had the marsupialization. It was less painful for two weeks ( the same amount of time as the catherer's), now they tell me the chances of reoccurence in 2 %. I would prefer this surgery every 6 months to a tube that sticks out and irritates every part of that area. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/02/2003 Time: 05:27:12 |
| I'm 25 and about a month and a half ago I had a bartholin's abscess. I was freaking out because I have never had anything like this before. I went to the doctor and he gave me antibiotics, but told me to see a GYNO. So I did. My Gyno was so nice. See my problem is that I don't have any insurance at all and of course going to the hospital was going to be a lot of money. My abscess was so painful. I couldn't sit comfortably or walk. My doctor took out the liquid with a syringe. He understood the problem that I have with the insurance. He told me to take sitz baths and not wear any tight clothing. Since I had taken antibiotics, I also got a yeast infection, which was another first for me. If it wasn't one thing it was another. It is much less swollen now, but there are days when it seems a little bit swollen. I just want to know what to do so that it can go away and never come back. I'd appreciate any advice. Does the sitz bath with salt work? Good luck everybody. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/02/2003 Time: 15:42:58 |
| Hi--I also am a Bath cyst sufferer-have been for about 24 years. I had the marsup done and two weeks after it came back. They have come & gone over the years and from my experience certain antibiotics I took made them worse. The pill made no difference. Mine seems to be aggravated by my sex life! Luckily I have an understanding husband but it bothers me more than him. One Dr said that I got it because of STDs (!) so to prove him wrong both husband & I were tested & negative. I think its just a woman's curse! I did some reading and found that cysts are usually hereditary-they can occur on the scalp, rectum, under the skin, and other places and that if a parent has suffered from them you are more likely to. My present female OBGYN suggested taking the area where they occur and rubbing the tissue to keep the area flowing, so to speak, and to do this regularly. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/02/2003 Time: 21:56:16 |
Hi, my name is Dianne. I had a Bartholin Cyst three months ago, my gynae told me to have a marsup as soon as I could because if I left it, it might get infected and that it could, not would but could lead to Cancer.
I found the surgery good, however it was the most painful experience of my life! It took about a week and a half before I could walk properly and a month before sex and excercise, it was depressing, but I had a good boyfriend who took care of me.
Unfortunately, three months later it is back, it looks smaller but it hurts a lot.
Personally I have read all your testimonies and it was confusing but helpful. I believe, I was not lubricated enough before sex, and my boyfriend and I do have rough sex about 75% of the time.
After reading everything here, I think the best thing to do is to take care of yourself and be patient. If you have a b.c. get the Marsup, i think it should be effective in most cases. Also, do sitzts baths as often as you can.
I am glad for this forum becasue I felt like a freak when I got it and I have to admit it was very scary.
I don't know if any of you believe in God, but he helped me, gave me hope and I pray he will help all of us get over this. Just remember to not freak out, and please, please get it treated as soon as you see it. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 22/02/2003 Time: 08:46:51 |
3 1/2 weeks ago I went to my OB for my annual and was told I had a Bartholin cyst. She said "if it isn't bothering you, don't worry."
2 days later it painfully grew the size of a golf ball. I went in the following day to a sub-OB as mine was off. She said it was infected and prescribed antibiotics & painkillers. She said warm compresses would help.
3 days later a followup appt. with my OB was made and though it wasn't sore, it still was large. Since I got it, I had been using warm compresses and sitz baths. She said it didn't look infected, but that it should be drained and a word catheter should be placed.
After the numbing wore off, the pain left me walking funny and sitting uncomfortably. My OB said sitz baths and compresses weren't necessary. I missed 2 days of work, but after that, didn't feel it, except the couple of times I had to push the end of the catheter back in.
On my follow-up 2 weeks later, my OB said it had fallen out, unbeknownst to me. The catheter seems useless next to other procedures seeing as how (OB said) it often falls out before 2 weeks though is suggested to stay in 4-6 weeks. Not to mention I don't know how long it will be before it is not painful inside for intercourse.
Now, 2 days later, I've noticed the cyst remains, though smaller. In retrospect, I'm sure sitz baths and compresses while the catheter was in would have helped drainage.
I think the cause of mine may have been that I gained weight and as a result, my jeans/shorts have gotten tighter. From what I've read above, it may also have been from lack of lubrication during intercourse.
I'm freaking out, realizing this cyst will likely reccur throughout my life. However, I am going to do my best to "prevent" it with suggestions. (I'll try the salt in my sitz baths!) I appreciate all your posts above and hope the root of this problem surfaces in the near future! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 22/02/2003 Time: 12:23:05 |
WHAT RALY IS IT
because i like to no thees things |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 28/02/2003 Time: 22:34:04 |
I too have suffered from Bartholin's cyst for about 6 years now. I have had the Marsup, lancing, and catheter. I find that none of these has helped and still get mine nearly every month. I was told sitz baths are the best and still do that every time I get one. Interestingly, I tried it with salt after reading the post from above, and that really seemed to work. So thank you for the advice and good luck everyone.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 06/03/2003 Time: 21:26:55 |
| Wow, when I first got my BC I was totally confused and thought I had to be the first woman on earth to have this. I have not been sexually active fro 2 1/2 years and I have not been on birth control for 2 years. No offense to the medical proffessions but they really are cluleless to the accurate reasons on why women get this particular cyst. I agree with the lady about trusting in God. My cyst of 6 months has decreased in sized dramatically and the only thing I have done is PRAY. I realize that seeking medical attention is vital for all of us but my Physician is GOD AlMIGHTY. I pray that all of you will continue to do what is best for your body and your particular situation but most importantly request a complete healing from your Spiritual Father. Because by Jesus stripes you and I are made heal. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/03/2003 Time: 22:08:34 |
| I had my first bartholin cyst when I was 18, and now I am 32. When I first went to the doctor they did the lancing prodecure and put the cathether in and that has been one of the most painful things I have experienced in my life. Later that same year I had another one, I was recommend to an obgyn and I was told that most women never get these and very rarely do they get them twice. I now know that is not true from all the statements above. My doctor then recommended the marsupulisation which to my knowledge was turning the gland inside outwards to help drainage. It was suppose to take 2 to 4 weeks to heal, when I went for a follow up she said it had healed back normal. Over the years when I get the cyst I just take sitz baths with the hottes water I can stand many times of the day. Because I have had so many cyst and the lancing procedure was done, when it hits that certain size and bruises then finally it will open that incesion back open and drain on its own. I was very seriously thinking about having the whole gland removed so there would be no more chance of reoccuring cyst, but I did not know about all the disfiguration. I have found that wearing looser clothes, cotton underwear and not using any bath oils or things that could possible clog the area and maybe taking regular hot baths is the only thing to do. Plus maybe just being really lubricated during intercourse not to irritate the gland. I hope that I was helpful, because all of you have definetly helped me. I thought is was something very rare that hardly ever happened to anyone. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/03/2003 Time: 23:33:15 |
| I don't know if I have a bc or not, gyn said it could be, but might also be a tumor. It is just inside my vagina - the size of a golf ball and very hard. It doesn't hurt. I ignored it for about a year - dumb. I don't deal with such things well. Now the gyn plans surgery to biopsy and then go from there. I have to wait two weeks before I know what it its. If it is bc, he mentioned marsupialization - pouch - I was in a daze and just said "that sounds like a kangaroo thing". I surfed the web on vaginal cancer - it didn't sound good. I'm 49. I have been in a panic for two days and reading all your entries has helped. Did any of you think your bc was a tumor? Thank you. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/03/2003 Time: 04:27:58 |
| What is the exact difference between the cyst and the abcess? I'm not sure which one I have. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/03/2003 Time: 04:31:59 |
| I've had problems with the cysts since I was 15. I used to have them constantly. As soon as one would drain, another one would pop up again. then I went for about 2 years without one. it came back a few months ago and now I've been getting them every month. Has anyone else had a similar pattern? And I am also interested in knwoing the difference between the cyst and the abcess. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/03/2003 Time: 05:52:28 |
I had one about 8 years ago and haven't had one since, although it was the most painfull humiliating experience of my life!
I was told by my GP that it was abcessed and I needed to have it lanced under local anaesthetic asap. She sent me to the only available gyno -a doctor who had to have been about 100 years old...who treated me as if I was about 10 years old.
I was booked into hospital and told I would need a general. It doesn't matter how elequent, sophisticated or intellectual you think you are nothing makes you feel more vulnerable than discussing your vagina with a stranger or the prospect of having a scalpel near it -I was completely dumbstruck..I didn't ask any questions and basicly shut down and hoped for the best.
I woke up from the general screaming in agony and was pumped full of pethadine and released. Unfortunatly (or fortunately) I managed to pass out on the pavement outside the hospital and ended up dragged back into emergency for 3 hours.....too many painkillers apparently....
Got home and had a bath because of the discomfort of so much bleeding and found myself swollen gushing blood and black and blue -not what I'd expected.
Sitting, lying down, standing were all painful beyond belief and I ended up having to take a week off work.
When I went for my check up I was quite embarrassed by the rotting corpse smell I had developed - but I found out I'd had 13 stitches and a "tumour" the size of an egg removed - uh huh, he said tumour. Here was I thinking I'd just been lanced and then I find I've had a tumour removed! Ok, it was benign thankfully.
Until very recently I naively thought that I'd torn some stitches or the awfull gyno had stuffed up, but during a pap smear I complained about the scarring and the "holes" in my labia and guess what - I'd been marsupialized and nobody even mentioned it to me -I never got to choose and I was a 25 year old woman!.
Must have worked, it hasn't come back but the sexual issues I have after having my vagina sliced open -that's another story............... |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/03/2003 Time: 23:18:51 |
In response to the last post,your words could not ring more true about the toll it can take on your sex life.They can render you sexually dysfunctional!!!
Everybody talks about the physical affects but never the emotional which in my case and I suspect many others is so much worse.
As I said in a previous post I KNOW that mine ocurred due to trauma tho the area,because of a forceful and over-zealous boyfriend.Too much pressure without adequate lubrication.I had to leave him due to the fact that he was not mature enough to handle the much needed spaces in between sex.I have since found a man that understands what this can do and gives me all the space I need when one has reocurred.
I have had more of these things in the past three years than I care to mention.I have found myself in the gyn's office just to TALK about how they affect me mentally.It makes sense given that they occur in the most sensitive area of a womans body,and that can really screw you up so don't bottle it up.Talk about it.And if your boyfriend can't handle it,get a new one.
In answer to a post query,an abcess is an infected cyst,otherwise known as cellulitus.It is so disgustingly painful it can make you unable to move and sick to your stomach.THEY require immediate attention in the OR.
Oh,and the doctor that told the other girl that he removed a "tumour" doesn't seem to know what he is talking about.He was probably referring to the sheer size of it.Poor you.So many uniformed doc's out there it's sick. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/03/2003 Time: 04:59:35 |
| Does anyone know of any reading material re gynecological surgery and the mental/physical effects on a woman? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/03/2003 Time: 20:35:50 |
| My Bartholins Cyst appeared after my daughter was born 6 years ago. Basically the midwife butchered my bits trying to get my baby out. The cyst has always been the size of a kumquat. Then about a month ago it started to shrink in size...now it's back bigger than ever and for the first time it is really tender. Sounds like I've got an abscess building up..Is antibiotics usually the first treatment? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/03/2003 Time: 00:09:01 |
| i know someone else asked the same question, but what is the difference between teh cyst and the abcess? How do you know which one you have? Mine are always tender, and usually burst on their own |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/03/2003 Time: 16:30:52 |
Someone was asking about a Gyno in London. I went to Blossoms Inn Medical Practice (a private GP surgery on Garlick Hill in the City) and saw Dr Agius. She referred me to Sarah Creighton at the Portland Hospital (also private) and I'm now going in for surgery on my BC in 2 weeks time. Only 1 month from seeing the doctor to surgery - I heartly recommend this route!
Hope you get yours sorted ASAP.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/03/2003 Time: 17:51:31 |
| Hi, I just read the message above and was wondering what surgery you are referring to? I have my second re-occurrence of this beast and I'm going in on Tuesday (first time, they lanced and drained it and it's come back a month later). I would like to end it all now (do NOT want a catheter!) so they don't reoccur and wonder what's the best thing to do. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 15/03/2003 Time: 15:33:38 |
Thanks for letting me know that having a BC occur frequently is more common than not. I am on my fourth one in the space of 14 months. (53 years old).. I had the marsup done on the first, catheter done on the second, the third one burst on its own...(I went to work that morning, called the doctor to set up an appointment after work to get it"taken care of", then while I was sitting at the computer before my elementary music classes began I found myself praying.."Father, help me get through this day. Help me to bear the pain so that I can finish teaching. I am really scared...I may have cancer..I love my hsuband, etc....I will have to leave this one in your hands. Thankyou for all your many blessings...I love You and I know that no matter what happens in this big world You are my true source of joy and peace." About one minute later, it burst! I had a wonderful, glorious rest of the day teaching! I still went to my GYN (He is good, but he would have been really good if he had mentioned to me that having this many BCs in this amount of time was common.) He said to try to avoid at all cost the total removal of the gland...very invasive, bloody, and long and painful recoup time. From what I read in the forum, he must have been right.
I am going to try the salt sitz baths, loose and cotton clothing, and lubrication prior to sex. (lubracation problem since the menoupause thing...not all the time, but still pops up at those unwelcome times.) My husband and I enjoy having sex, and to me having the catheter ( 3 weeks without sex) and the marsup (5 weeks without sex) compared to the bursting on its own (we gave oursleves one week without sex....my doctor said I was ok to do anything that very day I went in to see him after it burst on its own) Well obviously, I am going to go with the most proactive and preventive approach possible to deal with this "bad luck" problem until someone out there comes up with the real cause, the real prevention, and the real cure. In fact, after I close I am on my way to take a salts sitz bath. Thanks for sharing!
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 15/03/2003 Time: 21:08:42 |
A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid or other material.
An abscess occurs when the contents of the cyst become infected and are localised by the confines of the cyst wall.
So you could be walking around with a Bartholin's Cyst, which in itself would present as a painless lump. When it becomes inflammed and sore, then you probably have a Bartholin's Abscess. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 16/03/2003 Time: 14:34:35 |
Very useful web page about Bartholin's Cysts
www.aafp.org/afp/980401ap/hill.html
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 16/03/2003 Time: 18:35:53 |
| I have a Batholin cyst and went last Thursday to get it drained. It still hurts and itches. How long after trying the sitz bath does it take for it to burst on its own? Mine drained that day and I guess was healed by the next day because it didn't drain any more but I know there is still fluid in it. What do I do? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/03/2003 Time: 09:47:00 |
Did you just have the cyst drained, or did the doctor perform a marsupialization of the gland? If it was just drained then there is a good chance that the incision sight has healed over and the cyst reformed. With a marsupialization the cyst is incised, drained and then inverted on itself and stitched to the entrance of the incision on the inner aspect of the entrance to the vagina. The cyst can then drain freely. The wound itself is not noticable, and apart from some itching and soreness initially there would be no long term sign that you had had the op.
Also, were you given antibiotics to take after the drainage? You need them to help guard against post-op infection.
If you haven't had antibiotics I suggest that you get some from your GP ASAP. Flucloxacillin 500mg four times a day is usual. Unless of course you are allergic to Penicillin. You will need to discuss it with your GP.
Good Luck. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/03/2003 Time: 14:52:19 |
I'm 27. In August i had an overnight stay in hospital to have the marsupiulization op on an infected b.c. the size of a large grape. I wasn't in quite as much pain as some of you have described and thought it would be useful to let you know I was advised to go straight to A&E which meant I was operated on the evening of my initial doctor's appointment. It was fortunately pretty painless for me.
I've just noticed it's back - small grape size, but not painful yet. My doctor(a different surgery) was unhelpful, said I should leave it, prescribed anti-biotics for 'if it got sore', and said I could expect a gyno appointment in a month's time. I have recently started a new relationship and have been very sexually active. I don't have any problems with lack of lubrication, but it leads me to believe my cyst has returned due to heightened sexual activity.
I'm glad to learn about spitz/salt baths. Has anyone had any luck through homeopathy? all the best. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/03/2003 Time: 20:43:16 |
In my experience you could have a Bartholin's cyst for years, but it will only get 'sorted' if it becomes infected or too large. I've had one for 6 years, the size of a walnut. As soon as it became painful and doubled in size my GP put me on antibiotics. As it hadn't got any better within 2 days, I was admitted and had the marsupialization. So far, no problems.
Theory - a good GP who knows what SHE'S doing! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/03/2003 Time: 19:28:30 |
My daughter is 15 and has just got rid of one abcess only to get another one on the other side. She is really upset and worried that they may recur for the rest of her life and doesnt know what to do to relieve the pain. This one has just burst.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/03/2003 Time: 22:06:31 |
| I got my first cyst about 3 yrs ago and for about a year I got them every month but they were very small and drained on their own. I all of a sudden stopped getting them and for about 6 months suffered from severe pain/burning in my rectum and went to several doctors but no one knew what it was. Then one month, three days before my period like clockwork, I felt the start of a cyst so I went to the hospital, got some pain killers and antibiots and went home. Within two days I had a massive lump near my vagina and the lump had spread all the way back towards my anus and into my butt cheek. I was in so much pain I can not even start to describe it. I was completely stuck in bed and had to have someone take me to the emergency room. Once there I was admitted and they did the marsup. procedure on me and informed me that the infection had went up around my rectum. Once this surgery was over everyone thought that was the end of the massive infection. Five months later, three days before my period I got another one but was living in a different city at this time and the gyno who looked at it said that it wasn't a b.c but something else and sent me home with pills. So yet again I laid in bed until it errupted on its own. Along with this nasty infection I get a really high fever and massive pain. After this one I went another five months before I got the next one and this time it was severe. I ended up in the hospital for four days and had to have to incisions because I was suffering from a b.c and a perianal abscess. I had to have home care for 2 wks following my surgery so I could have the packing in my incisions changed. The surgeons told me that they thought that I would not receive another one again. Exactly one month after this traumatic episode I got another small one. So right now, I have yet another one. They have turned into massive perianal abscess and the doctors do not know why I keep getting these. I am only 26 and am to the point where I don't think that I can emotionally and mentally handle another infection. The doctors are looking into removing the gland but they are not even sure if the two infections are related or not. It seems likely they are since they occur three days before my period and at the same time. If anyone has any advice or knows of someone else who has had the same problem I would appreciate any information. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/03/2003 Time: 14:05:35 |
To the guest above, I am your age and have suffered from these and currently have a Word's catheter in. Believe me, after reading some of the messages here I did NOT want the catheter, but it was my next resort, prior to a marsup - less healing time with this and it only has to be in for one week.
I don't know why we get these, it seems no doctor can explain them other than to go in and lance them when they occur.
These cysts suck, they have lowered my self esteem, as crazy as it sounds, but I just don't feel feminine anymore. I pray that this catheter will do it's job.
My only recommendation is, if you feel even the remotest cyst coming on, go to your doctor (an ob-gyn) because more damage is done when you stay at home hoping it will burst on it's own.
Good luck! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/03/2003 Time: 17:02:19 |
| Thanks for replying. No doctor has ever suggested a Work's Catheter before. Also, I totally know what you mean about it affecting a person's self esteem because it isn't very attractive when you have to explain this to the person you are intimate with. Its really sort of disgusting when it comes down to it. I have a great surgeon know who is really working to help me out. I have to see a G.I now so that they can investigate why I am not getting perianal abscesses. Its frustrating having these cysts because when I do go to the emerg to have it drained they will not do it until its really really bad and usually by that point it has taking care of itself. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/03/2003 Time: 17:02:19 |
| Thanks for replying. No doctor has ever suggested a Work's Catheter before. Also, I totally know what you mean about it affecting a person's self esteem because it isn't very attractive when you have to explain this to the person you are intimate with. Its really sort of disgusting when it comes down to it. I have a great surgeon know who is really working to help me out. I have to see a G.I now so that they can investigate why I am not getting perianal abscesses. Its frustrating having these cysts because when I do go to the emerg to have it drained they will not do it until its really really bad and usually by that point it has taking care of itself. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/03/2003 Time: 07:54:26 |
| I have what I think is a Bartholin's Cyst, and I am very worried about it. I also seem to be having a bloody discharge, which is very light and brownish in color. Has this happened to anyone? It is so odd for me, since I had a hysterectomy 8 years ago. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 01/04/2003 Time: 17:24:48 |
| I had a marsup done a year ago. It hasn't closed up but it has alot of drainage coming out of the new opening. Does anyone know if this is normal? Has any had this problem after this procedure? Thanks! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/04/2003 Time: 03:32:42 |
| I've got first BC back in 91 (age 19)8 1/2 months into my pregnacy with my first child. My doctor then put the balloon in, sure enough 1 week later I went into labor...I myself would not recomend that to anyone...Now here I am in 2003 (age 31)and still have the darn thing, my doctor now says we'll just keep an eye on it but if I feel I am to uncomfortable with it I can have it removed...I'm not sure what I should rely have done...It's to the point its getting painful and I just don't feel right having it there...any suggestions would be great |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/04/2003 Time: 20:08:42 |
| I have posted on here a few times talking about the horrible times I have had with BC's over the years. Turns out the doctors now think that I don't really have a BC but another problem - Fistula Abscess Disease. They say because everything is so close down there that my Bartholin's gland was getting irritated but the other abscesses and vice versa. But then again, I am finding the doctors sometimes really don't know what they are talking about! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/04/2003 Time: 06:37:59 |
| wow i can so relate to everyone here. I did not realise just how common these cysts are. I had my first cyst 10 years ago wen i was pregnant with my first child. The doctor told me that some women get them when pregnant. I had a new cyst every few weeks and (sorry to say) some doctors from hell itself. I started going to a different doctor each time i had a new one pop up trying to find one that wouldnt torture me. finally i got a female doctor and i thought my worries were over. "she's female and should understand" i thought. She was worse than them all. I got up on the table, opened my legs and she cut me with a razor blade with nothing to deaden it ! I screamed bloody murder and now as i look back.....i should of ripped her head off !! I became so depressed and so afraid of the next one to come.....but there was nothing i could do. I had my second daughter with no complications but one cyst appeared right after she was born. Ive had it for 4years and now suddenly it decides to grow. so back to the doctor i go.....Good luck ladies. Im not glad for anyone to have this kind of cyst....but im thankful im not alone. God bless and good luck. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/04/2003 Time: 14:14:51 |
My name is Silvia Sanchez, and I live in Florida.
I had my cyst for about 6 years, until it started getting bigger and annoying. Every time I went to get my pap smear, my doctor would say it was time to drain it. So, I decided to do it 3 weeks ago, and have it marsupialized. I waited this long so I could wean my 19 month old daughter. So far so good. The surgery wasn't painful, I had general anesthesia, and I was really sore for maybe 2 days, and after that, the pain was similar to the pain you feel when you have sex all night long. What my gynecologyst wants to do to prevent the opening he created to close, is see me every two weeks. He said the cyst was 4-5 cm, and it was really deep, but it was one of the easist marsupializations he ever performed. Yeah, too bad I was the one feeling the pain...
Well, anyway, i just hope mine doesn't come back, sometimes I just wish I had left it alone, even though it was getting bigger, it wasn't painful at all. Some days of the month it would be a little bigger than other days, and on those days I would experience a bit of disconfort.
I was really impressed to see so many women with the same problem. I thought I was a freak when I first had mine. I don't know what caused it, since I was still a virgin and always practiced good personal hygiene.
I wish all of you good luck, including myself. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/04/2003 Time: 14:14:51 |
My name is Silvia Sanchez, and I live in Florida.
I had my cyst for about 6 years, until it started getting bigger and annoying. Every time I went to get my pap smear, my doctor would say it was time to drain it. So, I decided to do it 3 weeks ago, and have it marsupialized. I waited this long so I could wean my 19 month old daughter. So far so good. The surgery wasn't painful, I had general anesthesia, and I was really sore for maybe 2 days, and after that, the pain was similar to the pain you feel when you have sex all night long. What my gynecologyst wants to do to prevent the opening he created to close, is see me every two weeks. He said the cyst was 4-5 cm, and it was really deep, but it was one of the easist marsupializations he ever performed. Yeah, too bad I was the one feeling the pain...
Well, anyway, i just hope mine doesn't come back, sometimes I just wish I had left it alone, even though it was getting bigger, it wasn't painful at all. Some days of the month it would be a little bigger than other days, and on those days I would experience a bit of disconfort.
I was really impressed to see so many women with the same problem. I thought I was a freak when I first had mine. I don't know what caused it, since I was still a virgin and always practiced good personal hygiene.
I wish all of you good luck, including myself. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/04/2003 Time: 02:21:32 |
| Hi. I'm 27 years old and I first noticed my cyst about 4 years ago. It doesn't hurt, it's just annoying. During my period and after sex it gets sore. But that's about it. I've been given antibiotics but they don't work. I don't think they work because mine isn't an abscess. I do have a white,watery discharge. I thought that this thing was constantly draining but it never gets smaller. I have this discharge everyday so I don't think it's the cyst. I'm having a marsup done in a couple of days and I'm wondering if I should ask the dr. to biopsy whatever comes out. If it's not an infection maybe it's cancer. I've heard that this type of cancer is rare but still possible. Does anybody know about this? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/04/2003 Time: 02:48:57 |
| This is so strange to read all of this......you see I had not ever had a Bartholin's Cyst or even heard the word before until I had my first child at 18. I am now 28. My cyst was about an inch long at the site of the gland and it got infected. (it abcessed) So, it was the size of a golf ball, really painfull and it hurt like you would not believe. Plus, I was 7 months pregnant and my female parts were naturally swollen down there because of the pregnancy so it felt horrible. This was all new to me and I was really scared because for some reason mine was kinda bloody. So, I had actually thought I was miscarring. I had my husband at the time rush me to the E.R. and I was lucky that I had my actual Ob/Gyn come see me(he was on call) Well, during the procedure (after he put a needle in it to numb me which hurt me even more!!!!!!) he told me it was like a "giant pimple" that was ready to pop. That grossed me out!!!!! He told me as he went along what he was doing.....he numbed me then cut open the cyst and squeezed it a little and it started to drain he then put a catheter that had a little defated balloon at the end, he put the balloon in and somehow inflated it with water then had the open end of the catheter hanging out which was slightly uncomfortable. I had that thing in there for maybe a month and then went to his office later and he removed it and told me that the incision he had made would remain opened to let it drain naturally. Ever since then I have not had any reoccurence.I do not know much about this but I do know as women we are just so unlucky to have so many things happen to our female parts.....Why can't men ever have strange things happen to their penises? oh I forgot....they'd be in bed telling their wives or girlfriends to take care of them because they are big babies anyway......look how they are when they get a cold!!!!! Why is it though that some women get them like clockwork before their period and for several years at a time and some just maybe once or twice and then that is it? We as women should have a research team just for us to let us know all these things you think? My sister is actually getting a surgery done later next week ( right before Easter too. Crappy huh?) She sent me all these links to read up on all of this...this is the first link I viewed. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/04/2003 Time: 19:25:57 |
| Two nights ago I came upon this site, after sufing the web and diagnosing my condition as Bartholin's cyst. I discovered a small lump a week before, and it had grown about the size of dime in that time and began to be painful as well as uncomfortable. I am 40 years old, and had a hysterectomy 2 years ago, leaving 1 ovary. I have not taken the birth control pill in more than 18 years. I did ask my mother, and she had the cysts before. As a nurse, she told me to take very hot baths, and apply very hot compresses as well as neosporin pain relieving anti biotic cream. Well the next morning after finding this site, I am happy to say the cyst obviously burst during the night....(I must say I did pray about this too...) I know some cases are more extreme than others, but I took two hot baths a day and apply the hot compresses and neosporin 3 to 4 times a day, and this obviously worked for me. I pray it does not return, and for all of you who are suffering with this to.... |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/04/2003 Time: 22:22:19 |
| I just had my first bartholin's cyst drained yesterday and a catheter was put in. I have had several cysts over the past few years, but none of them were ever tender and they always went away on their own. Unfortunately, this time the cyst got so severely infected that I was practically begging the gynecologist to drain it. The entire right side of my genital area had become so swollen and red that I could not bear to stand or sit . . . all I could do is to lay on my back. Anyways, I am feeling 110% better now that the cyst has been drained, but my biggest fear, particularly after reading this message board, is that it will come back again. At least I know that I am not alone in my experience! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/04/2003 Time: 23:26:55 |
| I do so much appreciate the time you all took to contribute to this forum. I am on the eve of going in to have my BC lanced or surgically drained. I have changed my mind. It does seem to be infected and is certainly painful but I am going to try a last ditch effort using the sitz baths and the salt and the compresses and antiobiotic ointment. I have had seven surgeries and with each one said I would never have another. They were anything but positive. If the pain gets so bad I can't stand it then I will cross that bridge. I will let you know how it goes. These darn things are so uncomfortable and we women are just lucky that way I guess. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/04/2003 Time: 15:01:59 |
| Can anyone help me out, just over a week ago I had a marsup on my bartholins abscess. I was told by the nurse to keep the hole open so it can heal from the inside out, it is still weeping but the problem is that all of the right side of my vagina is numb..has anyone else experienced this and does the feeling come back? Its my second abscess as the first one burst on its own, so I don't know how long the healing will take either. Thanks. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/04/2003 Time: 18:09:58 |
Just had a Ward's catheter put in yesterday for a
BC (not abscess), and I wanted to give everyone
the word: this CAN be done without major pain
and unhappiness! My gyno first used an anesthetic
cream to numb the area, then heavy injections of
lidocaine (but I didn't feel the needle, thanks to
the cream), and all I felt during the procedure
was minor pain and pressure, no worse than having
a pebble in my shoe. Since then, I've felt a
little out of sorts. I'm still a bit swollen, and
bleeding/draining slightly. But all in all,
it's no worse than a heavy menstrual period.
Certainly not the horrifying experience that some
previous writers have described. As my doctor
said, anyone can perform this surgery painfully;
anyone who doesn't do it un-painfully shouldn't be
doing it. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/04/2003 Time: 01:34:43 |
i just found out that the problem i've had for 2yrs. is a bartholin cyst. and now i'm taking antibiotics.
until my next appt. i would like to know what caused it ,and if i have surgery how long is recovery, as well as, is it very painful? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/04/2003 Time: 04:15:41 |
I'm not sure I would describe getting word catheter administered a "surgery".I think what many women were talking about was going under general anesthesia for a marsup procedure.That is of course not painful until you wake up in the recovery room with the maximum amount of morphine running through your bloodstream.Yes indeed there is discomfort after getting THAT done regardless of how competent the surgeon is.
Hey, there is nothing wrong with the catheter if of course your one of the lucky ones who doesn't get a reoccurence.But if you do,the only way to go is a marsup.Does this cure us?No,but it helps the cysts drain sooner than later when the pressure builds up and they get prone to infection.
If I have any advice being a bit of a veteran with these pesky and deeply bothersome things,it is to insist on only being treated by an OBGYN.So may of you are trusting your family doctors with this,and they are not trained for this kind of thing.Would you go to your dry cleaners to get your shoes resoled?? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/04/2003 Time: 04:24:28 |
Antibiotics do NOTHING unless yours is infected.(Meaning absessed)I can't believe they are being prescribed for this!!!We should never hesitate to question our doctors or gyn's.If something doesn't strike you as right,don't just sit there,ask what there justification is.Taking antibiotics needlessly means building up an immunity to them when we really need them.Be careful.
Marsup's recovery is about one week.
Entire removal of gland itself,apparantly months!!
(Not reccomended) |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 12/04/2003 Time: 18:07:14 |
| i would like to share my experience with bartholin duct cysts. mymother had cancer of them keep in mind it is very rare!she had undergone radioactive seed implant surgery (i'm guessing similar to men with prostate cancer) and it was successful for 2 years. unfortunately she didn't go for all her tratments and passed away. thed ironic thing is at 18 yrs old i was diagnosed with bartholin cysts!!!! i was devestated and worried beside grief stricken and seen my ob'gyn who said don't worry about it but in 2 mon it had grown to a golf ball size i couldn't sleep or stand with my legs together and sex was excruciating i decided to go to the dr who delieverd me & he sent me to an oncologist who told me it was99.9% non-cnacerous my dr decided to remove one full duct and marsupilize the other. it was uncomfortable urinating especially but it took about 2 1/2 weeks for the stiches to fall out and at 6 weeks i was fine it was the best thing i could have done the only side effect i have is with my period my vagina is more tender. i am now 26. the only thing i have been told is that cysts are the most common problem with these ducts & the sole purpose of them is to provide lubrication. but there are other things that provide lube below--i have never had to buy any lubricanct to have relations. i hope this helps anyone who needs info in my experience it was best to get a 2nd opinion. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 12/04/2003 Time: 21:51:08 |
Hello
The month of May is Cancer awareness month for all cancer. The Pampered Chef is helping out in the Month of May. They are selling pink Twixit Clips and Pink mini Measure all cups. $1.00 is donated from each sell to help with Cancer. I hope all of you can donate something in the month of May. Every dollar helps.... If you would like more information on the Pampered Chef items. Email me and I will point you in the right direction.
Cherissee
chefpinnt@hotmail.com
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/04/2003 Time: 19:53:54 |
Hello,
I was 15 years old when I had my first BC. At the time I was treated with antibiotics for more than three weeks until the cyst opened itself.
Now more than 15 years later I had my second one, even the doctor was surprised about the size of it. She recommended the Marsupialization and this is my second week in recovery. The pain is gone and I am very pleased with the way I feel now.
Just a note...I am still a virgin.
This gland can get infected in any woman for many different reasons. If it happened once, it's probably it will happen again. My only advice is to treat it as soon as you notice the symptoms or the cyst in your vulva. Time is very important.
The advice from the doctor who operated me was to have a very strict hygienic routine...and if you have to decide, as I did, in just a few minutes what to do about it, just reconsider your options. The Marsupialization worked for me and I am trying to keep updated with all the information about this medical procedure.
But the decision is yours.
It is your own body....just take care of it....everyday.
Thank You.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/04/2003 Time: 22:52:12 |
Im 25-- I began having BC's about 9 months ago and have had 3 now. None have drained on their own even after sitz .After the third time draining and using a cathader I Finally got an appt to get " the surgery" I wasnt sure weather I should get the marsupialization or excision, I asked my dr. and she said she was going to do both, Kinda a combination of both procedures to ensure the cyst doesnt reoccur. That was a week ago. Im currently black and blue and very swollen down there. Since my labia is enlarged and bruised it is extremely sensitve and staying in one position is the most comfortable. The unpredictability, discomfort and location as well as possible reoccurance makes this one of the most frusterating and difficult things to deal with.
I look for a reason and all I see is"Bad Luck"
I had an ovarian cyst a few yrs ag that was removed- maybe some of us are just suseptible to this knd of infection-- But why!!!!!???
Birth control, hard sex, smoking, stress.There needs to be more info on this! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 15/04/2003 Time: 21:40:16 |
| Hi, thinking about having the marsupialization done...can anyone tell me if this is a day surgery, or overnight thing....and how long dose it take to heal...compleatly....Thank you all |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 15/04/2003 Time: 21:40:45 |
| Hi, thinking about having the marsupialization done...can anyone tell me if this is a day surgery, or overnight thing....and how long dose it take to heal...compleatly....Thank you all |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 15/04/2003 Time: 23:26:48 |
A marsupilization can be a day surgery but it depends on the patient and the surgeon.All 3 of my marsup's have resulted in an overnight stay,but that is just my experience so talk to your obgyn.
They usually require a week off of work maximum,but don't let that be the same rule for sex.That you've got to wait about a month for but your obgyn will give you the definitive on that one.Good luck. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 18/04/2003 Time: 04:53:06 |
| I am 32 and also on my third absess. What really kills me is how the drs. don't seem to fully understand how painful this is. I had the cyst drained and had the cathider in and it drove me crazy. I have never felt such pain and I have had a child and a c-section. Nothing compared to the pain I had. Now my cyst is back no pain yet, I went to the Dr. he says he wants to do the same thing and clearly said to me,"I have no idea why this came back." I also have chronic bacterial and yeast infections. Has anyone else had a problem with those? I am scheduled for a catheder again, but Dr. told me it's my choice to have the whole thing removed. I don't know what to do. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 18/04/2003 Time: 15:58:10 |
Hi everyone, I'm 45 and think that my first BC abscess has just burst during a hot bath. It was becoming very painful despite still being small in comparison to the examples mentioned above. It is obviously stinging at the moment and looks unsitely with the red and open wound.
Can anyone tell me whether it is essential to now go and seek medical advice, do I need to have a catheter fitted to encourage future draining?
I would like to thank all contributors for their advice and shared experiences. In the absence of hard medical facts you have all helped to inform and reassure many readers. Best wishes to you all. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/04/2003 Time: 21:34:35 |
For the girl who has chronic yeast infections please take note that the number one causes for those are antibiotics of any kind[so don't let your doc suggest putting you on those for a barth cyst unless it is INFECTED] and birth control pills[due to high levels of estrogen.
And for the last poster,I will say it again and again,word catheter's are pointless.A real good way to ensure that you are with a knowledgable obgyn is if he/she knows the uselessness of catheters and antibiotics.REMEMBER,antibiotics fight infections,nothing else.If it is still just a cyst and not abcessed,REFUSE the antibiotics.
It has now been 4 months that I have not had a cyst at all.Funny enough I went off the pill 4 months ago,but I think it has the most to do with not having sex everyday.My partner and I make love a couple of nights in a row and than lay off for a couple of days just to give the area a rest and it seems to be doing wonders.I mean 4 months is unheard of for me.For the past 3 years they have been regular installments in my life at least every 2 months or so,sometimes back to back.The marsups I had have helped so that when I do get a cyst,it simply doesn't fill up too much before it takes care of itself.
So finding a rhythm that works for you as an individual,with a partner who is understanding and accomodating,to minimize too much friction in the area is my best suggestion. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 25/04/2003 Time: 15:52:58 |
| to the last post - Do you find that after the marsups it's still filling up? Is this normal? I've had the same done and I have to wear a mini pad every day because of all that drains from it. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/04/2003 Time: 00:43:10 |
| I had my first while uninsured and it was painful and scary. I tried the at-home treatment and it only got worse...it was the size of a golf ball in about 3 days. If you are in pain, it sounds like it is infected and you have to get it taken care of. I read that incision and drainage was not the best method cause they reoccur.(pretty much EVERY medical website) I was going to advocate for the mars. but the ER doc said that was a bigger procedure and that it wasn't true that this would likely reoccur. Has anyone had the I&D and actually kept them away? After reading all this, I am worried about resuming sex. Any advice?? I had a fairly active sex life with my boyfriend and I feel better again (it looks like it healed prop.) but don't want that pain again ever! Sorry to hear you all had to go thru it too!! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 28/04/2003 Time: 16:37:40 |
I am 24 and am on my second bartholin gland infecttion. I got my first one 2 years ago. I went to the GYNO and had it drained and had a catheter put in and I felt much better and get sore in the area sometimes but follow up with sitz baths. Now about a week ago it came back. I went to the doctor who said it was infected but she wanted to wait and see if it burst on its own. After reading this site I see that some people do have the cysts that burst on their own. Does anyone know why some burst and others don't? I am doing the baths and hot compresses, but nothing is working. It is still there and is very painful. I went back to the doctors but she said it had gotton to small and would be hard to drain and told me to come back in three days. Has anyone had luck with this wait and see approach. The last time I had it drained it was painful but it felt better than it did before I had it drained. How much luck have people had with the marsupulation? that might be my next step since it is reoccuring for me.
This site really helped me. This cyst is so hard to explain to family friends and co-workers. Even women who haven't experienced don't fully understand it. I wish everyone luck |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 28/04/2003 Time: 20:32:28 |
| Wow, I find this whole issue very insane - I can't believe that doctors haven't figured out what the heck is going on with this gland! I have been suffering from BC's for almost 4 years now. My issue has escalated to anal abscesses and fistula's. The GI's and Gyno's are fighting back and forth about what is going on - they are saying that they are not related. Then again, I have doctor's telling me that BC's are the result of another issue going on. Since everything is so close in that region, the Bartholin's gland apparently can get irritated if there is another problem elsewhere and it is your bodies way of telling you that there is something wrong. I am not sure if anyone else has ever been told this but in my case it seems to make sense! I am now going through the process of having scopes etc. for my bowels to find out if all of my problems in that area are irritating my Bartholin's gland. Anyway, I wish everyone good luck with their BC's - I hope the little bit of info I offered helps out someone else! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 29/04/2003 Time: 06:13:37 |
| Gals, thank you all for the information you have provided. It has been very helpful. I want to share my experience over this terrible disease. I developed my first cyst/abscess over a month ago. It went from painless to extremely painful within 5 days. I didn't buy a mirror to examine my vagina so I had no idea that it was swollen beyond recognition. At the end of 5th day, I went to ER. (I am in California, U.S.) The ER doctor was extremely thorough and professional. (My understanding of the difference between cyst and abscess is: cyst is the early stage with slight infection. At that stage, the treatment is antibiotics. One of my girlfriends treated it by herself by keep rubbing Krauter cream on it and it went away and never came back. That happened to her a few years back. I didn't find out about her case until recently. This has led me to believe that at its very early stage, cream with antibiotics effect can be used to rub over the area to get rid of the infection.) In my case, on the 5th day, it was at a point of no return with very bad infection. The doctor examined my rectum and way inside my vagina to make sure the infection has not spreaded. It didn't. The doctor then used a syringe to draw some fluid from my cyst. It was filled with pus. Therefore, the doctor determined mine was an abscess, i.e., a very infected cyst that cannot be cured with antibiotics alone. He operated on me right away. I would not call it a surgery. What involved was a small box cutter like knife. He used it to make a small incision around the bartholin's gland area. (When I first read your articles, no one was telling me where the incision/cyst area is. So, I'd like to add a few lines here. If you open your vaginal lips with your finger. Keep glide your finger down. It's very low, around the final bit of vaginal skin close to your rectum. Anyway, that's where my incision is. You can see the area down there with a small pocket mirror. You should be able to feel the cyst around the area I indicated. It could very painful when poking at if you are at my stage.) After the incision had been made, he used a tube like structure to push around the incision to drain as much pus as possible. In my case, it was about 20 to 25 ml. (There's no way oral anitibiotics could fight off that much infection alone.) After the pus was drained, he put a small packaging of gauz tapes in my incision to keep it open for continual drainage. I was instantly relieved after the simple operation and never felt any pain or lump afterwards. I also received one shot of antibiotics injection right after the operation. Then, the doctor prescribed two kinds of antibiotics for me for two weeks to make sure the remaining infection will be killed off. The packaging gauz fell out after a day as the ER doctor had feared because my incision was extremely small. But, that was okay. My obgyn told me it was absolutely imperative to keep taking as many sitz baths as possible after the packaging fell out (at least three a day, 15 min each). He told me the steam would prevent the incision from healing ( the function of the packaging gauz earlier) and therefore help draining the remaining liquid. He also told me if the infection is not completely gone, I would be getting another cyst later and if that happens they would have to perform bigger cuts on me next time. That got me really alarmed. I did my sitz routine for three weeks along with taking my prescribed anti-biotics. Now, I am completely recovered. No lump at all. For some of the gals out there who keep getting it month after month, I wonder if it has something to do with left-over bacteria because the original treatment didn't completely kill it off. For all of you first timers, I recommend a thorough regiment like the one I have been through. Good luck to you all! Jamie |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 29/04/2003 Time: 12:55:32 |
Hi all, stumbled on this site this morning, four days after going in for a marsup. About six months ago I felt a lump down below while washing myself. Eventually I took myself off to my Gyn who diagnosed a blocked Batholins gland. It was not an abscess, it was not sore but I kind of worried me. I am on fertility drugs and I am paranoid about getting cancer from them! Any how, the lump had gotten smaller and harder but I decided to go for the marsup. My gyn is v experienced in these procedures and only recommends the marsup. Well when she had me in surgery she found that the whole gland had seized up and I had a hard lump in there. She ended up having to remove the whole gland and has sent the lump off for testing (kind of worrying that). OUCH!!
Four days later I am still in pain. In a way I am kind of sorry I ever went in to have this done. I know that it could have turned into an abscess any time, but it was just an irritation before, now I have a seriously sore vagina!!!
Any one got any info for me on how long it will take for me be 100% ok again? At the moment I would rather shove a red hot poker in my eye than have sex its so damn sore down there!! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 30/04/2003 Time: 03:06:12 |
this is continued from my post
Re: Bartholin's Cyst
Posted By: Guest Date: 13/04/2003 Time: 22:52:12
Update-Excision Surgery post-op
HI im 25-I had an excision (entire gland removed) about three weeks ago. Im STILL wearing a pad because there is still drainage, Im still a lil bit swollen, but no bruising- I cant sit on hard surfaces comfortably and if I stand up more than a few minutes I feel a heavy pressure in that area-- but that seems to be subsiding to ( not nearly as painful as having a cyst/abcess there though)- From an excision you can expect: quite a bit of bruising, swelling, constant numbing pain and some random shooting pains for 3-4 weeks. I still have 3 more weeks until i MIGHT be able to have sex. Usual healing for removal of the gland 4-6 weeks- with scar tissue lasting maybe 2 yrs- making certain positions a lil uncomfortable but not unbearable. As far as being "disfigured" (most websites say after excsion you will be disfigured) I look a lil differant down there I wouldnt say much worse then getting marsup after marsup/ repeat incisions. I dont get why so many women have put up with so many surgerys- I had 3 reoccurances (drained by cathater)and told my dr. just to take the whole thing out- so Id be done with it forever. I looked for hours to see what other women had gone thru (post Op) after getting an excsion and found very little info. All i did read were how dr's dont want to perform this operation because its "difficult" and "bloody". Thats why im posting I figured the sooner i get it over with the sooner i can lead a normal life again without worry. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/05/2003 Time: 22:28:16 |
| To Jamie who posted 4/29. I had my first bartholin's cyst abscess two years ago and had it drained and was very happy about the procedure. I completley recovered but still got another one two years later. Some times they take time they don't have to come back month after month. For the past two years I have continued to take sitz baths quite often esp. when I have my period (because you have more bacteria down there at that time) the baths have just become a part of my life to keep bacteria from blocking they gland and causing an abcesses. So not to scare you but while it may be gone for now you always have to be careful because it can come back and mine was much worse when it came back two years later. As for me I have been careful and tried really the only advice they give (baths) and it still came back |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 06/05/2003 Time: 13:39:25 |
Wow! Reading all these postings has been a revalation to me. I developed a small bc about 6 years ago and it stayed that way for about 4 years. No trouble. Then it started to get larger but was still no trouble. Then a few months ago during the most traumatic time of my life it suddenlt got much larger (about the size of a large walnut) and became VERY painful. I went to my GP and she said that if I couldn't get it to drain by myself in the next couple of days then It would have the be "the knife". I was put on antibiotics which made it a little less sore and took hot salt baths and applied pressure with my fingers. Eventually, over the next five days, just a little at a time it drained. When I went back to my GP she said that probably that would be the end of it. I knew that she was wrong because I could still feel a small swelling in the area.
Sure enough last week, just before my period (doesn't that just make a messy time even worse) it has become tender again. I have immediately started the hot baths and pressure again and have managed to start it draining again. Also you might find this tip helpful. I found it very difficult to apply a hot water bottle or heated pad to this area and hit upon the following idea. Put a small clean pebble or stone into the microwave oven for a minute or two until it is hot and then pop it into the toe of a clean sock and hold this on the area for a while. It does seem to help.
Have any doctors read these postings and do they have any remarks to make. I think we should all make our G.P.s aware of this site.
Good luck to all fellow sufferers. At least I know that I am not alone. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/05/2003 Time: 00:50:22 |
To the lady who responded to my 4/29 post, I just bought Krauter Cream. I intend to use it next time I feel the slightest infection coming and see if it helps. My friend used it to self-treat her first batholin's cyst long time back and she was lucky not to have a recurrence so far. She told me her aunt gets all kinds of "boils" on her head and neck. She used to have to go to doctor's to have incisions. After using that cream, she was really thankful she didn't have to go anymore. Anyway, this is just what I heard from her. I don't know if it's really that magical. If you want to try, it's called Krauter Supreme by Dr. Eckstein.
Jamie |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/05/2003 Time: 22:02:13 |
I looked up this topic in sheer desperation, as I am sure many of you who have already written here did also. I am 35 years old and just over 5 years ago I noticed something was not right 'down there'. I had itching mainly and went stright to my GP (family doctor) who thankfully identified it and sent me to a specialist. At the time I was fortunate enough to have private medical insurance and saw the specialist within hours. I had surgery within 48 hours.
At the time of diagnosis I was told I had a BC, although I had no idea what that was. I asked the specialist why this had occured, he didn't know BUT he did tell me that they can sometimes be an early warning of diabetes - not seen this on the site, has anyone else been told this?
My surgery was a marsupialisation under what was described as a "light general anaethestic" (again, done without any knowledge by myself of what was involved and no choices offered). I was in surgery for around 20 minutes, awoke mercifully numb and was a day patient in hospital. After about 8 hours and after having been to toilet (nurse watching and all!) to ensure all was working I was sent home with antibiotics to stop post-operative infection. The area was sore for a couple of days, but I was well and active. After a week my stitch fell out and that was it. I had a check up after about 6 weeks I think and that was that. Or so I thought.
I was on holiday last week, and being away from home took some feminine care wipes, not a brand I normally use. Two days ago I noticed a lump and soreness when touched on my inner labia (same sight as the last BC). Now I need to get it sorted out again. I also have another cyst that my GP told me was a sebbaceous cyst on my outer labia which I have had for over 6 months now and it doesn't bother me. What I am wondering is are they connected? I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries 11 years ago and like one of the ladies above I also am curious as to whather this is all connected, being cysts of various types.
If any of you out there has any more information or would care to comment on my experience I would be delighted to hear from you.
Thanks for listening/reading. I can't describe how big a relief it is to find information on this "mysterious" subject. I wish you all every success in treating your ailments and good health. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/05/2003 Time: 10:16:15 |
| I was diagnosed with a bartholins cyst 14 years ago. I went to my GP who suggested a marsup, after a short explaination of the op i reluctantly agreed. Naturally I was scared but thought it was for the best, just wanted to be pain free. Any way I was preped ready for theatre the following day but fortunatley my pain was less, so the doc looking after me decided to give me antibiotics. These did work for me, so don't give up hope on them. I write this letter after just visiting my doc for a recurrance, I've opted for antibiotics again. I do feel scared about this problem and have never really known much about it. It's reasuring that I'm not alone, thanks girls! An interesting point made in an earlier post was the possible connection to the Pill, after treatment for my first cyst, I met my husband a year later and decided to stop taking the pill, I have been symptom free for 14 years, I recently started taking the pill again and hey presto! it's back. May be someone could do some research on it. Any how, thanks for the reasuring advice, all the best and take care. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/05/2003 Time: 03:41:17 |
Hello again everyone.Have found myself posting several messages on this board in the past and had to write with an update.
I have been off the birth contol pill for a total of six months now and can hardly believe that I have not had the tiniest hint of growth.Not one cyst!
Now I know that some of you are not on the pill and never have been so this finding may be irrelevant to you.Let me just say that regardless of whether your on the pill or not you still have hormones coursing through your body and ingest different hormones in the meat and dairy products that you eat.So what I am getting at here is MAYBE,just maybe their frequency has something to do with our hormonal balance?Just a thought,given that there are at least 2 other women that have reported the same finding.
That is not to say that I still don't have twinges and aches in the area,and that I still don't have to be cautious.But for me to say that I haven't had a cyst in nearly 6 months is unheard of.
This post may seem proposterous to some of you,but sometimes we the sufferer's are in a better position to evaluate our ailments and their causes,than the doctors who are taught to know a LITTLE about a lot of things.
Any thoughts?
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/05/2003 Time: 15:14:31 |
This is a wonderful site. So many of my questions have been answered just from reading the previous posts. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experiences.
Here's my recent experience with this troublesome cyst...
About two months ago, I started to noticed that when I went to the bathroom, as I wiped my vaginal area with toilet paper, I'd feel a small bit if pain, like I'd scratched myself or something. I didn't think much of it, but about six weeks later I felt around the area and found a small lump less than the size of a pea. It only hurt when I wiped after using the bathroom, or when I cleaned in the shower. I went to my doctor the next day who made an appointment for a month later (I have an HMO thus the long wait) to have the lump removed. However, two weeks later, the lump had doubled in size was quite a bit more painful and I was told to just walk into the HMO medical center to have the cyst removed. Last Tuesday I phoned the center to let them know that I'd be coming in to have the cyst removed, but when I arrived, they seemed annoyed that I was there, talked me out of having the cyst removed and instead performed a PAP Smear test and a breast exam. Those darn HMO's! Anyway, by the next day the pain had grown even worse. I saw my family doctor and begged her to give me tho "okay" to go to the medical center and tell them she said that it was time for the cyst to come out. Yesterday I walked into the medical center and told them to remove the cyst. A doctor (not the flakey one from last Tuesday) began to perform the proceedure to remove the gland. First the shots to numb the area were unbearable! I actually screamed! Four shots later I was slightly numbed, but still felt the pain of the incisions. Basically, when the doctor made the incision, she saw that the cyst appeared to have begun draining itself, so decided against removing the gland, and instead just drained the remaining puss (it had become infected) and left the incision open (no stitches) to promote drainage. I'll have to use a pad for a few days until the wound closes. It's still an open wound and there is some bleeding, but the pain is much less painful than it had been when the cyst was full. I didn't know that there was such a likelyhood of the cyst returning until I read the previous posts. I'll definitly keep an eye on the cyst.
Good luck to everyone else out there who has to deal with this cyst. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/05/2003 Time: 20:36:02 |
I just had to post! All of this reading has relieved me tremendously! I have been trying to figure out what kind of Dr. I can go to to finally put an end to this thing and there is no one or so it seems! But all of you really made me feel less alone and frustrated!
I have been dealing with Bartholin Cyst/Abcess for over 20 years. (I am 38.) On and off....had it drained a few times it would go away for at least a year and come back....most of the time the swelling was there but no drainage or pain....so I ignored it as best I could until it acted up again...This past year has been extremely stressful (could fill up another message board completely) but the BG wouldn't let up...I too see a connection between stress and PMS with this. I had it drained a few times and finally catherized! The swelling was finally gone! BUT it drained on a daily basis....the opening remained and every time I would go to the bathroom I had such anxiety just hoping that maybe this time it would be gone. I called the Dr. at least on a monthly basis and was told to soak...warm compressess etc. I felt like he thought I was exaggerating the discomfort....the discomfort for me has been more mental than physical! But I wanted answers! I went to my Family Dr. too, but they just agreed with the Gyno!
So I just went in for the marsupilization on 5/6/2003. 2 days later I was calling the Dr. indicating that there was significant draining and swelling. Again it felt like he thought I was exaggerating...."you know, you just had surgery and it takes time to heal, etc." I insisted on being seen and when he examined me...turns out, I was right. It came back. This time in a different place.
Also, during the marsupilization he found a cyst on my ovary. So, I have been scheduled to have that removed on 5/27/2003. I was really feeling like I just wanted him to excise the gland and hopefully be done once and for all! But yesterday when I was reading all of the above statements and how the excising of the gland is sometimes worse than dealing with the original problem, I was again feeling like I will just have to wear a panty liner the rest of my life. However, today I went for my presurgery exam and he told me that my BG and marsupilizaion is completely healed and that the problem I am having now is due to a "sinus cavity" which developed from the BG bacteria. I dont know if this is truely going to solve my problem but he plans to excise the cavity...which is no where near as complicated as excising the BG would be! I finally feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel! I will write back after my surgery and give a status!
As far as any pain with the marsupilization, it was no where near the pain I have been through with the BG! I didnt even have to take pain meds...1 or 2 advil! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/05/2003 Time: 23:46:12 |
Post Op EXCISION continued...
DEBUNKING THE RUMORS...
Its been 6 weeks since my excision--I posted two previous posts concerning getting this operation and its affects; one before the op, one a week after my excision and now 6 weeks post op. So a quick update: If you get repeat abcess' find a good dr. and GET AN EXCISION (if the cyst/abcess are causing you pain) An excision is no more painful than repeat marsups, this is just one surgery and its over, gone forever.
This is Not to say I was not uncomfortable, or that the healing wasnt painful but so was the BC as well as the cathaders. I would have to say getting an incision and packing an repacking it with gauze was by far the most pain i have ever endured in my life, Only to have a repeat bc a few months later.
Im back to normal, NO disfigurment, NO more pain standing or sittin on a hard surface and NO pain during sex (at least with lube) So I have come to the end of my journey with this pea sized gland and I hope other women will find an end to their pain and discomfort soon.
This forum helped me a great deal to relize I wasnt alone and I hope I help someone struggling with the decision on whether or not to go thru an excision surgery. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 25/05/2003 Time: 04:59:07 |
| can bartholin glands swell during menopause? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/05/2003 Time: 19:21:35 |
Hi all, I am very interested to find this site and read all the postings. I had a BC about 4 years ago and found too that doctors don't seem to know a lot about it. One doctor told me I may be a 'cysty' person. When I originally got it I was really worried as it was a big swelling and I didn't know what it was. My GP told me very little but that if it became infected I might need antibiotics. Months later it did become infected and the pain was excruciating althought it took a few days to become absolutely unbearable. In the meantime I tried all the hot baths, put cold towels on the area, hot towels etc etc and nothing worked. Eventually I went to Casualty but after waiting in vain for 8 hours to be seen I went home. A couple of days later I went to a lady doctor in the same practice as my own GP (a man) who arranged for me to be admitted immediately to hospital and I was operated on under general anaesthetic. I assumed it was a simple drainage procedure they had done but now I suspect it was a marsupialization - or rather, my current GP does (I relocated from UK to Ireland in the meantime). In fact, she seems to think maybe it was excised? Whatever procedure they carried out was not made clear to me at the time, which is a bit worrying, and now I wonder exactly what they did. I am going to write and ask them.
I still notice a swelling occasionally (which makes me think it was a marsup) but thank GOD no pain or infection so far. So good. But I feel the swelling may be related to my menstrual cycle. The infected cyst I had occurred just before my period, and I have just been to the doctor today suspecting it had come back (actually it appears that I have thrush, which can also cause swelling - something I never knew) and again I am premenstrual. Out of interest's sake, I have had another cyst above my eyebrow.
As I said, I can find very little info. about this and I would really be interested in prevention - when I thought today that it was coming back I nearly cried! Good luck to all. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 01/06/2003 Time: 13:02:14 |
Hello,
Two months ago my B-gland became swollen. I first thought that I would cure myself by taking sitz baths. Noting within days that this was to no avail, I saw my GP who prescribed not one but two anti-biotics, due to the size and advanced state of the swelling. Three days later, my swelling had increased and was excruciatingly painful. This was a Saturday, and I slowly walked to the A&E at St. Mary's in London. When I was examined by the on-call gynae. doc. he told me I would require immediate surgery - marsupuliasation to drain my very large swelling. I then waited three days and three nights for my surgery. During this time I was in ever increasing pain which was treated with pethidine and ice packs. I have had both my hips replaced which I thought was painful. Does not compare. I was told by the surgeon that my wound would heal in 3 weeks. It took five weeks, no sex, no tampons. But, what helped most in the healing process, was what I read above. After this procedure you cannot take enough hot baths. Three times a day one woman recommend. Good idea. Also take up to 10,000 per day of Vit. C. And after the baths dry with a cool hair-dryer. Sounds funny, looks funny but my girlfriend suggested this and it was the best and least abrasive way to thoroughly dry the wound.
In summary, do not wait for treatment. If you have the bad luck to get this terrible swelling and you do require surgery, do everything after to heal yourself.
Yours,
Cynthia |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 03/06/2003 Time: 12:28:40 |
Hi everyone! How reassuring to hear so many of us have the same trouble with thes flipping BC!!! You are right that doctors do not seem to have a clue! Mine was like: "Oh! that's nothing! everybody gets them..."Great!I feel better already.
I got my first one a year ago and it went naturally after 3 months.
The second one(which I am still recovering from) was so paingul and swollen that I could not walk/sit/sleep. I tried this Homeopathic remedy and it worked!!! It is called :Hepar Sulphur and it changed my BC. From being hard, it became sogt and tender and made it burst.No a nice view but a very nice feeling indeed.
My advice: do not bother with antibiotics, they do not work!!!
Good luck to everyone-S.J
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 03/06/2003 Time: 17:26:18 |
| Hello everyone. I have posted on here a few times now and just wanted to give everyone some advice. This may not apply to everyone here but it may help someone! I started getting BC's about 4 years ago and have had several over the last 4 yrs. In March of 2002 the lump all of sudden become HUGE and after that everytime I had one (every 5 months and with my period) the swelling extended around my rectum. Now, over a year later and after about 10 doctors it turns out I DON"T have a BC. I have anal abscess/fistual disease and this apparently can be misdiagnosed as a BC b/c the infection (for some unknown reason) moves forward and inflames the Bartholin's gland to let your body know something is wrong. I am finally on the road to recovery with surgeries to correct my fistula and its great! I also know of one other person who has went through the same thing - and hers turned out to be a fistula also! So I just thought I would share this with everyone. Good Luck. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/06/2003 Time: 21:23:19 |
Hi all.
I have just had my tenth bc infection in two years strating from the age of 31. I have had four marsup. ops done and the other six have been very large and have burst on their own. I have had antibiotics each time, and they have cleared up eventually. Unfortunately, my new consultant has said that I may need to have reconstructive surgery on the tissue where bc's have always occured. This has been due to having so many infections and ops. I advise if anyone can bear the pain, steering clear of surgery unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.
Incidently, my bad occurances have usually been exactly ten days before my period.
I wish that someone could give me some advice about what causes them, how at least to prevent them, and why doctors will not give a straight answer. I am fed up with being called a diabetic(prone to infections!) which I am not, or doctors insinuating that it has been caused by a sexually transmitted disease which I have not got! The strain that these infections and diagnosis causes on relationships is ridiculous. Why won't anyone give us some REAL answers
Amanda |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 05/06/2003 Time: 09:54:03 |
hi all,
This may sound crazy but I got a BC after the birth of my son two years ago...I had a lot of medical problems after the birth. Emotionally I am now a wreck. I have been so depressed and yes even felt like ending it all but my son keeps me from doing it.
My problem I didn't know what it was no one told me. I had a brief affair and I was sickened to my stomack that it was that I got tested for every STD that they had a test for..all were negative. Now it's back again..very painful and none of the doctors I have attended will tell me anything about it
It was like finding sanity when I stumbled across this discussion.
Thank you all and God bless you |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/06/2003 Time: 06:32:20 |
I have gotten septic on the last two treatments of my BC. Within 9 hours of treatment I was treated at the ER for severe flu like symptoms. I requested antibiodics for this 3rd BC. I am using salt in baths, massaging the gland to promote draining and resting. I am also training for a bike ride.
I am facing surgery as a last option. I have been told mine is very deep.
New thought: My mom took DES when she was pregnant- DES was taken until the 1970s to avoid miscarriages. It has been found to cause problems in the sex organs of the children. I have had four kids with easy pregnancies.
I have had gestational diabetes ( a warning I could end up with diabetes). A family history of colon cancer too. Does anyone else have these connections? I agree this is associated to our periods. I am grateful to find this site! Take care! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/06/2003 Time: 06:32:20 |
I have gotten septic on the last two treatments of my BC. Within 9 hours of treatment I was treated at the ER for severe flu like symptoms. I requested antibiodics for this 3rd BC. I am using salt in baths, massaging the gland to promote draining and resting. I am also training for a bike ride.
I am facing surgery as a last option. I have been told mine is very deep.
New thought: My mom took DES when she was pregnant- DES was taken until the 1970s to avoid miscarriages. It has been found to cause problems in the sex organs of the children. I have had four kids with easy pregnancies.
I have had gestational diabetes ( a warning I could end up with diabetes). A family history of colon cancer too. Does anyone else have these connections? I agree this is associated to our periods. I am grateful to find this site! Take care! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/06/2003 Time: 21:06:50 |
hi everyone,
I have a BC and have been given a course of antibiotics, flagyl and augmentin. Today I have noticed that when i go to the bathroom the urine is an awful colour almost brown/red..have any of you had this before.
I find the doctors won't discuss it with me, the old line seems to be hard luck you are one of the unfortunate few that has to get BC. I am an intelligent person but thses doctors are treating me like a fool and their refusal to talk to me as to why I have this is making me very worried.
My mother had awful problems with her reproductive system and died aged 51..I am almost 36 and find myself worrying terribly that I am going to get cancer and these doctors just refuse to answer any of my questions. I would love to have my whole reproductive system removed because of this fear and find no one I can talk to with a sympatethic ear.
Thanks for giving me the chance to talk here. God bless
Anna. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/06/2003 Time: 22:46:21 |
| Hi All...I posted on 5/23 and wanted to let you know that it appears after my second surgery the BC is gone! I too think my mother took DES and I have had many female problems over the years. I just had the surgery for my ovarian cyst...turns out that i had 3! 2 on the right and one on the Left. They took my entire right ovary and I wonder if there was any relationship between the ovary cysts and BC. Who knows...but for now....I have no BC....first time in 20 yrs! I do have something else tho...the dr. thinks it is an ingrown hair but it seems to react similar to the BC...just wondering if anyone has anything like this...it is like a cyst on the surface near the top of my vagina....it seems to get inflamed with pms, stress, horomones, and jeans....it is right where the end of the zipper sits on my jeans. In april, I joined a gym and it went away after working out for a week and drinking lots of water...however, since both my surgeries I havent been able to get back and havent exactly been watching my diet....and now it is back and killing me..i guess i got 2 out of 3 of my problems fixed. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/06/2003 Time: 20:19:45 |
I'm about to get consulted on the marsup. process, since I have had two catheters, recurring lumps etc...one Doctor is against Marsup. because she says lifelong painful sex is a possibility....I've never heard this before, and haven't seen it mentioned. Any one out there with feedback? much appreciated.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/06/2003 Time: 23:41:17 |
To the last post.I have had three marsup's done and can assure you that painful sex is not a side effect.Of course,sex is painful when you have a cyst,but that is when you take a break from intercourse anyway.Sounds like your doctor is confusing the procedure with an actual excision of the gland.Totally different and something I personally will never do.You may want to see another obgyn.One who is a little more aware!
Best of luck.Laura. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/06/2003 Time: 22:06:48 |
What is it like to have a marsup? Are there side effects? Why do you need to keep repeating them? I thought it would stay open after the first time. Have you had the window stitching done? Or laser?
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/06/2003 Time: 22:06:48 |
What is it like to have a marsup? Are there side effects? Why do you need to keep repeating them? I thought it would stay open after the first time. Have you had the window stitching done? Or laser?
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 12/06/2003 Time: 14:27:09 |
| I wonder if anyone can advise me as all professionals I have contacted have been hopeless. I had a Marsup performed one week ago today, my abscess was very large, it came up within a week, I've never had one before, now I'm back at work, still very uncomfortable. I have noticed I have a suture protruding through one edge of my excision now, it is dissolevable, must have just come through?? and I can't tell if the excision is still draining as I have so much thrush going on from a heavy course of antibiotics. I am just not sure how it should be at this stage. i am still tender, nothing like I was pre surgery or for the first few days after, I am on flucloxacillin, the site still looks like an inflamed, red lump by my vagina with an excision in it now and my Lymph nodes are all still up on that side (they were before surgery, in my groin). After a week should I expect it to be better than this? I am doing warm salt water baths daily - twice if I have time. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/06/2003 Time: 05:54:09 |
I had a bartholins cyst which turned into an abscess last year which was extremely painful. Since I had lost my job and had no insurance no one wanted to do anything with it, but give me antibiotics. It finally ruptured on it's own and I had instant relief.. 4 months ago the cyst returned. I can't even remember if it's the same side or not.. It's getting bigger and bigger..
My questions are: (1) Is there anyone who had the procedure done and paid cash? What is the average cost? and (2) What type of salt are you talking about.. I bought some epsom salt today. Is that ok or are you talking about table salt or sea salt.. Please help. I am desperate and don't want to go through this pain again. lybertti@yahoo.com |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/06/2003 Time: 06:56:59 |
Hang in there! I had a marsup only 10 hours ago. I am on pain killers so I feel fine. I am happy to say so far I haven't gotten septic! I posted earlier that in the past 2 BC's I was septic within 9 hours. I had Zythromax yesterday (2 doses to start 500 mg) then IV antibiodics during the hospital out patient stay. I will be paying for this too but I don't have a bill yet. We have a high deductable so it is out of pocket. Call the hospital or doctors office for an estimate. It is common these days to not have insurance or not enough.
I highly recommend you take several hot baths a day. You can massage the cyst to encourage drainage or rupture. I took baths with table salt. And baths with episom salts. Ask a pharmacist if you are concerned. This was before it was marsup. Now I only have hot baths.
Do you have a good doctor? This is key! Don't wait for it to get bad then you are desperate to an ER Doc. They could be fine or it could be their first time. No offense but this is painful if not handled properly! I have had 2 Word catheders done in my doc's office. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO MY ENEMIES! Rather, get put under. I know this should help with my overall recovery. Make sure you know how medicines effect you. I have had 7 medical reactions to meds that all started with my BC. I was lucky to have 4 decent deliveries by c-section and now I have this cyst and everything is an issue. Anitbiodics to Pain meds. But don't give up hope! I would do a marsup again, at this point. I will give you updates!
Again, I am grateful for all the information and support here!
Smiles,
Kate |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 16/06/2003 Time: 16:02:55 |
I would like to share my experience to give some hope to others suffering with this cyst. I am 32 have one two year old and am on the pill. I don`t know if these are contributory factors.
Nine days ago I got my first cyst. It came with no warning and grew to the size of a small tomato within three days. Very painfull and infected. Antibiotics reduced the angry infection and severe pain but the hardness wan`t going and seemed to be made worse by tight trousers and lots of activity. Loose clothes and doing nothing had a positive affect. Not enought though and I had to return to my GP today for referal to the hospital.
Well I have some good news; after a bath last night I pressed on the area and a tiny flow of yellow pus oosed from the natural duct for the gland (just inside the vagina to one side) I have been `encouraging` the drainage since last night with amazing results. The lump is half the size just overnight. My GP was delighted and said I needn`t attend hospital and to continue with two baths a day and pressing the area, only to see her if it stops improving. After reading all the stories on here I thought a little ray of hope was needed. I hope this could help someone else. Anne. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/06/2003 Time: 07:11:57 |
My wife, of 13 years, has been dealing with a BC since 1995. We have gone thru one marsup, one lancing, and one "oh it did its own thing" in the emergency room. Friday the 13th it returned and by Sunday had completely retired my wife to bed and baths. Today, Monday, the gland was removed.
We were completely aware of the risks associated with the procedure, after almost 8 years of first hand knowledge and research, and decided to remove the gland. Of course the final decision was my wifes and I most played the supportive role and tried to cover all the bases while she dealt with more pain than I could imagine. She is currently spending the night in the hospital and I am wide awake still looking for things to learn to help her.
I will try to cover the post-op recovery side effects etc that some of you may be worried about and try to present them in as unbiased manner as possible.
Best Wishes. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/06/2003 Time: 19:16:52 |
For people who have ANY questions about EXCISION SURGERY-- I have posted my post-surgery experience earlier in the thread.
If you ladies have any questions about getting an excision dont hesitate to email me and Ill let you know how mine went to help you make an informed decision (since there IS SO LITTLE info on the web about this) whether or not to go thru the surgery
trixxybdamned@yahoo.com |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/06/2003 Time: 16:05:59 |
I avoided this site because I expected the focus to be on cancer, although pleasantly surprised to see the sharing of a lot of information which is otherwise time consuming and hard to find.
I had a bartholin's cyst which evolved into a bartholin's abscess two weeks ago. After three days of strong antibiotics with no impact whatsoever, I was immediately admitted to my local hospital awaiting a marsup on the emergency theatre list. This as many of you know was an extremely worrying time. Anyway, my marsup went ahead quite successfully.
I asked some questions at the time but I really didn't have time to think before I was discharged from hospital. It's now ten days after surgery, I'm free from painkillers with next to no discomfort and I'm waiting for my dissolvable stitches to, well dissolve. But I was wondering when it is 'safe' to have sex again, since there is a rather large hole left, I obviously don't want to tear and cause more damage. And also think I may have developed thrush and wondered if treatments for this are safe to use since the stitches are still in and there is the hole.
I've read a lot of the emails which have been posted and can only thank my GP and surgeons for being quick and accurate with their treatment. They did not however prepare me for the emotional aspects. I have a very loving boyfriend who is waiting patiently for me to recover but it is still in the back of my mind that he might find me less attractive for having the hole and scarring from the marsup. Rationally this is more to do with my body image because I know he'll support me through it. I just wondered if this was similar to others experiences.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/06/2003 Time: 13:33:49 |
| I have similar questions to the with the previous post. I had surgery three weeks ago, a marsup, My stitches have now dissolved and fallen out,I am continuing salt sitz baths - only one a day as am now back at work, my hole has closed up pretty much from what I can see. What concerns me however, is that there is still a hard lump, which is slightly tender to touch firmly. I wonder if this is just scar tissue that takes time to settle down? nothing is oozing now, my lymph node in my groin was enlarged at the time and it is just going down now. So I think I'm on the mend, from what I have read I have a few weeks to go...but i am really too scared to have sex again with my boyfriend as I fear it will cause it to reoccur. Is there a safe time to start again, will there be a high risk of it forming again once I am sexually active again, I've never had one before and these issues concern me. I'm so scared of getting another one as the whole experience was horrendous and the lack of information given after surgery is ridiculous, I was left to work it all out myself, so was glad to find this site. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/06/2003 Time: 05:42:21 |
This site is great. I have learned more here than anywhere else. And of course we, the patients, are experts on our own experiences, regardless of how unavailable the medical research, knowledge and direction can be.
My story, in brief, is that I have had 5 Bartholin's cysts which all became abcesses about the size of a walnut, starting when I was about 32 years old in about 1997. Every time I have gone in for treatment, I have had instant relief from caring professionals. Lucky me.
I was so scared the first time because I had no idea what that big lump was, but I am getting more confident as I get more familiar with the treatment alternatives. I think I had just drainage the first time, then Word Catheters for the next 2, then marsupulation under local anesthesia, I think. That was 3 years ago. I went 3 years without a recurrence!!! Yipppeeeee!
I noticed that a previous writer indicated that she was training for a bike ride. The only lifestyle change that I can think of, sexual or otherwise, during the past 3 years was that I didn't ride bike very much. I used to ride stationary bike a lot when I had the other occurrences. Now, again, about a month ago I rode for about 45 minutes. Hmmmmm. Maybe no correlation. But it makes you wonder.
I believe in God and try to live a good life. As much as anything, my faith in Jesus and continual prayer have helped me to get through these ordeals without a lot of emotional scarring. As much as I believe that God is loving and kind, there was still some kind of lurking suspicion that perhaps I was "bearing consequences of my own sin" by having these occur. Without even knowing it, the brave and honest women on this website have helped me to finally fully realize that there isn't some sort of punishment associated with this yucky condition. Whew!
Last Friday, for treatment of my 5th BA, I went to the wonderful women's clinic that has been so helpful in the past. The M.D. I saw this time was very informative and put me at ease. She said I didn't really need to come in for the lancing or catheter because they sometimes burst on their own. I had never known this before. We exchanged a lot of dialogue about this, which made me feel brave enough to maybe try waiting one out sometime. It also prompted me to read more about sitz baths and home remedies, which is how I arrived here.
Anyway, when she tried to get the Word Catheter in place, she couldn't do it. Since I felt relieved from the drainage and eased about getting through the weekend, I didn't think much of it. Within a matter of days, however, the whole thing came back again, and even larger.
I had paid out of pocket, because I am uninsured at the moment. I called on Tuesday to discuss the situation. The M.D. isn't available because she is on call to deliver babies, and nobody else can comment as to whether I can have another treatment at no charge, since this one didn't "take". So, I am giving a very diligent effort to the home remedy idea and intend to apply warm compresses, take Sitz baths with salt and just bear the discomfort. It feels like somebody is pinching me down there most of the time, but if I sit just right and don't move a lot, I can distract myself for quite a while with activities that keep my attention away from the pinching. I also grunt a little and try not to keep the feelings bottled up, sharing with a few close friends about my plan.
I am confident that this will either burst on its own, or I will get another appointment, so I don't necessarily plan to write again. I would welcome any comments from others about any of what I have shared.
For the previous writer, I can say that I paid $150 three years ago in Florida, as an uninsured patient. This was coded as Bartholin Gland Marsup. Last Friday, I was billed $238 for Bartholin Gland I & D (which includes $50 office visit fee). I think I got a lot less for more money this time. The marsupialization must have been fairly effective if it lasted 3 years. This recent treatment didn't even last 3 days. Maybe that's just the way it goes. They aren't magicians, they are medical professionals.
Sigh. It will all work out.
Keep your chins up ladies. There is no reason to get down on yourself about your body doing its own thing. You are beautiful, and lovable, and nothing will ever change that. Not even a Bartholin Gland malfunction.
Oh, and one more thing. I don't believe that these cysts are similar to other cysts. If a person is prone to getting ovarian cysts and cysts on other places, I doubt that it's related. To me, this type seems to be more of a clogged passageway. I don't know what the real definition of cyst is, but I think a clogged gland is different than another type of cyst, isn't it?
Let's tell our Doctors about this web site and see if they will recommend it for their Bartholins Gland patients!
Laura Long
Dunedin, FL
111main@gte.net |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/07/2003 Time: 06:56:50 |
I realize that this message will probably get mixed in with the many other experiences being shared, but my unexperienced observation here is that most of the responses deal with the estimated 2% of reoccurances. Are these statistics incorrect, or are there women with successful sergical stories. I am 22 years old with my very first BC experience, which I have tried to neglect for the past five months, despite painful inflamations after sex. Finding this website has been both encouraging knowing that others also have this problem and discouraging realizing this is a permenant problem for many of you. After many shead tears tonight, I have decided to give this the attention it deserves, pray more, and thank God that this is not something worse. While I am at it, I would also like to thank Him for all of the understanding men out there (even if they were the cause of it.)
Good luck and God bless all.
A friend and a prayer to everyone. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/07/2003 Time: 21:36:52 |
| I have had a BC for a couple of years, although it comes and go's lately it comes more than go's. It used to drain with pressure, but recently stopped. I went to my gyn 2 days ago to have it drained. I had 3 incisions placed. 2 in the inner part of my labia and 1 on the outside. Nothing drained. I just have a large lump and a lot of pain. My gyn has suggested a marsup or possibly surgery to excise everything. I was wondering if anyone has ever had one that did not drain? My doctor mentioned the size could just be inflamed scar tissue not a cyst. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/07/2003 Time: 23:40:46 |
| I have had many cysts over the years,i'm 36 fortunately they all went on their own over time.Yesterday i went to the doctor's to see to my newest one, because for weeks now it's been very painful.I thought because she's a woman that she'd be understanding of the pain I was in...WRONG!Once I was on the table she said i had a zit like blockage and she needed to squeeze it...she had to peel me off the ceiling as the pain was horrendous, i screamed and she looked almost surprised.All she did was send me off with antibiotics saying that i was infected and would probably need to go to the gynecologist but to come back in two weeks and she would refer me.What do you advise me to do,what if the surgeon says about the catheter.I'm in scotland,so don't know what their treatments are like.Good to know i'm not alone in this,thought i was abnormal. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/07/2003 Time: 05:39:18 |
| The catheter is effective but uncomfortable. If you have one- use an inflatable ring to sit upon. My first two were treated this way. I am healing from the third that was marsup'd. All are uncomfortable and my life is on hold for one month from treatment. Keep reading the posts. I have learned a lot from all the information here! Keep soaking in hot, salt baths before the cyst is treated. Then hot baths 3 x a day afterwards for 3- 4 weeks. Just get a lot of books to help pass the time. It is that important. I even bought an inflatable baby bath to take on a short trip. I planned to use it inside of the shower for a sitz bath. Then I know it is clean and won't compound my problems. Also try the topical creams with antibiodics on the opening of the cyst. Good luck |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/07/2003 Time: 05:39:18 |
| The catheter is effective but uncomfortable. If you have one- use an inflatable ring to sit upon. My first two were treated this way. I am healing from the third that was marsup'd. All are uncomfortable and my life is on hold for one month from treatment. Keep reading the posts. I have learned a lot from all the information here! Keep soaking in hot, salt baths before the cyst is treated. Then hot baths 3 x a day afterwards for 3- 4 weeks. Just get a lot of books to help pass the time. It is that important. I even bought an inflatable baby bath to take on a short trip. I planned to use it inside of the shower for a sitz bath. Then I know it is clean and won't compound my problems. Also try the topical creams with antibiodics on the opening of the cyst. Good luck |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 15/07/2003 Time: 14:10:37 |
| Anyone? I just need someone to tell me if after doing one of these surgeries, if you can be up and about 'the next day' doing your normal activities. I have a cyst since February. After soaking in epsom salt (which I learnt from here), it went away, but came back and is now very hard. I am debating doing one of those surgeries, but afraid that I might not be able to do my everyday activities. I have a 2 year old and a 7 yr old ADHD kids and there dad is in the military right now. So what do you recommend as the best surgery I should start out with, and can I be up and about right after.. Please help. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 15/07/2003 Time: 19:41:58 |
Hi everyone. My name is Candace and I am 24 years old. I recently discovered my first B.C. two weeks ago. The doc. told me that SHE thought she should drain it and put in a word C. I told her I would think about it and get back to her. After finding this site, I decided to pray, take antibotics, do the warm towel compresses and hot baths, and see what happens. In the last few days, it has shrunk to barely noticable. Thanks to all of you women who have shared your stories, I have decided to continue treating it myself, instead of surgery. I will try the epsom salt in my hot bath and pray it completely goes away and never comes back. My boyfriend is a medical student and I will push him to find a cure for this!! I will keep you posted. My only advise to young girls who discover this is diffidently the wait and see approach, if it is not infected. From this site, it appears a majority of the women who were "cut on" had recoccurances.
To me that is an absolute last resort. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 16/07/2003 Time: 07:27:54 |
| To the second to the last post- recovery takes time. I did all the soaks and tried to avoid surgery. The risk you face- having your cyst erupt and going to an unknown doctor. Take control! Talk to your doctor, make a plan. Don't let this control you. Ask for help for your recovery. Hopefully, you will have a speedy recovery. I consider myself healed when I can workout and keep my kids and home clean. It took me a full month to feel normal. I think a marsup is the most effective. I feel like raggedy ann- with my stitches down there. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/07/2003 Time: 16:54:23 |
| Hi all, can anyone tell me if it is normal, after a marsup 2 months ago for my abscessed BC, to still have a hard lump at the site. It is tender when pushed and often aches after sex. It was my first one ever and I had the marsup but no follow up care or advice. I did the sitz baths after reading this site, but due to work commitments could only do one a day and I stopped those three weeks ago. Could it just be scar tissue or is it likely it is a cyst still? I'd be so grateful if anyone can help me as I'm terrified of going through it all again. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 27/07/2003 Time: 05:00:55 |
I have a BC ...but mine hasn't been inflammed! i've had it for 6 months ..maybe 7 ...and it hasn't gotten bigger ...i'm not having sex though.....and it just won't go away
should i try to pop it? or should i just let it be? or should i get it removed?
i don't ;plan on having sex for awhile ...but when i do (when i have a nice diamond on my finger) i don't want anything to be wrong
does sex hurt w/ a BC?
take care! thanks! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 29/07/2003 Time: 10:32:33 |
Its nice to know I'm not the only one suffering from this annoying cyst! Had my first bc in Feb it got so bad I couldn't move went straight to hospital and was rushed straight in to surgery for the marsup'd. Once out of surgery I felt great and the doctor said that I'd had a lot of bruising around the cyst which could of caused it. I'm now living in a foreign country with my boyfriend and the cyst returns if I have sex constantly and if I'm not wet enough. I've had it drained here but its expensive and its since returned. Anti botics don't work as stated several times. I found that salt baths and compresses helped me also I spend a lot of time in the sea as the salt in the water is very soothing! Its funny but I only started the pill this year and now continuely get these cysts which until now I'd never suffered with before.
Its been a great help to find this site and has completely put my mind at rest. I now know its something that unfortunately I'm going to have to endure occassionally and just try and do everything that people have mentioned here that can be done to prevent it from re-occuring to often.
Thank you to everyone for your stories and experiences with these cysts. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 29/07/2003 Time: 17:37:39 |
| To the second to the last post, I have had a cyst for about a month. Mine is also very small and not infected. I recently began having sex and it did not hurt. I did feel it get a little red and possibly irrated from all the friction, AFTERWARDS, but . . . I just pressed it with a hot towel and it went back to small and barley noticeable. Now, a month since It first appeared, the cyst is just about gone!! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 31/07/2003 Time: 02:24:55 |
| this is my 2nd posting to this site I have one question for most of you---WHY don't you get a 2nd OPINION OR GET ANOTHER DOCTOr. i had cysts on both glands i went to one doctor in New Jersey and he said alot of women get this problem. that isn't an acceptable answer. i then when to New York to the associate of the dr who delievered me 18 yrs prior and he told me to have surgery which was for me the best thing. one gland was by excesion and the other marsup'd. there was pain and discomfort but that comes with the territory i guess. i know surgery is a scary thing but the benefits ouweigh the risks on this type of operation. why do you women let yourselves go through this pain some of you for years and decades!!!???? if you have children i'm sure labor is far worse pain then being "snipped". and some women posted they had what i assume was local anastesia. just get totally knocked out!!! and my final info when it comes to sex every woman is different---some made need extra lube some positions may be uncomfy periods maybe a little more painful but not much. and if your partner cannpt accomadate your needs, then they are selfish. and yes you may have a little disfiguration( i can still see my marsup a little pouch with part of the galnd in it) but so what. who is really gonna see that except your ob/gyn who has seen EVERYTHING!!! and all of you have to keep in mind that even though the risk is slim there are cancers of tha labia besides the rest of the reproductive tract. it is senseless to go through any pain down there unless you get a uti which is sucky too or are going through labor. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/08/2003 Time: 17:07:32 |
| i'm 16. couple years ago, in noticed a lump in my vaginal area. i was young, so i didn't really say anything about it, i just used to squeeze all of the liquids out of it. this year, when i went to the GYN, he saw it and told me it as a Bartholin's abscess, and he's not going to do anything about it, because it's not bothering me. right now, i m in a lot of pain and i can't see a doctor because i am currently living in another state, my parent's (who have the insuance cards) don't live with me yet, and i dont even think i have health insurance in this state yet. My mother isn't coming down to see me until about a week from now, and that week seems too long because of the pain. if anyone knows of a way to ease the pain until my mother comes to take me to the GYN, PLEASE e-mail me at AnGeLinDiSgUiZ26@aol.com. Thank you in advance. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/08/2003 Time: 08:56:25 |
| I posted that last post. ignore it now, because i just came back from the ER a couple hours ago. I got it drained. i feel fine so far, but i guess that's because the numbing medicine didn't wear off yet. i just hope that the cyst doesn't recur . . . . |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/09/2003 Time: 20:52:33 |
| I need help....I had unprotected sex on sunday and yesterday (wednesday) I noticed that I had a dull pain in the side of my vagina so I felt around when i was in the shower to try and see If i could feel anything and theres this huge swelling down there..the pain isn't extreme but it's getting worse and I'm not sure if I have a BC or not...I've never had one before...this couldn't be an std could it? someone please help email me at xxdark_prismxx@hotmail.com |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/09/2003 Time: 16:26:14 |
I had a BC last year which grew, developed and then "erupted" within the space of one week. The doctor in A&E (where I ended up going to because of the extremity and rapid growth of the abscess) tried to squeeze out as much as possible, gave me antibiotics and told me to keep an eye on it. The pain subsided after the abscess burst, but I've always felt a small hard lump in the same area ever since. Recently the lump came back and is now the size of a walnut. I'm on antibiotics and should be seeing my doctor about possible "surgical" treatment if the swelling/growth doesn't decrease from the antibiotics. My question is:
MARSUP OR DRAINAGE?
Also, does any have any recommendations for any reputable gyns in the London area? I'm so bloody fed up with the BC that I don't mind paying whatever I need to get the damn thing sorted. Sorry for the bluntness of this, but hey, it's so darn annoying and difficult to treat.
Thanks |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/10/2003 Time: 17:48:15 |
| I would like to know if anyone else has had bleeding after a marsup of a BC. I had one done over a week ago and there still seems to be a fair amount of bleeding from the site. I too agree that the doctor's do not tell people enough before this procedure. I was dumbfounded by how numb I was and still am and how deformed I look by the cut and swelling....Anything about recovery would be most helpful. thank you |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/10/2003 Time: 19:31:24 |
I don't know if I am happy or sad to have just found this site!!!!!! I have been suffering with the dreaded BC for the last 10 years on and off. I don't want to upset anyone but I have had all of the procedures mentioned, draining with an open catheter, lancing, anti-biotics, marsupialisation and believe it or not I have had my gland removed twice and I still have the cyst!!!!!!!!!!!!! One thing I will say is that having the operation to have the gland removed is no worse than having the marsupialisation ( but obviously it's pointless because it just reforms). It doesn't "mess you up down there". But you can't obviously just go on and on having these operations. Anyone thinking that having the gland removed marks an end to the whole horror story think again because it didn't work for me. I did however manage to go a good few years after having the gland removed before the cyst came back and it was pregnancy that seemed to be the cause. That said I had it removed a second time as it "reformed" and now I am being bothered by it after just a few months. It's true that the medical profession just don't know what to do with this condition. They have no appreciation of the physical and emotional upset it can cause. I have just been passed form pillar to post. No one has ever told me how I can prevent the cyst coming back. It's horrible it is truley horrible.
A word of warning too about the anti-biotics. It seems to be the case that by the time anyone ever takes any notice of these cysts they have formed into abcesses and are infected and inflamed. You then get shoved on anti-biotics pre-emergency op and then after to control it. In my case I was on a cocktail of pills for 3 years. I now suffer with chronic IBS as my bowel has been so messed up by this.
About the birth control pill. I have never been on the pill and still have the cyst......sorry........but maybe there's something hormornal about it all?
Does anyone no of any other sources of help and information......self help groups and the like? If not maybe we should all think about doing something......... |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 22/10/2003 Time: 23:42:42 |
Hi All! I just had my first marsup with the gland removed 6 days ago. 2 days ago I started the salt baths as well as putting some salt on my pad. The bump seems to be residing. Not sure if this bump is still the cyst (it is in the same place) or if it is scar tissue. Just hoping and praying that all will be well and I will heal fine. Back to the dr in 1 mos-would have gone back sooner if not for this site and the insight that I have gained. Thank you all!!
Prayers and luck and whatever it takes to you all to find a permanent cure for this thing.
C |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/10/2003 Time: 02:40:49 |
| Well ladies i fell your pain. I have been dealing with this for about 10 years. It began when i was 12 years old and now at 22 its still here. It has gotten better over time. When this first began i was abcessing every month for about 2 years!! The entire right side would swell up so bad i couldn't even put my legs together. Month after month of lancing and draining was useless (and horribily painful) so i finally had the gland completely removed. The recovery wasn't bad, uncomforable but not that long at all. Unfortunately the removal was not a cure. It still abcessed every once in awhile. Its been about 4 years since it has abcessed but every month about a week or 2 before my period the lump comes back and is quite uncomfortable. Every time i feel it there i fear it swelling up. Mine never drains but just seems to go away. I do sitz baths and that seems to work but my gyno also gave me a steriod cream called clobatesol which i apply to the lump and surronding area. I have to say that since i started using this cream it hasn't swelled since (knock on wood). it seems to be the only thing that has worked for me. I know how you guys feel and i too am awaiting the cause, cure or ANY useful info to help. i only read one other entry on the site from someone who had it removed and is still dealing w/it. Just remember that it most likely won't cure it but it may help to decrease the symptoms. good luck to all of us!! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 27/10/2003 Time: 15:16:15 |
I am trying to read on the women who have had this cyst removed... batholins.. and i want to know if this drainage hole i have dissappears or do i live with this forever now? Anyone experienced this and gone past the stage yet and how long does it take? I have a hole the size of a average pencil in diameter..
thank you. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/11/2003 Time: 17:22:25 |
| Yes the hole will heal up and it probably won't take long. Really though the longer it stays open the better because the more it will drain and the less risk you have of it reforming. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 05/11/2003 Time: 15:15:39 |
Hi,
This is a great site, it stops me from feeling lke a freak. I have a large Bartholin's Cyst right now and it's painful, Im at work and I can't concentrate. I really want to take a few days of but I can't think of a good excuse to Give my Boss.
I agree with some others as I don't think it has anything to do with sex or the pill as I am a virgin and I still get them regularly. Neither do I think there stress related (although I am quite stressful Now) I read somewhere that Tree Tea Oil may help so I will try that and then pray as I don't see any other options. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/11/2003 Time: 21:34:59 |
i had worked out right before my period alot and noticed a small bump. now i had gotten bumps but they were more twords my leg crease. mostly after riding bike, those lasted a week and went away. but this one was more on my genitals so i went to my doctor and she said it looked like a bartholin cyst and that i also had bacterial vagitosis (when the bad bacteria takes over all the good bacteria), perscribed me antibiotics for a week and said to take baths. the anitbiotics did take the infection away. it was very tender to the touch at first. i went to my gyn after 3 weeks b.c. the lump was still there and she told me about the options of draining and marsup. i was devistated. then i found this web site that just made me even more scared, but i didn't feel like the only one with this horrid problem. my gyn said let's wait one more week. i tell you i took baths 3 to 4 times a day as hot as i could b.c. it was getting smaller. and thru all this time, i kept a good outlook for myself and believing my body would heal itself. how you feel affects our bodies more than you would believe. and a week later it did go away. it's been 6 months now with no other problems, i'm just afraid to work out as much as i did. i don't know if the friction along with the infection is what caused the gland to clog or what.
please have faith in your own body, it helps alot. Take care of yourself. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/11/2003 Time: 21:34:59 |
i had worked out right before my period alot and noticed a small bump. now i had gotten bumps but they were more twords my leg crease. mostly after riding bike, those lasted a week and went away. but this one was more on my genitals so i went to my doctor and she said it looked like a bartholin cyst and that i also had bacterial vagitosis (when the bad bacteria takes over all the good bacteria), perscribed me antibiotics for a week and said to take baths. the anitbiotics did take the infection away. it was very tender to the touch at first. i went to my gyn after 3 weeks b.c. the lump was still there and she told me about the options of draining and marsup. i was devistated. then i found this web site that just made me even more scared, but i didn't feel like the only one with this horrid problem. my gyn said let's wait one more week. i tell you i took baths 3 to 4 times a day as hot as i could b.c. it was getting smaller. and thru all this time, i kept a good outlook for myself and believing my body would heal itself. how you feel affects our bodies more than you would believe. and a week later it did go away. it's been 6 months now with no other problems, i'm just afraid to work out as much as i did. i don't know if the friction along with the infection is what caused the gland to clog or what.
please have faith in your own body, it helps alot. Take care of yourself. |
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DIFFERENT TREATMENTS FOR BARTHOLIN CYST |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/11/2003 Time: 17:31:16 |
My name is Melanie and the first time I had bc was around 20 years old. It was the size of a golf ball and I can hardly sit! Eventually it went away but it kept coming back once in a while when I had sex. At one point the sucker completley became non existent. The straw that broke the camels back was when I finished having sex with a partner this year and it was enlarged again. It was not painful at all just large so I immediatley started taking plain soaks in the tub which didnt work. not knowing i had to put salts in it. i went to the doctor who said that it was not inflamed ( this is after 1 week of soaking) but he wanted me to drain it. I said NO because I know there are other ways of beating this thing and if worst comes to worse i will have no choice but to go under the knife.So after doing some research I found a site that gives you herbal alternatives if you have a bc. I have been taking a pill that contains BORAGE OIL and also PRIMEROSE OIL. the borage oil works the quickest. After being depressed coming home from the doctor I went to buy a bottle and im telling you less than 3 days my cyst was going down. I take one pill day. As for the sex....EXCRUCIATING! mainly b-cuz I havent had sex for about a month and a half and when i do im so nervous of that i dry up completely but eventually after the pain subsides it feels okay and the cyst does not enlarge. Now Im gonna concentrated on taking epson salt baths along with my pill and see what happens.
Here is a list of stuff that worked for ME:
1. Purchase BORAGE OIL or PRIMEROSE oil at a herbal store.
2. I noticed that certain strong soaps like Irish Spring or Dove do irritate the bc. So I use Nutragena body wash (used for acne)
3. ANTIBACTERIAL CREAMS DID NOT WORk Ive spent a lot of money buying over the counter creams which were a WASTE of money.
These are the only things Ive been doing so far which are working. If anyone has any questions email me at honeybee_24@hotmail.com
I will keep you posted on any results.GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 22/11/2003 Time: 03:52:40 |
| I have also found that applying wart remover on it (treat it as thought it were a wart) for as many treatments as necessary. This usually eliminates it-this is a painful treatment but not near as painful as surgery and the cyst should be gone in a few days at the most. I have only done this on small pea sized ones. If you choose to try this - I wish you the best of luck!!! and Gods Blessings too!!! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 01/12/2003 Time: 06:39:33 |
| oh god, you guys! I'm 18 and terrified. I'm a college student at a college I can't really afford, come from a broke family that wont help me anyway, and my health insurance expires in a month....and accourding to what I've read....this isn't going to stop?! It is really starting to depress me (I get depressed in winter anyway). The last 4 months have been hell for me! It is so painful and soon I won't be able to even afford treatment or medicane. I live in a dorm with communittee bathrooms and no tub, on top of it all. I need help getting through this. I can't live like this my whole life. My doctor told me it wouldn't happen again after the word cathider but I'm not lieing down typing b/c I have a headache! I really need a friend that knows what I'm going through and that can help me through....I'm scared...alone...broke.....and surrounded by quacks. Please feel free to e-mail me at heartstorm29@hotmail.com Good luck to all! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 03/12/2003 Time: 03:28:57 |
I found a baby bath that is inflatable is a cheap and sanitary idea you could use. I bought one to use in the shower while I travel. That way you can sit and soak in hot water. In the dorm, go soak as long as you want at weird times. The late nights or early morning. Go to Planned Parenthood for help.
Do not use the wart remover!!!!! That is a really bad idea! Just keep reading the basic ideas here.
This gland gets blocked up- use heat (heating pad and soaks in salt water) to encourage drainage. There is gynelogical help available for those in need.
I believe the marsupilization is the best way. I have had 2 word catherders that only lasted 1 year maximum.
Get help. Even ER doctors can help you. There has to be a place to go. Get information here and read all you can. Be your best doctor! Be informed.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 06/12/2003 Time: 21:29:01 |
I am a 27 year old, married woman. I have had a number of medical problems and this is just another one to cope with. I just noticed a lump last week and went to the dr because it was painful and sore. She told me it was BC and something that just happens to some women. She gave me antibiotics and told me to come back 5 days later. I just went back today and the lump has not changed however, the anibiotics did help with the pain and soreness.
I am going in for surgery (marsupilization) next week. She said if I did not get this done that the cyst wouldn't go away.
My question is does anyone out here have BC and any other underlining "female" issue?
I have endometriosis and BC. What is concerning me is that all of my issues seem to be on my left side. My endo surgery resulted in the removal of growth on the left side of behind my uterus. My BC is on the left side too.
I hope that this marsup procedure will make this my first and only occurence of BC but from the sounds of the other women here they seem to come back.
My husband is not the most sensitive when it comes to female issues and "not getting any" so for those of you who have sensitive and caring men, consider yourselves blessed.
Thanks for all the info. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/12/2003 Time: 02:46:17 |
| I don't know if this will work for anyone, and I don't know if it's a bad idea or not.. but I was browsing through a pharmacy one day and came upon the 'epsom salt gel'. I purchased it and applied it to my BC four times a day, wearing pantiliners. I find that it will reappear when I am definitely under stress. Because of the menthol, etc, it has a burning sensation when first applied but goes away in less than 2 minutes.. This burning sensation is NOTHING compared to the pain I feel when my first BC got infected where I couldn't walk, stand, sit, nothing, but cry. If you want to try this let me know how it works for you. Just apply it around the cyst.. It's not for use inside the vagina as that would be more burning. So far I'm doing very well.. It's almost gone. Just keeping my fingers crossed and trying to be a stress free as possible so it won't return.. I've had this since February and nothing worked. Actually, the sitz bath worked the first time and never worked again. With the epsom salt gel I didn't even bother to do sitz bath. I just want to let someone know of my experience as I got a lot of help here. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/12/2003 Time: 16:03:41 |
| I had two absesses in the mid eighties. The first was marsupilized and came back, the second was removed. Both were very, very painful and I had emergency hospitalisation for both. Since the second one, touch wood, they haven't come back. However I did come off the pill (it was some years later though) and I do believe in getting a lot of air around 'that' area, so that I don't get a build up of bacteria, heat and dampness. I am also very careful after sex to wash very carefully. Cotton pants are good. Part of my labia was removed, but sexual intercourse is not a problem and everything still works ok! It's actually quite a talking point! There is hope for us all - you just need to bully your doctors and get things done - NOW. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 12/12/2003 Time: 21:46:56 |
| I had a marsupialization of a Barholin cyst 3 years ago and am still having pain. I had it the day after surgery and still am having it. It's like a nerve got affected and I feel a pulling. Anyone else have this? Thanks. I'd appreciate hearing. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 12/12/2003 Time: 21:46:56 |
| I had a marsupialization of a Barholin cyst 3 years ago and am still having pain. I had it the day after surgery and still am having it. It's like a nerve got affected and I feel a pulling. Anyone else have this? Thanks. I'd appreciate hearing. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/12/2003 Time: 16:38:13 |
I wrote in here after my first operation in January. They said they had removed the whole gland and I was in a great deal of pain for a long time. But they hadn't so i had another operation (marsupialisation) in April. That didn't work either. They want to try and remove the gland again. I keep putting off the operation. I don't think its the answer and its failed before anyway, also the scar tissue from the first operation has made it very unlikely that a further op to remove the gland will work. I am working with a homeopath to try and resolve what i think is a drainage problem within the lymph system linked with hormonal imbalances. I wouldn't advise surgery to anybody and there is nothing more depressing than thinking you are on the mend for it recur again and again and again. I get it every 2 months. Last month I had it so badly it was severly infected and gave me a very high temperature - that was depressing because I'd hoped I'd got rid of the infection.
It makes me angry that the medical profession see cutting things out as the solution. I was totally butchered in the first operation. I will certainly try all the homeopathic remedies mentioned here and am working on building up my immune system to cope with the infection. Good luck to everyone else. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/12/2003 Time: 19:21:44 |
Hello,
I'm so so pleased to hear that I'm not the only person to have had this problem.
I first developed a BC about 3 1/2 years ago when I was 28 - a few months after meeting my now fiance (Oh - he has endured as much as I!!!) Despite months of strong antibiotics - it did eventually become infected and I was admitted to hospital immediatly. Fortunatly - it burts and that was the end of that..........or was it?
Soon after - the other one started. However, this one did not become infected but did end up being the size of a golf ball. Unlike the infected cyst - this was not painfull or sore - and sex life was as it would have been without it being there. My only problem with this was that I was getting frequent urine infections - the type where you can't pull yourself from the loo for hours as you want your insides to drop out!! This, obviously resulted in frequent antibiotic courses - which is never really a good idea for total well-being. Because of this - I went to see a Guy-cologist to sort it out.
I had a marsupialisation - which, all in all - wasn't too bad. At that time - I lived in London as I was doing a University course - a long way from home and family. (but my fiance was still with me...poor lad!)
Recovery wasn't too bad - although I was not told to remove the gause from the wound - therefore this resulted in it getting infected (more antbiotics!). I was at home for a week and then resumed normal life. I was sore, yes - but I endured it without any problems. However, I received no after care from the NHS hospital and was left to visit GP's - who, with all credit to them, I don't think had ever seen this procedure and therefore didn't really know how it should have looked anyway!
Two years later - I have no real problems with redeveloping cysts. I did have a reoccurence on holiday 5 months ago which did spoil things (especially sex life) but there you go - I 'nursed' it and, thankfully, it went.
My problem now is the effect after the Mars op - sexual intercourse is still quite 'dry' and can be very very sore. The hole down below is still large and has not reduced to the size of a pin prick as I had previously thought would happen. Does anyone else have this problem?
I know I sound very 'matter of fact' with this problem - but I do sympathise with the pain and the 'plagueness' of this disease. Its not nice and is flippin horrible when you just want to have a normal life (and sex life!)
So what causes this? I'm interested in the lady who mentioned IBS. I'm a sufferer of IBS - but not as much now as I used to be-. I'm also unsure about the contraceptive pill. I wasn't on the pill when they originally developed, but was when I had a reoccurence recently. I certainly think that the actual act of intercourse is a contributary factor - especially if slighly on the 'dry' side. I also question the build of sufferers - the only other person I know that has had this is also a slight person as I. I would be interested to hear opinions on this.
Indeed, there desperately needs to be more research in this field. I seem to get the impression that no-one is interested in this condition. Where are the pamphlets? The information? The counselling? What about television documentaries? Ive not seen anything! Apparently, it is a relatively common problem - so why am I having to go on this web site for information?
I would really be interested in hearing if there is any research being carried on this condition as this is the only way things will improve for people like us! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/12/2003 Time: 22:47:36 |
Hello from the Great Nothwest of the USA,
I monitor this site to see if anyone has had any luck with their treatment. I have learned a lot with everyone's open and honest ideas.
Did you know that if your doctor attempts to remove the gland and misses just one cell in the area the gland will return! No wonder this proceedure is not a favorite of doctors.
I am the person with the IBS. No, I am not slight but tall and big boned. I believe the antibiodics the doctor uses to treat the cyst is too hard on our systems. I believe using an IV while the cyst is being treated is the most effective way with a follow up of anitbiodics. I have had 3 infections. The last was marsupilized in a hospital. The other times I had the word catheder put in (torture!!!). I have gotten septic after the cyst was drained.
Dryness is definitely an issue with the cyst. If you are dry you could cause small tears. Not good. An active sex life definitely causes problems. Needless to say the cyst takes care of the last item.
I have searched in the US for anyone working on this issue. Most ob/gyn will tell you that this is common. Most tell you that the word catheder is the way to go. The word catherder will form a new tract for the gland so it is able to drain and not become fluid filled then infected. For me I had a tract last for 1 year the first time, 1 1/2 years the second and the marsupilization is holding at 7 months.
I believe the doctor who would perform the best surgery in this delicate area would be a gynelogical oncologist. Unfortunately, there are a few and the wait to get in to see them is one year. They work in this area thus they should know the different tissue planes they are working on. I don't think I would ever have this area worked on by a regular ob/gyn with little experience. You should not be mutalated by a doctor. It is very important to have the tract to the cyst heal properly not leaving a gaping hole.
I have a young daughter who is just potty trained. She doesn't always wipe well after urinating. I read that you can add 1/2 cup of vinegar to a tub of warm water for girls if they are getting red on their labia. The vinegar cuts the urine on the skin and promotes healing. I wonder if that would help anyone who is getting urinary infections. My pediatrician believes that if girls don't wipe themselves well after urination that can build up bacteria and lead to the urinary tract infections.
I have seen many doctors since my last bartholin cyst. I wanted to rule out all the things we have discussed. My conclusion is the cyst is caused when an unknown bacteria blocks the track to the cyst. The fluid builds up - especially after lots of sexual activity. Shortly after the cyst is infected. I have never had it drain on its own. The salt water soaks help. When you have a cyst lots of baths 6 times a day and a heat source on the cyst helps. I did try antibiodic cream on the opening of the gland. Good luck to all and keep us posted! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 22/12/2003 Time: 21:40:13 |
| Ok, I don't understand. I've only had work done on the absess, not the cyst. Yes the cyst is bothersome when trying to go for round two with a loved one but it comes and gos. The absess which I now have for the third time in a year and a half is unbearable, after two days already the size of a golfball. This idea of it draining as a cyst seems possible seeing that mine would come and go un noticably and would also explain strange odors sometimes. Lets face it, preventing the infection seems impossible, we all have natural bacterias on our skin, our mouths, all of which comes into play during sex. But why can't we figure out why the gland gets clogged in the first place? Is it lubes like KY and such? Is it the spermacidal fluid in some condoms? I refuse to accept that I just have to deal with the fact that enable to enjoy every aspect of a loving relationship that there has to be unpredictable pain. I've been with the same person sexually through all 3 of the absesses and on and off the pill, Ortho and Yasmin. There has to be a cause for the clogging of the gland. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 22/12/2003 Time: 21:46:22 |
| I wrote the last posting and wanted to also ask if anyone has noticed an increase in yeast infections since having the cysts? I know antibiotics bring about yeast infections but I haven't been on any for the absess. Anyone? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 22/12/2003 Time: 21:55:28 |
| What is the difference? A cyst is fluid build up due to clogged gland, and an absess is an infected fluid build up in the gland. But what is the difference between the lancing, marsupilization, and catheter methods? When mine absessed, my gyno cut it open, used antiseptics and stuffed it with gauze which was removed after 3 days. Not too painful, but now have 3rd absess in same gland.Can someone explain the methods? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 22/12/2003 Time: 22:02:27 |
| To you that say going off the pill reduces the occurance of cysts/absesses: is itgetting off the pill itself, or is it the reason for getting off the pill - the decrease in sexual activity that is the link? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/12/2003 Time: 06:31:09 |
Topic Overview
Symptoms
Exams and Tests
Treatment Overview
Home Treatment
Related Topics
References
Credits
Bartholin Gland Cyst
Topic Overview
What is a Bartholin gland cyst?
A Bartholin gland cyst is a saclike structure usually filled with fluid that forms in the Bartholin gland. The glands are located in a woman's external genital area, or vulva. They are found in the skin folds (labia) that cover the vaginal opening. The glands are normally the size of a pea and provide a small amount of fluid to the vulva area.
More than one cyst may be present. Bartholin gland cysts may range in size from a small marble to a golf ball size, and they grow slowly.
What causes a Bartholin gland cyst?
Bartholin gland cysts form when the glands become blocked and swell with fluid. The cyst can be in the gland or in the tube (duct) draining the gland.1 These cysts are not usually infected, do not usually cause pain, and may go away without treatment. Most women do not need medical treatment.
It is extremely rare for a Bartholin gland cyst to become cancerous (malignant tumor). Bartholin gland tumors are usually found in women age 60 or older.
Is it possible to prevent a Bartholin gland cyst?
It is not possible to prevent these cysts from occurring, but early treatment is very effective. In rare cases, surgery in the genital area for other reasons causes Bartholin glands to become infected. Bartholin gland cysts are not usually caused by or related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
What are the symptoms of a Bartholin gland cyst?
The symptoms of a Bartholin gland cyst vary.
If the cyst is not infected, a painless lump in the vulva area is the most common symptom. You may also have redness or swelling in the vulva area. A Bartholin gland cyst can swell from 0.25 in. (0.64 cm) up to 3 in. (7.62 cm). A woman may find the cyst on her own, or her health professional may notice it during a physical exam.
If infected, a Bartholin gland cyst forms an abscess that can grow in size over 2 to 4 days and is usually very painful. If extreme pain limits your activities, even walking, then the gland probably is infected. Infected Bartholin gland cysts almost always need to be drained to heal. Some abscesses will break open on their own after 3 to 4 days. An abscess that opens on its own should be checked by a health professional to prevent complications.
How are Bartholin gland cysts treated?
Treatment measures for Bartholin gland cysts vary depending on the severity of symptoms and may include home treatment (taking nonprescription pain medications, soaking the genital area in a sitz bath), taking antibiotics, and/or having surgery. Treatment depends on:
The size of the cyst.
Whether the cyst has recurred.
Whether the cyst is infected (abscess). An infected cyst needs to be drained and is usually treated with antibiotics.
A gynecologist or family physician is trained to treat Bartholin gland cysts or abscesses.
Treatment measures for Bartholin gland cysts in a pregnant woman will depend on the severity of her symptoms and whether an infection is present.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/12/2003 Time: 06:36:57 |
I added that information from the Microsoft Website under Health. I hope it helps answer some questions.
Treatments are at that website too. The website Health A-Z is good too.
To the question of whether yeast infections are more common- YES! What a pain. The treatment Diflucan is great for a one time treatment that last for 10 days. It is hard on your liver so you don't want to stay on it too long.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 05/01/2004 Time: 03:47:49 |
It is somewhat reassuring to read your tales of the barthelin cyst as I had my first one 30 years ago. It was erupted on its on after two days in the hospital. The Dr. told me he went in to clean it all out and left a drain. He reported it was the size of a grapefruit inside. Two months later it was back again. This time without telling me what he was going to do, other than to say, it won't ever come back again, he removed the gland. Several years later, I got one on the other side and it was lanced, marcupulated and drained too many times to remember. The emergency staff was always insistant that a std test be taken, even though I always said it wasn't necessary. As I sit here now my remaining gland is swollen and painful again. It has been lanced so many times, it will ruputure on it's own sooner or later.
So, after 30 years of having a cyst at least once a year let me tell you what I have learned. I believe initially the use of Norforms ( a greasy vaginal cleaner) might have caused the first one. Wearing tight fitting pants, panties included or any that continually rub that area will bring one on for me within hours. I have not found that intercourse has caused any. Obviously, lubrication is an issue for me, but most are greasy and might tend to re-plug the gland. Honestly, water works pretty well. I hope you all have a much easier time with these cysts than I. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/01/2004 Time: 18:52:33 |
| I've had a Bartholin's cyst drained just before my first child was born in 1997. I've since gotten a second one drained just before my daughter was born in 2001. Now it's recurred again. I't's not painful neither does it prevent me from having sex but I don't really like seeing it & it's about the size of a golf ball. Are there any over the counter antibiotics/medicaton that I can use |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/01/2004 Time: 23:15:43 |
To the person who asked about yeast infections - Yes, there is a definite problem with yeast. After recurring Bartholins every 2 months, for the past 2 years I know yeast is present. I had chronic yeast infections until I went on a no sugar, no yeast, dairy, vinegar, wine diet. Antibiotics give you yeast infections and half the time don't work on the real problem because no new ones have been developed since the sixties - they sometimes miss the infection. If you do use antibiotics - and sometimes you have to - take a pro-biotic afterwards (all good health stores). I should know, I've had 2 operations this year under general anesthetic and am determined not to have another one.
I do think it is hormone related, but have not had problems with the pill as I haven't taken it for 10 years. Personally speaking, it doesn't always relate to sex, it comes up anyway regardless.
What nobody seems to be able to tell you is why that particular gland gets blocked and infected. Also its insulting when a doctor basically tells you that it is because you have bad hygene. I'm 38, I never had one until 2 years ago, my toilet habits haven't changed. I am convinced that the lymphatic drainage system is the crux of the matter. If anyone else knows anything about this, I am always checking this site. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/01/2004 Time: 23:15:43 |
To the person who asked about yeast infections - Yes, there is a definite problem with yeast. After recurring Bartholins every 2 months, for the past 2 years I know yeast is present. I had chronic yeast infections until I went on a no sugar, no yeast, dairy, vinegar, wine diet. Antibiotics give you yeast infections and half the time don't work on the real problem because no new ones have been developed since the sixties - they sometimes miss the infection. If you do use antibiotics - and sometimes you have to - take a pro-biotic afterwards (all good health stores). I should know, I've had 2 operations this year under general anesthetic and am determined not to have another one.
I do think it is hormone related, but have not had problems with the pill as I haven't taken it for 10 years. Personally speaking, it doesn't always relate to sex, it comes up anyway regardless.
What nobody seems to be able to tell you is why that particular gland gets blocked and infected. Also its insulting when a doctor basically tells you that it is because you have bad hygene. I'm 38, I never had one until 2 years ago, my toilet habits haven't changed. I am convinced that the lymphatic drainage system is the crux of the matter. If anyone else knows anything about this, I am always checking this site. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/01/2004 Time: 23:34:04 |
Hi everyone - it's nice to know we're not alone with this problem! Just a quick note to let you know my experience: my BC manifested about ten years ago (walnut-sized), but because I tend to be scared of medical procedures, I put off dealing with it all this time.
Just yesterday I had it marsupialized; after reading of the experiences posted here, I was braced for major trauma, but it was practically NOTHING!! Just a bit of pain (~10 seconds) while injecting the lidocaine, and some soreness yesterday and today (basically the same as for any scrape or cut anywhere - nowhere near the level of pain I expected given the sensitive location!).
Of course it's too early to tell what the long-term outcome will be, but I wanted to post this to let you know that at least for me, marsupialization was a totally minor procedure despite my fears. I took the afternoon off, but really I didn't need to have, and am up and about today. (Of course, I am wearing loose clothing and chose not to go to the gym today, and it will be at least 2 weeks before sex, cycling, or similar activities - but all in all, this was so much less than I was expecting, I was practically in tears of relief!)
Best of luck to all of us with this annoying and understudied condition. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 24/01/2004 Time: 10:04:16 |
| I was diagnosed with a Bartholin's abcess for the first time about 10 days ago; I am also 23 weeks pregnant. My ob/gyn doctor numbed the area by injecting lidocaine and then aspirated the abcess. I was then started on Keflex. 3 days later, the abcess was much larger and much more painful. Under general anastesia, my ob/gyn Dr. performed a marsupilization. I am now about 6 days post op. I had packing in place up until about 1 day ago, when it fell out on it's own. I have had 2 post op visits with my Dr. since the surgery, and he says everything is progressing normally. However, I am worried to death because I continue to have alot of pain and swelling in the area, and I can now feel a hard knot where the abcess was. Is this amount of pain and the knot normal? Please, anybody with similar situations or advice HELP ME! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 25/01/2004 Time: 05:32:07 |
Wow! Hang in there! You have been through a lot but you will survive. Get a lot of rest now. The swelling and pain is part of the recovery. Keep taking the pain medication to keep yourself comfortable. Your doctor should know what is safe to take while you are pregnant. If you try to skip the medicine, you and the baby will sufffer more. Be good to yourself.
Since you are pregnant you should not soak in the hot water, but you still need to sit in a little bit of water several times a day. A small squirt bottle with warm water after each bathroom break keeps the area rinsed too. Have you asked if the stitches will effect your chance at a vaginal birth? If you do need a c-section, I have had 4 c-sections and they are okay. Good luck and review past postings for good ideas. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 25/01/2004 Time: 18:54:38 |
Had the marsup just over a month ago and there's no pain whatsoever! Have been suffering with it on and off for 3 years and now all i have is a funny flap inside which is small and not painfull!
It healed really quickly because i used calendula tincture diluted in cooled boiled water so if anyone else has the marsup i really recommend using the tincture!
Havent tried having sex yet and was on here to ask how long i should wait?............
Anyway do have the marsup, it was such a good thing for me to do.
Good luck everyone! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 29/01/2004 Time: 23:34:47 |
| Hi, I have had 6 bartholin abcesses in 1 year. I had marsupialization done, a cathedar twice, an incecision with drainage, and 2 spontaneous drainages. When i had marsupialiation done they packed it with gauce and i had to remove it (this was torture, taking me hours to pull it all out). I'm wondering if others have had gauce put in after masup and how long they left it for? My last time the cathedar fell out in 2 days, so i'm not sure what to try next time. Has anyone has laser or silver nitrate treatments done? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 01/02/2004 Time: 11:59:55 |
Like many have said this site is both a blessing a curse, comfort is found realizing that you are not the only one in the world with this problem, and curse with knowing that they come back in some cases.
I am 29 years old, big boned, no diabetes, no birth control, but flare ups with the BC would happen before and during menstration. Leading me to believe what has been stated that they must have something to with hormones.
To make a long story short, I had I&D (Incision & Drainage) done to an abcessed BC, almost 2 weeks ago. I am high risk group for being put under, smoker, overweight, at the time had eaten and drank before I was in there (it was emergency surgery), had taken tylenol 3's that were given to me by a doctor from the emergency room at the hospital the previous night. They tried to give me a needle in my back to numb me from waist down, but that didn't go quite as planned, needless to say they injected the stuff into the iv to make me sleep.
Now you see what my problem is, is that I was under the impression this would solve my BC problems and now to find that the marsupulation surgery would atleast give me some chance that it wouldn't return wasn't done. As I see it now this I&D was just temporary relief and now when all these stupid stitches (9 so far have come out that I have seen and more are in there),and the area is not hurting anymore this cyst is going to come back. I wasn't informed of other options, I didn't know that there were different ways to handle this. I realize that it was abcessed and I was in a great deal of pain, but these other options should have been explained to me and they weren't. I just am shocked and feel like I have undergone this for nothing.
The thought of going for further surgeries is not only scary because of risk factors but depressing and quite honestly if it happens again I think I will just pray for it to burst on it's own because I can't emotionally or apparently physically handle more surgeries. In the meantime though I should just start praying now that this was all the little bugger wanted was releasing and it won't reoccur, there is always hope I suppose.
To all you women of have had multiple surgeries my warmest thoughts go out to you, it has to be very hard, imagining it is one thing, living through it is another. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/02/2004 Time: 03:59:15 |
| I have been told (by a supposive surgeon) that bartholin abcess' are caused by shaving the genital area with soap. Can you ladies please comment on whether you shave that area and/or whether you think it may be related? I stoped shaving after the 5th one, then didn't get an abcess until a few weeks after i decided to start shaving again. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/02/2004 Time: 23:21:59 |
| WHAT DOES THIS CYST LOOK LIKE |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 03/02/2004 Time: 01:29:44 |
| you can't exactly see the cyst unless its fully abcessed then it swells and is visible as one side of the vagina is much larger then the other. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/02/2004 Time: 03:59:42 |
I have had 3 bartholin cysts and I never shaved down under. Blockage happens, how you treat it matters. I take hot baths as soon as I think there is a chance!
We are lucky to have a chance to share ideas. Check with your doctor first. Keep posting |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/02/2004 Time: 06:13:27 |
| I'm going for marsupialization to treat my BC next week. According to my doc, it would not reoccur again after that. However, from most of the postings here, that doesn't seem to be the case. Is there a better option that marsupialization? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/02/2004 Time: 06:17:28 |
| You could be on to something there....I shave regularly with normal soap (have been doing it for yrs) and I just recently develope bartholin cyst. Would shaving with shaving foam help? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/02/2004 Time: 17:36:07 |
I was once told by a surgeon (one i spoke with on internet) that shaving with soap can cause an abcess and that shaving with foam is better. However, i switched to an electric razor and used neither and still got an abcess, so it may be the shaving itself. I was told its because of removing protective oils from the hair u remove. Anyone have comments?
Marsup is supposed to be highly effective (didn't work in my case) but try this as there doesn't seem to be better treatments. Removing the gland is quite difficult and should be a last resort, and placement of a cathedar is not better then marsup, although it can be tried. (cathedar oftens falls out too early, should be in for 4-6 weeks). I would say try the marsup, i plan to try it again if need be. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/02/2004 Time: 17:41:56 |
I would like to try and do a questionaire study on bartholin gland and/or abcess'. If you have had either and would like to help in compiling info on possible causes and/or treatments please email me and let me know, u can also list what questions u feel should be on the survey. If i can collect enough data and compare with a control group we may be able to increase our knowledge on the subject and help ourselves as well as future women with this problem.
My name is jenn, email is jenn951@hotmail.com
Thanks, hopefully we can get somewhere on this together since no one else seems to be taking a major interest in this problem. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 16/02/2004 Time: 01:35:48 |
| Okay, I'm glad I found this website. I've literally spent the last few hours reading every single entry. I believe I have a Bartholin Abscess. I've had curious "problems" in the area of the Bartholin glands before but nothing like I've had in the past week. I always thought that my previous problems were pimples. They would come, be very painful and disappear in a week or so. I don't have anything like a cyst that stays for any period of time. This time around, the "pimple" came, was very sensitive but didn't seem to be going away. About 5 days after the initial pain, I was examining myself and was shocked to find how swollen my labia had become. (Although I was even more shocked to find out thru this website that some women have golf-ball size and larger!!) I finally had the nerve to show my husband my privates this morning. He was appalled! He thought it looked so sore and couldn't believe I was able to function. (I think he thought I was making up stories so I could get out of sex!!) I was determined that I was going to call my Gyn first thing tomorrow morning (today is Sunday) but just now I think my abscess burst during my last bathroom break! I already feel soooooo much better. Now I'm not sure if I want to see my gyn doctor! Do you think I should? What would he do? And just so you know, I'm not sure of my cause either. It did start to develope last weekend, the morning after sex (which wasn't particularly dry or rough!) and I do shave my private area but it has been several weeks since I've done that as well. I did start using a new soap last weekend - I think it's Coast. I am not prone to yeast infections or vaginitis. I'm crossing my fingers this thing never, ever comes back. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/02/2004 Time: 21:39:39 |
| I am the previous poster, and it's now 3 days later and I feel like I may have a bladder infection. Do you think the abscess and the UTI could be related? Has anyone else experienced both together or close together? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 18/02/2004 Time: 01:11:29 |
I haven't heard of bladder infections being related, and i've had 6 bartholin abcess' in the last year.
If u are no longer abcessed they prob can't do anything for u, but it may be a good idea to see your gyno so that he is aware of the problem, can possibly confirm what it was, and might make arrangements for u to see him right away if another develops. I am fairly convinced that the shaving affects these, as I never had one ti'l i began shaving and when i stopped shaving i didn't get one for the longest stretch, then got one 3 weeks after i resumed shaving. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 18/02/2004 Time: 18:34:52 |
I have recently had a BC drained, and I have suffered one yeast infection in my whole life time (30 years). For the record I don't shave the area, although shaving may clog the gland or injure it, however in my case it wasn't the cause. What was the cause, I don't know, but I can rule that out for myself. It seems that many things will cause them, from reading all these posts. There are some similarities between some posters, and none between others. It really could be anything that causes this, if we can figure out what triggers them for us personally then we can attempt to avoid it from reoccuring by not example shaving, switching soaps, etc. Having this forum up like this is helping other women though which is great, if we are lucky to find similarities we can try and avoid those things. But on the whole I don't believe it's the same things that are causing them for us all.
It seems a trigger for the poster above would be shaving, if that was my case, if not shaving meant not ever having another one, I would stop shaving. If I continued to get them I would search for another cause.
With the sheer lack of knowledge on this subject by the medical community, we ladies must look out for ourselves. They can help us when it's abcessed and sore, but can't determine a cause.
We must eliminate things that we find triggers personally in attempts to avoid reoccurance. Myself, I plan to not use bubblebath anymore, as I couldn't use it when I was younger (would burn the area). But I wasn't sensitive to it as I got older, but maybe, just maybe I was but in the BC sort of way. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/02/2004 Time: 20:13:56 |
I had my first BC back in October of 2003, ended up painfully swollen to golf ball size and being admitted for an emergency outpatient marsupialization that turned into an overnight stay on IV antibiotics.
Since then I've had 3 recurrances. One spontaneously burst and two others resolved with antibiotics and sitz baths. I found that in all cases I had been wearing a thong within a week prior to the abcess. I don't wear them all the time and had just begun not long before the first abcess. I had also been shaving more aggressively rather than just trimming with clippers.
The friction from the thong seems to be the trigger for me. I am particularly suceptible to staph infections anyway (the normal bateria on the skin) and was advised to steer clear of antibacterial products because they leave behind the more resistant staph on the skin to cause problems.
I've resorted to using white towels which I bleach when I wash, and washing my undergarments by themselves, away from the germs and crud my husband and two sons seem to acquire. That has helped. After this bout clears up, I'm burning those thongs! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/02/2004 Time: 00:51:44 |
Hi everyone
I would just like to ask anyone for advice on the BC! The horrible things! I have really noticed one in the last 11 days, Although a few wks before i had noticed a numbness around that area, But had ignored it, Because it did not cause me any pain or discomfort. I went to my local health centre about 11 days ago and told i had a abscess and put onto antibiotics for a few days. A next app followed 2days after, Which i was then told was a BC, To once again be given the antibiotics and told to ascess it... Today i went back to my health centre just to be sure, The antibiotics were not really doing anything for me, Although i must say, The BC as being pretty painless, Only onto odd occasions, Especially during my period. I was told i would have to have surgery straight away, But then i argued with the doc to why i should have discomfort when i was not having any right now? What would be the logical reason to mess with something that was not causing me pain? I was then perscroibed more tablets, Plus treatment for thrush and was told i was to have the surgery (obviously this is the drainage?) I am really annoyed at the lack of information or advice on this?! I still have a golfbsll sized cyst, Very low down... But this evening was getting a hot viginal pain with a discharge? Is this normal? Is is dangerous? What should i do tro help myself rather than under- go surgery as i strongly disaprove unless neccessary. Can anyone please help?
Thank You all so much for the great advice and reading on this page, It certainly eases the mind in this 'not so friendly' time! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/02/2004 Time: 00:51:44 |
Hi everyone
I would just like to ask anyone for advice on the BC! The horrible things! I have really noticed one in the last 11 days, Although a few wks before i had noticed a numbness around that area, But had ignored it, Because it did not cause me any pain or discomfort. I went to my local health centre about 11 days ago and told i had a abscess and put onto antibiotics for a few days. A next app followed 2days after, Which i was then told was a BC, To once again be given the antibiotics and told to ascess it... Today i went back to my health centre just to be sure, The antibiotics were not really doing anything for me, Although i must say, The BC as being pretty painless, Only onto odd occasions, Especially during my period. I was told i would have to have surgery straight away, But then i argued with the doc to why i should have discomfort when i was not having any right now? What would be the logical reason to mess with something that was not causing me pain? I was then perscroibed more tablets, Plus treatment for thrush and was told i was to have the surgery (obviously this is the drainage?) I am really annoyed at the lack of information or advice on this?! I still have a golfbsll sized cyst, Very low down... But this evening was getting a hot viginal pain with a discharge? Is this normal? Is is dangerous? What should i do tro help myself rather than under- go surgery as i strongly disaprove unless neccessary. Can anyone please help?
Thank You all so much for the great advice and reading on this page, It certainly eases the mind in this 'not so friendly' time! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/02/2004 Time: 00:52:58 |
Hi everyone
I would just like to ask anyone for advice on the BC! The horrible things! I have really noticed one in the last 11 days, Although a few wks before i had noticed a numbness around that area, But had ignored it, Because it did not cause me any pain or discomfort. I went to my local health centre about 11 days ago and told i had a abscess and put onto antibiotics for a few days. A next app followed 2days after, Which i was then told was a BC, To once again be given the antibiotics and told to ascess it... Today i went back to my health centre just to be sure, The antibiotics were not really doing anything for me, Although i must say, The BC as being pretty painless, Only onto odd occasions, Especially during my period. I was told i would have to have surgery straight away, But then i argued with the doc to why i should have discomfort when i was not having any right now? What would be the logical reason to mess with something that was not causing me pain? I was then perscroibed more tablets, Plus treatment for thrush and was told i was to have the surgery (obviously this is the drainage?) I am really annoyed at the lack of information or advice on this?! I still have a golfbsll sized cyst, Very low down... But this evening was getting a hot viginal pain with a discharge? Is this normal? Is is dangerous? What should i do tro help myself rather than under- go surgery as i strongly disaprove unless neccessary. Can anyone please help?
Thank You all so much for the great advice and reading on this page, It certainly eases the mind in this 'not so friendly' time! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 24/02/2004 Time: 16:33:17 |
| I am rather confused that it's an abcess, yet not painful. All of my abcesses have been extremely painful, meaning practically bed-ridden when they get large. I would clarify what the 'surgery' is. Is it simple drainage, drainage with placement of a cathedar, or marsupialization? Simple drainage should be discouraged cause they tend to reoccur (although if its your first one u might wanna try this to avoid the other procedures). Other then that, there isn't much that can be done, except soaking 4-5 times day in sitz bath with salt and as hot of water as u can stand. In my experiences abcesses only go away after being cut open and drained. As far as I know, if there is a discharge that could be a goodthing, meaning the cyst is already draining, in which case it should get smaller each day. If it does not decrease in size however, u will need to have it drained. Good luck. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 03/03/2004 Time: 17:59:25 |
| A very experienced midwife sugggested the following for Bartholin Cyst treatment BEFORE doing anything more invasive. Sitz baths 4 or 5 times a day with1/2 cup epsom salts and "1/2 cup green clay" (available at a good health food store) in water as warm as you can stand. Followed by "hot" compresses applied directly on the cyst. While holding the compress on, put gentle pressure on the cyst to encourage draining and "visualize" the cyst becoming smaller and the blockage being let go! The body created this cyst and can resolve it as well! Worked so far for me! Good luck, these things are miserable!! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/03/2004 Time: 19:31:54 |
| Ladies, please continue to respond as to whether or not you shave the genital area as so far I believe my repeated abcess' to be related to this. Not to suggest they are ALL caused by this, however, perhaps some women's are caused by shaving? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/03/2004 Time: 10:42:57 |
| I have just had my BC burst of it's own accord - probably assisted by hot salt baths. I am now on 500mg of the Flu... antibiotics. I have suffered for the last 15 years with pilonidal abcesses at the base of my spine, the first two times I had them removed under general anaesthetic with excrutiating pain and "packing" to aid healing. The scar tissue got worse and worse... and so in the end I decided to let nature take it's course. I've had maybe 5 since and because the skin is now so "weak" they burst relatively quickly and with lots of salt baths quickly heal. This is the method I'm going to use with this BC assuming it will re-occur. I've never had pain like it and it's not something I feel like discussing with my colleagues who probably think I'm walking like a pregnant duck! ;-) Good luck everyone. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/03/2004 Time: 10:44:28 |
| I have just had my BC burst of it's own accord - probably assisted by hot salt baths. I am now on 500mg of the Flu... antibiotics. I have suffered for the last 15 years with pilonidal abcesses at the base of my spine, the first two times I had them removed under general anaesthetic with excrutiating pain and "packing" to aid healing. The scar tissue got worse and worse... and so in the end I decided to let nature take it's course. I've had maybe 5 since and because the skin is now so "weak" they burst relatively quickly and with lots of salt baths quickly heal. This is the method I'm going to use with this BC assuming it will re-occur. I've never had pain like it and it's not something I feel like discussing with my colleagues who probably think I'm walking like a pregnant duck! ;-) Good luck everyone. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/03/2004 Time: 07:46:39 |
| I have a Bartholin cyct an am about to have it removed in two weeks. I am councerned because I have had it for more than fourteen years. My concern is whether this problem could go on for so long without turning into cancer. It really hasn't bothered me a whole lot except when I wear tight underwear or pants. I would like to get more input on my concern. Thanks! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 31/03/2004 Time: 15:20:14 |
| This is very weird. For the past year I've been noticing that I would get a BC whenever I masturbate with dildos. However, when I have sex, the BC would become very soft. I've been battling this for over a year now. It won't burst. It just gets soft when I have sex and harder and bigger when I mastubate. I'm working on not masturbating to see if this is really the issue. I'm at a stage where I no longer want to take sitz baths. I'm just tired and hope that one day it will be gone for good. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst --some encouragement |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 01/04/2004 Time: 19:28:19 |
Hello,
This is my first post. I am 20, single, have never had sex, and got my first BC last July. It got sore and infected in December (could hardly walk and sit), but amazingly the infection healed and drained on its own... but the cyst itself wouldn't go away. Been soaking for months (salt and no-salt), and got no help except some small relief of discomfort. When it was infected, I called a gyn. and got an appt, but by the time I went, the cyst was almost gone, and the infection had healed. They told me they couldn't help me, because it was too small. So I waited and it got large again; I called, and was told that its size (about that of a walnut) was not large enough to drain, it had to be at least LIME sized! I am a tiny 5-foot-tall, slender person... I would not be able to walk in such a situation. I was extremely irritated and would not go back... especially because I HATE exams, and the doctor, rather than being compassionate, told me that drainage would be painful and I'd just better hold still. So finally I called a different doctor with better credentials (the first one was a woman, this one was a man...) and he was excellent. He saw how squirmy I was about the whole thing and immediately decided to skip the catheter (which would normally be his first choice, to avoid risks), and instead he said he'd like to give me general anesthesia and do a modified marsupialization where a small piece of the cyst was is actually removed before stitching the incision open, to help it heal "from the inside out", and not recur. He said that only 10-20% of his patients ever have a recurrence. He was also very kind and compassionate, which put me at ease. I decided to go with this option. I just had the procedure yesterday. I've had minimal bleeding, very little swelling or discomfort, and praise the Lord, the horrible, ugly cyst is gone! I feel a little tired and sore, but Im not even on any pain medication, and all-in-all Im doing great. I can now only pray that it doesn't return. My mother has had one drained too, but for her, the doctor (who is now retired) just lanced it and left it (with no stitches or catheter). So of course hers healed shut and came right back. I don't have a clue what caused my cyst. The only thing I can think is that either its genetic for me, or it was because of an injury I had to that spot, where I fell and landed hard with the heel of my shoe jammed up into that spot. (Ouch!) I only know that being near my fiancé made it worse, and being away from him made it better... because seeing him causes the glands to become active. My fiancé has been a gem, and took off of work yesterday to come with me and stay with me all day after I woke up. He never flinched in his resolve to marry me next summer, even if that would mean no sex, ever... we're both Christians and believe in abstinence until marriage, and we would never get divorced unless something unthinkable happened, so he knows he'll be "stuck" with me for life! :)
I hope everyone out there can find a treatment that will solve their problem. Don't give up! If you have a cyst, find a GREAT doctor with tons of experience, read up on your options, and get help before you get worse! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/04/2004 Time: 01:29:45 |
Oh my god! This site is indeed a blessing, I thought I was such a deformed freak before this. I have suffered from BC for 7 years and have had 3 mars ops and each time they have said it it wouln't come back. But it does! I have stopped the pill, don't shave, don't ride a bike, am fully lubed, don't have yeast infections and yet the bugger keeps rearing its ugly head. I sympathise with everyone on this forum as I feel so disfigured and just want to end it all. Unlike others posted mine aren't that huge, perhaps walnut sized. I have also the been extremely fortunate enough to have a fantastic medical team in my area that have been able to drain it pretty much immediately when I have felt so much in pain.
My last doctor prior to the one I have now, and at that point I was on my 2nd cyst, did look at me scathingly as if I was a dirty prostitute when I went to him with this problem. He also found I had a bout of genital warts and linked it directly to STI, even though I have only had ONE sexual partner and that partner has only had ME.
After the first mars I found I had chlamydia which again they tried to say was the fault of my partner. As you can imagine this caused no end of arguements over trust in our relationship, but thankfully we have managed to pull this. Finding this site has helped me and my partner realise that we no longer have to live in doubt of one another. I went to my local GUM clinic to get these things treated and the doctor there was wonderful draining it for me whenever she saw me before she would start any other treatment. But it does leave a lot to be explained, what causes BC's? and if chlamydia and warts are supposed to be sexually transmitted how did I get them? are they related to BCs?
I also feel it may be hereditary, as mentioned in a previous post, my grandmother died at a very young age, only 4 years after having my mother and the cause of death is unknown, no investigation took place in those days. However, both my sisters have suffered from cysts, not BCs but ovarian and I'm not sure what the other one was but it was elsewhere in the body. Both were life threatening. Mine is pathetic in comparison but is the most annoying as it keeps recurring.
My current one is now again walnut sized and I had thought of having the whole thing whopped out, but reading the above i am now very sceptical. The doctors had all advised against it too. I am going to try the hot baths with salt and try buying borage oil (I have been taking primrose oil frequently already but not because of BC).
If anyone has any other ideas or similar experience as me please let me know.
Thanks to all who have shared their experience and helped me feel human again. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 06/04/2004 Time: 00:16:03 |
| I'm just wondering if anyone else has had success with squeezing fluid out of the cyst? Also, does anyone else notice any pinpoint redness near where the Bartholin gland duct empties into the labia minora? I'm also wondering if vulvar vestibulitis in the area of the duct could cause blockage of the gland. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 06/04/2004 Time: 00:16:03 |
| I'm just wondering if anyone else has had success with squeezing fluid out of the cyst? Also, does anyone else notice any pinpoint redness near where the Bartholin gland duct empties into the labia minora? I'm also wondering if vulvar vestibulitis in the area of the duct could cause blockage of the gland. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/04/2004 Time: 05:27:38 |
Hi Ladies,
I'm married and have been sleeping with the same man for three years. I have been sexually active for 11 years now and my husband is not circumsised. Though I've only been sleeping with him for three, for the past three years I get on average a bacterial infection (non-specific bacterial vaginosis). We are both clean and have good hygiene. I've never had an STD, been tested for every thing under the sun. However, while treating my last infection w/Metronidazole gel, (I alway's use this) I developed a BC about a month ago, at first it was small, now it's the size of a large grape. I have a doctor's appt. next week but I've never had this before and I don't know what to do. I was also treated for a bladder infection with Cipro last month. I'm so depressed and worried. I keep getting these bacteria infections and now a BC! anyone have any advice for me? I shower twice a day and I don't have any odor down there, it's just uncomfortable and it's getting to be a pain..any advice? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/04/2004 Time: 05:27:38 |
Hi Ladies,
I'm married and have been sleeping with the same man for three years. I have been sexually active for 11 years now and my husband is not circumsised. Though I've only been sleeping with him for three, for the past three years I get on average a bacterial infection (non-specific bacterial vaginosis). We are both clean and have good hygiene. I've never had an STD, been tested for every thing under the sun. However, while treating my last infection w/Metronidazole gel, (I alway's use this) I developed a BC about a month ago, at first it was small, now it's the size of a large grape. I have a doctor's appt. next week but I've never had this before and I don't know what to do. I was also treated for a bladder infection with Cipro last month. I'm so depressed and worried. I keep getting these bacteria infections and now a BC! anyone have any advice for me? I shower twice a day and I don't have any odor down there, it's just uncomfortable and it's getting to be a pain..any advice? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/04/2004 Time: 05:27:38 |
Hi Ladies,
I'm married and have been sleeping with the same man for three years. I have been sexually active for 11 years now and my husband is not circumsised. Though I've only been sleeping with him for three, for the past three years I get on average a bacterial infection (non-specific bacterial vaginosis). We are both clean and have good hygiene. I've never had an STD, been tested for every thing under the sun. However, while treating my last infection w/Metronidazole gel, (I alway's use this) I developed a BC about a month ago, at first it was small, now it's the size of a large grape. I have a doctor's appt. next week but I've never had this before and I don't know what to do. I was also treated for a bladder infection with Cipro last month. I'm so depressed and worried. I keep getting these bacteria infections and now a BC! anyone have any advice for me? I shower twice a day and I don't have any odor down there, it's just uncomfortable and it's getting to be a pain..any advice? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/04/2004 Time: 05:27:38 |
Hi Ladies,
I'm married and have been sleeping with the same man for three years. I have been sexually active for 11 years now and my husband is not circumsised. Though I've only been sleeping with him for three, for the past three years I get on average a bacterial infection (non-specific bacterial vaginosis). We are both clean and have good hygiene. I've never had an STD, been tested for every thing under the sun. However, while treating my last infection w/Metronidazole gel, (I alway's use this) I developed a BC about a month ago, at first it was small, now it's the size of a large grape. I have a doctor's appt. next week but I've never had this before and I don't know what to do. I was also treated for a bladder infection with Cipro last month. I'm so depressed and worried. I keep getting these bacteria infections and now a BC! anyone have any advice for me? I shower twice a day and I don't have any odor down there, it's just uncomfortable and it's getting to be a pain..any advice? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/04/2004 Time: 05:27:38 |
Hi Ladies,
I'm married and have been sleeping with the same man for three years. I have been sexually active for 11 years now and my husband is not circumsised. Though I've only been sleeping with him for three, for the past three years I get on average a bacterial infection (non-specific bacterial vaginosis). We are both clean and have good hygiene. I've never had an STD, been tested for every thing under the sun. However, while treating my last infection w/Metronidazole gel, (I alway's use this) I developed a BC about a month ago, at first it was small, now it's the size of a large grape. I have a doctor's appt. next week but I've never had this before and I don't know what to do. I was also treated for a bladder infection with Cipro last month. I'm so depressed and worried. I keep getting these bacteria infections and now a BC! anyone have any advice for me? I shower twice a day and I don't have any odor down there, it's just uncomfortable and it's getting to be a pain..any advice? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/04/2004 Time: 07:16:17 |
Bacterial vaginosis is actually not an STD, so you don't have to worry about that. In fact, it isn't really an infection at all, but rather the flora of the vagina have gotten out of balance usually due to a lack of lactobacilli. This has nothing to do with cleanliness of you or your husband, nor does the Bartholin gland cyst. For some reason, the duct to the Bartholin gland has become blocked, and the fluid is backing up and causing a cyst. There is a difference between a cyst and an abscess. An abscess would be very painful and is an infection will require antibiotics. A cyst does not need treatment as long as it is not causing symptoms for you. A cyst can be treated with a procedure called marsupialization. Simply draining the cyst will only cause it to come back, so it is strongly discouraged.
Try not to worry too much. You haven't done anything wrong, and none of this is your fault. Good luck with your doctor's appointment |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/04/2004 Time: 18:58:35 |
| I am so frustrated with this B Cyst. I have had one on and off for 12 years now. It keeps on comming back after all the marsup,. and Word cath. I finally took it upon myself to relieve my own pain. I know you all will freak out when you read what I do to make it finally quit hurting........but I use a sterile needle and syringe, and remove the liquid myself. I get so tired of constantly going to the Dr. to have the same thing done again and again. After I drain the cyst, it feels so much better. I usually get an abcess every 6 months. I do not take the pill, I truly think it is brought on by not being lubricated enough during sex. I am honestly considering just having the gland removed. Any one out there had this done? And do you still have problems with it? Please let me know the pros and cons. I am tired of fighting with this thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/04/2004 Time: 06:48:49 |
I had a BC September of 2003. It started out as a small lump and progressed within 3 or 4 days into almost a golf ball sized lump. I had no idea what it was and immediately accessed the internet to find out. After realizing what it was, I began taking sitz baths about 3 times a day until I could make an appointment with the doctor. I was in excruciating pain and could hardly walk...even sleeping was difficult. Some of you had mentioned shaving as a possible cause. I remember that I had used a norform and also shaved the area. I thought that I had accidentally knicked myself, but maybe not. Also, I was on depo-provera (not sure if that had anything to do with hormonal irregularity) which is another issue within itself. Anyway, by the time I was able to see the doctor, not only was I swollen due to the BC, but apparently a blood vessel in my inner labia had compacted and as a result it was super-sized. I was in so much pain that I didn't mind that my privates looked like the elephant man. My doctor even looked amazed when she saw it, but was very understanding. Since it was in abscess and infected, she numbed it, drained it, and packed it with gauze dressing. I was given antibiotics and told to keep doing the sitz baths. I returned the next day to have the packing removed and repacked. The third visit, the packing was removed and I began to heal over the next few days. Throughout the ordeal, I missed a week of work. So far I have not had any recurrences, but I am careful about shaving and do not plan to use any more products like norforms. I also did not have sex for months after that.
My best wishes to all who have suffered from this and hopefully more research will be done to help explain the occurrence. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/04/2004 Time: 06:49:47 |
I had a BC September of 2003. It started out as a small lump and progressed within 3 or 4 days into almost a golf ball sized lump. I had no idea what it was and immediately accessed the internet to find out. After realizing what it was, I began taking sitz baths about 3 times a day until I could make an appointment with the doctor. I was in excruciating pain and could hardly walk...even sleeping was difficult. Some of you had mentioned shaving as a possible cause. I remember that I had used a norform and also shaved the area. I thought that I had accidentally knicked myself, but maybe not. Also, I was on depo-provera (not sure if that had anything to do with hormonal irregularity) which is another issue within itself. Anyway, by the time I was able to see the doctor, not only was I swollen due to the BC, but apparently a blood vessel in my inner labia had compacted and as a result it was super-sized. I was in so much pain that I didn't mind that my privates looked like the elephant man. My doctor even looked amazed when she saw it, but was very understanding. Since it was in abscess and infected, she numbed it, drained it, and packed it with gauze dressing. I was given antibiotics and told to keep doing the sitz baths. I returned the next day to have the packing removed and repacked. The third visit, the packing was removed and I began to heal over the next few days. Throughout the ordeal, I missed a week of work. So far I have not had any recurrences, but I am careful about shaving and do not plan to use any more products like norforms. I also did not have sex for months after that.
My best wishes to all who have suffered from this and hopefully more research will be done to help explain the occurrence. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/04/2004 Time: 07:46:02 |
I had a BC September of 2003. It started out as a small lump and progressed within 3 or 4 days into almost a golf ball sized lump. I had no idea what it was and immediately accessed the internet to find out. After realizing what it was, I began taking sitz baths about 3 times a day until I could make an appointment with the doctor. I was in excruciating pain and could hardly walk...even sleeping was difficult. Some of you had mentioned shaving as a possible cause. I remember that I had used a norform and also shaved the area. I thought that I had accidentally knicked myself, but maybe not. Also, I was on depo-provera (not sure if that had anything to do with hormonal irregularity) which is another issue within itself. Anyway, by the time I was able to see the doctor, not only was I swollen due to the BC, but apparently a blood vessel in my inner labia had compacted and as a result it was super-sized. I was in so much pain that I didn't mind that my privates looked like the elephant man. My doctor even looked amazed when she saw it, but was very understanding. Since it was in abscess and infected, she numbed it, drained it, and packed it with gauze dressing. I was given antibiotics and told to keep doing the sitz baths. I returned the next day to have the packing removed and repacked. The third visit, the packing was removed and I began to heal over the next few days. Throughout the ordeal, I missed a week of work. So far I have not had any recurrences, but I am careful about shaving and do not plan to use any more products like norforms. I also did not have sex for months after that.
My best wishes to all who have suffered from this and hopefully more research will be done to help explain the occurrence. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/04/2004 Time: 17:26:26 |
| Hi! I'm 22 years old discovered my BC a week ago. I took the first available appt with my GYN and she told me its so small that she could do anything! She told me if it doesn't go down within a month then to come back to the office. My GYN said these things just happened and couldn't give me an answer on how to prevent them. Like someone said it really is "Bad Luck". I thought this is a one time thing but after reading that they may come back, I'm terrified. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/04/2004 Time: 14:34:14 |
| Hello, im 20 yrs old and April of 2003 i got my first bartholins cyst. I was in such terrible pain i couldnt stand it.. I would get the pain if i walked or moved and it would lasted about a week. I made an appointment , but by the time i could get in to see the gyno, it was gone and me being so little and scared of the gyno i cancelled my appiontment. I eventually went in the next month as i had gotten it again. I was told it was a barth abcess and i could have it drained or whatever and was given antibiotics (which didnt help). I felt like there was something wrong with me and no one knew the pain i was in. Here i am today a year and a half later. I now know when i will be getting my barth abcess, i get mine a few days after my period and i am in severe pain for about a week. It a severe numb pain right on the cyst. I have had them every single month for 18 months now that i can tollerate it, but even then it is soooo painful i still cry and hate that week of the month. Its bad enough i have menstrual pains the week before:( My abcess last a week each month and it releases the stuff inside on its own within the week to where the lump is down. I was so terrified to go to the doc becuase i thought i was one of a few that was in this situation and i am so scared of surgeries or any gyno procedure. I did however go back to my doc and tell her i couldnt take it anymore about 6 months ago, she gave me birth control and said it will make things not so active and might help if it doesnt to come back for a laproscopy so they can have a look and then we will go from there. I took the pills, they made me miss a month cycle and then i had a period for 3 weeks atraight so i got off them, i since have not gone to see my gyno becuase i dont think the laproscopy might be the next step. I am so relieved to see im not alone on this matter and am so relieved someone out there understand my pain!! I am getting to the point where i cant go on with this pain and lump very much longer and i am researhing so when i make my next appointment i will have a heads up and let them know what i want. I just read about the baths with salt and think i might try that out today and see how that goes. I think many of u agree with the mars procedure so im gonna definately talk to my doc about my options. If any of u have the pain in the same cycle like me ( the week after your menstrual cycle) id love to hear about your experience. I have no idea about what caused mine except i wasnt lubricated that much during sex so i resorted to ky and maybe it got clogged. Not sure, but all i know is from reading here, i have an idea of things now and came to the conclusion that there are so many different things to try out to end this inconvience and most dont work for everyone and it doesnt seem worth it to go through all the pain to get back where u started again. Also docs should really get going on this. I would love for them to have a procedure that would work for everyone. Sorry if i babbled, but im so excited im not alone on this and wanted to share my experience, Good Luck to everyone. -Brandy- |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/04/2004 Time: 14:43:04 |
| Hi Brandy again , i wrote the post above, i failed to mention during the week i have "the pain" as i call it, i find it very hard to sleep throught the night and frequent need to pee. Anyone else have this as well? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/04/2004 Time: 21:03:35 |
Had a Bartholins Cyst 20 years ago which eventually went down and disappeared following treatment with antiobiotics.
Had another last February in 2003 - I think insufficiently lubricated sex was the cause. Following two courses of antiobiotics which failed, had a marsup (against the advice of one doctor in the hospital).
It healed but kept returning and returning. Umpteen courses of antiobiotics followed until they hit the right one - Erythromycin in my case. Wish they'd tried it first.
BC came back... more Erythromycin which always worked but the BC kept recurring.
Turned to alternative medicine in sheer desperation. Found that half a clove of garlic stuck onto the outside of the cyst (ie outside of the vagina) with sticking plaster gets rid of it every time. Leave it on for 2 days or so. If you shave, use gauze or similar otherwise the garlic irritates the skin.
It's saved me no end of antiobiotics. I find that the BC flares up when I sit awkwardly or stretch the skin in that area. Sex (well-lubricated) is not a problem.
I wish I'd had the right antiobiotic at first. I wish I hadn't had the marsup because I didn't have this recurrence problem the first time and I wish I'd discovered the garlic method sooner.
Hope this helps. Post replies here so that others have feedback. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/04/2004 Time: 16:04:13 |
| i have just found what seems like a bc, i am taking sitz baths but nothing is happening, i dont want to go to my gp with it, what other home rem can i do to make it burst? any suggestions will be very appreciated |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/04/2004 Time: 16:04:13 |
| i have just found what seems like a bc, i am taking sitz baths but nothing is happening, i dont want to go to my gp with it, what other home rem can i do to make it burst? any suggestions will be very appreciated |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/04/2004 Time: 16:04:13 |
| i have just found what seems like a bc, i am taking sitz baths but nothing is happening, i dont want to go to my gp with it, what other home rem can i do to make it burst? any suggestions will be very appreciated |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/04/2004 Time: 16:04:13 |
| i have just found what seems like a bc, i am taking sitz baths but nothing is happening, i dont want to go to my gp with it, what other home rem can i do to make it burst? any suggestions will be very appreciated |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/04/2004 Time: 16:04:13 |
| i have just found what seems like a bc, i am taking sitz baths but nothing is happening, i dont want to go to my gp with it, what other home rem can i do to make it burst? any suggestions will be very appreciated |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/04/2004 Time: 16:04:13 |
| i have just found what seems like a bc, i am taking sitz baths but nothing is happening, i dont want to go to my gp with it, what other home rem can i do to make it burst? any suggestions will be very appreciated |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/04/2004 Time: 16:04:13 |
| i have just found what seems like a bc, i am taking sitz baths but nothing is happening, i dont want to go to my gp with it, what other home rem can i do to make it burst? any suggestions will be very appreciated |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/04/2004 Time: 08:01:55 |
I've had 3 bartholins cysts in the space of 6months to a year.
It took me a while to go the the doctor the first time around just cause I was really freaked out and didn't know what the hell was going on. Thankfully my doctor told me it was pretty common and I my worries were cast away. I got put on a prescription of antibiotics and told that if it grew back I should get it drained.
Another antibiotic prescription later, no draining and I have another. It's pretty agitating. From reading this forum I have seen/heard of what seems to be never ending cysts.
Brandy - the pain I have doesn't keep me up all night, but I remember the first cyst I had sometime last year, I neede to pee ALL The time. and yea the pain does suck, whenever a cyst comes back around I HATE It. =( |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/04/2004 Time: 17:18:19 |
| Thanks for your post, yeah it does suck to hear of never ending cyst, and pretty pointless to try all these painful methods to cure, but im gonna try and ill let you all know how mine goes, i have a pretty good idea of what i think may be best for me, thanks for letting me know about the need to pee ALL the time, i thought i was alone there. Good luck to you. I got my cyst the day i posted and today it is all done draining, i know that is grose but its like clockwork. My mom is worried becuase she seems to think that an abcess of some kinds can get in the blood stream and go to the heart or brain. I am not sure on this, if anyone has some info on this i would greatly appriciate it. That really concerned me, made me wanna get off m but and get this thing taken care of, lol..Wel good luck to you all, i feel your pain:) -Brandy- |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/04/2004 Time: 16:20:19 |
| ive been having cysts now since the birth of my first child 13yrs ago, my doc then put it down to child birth. since then ive had about 26 in total. some have come and gone and others ive had drained. they always seem to come back in the same place and my doc has never offered to look into the cause of them. he thought i was maybe a diabetic but tests came back negative. im just out of a&e after sitting for 6hrs to b given a course of antibiotics...again. the last one i had was roughly the size of a golfball and was so tender i couldnt even walk. people who dont have them dont really give much sympathy as they dont have a clue how you feel! does anyone know when it starts to discolour is this the poison or what cause i never get a lot of information on it! and why is this on a cancer site?? that kinda confused me! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 24/04/2004 Time: 06:50:15 |
After reading some of these messages, it is important to distinguish between a Bartholin gland cyst and an abscess. Bartholin gland cysts don't always lead to abscesses. Many women can have totally asymptomatic cysts that require no treatment at all unless they grow to a size that causes discomfort. Antibiotics are not necessary for a Bartholin gland cyst. A Bartholin gland abscess is when the cyst actually becomes infected. This will lead to the severe pain many of you describe, and does require the use of antibiotics to clear up the infection.
Procedures such as marsupialization are used to try and prevent recurrences, though as mentioned above, recurrences can still occur. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 24/04/2004 Time: 23:21:28 |
Do all of you ladies shave or wax? I just had my 7th abcess and i went to a doctor in toronto this time and she suggested shaving or waxing can cause these. Please let me know what u think?
Please write me at jenn951@hotmail.com if u would be willing to participate in a survey study on barthloin abcess/cysts. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/04/2004 Time: 03:50:54 |
| i had a BC for almost 8 years(on & off)... the first time i had it, i was in my highschool about 15, and it was really painful, i can't hardly walk... i was terrified then, but i didn't go the doc because i'm afraid... the most recently BC that i had was last January, and i decided to go to the gynecologist to have it removed... then when i was on the clinic the gyn told me that it was an abscess already so she burst it, and it was so gross and painful... she advised me to squeeze the cyst oftenly to remove the abscess, and she gave me antibiotics. now, i had it again though it is not as big as a golf bolf but im really terrified and i just dont know wat to do with it anymore... can someone tell me if sexual intercouse a factor or cause of BC? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/04/2004 Time: 03:50:54 |
| i had a BC for almost 8 years(on & off)... the first time i had it, i was in my highschool about 15, and it was really painful, i can't hardly walk... i was terrified then, but i didn't go the doc because i'm afraid... the most recently BC that i had was last January, and i decided to go to the gynecologist to have it removed... then when i was on the clinic the gyn told me that it was an abscess already so she burst it, and it was so gross and painful... she advised me to squeeze the cyst oftenly to remove the abscess, and she gave me antibiotics. now, i had it again though it is not as big as a golf bolf but im really terrified and i just dont know wat to do with it anymore... can someone tell me if sexual intercouse a factor or cause of BC? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/04/2004 Time: 03:50:54 |
| i had a BC for almost 8 years(on & off)... the first time i had it, i was in my highschool about 15, and it was really painful, i can't hardly walk... i was terrified then, but i didn't go the doc because i'm afraid... the most recently BC that i had was last January, and i decided to go to the gynecologist to have it removed... then when i was on the clinic the gyn told me that it was an abscess already so she burst it, and it was so gross and painful... she advised me to squeeze the cyst oftenly to remove the abscess, and she gave me antibiotics. now, i had it again though it is not as big as a golf bolf but im really terrified and i just dont know wat to do with it anymore... can someone tell me if sexual intercouse a factor or cause of BC? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/04/2004 Time: 03:54:01 |
| i had a BC for almost 8 years(on & off)... the first time i had it, i was in my highschool about 15, and it was really painful, i can't hardly walk... i was terrified then, but i didn't go the doc because i'm afraid... the most recently BC that i had was last January, and i decided to go to the gynecologist to have it removed... then when i was on the clinic the gyn told me that it was an abscess already so she burst it, and it was so gross and painful... she advised me to squeeze the cyst oftenly to remove the abscess, and she gave me antibiotics. now, i had it again though it is not as big as a golf bolf but im really terrified and i just dont know wat to do with it anymore... can someone tell me if sexual intercouse a factor or cause of BC? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/04/2004 Time: 03:54:01 |
| i had a BC for almost 8 years(on & off)... the first time i had it, i was in my highschool about 15, and it was really painful, i can't hardly walk... i was terrified then, but i didn't go the doc because i'm afraid... the most recently BC that i had was last January, and i decided to go to the gynecologist to have it removed... then when i was on the clinic the gyn told me that it was an abscess already so she burst it, and it was so gross and painful... she advised me to squeeze the cyst oftenly to remove the abscess, and she gave me antibiotics. now, i had it again though it is not as big as a golf bolf but im really terrified and i just dont know wat to do with it anymore... can someone tell me if sexual intercouse a factor or cause of BC? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 28/04/2004 Time: 01:04:34 |
Hi Everybody
I posted my story earlier on in the year. I started taking hepar sulfur pills and i soaked in the tub filled with epsom salts, table salt, or baking soda and my cyst is now gone. Ive suffered with it since august 2003! Whenever I tried to have sex it was EXCRUCIATING! But now its a breeze and it hasnt reacurred since. I still refrain from using strong soaps like irish spring (which was my favorite) and i dont use a strong shaving cream for that special area. It took a long time to go away but now Im happy and at ease |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 28/04/2004 Time: 01:50:46 |
| Hi, this message is to the guest post above. I recently posted my story on here and i am seeking a cure for my barth abcess on my own becuase i dont wanna have to go through surgeries or reoccurances. I tried the epsom salt once but i didnt feel a change, i have yet to try the table salt or baking soda. My question is, did u get the abcess monthly as i do? And did u have pain besides when having sex? Becuase i get the abcess every month for a week and its painful the whole week. Do u take the epsom, table salt and baking soda baths just while u have the abcess or all the time to prevent the abcess? and what exactly is hepar sulfur pills and where can u get those? Any info or other methods will be greatly appreciated. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 29/04/2004 Time: 03:30:33 |
| this is in response to the post above at 1:50:46.Lets just say I had a lot of patience with this cyst b-cuz ive been soaking all the time and I was at the point where i was getting fed up of the soaking and was going to do the surgery. then i read this board and this post way up in the beginning mentioned that she was taking hepar sulfur so i researched on the net and the majority of them i had to place an order and i took a while to be delivered at least 3 weeks to a month. so i found some homeopathy stores in my city and they sell them over the counter. the price range is around 7-12 dollars and it ranges by potency.basically its supposed to soften the cyst and make it burst burst eventually. you put the tablet under your tongue before meals it tastes like sugar. so i was taking those pills plus i was soaking. as for the pain it was only when i atttempted to have sex and i was afraid that i will never have sex again b-cuz of the stupid cyst. i had a abscess but it would drain by itself after soaking and it wasnt pretty! different things work for different people. i tried whatever advice that was on this board and so far it worked. i tried the heating pad too but i found that it irritated the cyst so i stopped. i even got off of the pill earlier jsut to see if that was part of the problem. so far so good. i jsut hope it doesnt come back. anyway i dont want to ramble on if any questions just ask ill try my best to answer |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/05/2004 Time: 01:39:38 |
| About three years ago I had a marsupial. I have not had anymore cysts but have had continuous drainage. This is a 24 hour a day 7 day a week problem. I have to wear pantyliners every day. I do not know what to do about this problem. Can anyone help? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 06/05/2004 Time: 14:52:25 |
| Sunday I made a trip to the er to have bc drained. This is the second one in four years. I have a follow up with my obgyn next Tuesday to see what can be done to have it be gone...HAHA.. from the sound of it the darn thing will never be gone. I am going to try the warm/salt baths right now. The er doc said not to, but anything is better than nothing right now. There is still a lump there and I don't think it's draining anymore now. Also when can I resume having sex with my husband? The doc really didn't say. Right now I have my period so the next week is out of the question anyway. I noticed that it usually swells more at this time. Also I had just shaved about a week before it became inflamed again. I really would like to try a natural remedy, since it sounds like modern med. isn't going to solve the problem at all. What kind of salt should I be using for the sitz bath? Epsom or table? I wasn't sure about that. Any advice from anyone else would be great. I was very glad to find this site. It has helped me realize that I am not alone with this problem. But it worries me that I may never have a normal sex life again. I also wonder if lubricants might be blocking the gland...anybody else? I think a lot of factors contributed to mine swelling back up again. I had taken a bike ride recently, sex has increased, jeans rubbing against it, stress, and almost time for my period to start. I had been putting warm moist heat on it trying to get it to burst on its own, which only seemed to inflame it more, until Sunday when I got up I couldn't even walk, the thing was about the size of a grapefruit. My husband took one look at me and insisted I get dressed in sweat pants, slip on shoes and took me straight to the er. The dr was very comforting, I received a big shot of demerol, two BIG shots of novocain, a quick slice and relief, He then packed it with gauze(not comfy at all), sent me home to bed with antibiotics and tylenol with codine. I had to return to the er the following night to have the gauze removed(not comfy either), and told to continue taking warm baths and pain med., and to see gyno. Now I'm wondering if I should even bother? As I said before any furthe advice on getting the darn thing to drain further would be great, and how long did everyone wait to resume sex? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 06/05/2004 Time: 14:56:40 |
| Sunday I made a trip to the er to have bc drained. This is the second one in four years. I have a follow up with my obgyn next Tuesday to see what can be done to have it be gone...HAHA.. from the sound of it the darn thing will never be gone. I am going to try the warm/salt baths right now. The er doc said not to, but anything is better than nothing right now. There is still a lump there and I don't think it's draining anymore now. Also when can I resume having sex with my husband? The doc really didn't say. Right now I have my period so the next week is out of the question anyway. I noticed that it usually swells more at this time. Also I had just shaved about a week before it became inflamed again. I really would like to try a natural remedy, since it sounds like modern med. isn't going to solve the problem at all. What kind of salt should I be using for the sitz bath? Epsom or table? I wasn't sure about that. Any advice from anyone else would be great. I was very glad to find this site. It has helped me realize that I am not alone with this problem. But it worries me that I may never have a normal sex life again. I also wonder if lubricants might be blocking the gland...anybody else? I think a lot of factors contributed to mine swelling back up again. I had taken a bike ride recently, sex has increased, jeans rubbing against it, stress, and almost time for my period to start. I had been putting warm moist heat on it trying to get it to burst on its own, which only seemed to inflame it more, until Sunday when I got up I couldn't even walk, the thing was about the size of a grapefruit. My husband took one look at me and insisted I get dressed in sweat pants, slip on shoes and took me straight to the er. The dr was very comforting, I received a big shot of demerol, two BIG shots of novocain, a quick slice and relief, He then packed it with gauze(not comfy at all), sent me home to bed with antibiotics and tylenol with codine. I had to return to the er the following night to have the gauze removed(not comfy either), and told to continue taking warm baths and pain med., and to see gyno. Now I'm wondering if I should even bother? As I said before any furthe advice on getting the darn thing to drain further would be great, and how long did everyone wait to resume sex? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/05/2004 Time: 16:14:39 |
| HI. First of all, you should stop shaving to rule that out as a cause, as it can be one. it is best to wait at least a monnth before having sex, as having intercourse too soon can cause it to come back. Also, having the abcess simply drained and packed does not tend to work, theu usually come back. It needs to have a cathedar put in place for 4-6 weeks or marsupialization. These procedures are supposed to be effective. Unfortun ately for me, they have not worked and i just had my 7th abcess in 1 1/2 years. Has anyone has their bartholin gland removed? I found a doctor who will rty this next time but i am very worried and would like some feedback from those who have had this done? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 11/05/2004 Time: 11:08:17 |
| hi got my first abcess. some of you mentioned it getting worse after taking antibiotics. Which ones made it worse for you? I have been given erythromycin as allergic to penicillins. When i went to the doctois the abcess shrunk down to nothing and it took her a few seconds to find it. It still was extremely painful though. It is so bad I phoned a free clinic and have got an appointment with a gynaecologist on friday. I'm very nervous. I also ordered some lidocaine spray online in case. When i first got it there was just a slight soreness abd I thought it must be thrush so took a tab for that but it got worse. Decided to wait it out (big mistake). Everyone seems to think that I'm malingering because they cant see anything wrong. Have been doing the salt baths and they really help so thankyou for recommending those. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 12/05/2004 Time: 07:51:31 |
hi
I am the last poster again. I woke this morning feeling a lot better but smelling like a corpse. I looked in the bed and it was covered in blood like from a heavy period. I thought maybe the abscesss had burst. Took a bath with salt and savlon and have no pain whatsoever anymore. I looked at it after the bath and the lump is still there but less red. Where did the blood come from if it didn't pop? Is it normal to be bloody? I feel 100% better now if a little queasy --thought i would be able to work in a hospital but not so sure now. Still bleeding lightly. My Mum is coming this morning to take my son to the doctors because I couldn't walk yesterday so I may go and ask the doc about this also. I am definitley making a webpage support site for this condition and I'm going to make leaflets for patients to send to doctors surgeries to supplement what they have already. Also going to put on a chat forum because we shouldn't have to go to a cancer website. I'm sure this must have frightened more than a few people. Hope that you all never get another one of these and that any existing ones are painless and leave quickly. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 12/05/2004 Time: 15:00:45 |
| I wrote earlier about my trip to the er. Had my trip to the dr yester. She sys it looks good nice and soft no abcess, but the big lump is still there. Any more ideas on getting it to drain further would be great. It's not painful right now, but there is still fluid in there, I have been taking 2-3 epsom salt baths a day and that doesn't seem to be helping it to drain or shrink. Talked to the dr about having it removed(the gland). Anybody else had any success with this? What about it coming back after you've had it removed? I'm going to try baking soda bath in a little while and see if I notice any difference. Sould I be taking more baths? Also the dr said sex was fine as long as I felt okay with it, but i've noticed slight filling of the cyst after each time, any advice for that or the other items would be greatly appreciated. Honestly I'd love any advice on getting the darn thing to go away. I love this site though. It's great to know I'm not the only one dealing with the stupid things, and some of the previous info has been helpful. Thanks!!!! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/05/2004 Time: 09:32:00 |
hey to all , i have written on this site a few times about my abcess and why i thought i had it and what i could do about it at home instead of haveing surgey, i just can not bring myself to have surgery down there. After some thought of the baths and some ther remedies i took it upon myself to think up some other things that may help the pain or abcess. See, i get my abcess after my period every month and it stays for a week and then burst on its own. So i thought maybe if i were to douch as soon as i get off my period and then a couple days later, i would at least see if it would help. Now i know it probly isnt good to douch that close together but i am desperate. And to my surprise it has worked this week. Now i am not a dirty girl, im very clean, lol. I barely have had sex becuase of this abcess, but i got off my period about 6 days ago and i should have had my abcess about 1 day later, but becasue i douched the day i got off and then two days later i feel better..much better... One more thing....One day after i douched the first time i did start to feel the pain that sometimes comes along with the abcess which is why i douched again and as soon as i did no pain:) Now, to me this is just amazing, i have had this abcess every month for 14 months now and this is the first month is hasnt come back.i am posting this becasue i hope it might hep some of u out there that cant stand this cycle of never ending abcess.
Brandy- |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/05/2004 Time: 14:17:41 |
Bartholin Cyst: What is it ? What is the cause of infection ? How do we prevent it ? What is the best way to ease the pain? These questions are difficult to answer. If you have experienced this most uncomfortable situation you will understand.
It is a very small gland , the size of a pea, but when it is infected it grows quickly. This gland is our lubrication gland.
What causes this infection ? Doctors will not give you a straight answer . They really can't give you one answer. Everyone has a theory. In my case it started after a spinning class. I have read comments regarding lack of lubrication, birth control pills, lack of personal hygiene , sexually transmitted diseases, sex. I believe it is trauma to the area. In my case it began with the amount of pressure on the area after my spinning class,using a stationary bike . The cyst recurred twice after I stopped exercising and each time it was due to intercourse .
The doctor drained the cyst the first time but there it was a year later. It occurred two more times , only four months apart.
Last week I had a marsupialization. I am still recovering from the surgery. It is uncomfortable after the procedure but I have to understand that it was minor surgery. I was put under during the procedure and this is a good idea if you are a little anxious.
Will it happen again ? After reading all of these messages it sounds like it might.
I will say that I will continue to take baths at least twice a day, never take a spinning class , enjoy sex , never have the gland removed or have a word catheter placed inside. I do believe marsupialization is the best method to use.
It is important to have a compassionate doctor and husband.I am lucky because I have both. Just remember...
Women are the stronger sex that is why we can cope with everything that comes our way especially when it concerns our health.
Research before making decisions , ask questions and if your doctor doesn't want to discuss your concerns or fears find another one. Good Luck.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/05/2004 Time: 07:49:41 |
hi
I posted before saying that I was going to make a Bartholin's website just for this. Well it is done. It has a message board and some other stuff. Its on free hosting at the moment but if and when I can afford it, will move it to a proper host and domain.
It is here :-
http://free.hostdepartment.com/c/catelee2u/index.html
any comments/suggestions/criticisms welcomed (theres an email link on site) but don't be too harsh only be doing websites for a week lol will eventually get around to proper buttons and stuff.
Hope you are all as pain free as is possible and better still abscess free.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/05/2004 Time: 16:41:57 |
I Moved the website to
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.leecy/ |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/05/2004 Time: 16:41:57 |
I Moved the website to
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.leecy/ |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 03/06/2004 Time: 16:09:27 |
| Is anyone still using this post? I had a question, but I wasn't sure if I should post it since nothing has been posted for several weeks. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/06/2004 Time: 02:55:03 |
| I check in once in awhile. What is your question ? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/06/2004 Time: 15:31:13 |
Sorry it took so long! My question is this...I had an abscess lanced, drained, and catheterized about a month ago. The catheter fell out after two days, though. Everything seems to be going alright; however, it is often sore in that same area (almost like it was when it first came on and I knew something was wrong, but not what). Anyway, I wasn't sure if that was because it is still healing, or is there some infection left in there? Also, sex hurts. Should it feel that was after being drained...I mean, it's not like it was major surgery or anything. I just have a bad feeling that this thing is coming back, because things don't feel the way they used to. When it comes to sex, though, it feel like the abscess is still there in terms of how it hurts. But, there isn't a lump. It almost feels like it's really bruised...you know, the way it feels before it becomes unbearable. I'm just worried that I'm not going to be able to have enjoyable sex again, or that the discomfort will always be there, even when I'm not sexually active. If anyone has any advice, I would really appreciate it!
Thanks |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/06/2004 Time: 04:17:55 |
| Sorry that you are going through this horrible situation. I understand exactly what you are going through. First , you have to allow the area to heal before you resume sex . I have now concluded that sex is one of the reasons this problem recurs. I know you don't want to hear this but I am beginning to feel this is true . I had Marsupialization one month ago. It healed , then three weeks after the surgery I thought it would be fine to have sex . Well , two days later I started feeling that lump ,then by the fourth day ,excruciating pain. The doctor of course was surprised. He thought we should try a word catheter . That was horrible! It fell out yesterday! The pain is slowly subsiding . I have an appointment on Friday but I don't think there is anything else he can do. All I can say is wait a week or two before you have sex. Take a warm bath at least twice a day for fifteen minutes or longer. Allow the area to completely heal before you resume sex, you will know. It usually feels bruised for a week after it is drained. I worry about the same things you do but my husband has been very understanding. If it returns try Marsupialization,even though it didn't work the way it should have , I believe it is the best way to handle the cyst. It might be the right procedure for you. Just so you know, I have been dealing with this problem for two years now. Hopefully you will not have to suffer too much longer . I think about how it has changed my life because it is always on my mind even if the abscess isn't there. So I have to hope for the best and please I know it is difficult, but you do the same. Take care. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/06/2004 Time: 17:22:45 |
| To the post above, thank you for your encouraging words. Yeah, it's been right at a month since the "surgery" and the feeling comes and goes. Since my last post, I've actually been sexually active, and I found that using lube helps out a lot. But believe me, you can tell when it's not working anymore! Yeah, I've only had one (so far) and I ended up going to the ER where an OBGYN on-call worked on me. After that, I went to my real gyno and he told me that if it happens again to come straight to him and he will do the marsupialization. But from what I hear, that procedure is just as effective as everything else. Or maybe I'm wrong...I don't know. I'm just tired of feeling inadequate in tems of not being able to control what goes on in my own body! Anyway, thanks again for everything - and I'll definitely lay off the sex for a little bit, even if it seems like it's okay. Good luck! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/06/2004 Time: 03:44:34 |
| Please, Help!!!! After my 5th cyst I had the glad removed. I am VERY unhappy. It has been over a month and I am in pain daily. I look like I have been mutilated. What can I do????? Please, Please someone help! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/06/2004 Time: 03:44:34 |
| Please, Help!!!! After my 5th cyst I had the glad removed. I am VERY unhappy. It has been over a month and I am in pain daily. I look like I have been mutilated. What can I do????? Please, Please someone help! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/06/2004 Time: 16:52:22 |
| What does your Dr. recommend ? Did he recommend removal of the gland ? Hopefully it will heal soon. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 15/06/2004 Time: 23:05:15 |
I have 2 BC's, one which is quite small and has never been operated on, it has only been around for about 4 years. The other I got when about 20, 13 years ago, it had been marsupialised twice after it abcessed and then my last operation was when a doctor tried to remove it. He did say it was a gamble as they don't know where it is, they can't really see it (!!) so he randomly cut a big lump of flesh out while I was under general. This was about 7 years ago and it has not helped, it kind of moved the cyst and left a weird lumpy scar, a bit rough looking but luckily no painful scarring. I think the cysts were initially caused by cycling as I used to ride a lot as a teenager, for hours each day. I never had a sexual disease or shaved or waxed the area before I got them. I have kept them regulated for the last 7 years by not bike riding and by regulating sex to about every 2nd day at the most. Sexual arousal definitely fills up the cysts, the better you feel the bigger they get. It is depressing to be so ruled by something like this, I have found it to have really altered my attitude towards sex, I am quite restrained and it is frustrating. I was going to ask a doctor to put in a catheter but noone seems to think they are any good, does anyone recommend them at all? I read about a string rather than a catheter, has anyone heard of this? It is left in for a couple of weeks, same principle I guess but maybe less intrusive.
I always felt like I was the only person who had this, I never even mentioned them to my friends.
We are united in frustration I guess.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/06/2004 Time: 02:23:29 |
Well this website is so helpful with so much information on this topic. When I was lying there having this most painful procedure I couldnt helping wondering, Why me? Not only because no a single person I know in my life has ever had that, but also all the doctors kept telling me the occurrence is 1% after the catheter was put in for at least 4 weeks. No offense to the doctors but what the hell do they know? It has been the 6th times for me this past year already! Before I found out this site I had seriously wondered if I was a scientific monster to be that 1%. Anyway, no one seems to know what causes this BC and what we can really do about it. Everyones situation is different. Some says that taking the pill would help some says the opposite. But from what I have read so far I think the hormone is one of the main reasons since all of BCs came right before my period. And I also believe that hot bath with salt probably will help the most, even if it is not very convenient several times a day. But this is nothing comparing with the pain and the inconvenience that you got from the BC!
One of my experiences may help, hopefully, any one of you who has a similar case. Once I had this BC but there wasnt actually a blockage. So every night before the shower I would try to squeeze the fluid out as much as possible, at first the fluid keeps filling up but in two or three days everything would all come out and the cyst is gone and instead of the thick, creamy fluid there is some light, normal, clear discharge. Every time you find some small cyst and abnormal discharge you should check if this is the case to prevent this getting worse.
Then of course, this only helps with one side of my gland. The other side is such a pain in the butt. There is no single sign of it and all of a sudden it became a size of a lemon and hurt as hell!
I often wonder why the medical research on this is so rare. I wonder if those female doctors ever got something like that. Because if they ever suffered like us, they would definitely try hard to find out the cure for it.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/06/2004 Time: 02:24:26 |
Well this website is so helpful with so much information on this topic. When I was lying there having this most painful procedure I couldnt helping wondering, Why me? Not only because no a single person I know in my life has ever had that, but also all the doctors kept telling me the occurrence is 1% after the catheter was put in for at least 4 weeks. No offense to the doctors but what the hell do they know? It has been the 6th times for me this past year already! Before I found out this site I had seriously wondered if I was a scientific monster to be that 1%. Anyway, no one seems to know what causes this BC and what we can really do about it. Everyones situation is different. Some says that taking the pill would help some says the opposite. But from what I have read so far I think the hormone is one of the main reasons since all of BCs came right before my period. And I also believe that hot bath with salt probably will help the most, even if it is not very convenient several times a day. But this is nothing comparing with the pain and the inconvenience that you got from the BC!
One of my experiences may help, hopefully, any one of you who has a similar case. Once I had this BC but there wasnt actually a blockage. So every night before the shower I would try to squeeze the fluid out as much as possible, at first the fluid keeps filling up but in two or three days everything would all come out and the cyst is gone and instead of the thick, creamy fluid there is some light, normal, clear discharge. Every time you find some small cyst and abnormal discharge you should check if this is the case to prevent this getting worse.
Then of course, this only helps with one side of my gland. The other side is such a pain in the butt. There is no single sign of it and all of a sudden it became a size of a lemon and hurt as hell!
I often wonder why the medical research on this is so rare. I wonder if those female doctors ever got something like that. Because if they ever suffered like us, they would definitely try hard to find out the cure for it.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/07/2004 Time: 04:43:28 |
dear fellow suffers. i'm 35 years old and had my first bartholin's abcess for the first time in my life after having sex for the first time w/ my new bf. (not STD's, b/c fluid was tested and came back negative.) i've had a marsupialization done about 6 weeks ago and i still feel and see the lump in my groin when i open my labia apart (not as large but definitely still there). 2 weeks after the marsup, the dr had to re-poke the duct open b/c it was getting closed up. he had pushed more clear fluid out of the gland that time too. since then, the gland is not super sore anymore but is still tender to the touch sometimes. sex is still not doable. everytime my bf tries to enter me, it's still painful and i have to push him away. is this normal? i find that getting aroused seems to get the gland harder and filled up. we haven't actually had full intercourse (b/c i'm still freaked out and it hurts when he tries to enter me). it's very psychological what this damn gland problem has done to me. i used to enjoy sex very much and now, it seems that this problem has consumed my every thought. i'm always touching my gland and freaking out about it.
i'm very hygienic and i know that is not the problem. i take sitz baths all the time now (3x/day) but the gland still is there. what's going on?? did the dr. not do a proper job? i was under local anesthesia and i do NOT recommend this to anyone. it was HORRIBLE. the psychological impact has been the worst thing. and i think the procedure is not done as well when the dr. hears you crying b/c your are so freaked out and in pain.
anyway ladies, if anyone can give me some advice to my issue, if its is normal to still feel the gland after 6 weeks from the marsup and when i can start having normal sex again, i would really appreciate it. hang in there girls... hope our men are as strong as we are... WE are the ones dealing w/ this awful problem. it's harder on us than it is on them! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/07/2004 Time: 12:22:51 |
| I have on too and am scared to death |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/07/2004 Time: 12:22:51 |
| I have on too and am scared to death |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/07/2004 Time: 12:25:34 |
| I have on too and am scared to death |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/07/2004 Time: 21:54:27 |
Hello,
I have a reoccuring BC - it has been going on for 6 months. I have had it drained a few times, and hope it gets big enough sometime soon so I can have it marsupialized.
I notice flare ups around the time of my period, and when I am under heavy stress. These also started about 2 months after I began taking the birth control pill.
Can anyone else link their BC's to stress, their period and the pill?
And - if you have any preventative advice, please let me know. I do warm compresses, baths and try to relax as much as possible.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/07/2004 Time: 17:39:22 |
I am on my 4th abcess. All three of mine have burst at home (I had my husband lance my last one with a sterile needle). They keep returning, but now I know what they are, and that I am not alone. I don't want pursue a surgical solution, as they don't appear to be effective, so here is my plan:
1. Begin daily sitz baths w/salt
2. Take borage or primrose oil
3. Next time I feel swelling and tenderness, I will place a clove of garlic next to the swelling (garlic crotch; sounds like an exotic chinese dish, and I am sure it will smell swell, lol).
4. Between episodes, I plan on massaging the area with a clean finger as often as I can (maybe before bed every night).
5. If massaging does not work, I will soak a cotton ball in golden seal tincture, heat it up in the microwave, and place in on the area. Massage afterwards with the hope that the heat has dilated the natural ducts enough to extract build up.
6. Visualize my immune system sweeping the area free of bacteria.
I will let you know how it goes! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/07/2004 Time: 22:24:31 |
I am just recovering from having my bartholins abscess marsupialized. This is my third abscess in three years. The first one was when i was 28 weeks pregnant, the second one was last June. With this one i was put on antibiotics straight away but it flared up again when i had finished the course. It has now been 9 days since operation, its 95% better, just alittle sore. It's not very good timing as i am trying to get pregnant after having 2 missed m/c's. I think some of the stitches have fallen out but there are still plenty left. There is quite a big hole, i was just wondering will it complently heal up or will there be just alittle hole left for drainage and how long will the stitches take to come out. Tried to make love tonight but its still abit sore, how long will it take to heal.? Still having salt baths each day, could i use Teatree oil in the bath instead?
I am glad i have found this site as it has helped me to understand alittle more about our big problems.
SW.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/07/2004 Time: 02:14:25 |
It took me three weeks to heal after my marsupialization. I thought I was ready for sex. One week later, hello abscess ! The Dr. said the incision closed up therefore it wouldn't drain properly. He said I must heal quickly , great !
He opened it and I thought that would be it. Wrong !
It returned two weeks later and I didn't even have
sex ! He finally prescribed two antibiotics and I have been abscess free for two weeks. To the post above I hope your Dr. gave you antibiotics after surgery. I believe that if I had antibiotics at that time it would have cleared up. The incision will look like a little hole and if you ever feel pain as if the abscess is returning take a warm bath and put pressure on the sore area. It should drain. Good luck ! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 15/07/2004 Time: 21:29:01 |
To the post above. Yes i was given 2 lots of antibiotics to take for 7 days after surgery. So far things look good, the hole is still there and some of the stitches are dissolving. It is now 11 days since surgery. Let's hope our abscesses keep away for good now (some chance). And thank you for replying. I think that every bath i take now will have a few drops of tea tree oil in it.
SW.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst - GIVING BIRTH |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 18/07/2004 Time: 17:23:18 |
I have had 2 surgeries - one on either side - for my cysts. They drained and have been up and down for about 5 years since then. They are very rarely painful. My concern now is that I am a couple of months away from GIVING BIRTH and am becoming paranoid that they are going to swell to the size of an orange (as one of them did, leading to emergency surgery 6 years ago) and cause problems for the baby's exit from there! It sounds a little crazy I know, but anyone who has had them swell to the point of stopping you from walking will understand.
I'm going to try the homeopathy, but has anyone any advice for me? There's no mention in this forum of the cysts and birth. Help. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/07/2004 Time: 16:41:03 |
I have had a Cyst on each side. I was far too scared to go to the doctor at the time and let it take its course. Thing is I am now left with an unsightly hole on either side which often leaks fluid/lubrication. Will I be left with this hole forever?
Anyone with good advice can you please email me on: silvastar1980@yahoo.co.uk
Kind Regards |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/08/2004 Time: 02:10:47 |
I am 44 and discovered a Bartholin's Cyst exactly one week ago. It made its appearance about 5 days before my period. I'd never heard of these cysts and had no idea what the big, hard lump in my labia majora was. It wasn't painful at all but I was obviously concerned when I looked down there with a hand mirror and saw it bulging out and distorting my body. Thanks to the internet and especially to this message board, I learned what I had and began to educate myself.
Those of you with infected, abscessed, and recurring cysts put the fear in me, not to mention those who spoke of the very small threat of cancer from these things. I began sitz baths three times a day, followed by Neosporin ointment; started taking Hepar Sulphur pills (homeopathic remedy I read about on this site) and Evening Primrose Oil tablets. But I also made an appointment to see the gynecologist just to be 100% certain I wasn't self-MISdiagnosing.
Today was my appointment. My (female) doctor told me how common these cysts are. She sees/treats them all the time, apparently. Mine was large, she said. About 4 cm. No sign of infection because it wasn't tender to the touch. She said she didn't think the sitz baths would bring this one to a head but that it might just go away by itself in about one month. More likely, in her opinion, was the chance that it would become infected and that I would come back in great pain (or end up in the ER on a weekend).
I decided to have her make an incision and drain it right then and there. According to her, the chance of recurrence was going to be the same whether I had it drained or let it go away by itself, and that chance, she said, was 20-50%.
She had me rub lidocaine gel all over the area (inside and out) to numb me a little, then she gave me an injection to numb the cyst even more. When I was numb, she made the incision (which I didn't feel at all) and let the fluid in the cyst drain. She said she used to put in the Word Catheters but had stopped that practice because they fell out and were uncomfortable for the patient. She told me the cut would heal by itself and that I did "really well."
I chose to have her take a little bit of the tissue for a biopsy, because of my age. The chance of cancer is extremely small, but because of my age, it is recommended that the tissue of the cyst be examined by a lab. Why not, right? I wanted to put my mind at rest.
Marsupialisation was only discussed as treatment for a recurrent problem, which remains to be seen in my case.
I left the office with a sanitary pad in my underpants. I was bleeding from the cut, but it didn't hurt... yet. Shortly after I got home, the numbing effect wore off and I did experience some very intense soreness/pain (consistent with having just been sliced!). I took two Advil and found that standing and sitting were the most painful positions. Relief came from lying on my back with my knees near my chest and spread apart so that my vaginal lips were also spread open. Then I had the brilliant idea to sprinkle some Goldenseal powder on the incision. It works so well on cuts, right? So I laid down on the floor in front of a mirror on the wall and tipped a tiny spoonful of the Goldenseal over the opening and watched it cover the incision. Bullseye! It didn't sting or hurt at all. I hope it helps the healing process.
For the last two hours I haven't had any pain. I'm sitting in a chair again, typing this at the computer. When I urinated about twenty minutes ago, more blood dripped out. (I thought was done bleeding, you see.)
That's my story for now. In a day or two I will resume the sitz baths and I plan to find a dietary supplement for helping with the monthly cycle, since it seems so many of us can tie the appearance of the cysts to our periods.
I hope this is the end of my BC nightmare. For the record, my boyfriend (of 1 year) and I are partial to vigorous, forceful intercourse and sometimes I'm not as lubricated as I could be. He is the first man I've been involved with who manages to get in me even when I'm not that wet, yet it never hurts, so I didn't think about it. I plan to insist on being really wet from now on... or on using artificial lube if I'm not.
I send my best wishes and my thanks to all the women who bravely shared their stories on this wonderful site. It helped me a lot.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 19/08/2004 Time: 02:10:47 |
I am 44 and discovered a Bartholin's Cyst exactly one week ago. It made its appearance about 5 days before my period. I'd never heard of these cysts and had no idea what the big, hard lump in my labia majora was. It wasn't painful at all but I was obviously concerned when I looked down there with a hand mirror and saw it bulging out and distorting my body. Thanks to the internet and especially to this message board, I learned what I had and began to educate myself.
Those of you with infected, abscessed, and recurring cysts put the fear in me, not to mention those who spoke of the very small threat of cancer from these things. I began sitz baths three times a day, followed by Neosporin ointment; started taking Hepar Sulphur pills (homeopathic remedy I read about on this site) and Evening Primrose Oil tablets. But I also made an appointment to see the gynecologist just to be 100% certain I wasn't self-MISdiagnosing.
Today was my appointment. My (female) doctor told me how common these cysts are. She sees/treats them all the time, apparently. Mine was large, she said. About 4 cm. No sign of infection because it wasn't tender to the touch. She said she didn't think the sitz baths would bring this one to a head but that it might just go away by itself in about one month. More likely, in her opinion, was the chance that it would become infected and that I would come back in great pain (or end up in the ER on a weekend).
I decided to have her make an incision and drain it right then and there. According to her, the chance of recurrence was going to be the same whether I had it drained or let it go away by itself, and that chance, she said, was 20-50%.
She had me rub lidocaine gel all over the area (inside and out) to numb me a little, then she gave me an injection to numb the cyst even more. When I was numb, she made the incision (which I didn't feel at all) and let the fluid in the cyst drain. She said she used to put in the Word Catheters but had stopped that practice because they fell out and were uncomfortable for the patient. She told me the cut would heal by itself and that I did "really well."
I chose to have her take a little bit of the tissue for a biopsy, because of my age. The chance of cancer is extremely small, but because of my age, it is recommended that the tissue of the cyst be examined by a lab. Why not, right? I wanted to put my mind at rest.
Marsupialisation was only discussed as treatment for a recurrent problem, which remains to be seen in my case.
I left the office with a sanitary pad in my underpants. I was bleeding from the cut, but it didn't hurt... yet. Shortly after I got home, the numbing effect wore off and I did experience some very intense soreness/pain (consistent with having just been sliced!). I took two Advil and found that standing and sitting were the most painful positions. Relief came from lying on my back with my knees near my chest and spread apart so that my vaginal lips were also spread open. Then I had the brilliant idea to sprinkle some Goldenseal powder on the incision. It works so well on cuts, right? So I laid down on the floor in front of a mirror on the wall and tipped a tiny spoonful of the Goldenseal over the opening and watched it cover the incision. Bullseye! It didn't sting or hurt at all. I hope it helps the healing process.
For the last two hours I haven't had any pain. I'm sitting in a chair again, typing this at the computer. When I urinated about twenty minutes ago, more blood dripped out. (I thought was done bleeding, you see.)
That's my story for now. In a day or two I will resume the sitz baths and I plan to find a dietary supplement for helping with the monthly cycle, since it seems so many of us can tie the appearance of the cysts to our periods.
I hope this is the end of my BC nightmare. For the record, my boyfriend (of 1 year) and I are partial to vigorous, forceful intercourse and sometimes I'm not as lubricated as I could be. He is the first man I've been involved with who manages to get in me even when I'm not that wet, yet it never hurts, so I didn't think about it. I plan to insist on being really wet from now on... or on using artificial lube if I'm not.
I send my best wishes and my thanks to all the women who bravely shared their stories on this wonderful site. It helped me a lot.
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/08/2004 Time: 19:12:43 |
| have had about 4 BC's myself and they have all been "lanced" 3 of them had a catheder in it and 1 was packed with gauze. All 4 times the BC returned, and it's back but only thing now is that it has seemed to move from the BC area to the inner lip of my vagina, sometimes it shrinks down with no pain at all, and other times (like after sex) it gets big and hurts bad (kinda looks like i have balls) . My question is what does it mean when the cyst that i had over and over again is back but now in a new spot on the inner lip? It's like it moved from the BC area up onto the lip now. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/08/2004 Time: 19:16:54 |
| have had about 4 BC's myself and they have all been "lanced" 3 of them had a catheder in it and 1 was packed with gauze. All 4 times the BC returned, and it's back but only thing now is that it has seemed to move from the BC area to the inner lip of my vagina, sometimes it shrinks down with no pain at all, and other times (like after sex) it gets big and hurts bad (kinda looks like i have balls) . My question is what does it mean when the cyst that i had over and over again is back but now in a new spot on the inner lip? It's like it moved from the BC area up onto the lip now. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/08/2004 Time: 19:18:04 |
| have had about 4 BC's myself and they have all been "lanced" 3 of them had a catheder in it and 1 was packed with gauze. All 4 times the BC returned, and it's back but only thing now is that it has seemed to move from the BC area to the inner lip of my vagina, sometimes it shrinks down with no pain at all, and other times (like after sex) it gets big and hurts bad (kinda looks like i have balls) . My question is what does it mean when the cyst that i had over and over again is back but now in a new spot on the inner lip? It's like it moved from the BC area up onto the lip now. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/08/2004 Time: 19:18:04 |
| have had about 4 BC's myself and they have all been "lanced" 3 of them had a catheder in it and 1 was packed with gauze. All 4 times the BC returned, and it's back but only thing now is that it has seemed to move from the BC area to the inner lip of my vagina, sometimes it shrinks down with no pain at all, and other times (like after sex) it gets big and hurts bad (kinda looks like i have balls) . My question is what does it mean when the cyst that i had over and over again is back but now in a new spot on the inner lip? It's like it moved from the BC area up onto the lip now. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 30/08/2004 Time: 11:10:19 |
This is my second Bartholins Cyst and last weekend the pain was so intense that I ended up in A&E and taken to the ward for emergency surgery. Having not had any children as yet, I have not experienced pain like I did last week as the cyst had abcessed and was the size of a large plum, and the surrounding area was treble its normal size. The doctor did say she had her work cut out with this one! and I have been left with a 2 inch cut on the outside and 7 stitches. But the pain is much better, although it is still sore and I am unable to sit down for long.
Unless you have gone through this process or have had a BC no one has any idea as to the pain these cause. I just hope that mine doesnt return.
I can reccommend hot baths and hot towels on the area which does sooth it a little, and of course this site as its good to know your not alone in this! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/09/2004 Time: 19:52:17 |
I am home resting with a word catheter put in 4 days ago. I am 35 and this is my first Bartholins abscess - it is the worst thing that's ever happened to me, as I've told my husband, and I've had a melanoma removed before! The thing is, catheter is not draining and I still have a hard lump which might be the ball of the catheter. Has anyone ever gone the whole 4 weeks w/ the cather in? It seems improbable.
Also, my mom told me she's had this herself, though luckily only once. She's had other adbscessed though, and thinks it is a body type that she's sorry to have passed onto me.
I've been doing the sitz bath after every bathroom visit - I think I am addicted. : )
I'm so glad to have seen all your posts. As everyone says it really helps to feel there are others and you are not a freak alone in your pain. I really empathize with each and every one of you. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 03/09/2004 Time: 22:33:03 |
My word catheter was causing excruciating pain and last night I pulled it out myself - what relief! The catheter hurt as much as the BA in my opinion. No wonder, since you have a foreign object the size of a small marble embedded in your vagina! Why can't they come up with something that will be more comfortable?
I've read many women say that the catheter is worthless. Is it because it's so difficult to keep it in for the required time? What are other people's experiences with the catheter? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/09/2004 Time: 13:50:25 |
The word catheter is so uncomfortable , I don't recommend it at all.Antibiotics seem to work for me . I have had marsupialization and a word catheter and the abscess returned after each procedure. I have been abscess free since June and I believe it is due to the antibiotics (two different types )
Good Luck ! I hope you remain abscess free . |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/09/2004 Time: 06:11:57 |
| Here is a wild idea: I think that yeast is a factor that causes BC's. I have had 3 BC's (2 Word catheder's and one marsup.). I have just completed a diet that reduces sugar consumption. After 11 weeks of low sugar diet I found that if I ate sugar- I had a yeast infection. I think the yeast aids in blocking the tube from the vaginal wall to the cyst. I still take hot baths as a precaution. I strongly believe diet can effect the bc. Too much sugar can change the ph balance of the vaginal area. Just a thought..... |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/09/2004 Time: 20:52:10 |
| I have suffered with Bartholin's Gland problems starting when I was 23, i am 32 now. I was marsupialized twice. Once on both side, twice on the right. The cyst occured after each surgery ( all within a 3 month period of time. When the Gyn said that her only alternative was removal, I freaked and ran out of the office. Going outside of my insurrance plan, I saw another doctor for a second opinion. He examined me, pulled out a large book, opened to a picture of what could have been my vulva, and said that I had a congenital defect, a hernia of the canal of knuk, and subsequently a cyst of the canal. He said the first clue was that it wa bi lateral, and the placement slightly different. He believed this was the original problem, but that due to the mis-diagnosis, my Bartholin's gland ducts were now scarred, and that I could have reoccuring problems. He corrected the cyst of the canal of knuk by carefully sewing down the layers of tissue so that the cyst could not form again. This final surgery corrected the problem with the canal of knuk. However, my Bartholin's gland, (the right side has never been right. Alot of scar tissue formed, and I have had reoccuring swelling on and off ever since. This past spring, after starting a new relationship, and particularly rigorous sex, the cyst enlarged and abscesed. The first time, after not being able to walk, I had it drained. It returned.found this site and tried every alternative remedy possible. After a week with the abscess growing, I had a particularly powerful accupuncture session. Within hours, it burst on it's own. It reoccured, as a smaller version, after sex about a week later, but immediately formed a head and burst within a day. It was quiet for a few months. I ignored commen sense and had fun rough sex, and guess what? The cysts, which is always small but present, swelled. It has not abscessed, is not sure. But I wait in fear. Trying all other possible alternative methods, accupuncture tomorrow. Am determined to find a way for my body to heal itself, without surgery. Been there, done that. It really emotionally cripples, almost more then physicallly. But there has to be a lesson learned in healing yourself, understanding your own body, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. The answers obviously do not come from the doctors but are inside ourselves. The wonderful doctor that helped me 9 years ago, died shortly after he helped me. I have not found a doctor that has reaaly understood the female body since. I strongly recomend educating yourself and getting a second opinion. If I had seen the miracle doctor first, I might not be dealing with Bartholin's gland problems now, because initially it wasn't the problem. But after three surgeries, infection to the surgical sight, not to mention a hack job ( part of my inner labia is gone, just snipped off during one of the marsupializations ) and I now have a chronic Bartholin cyst problem. Best of luck to everyone suffering. I share your pain. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/09/2004 Time: 20:55:35 |
| I have suffered with Bartholin's Gland problems starting when I was 23, i am 32 now. I was marsupialized twice. Once on both side, twice on the right. The cyst occured after each surgery ( all within a 3 month period of time. When the Gyn said that her only alternative was removal, I freaked and ran out of the office. Going outside of my insurrance plan, I saw another doctor for a second opinion. He examined me, pulled out a large book, opened to a picture of what could have been my vulva, and said that I had a congenital defect, a hernia of the canal of knuk, and subsequently a cyst of the canal. He said the first clue was that it wa bi lateral, and the placement slightly different. He believed this was the original problem, but that due to the mis-diagnosis, my Bartholin's gland ducts were now scarred, and that I could have reoccuring problems. He corrected the cyst of the canal of knuk by carefully sewing down the layers of tissue so that the cyst could not form again. This final surgery corrected the problem with the canal of knuk. However, my Bartholin's gland, (the right side has never been right. Alot of scar tissue formed, and I have had reoccuring swelling on and off ever since. This past spring, after starting a new relationship, and particularly rigorous sex, the cyst enlarged and abscesed. The first time, after not being able to walk, I had it drained. It returned.found this site and tried every alternative remedy possible. After a week with the abscess growing, I had a particularly powerful accupuncture session. Within hours, it burst on it's own. It reoccured, as a smaller version, after sex about a week later, but immediately formed a head and burst within a day. It was quiet for a few months. I ignored commen sense and had fun rough sex, and guess what? The cysts, which is always small but present, swelled. It has not abscessed, is not sure. But I wait in fear. Trying all other possible alternative methods, accupuncture tomorrow. Am determined to find a way for my body to heal itself, without surgery. Been there, done that. It really emotionally cripples, almost more then physicallly. But there has to be a lesson learned in healing yourself, understanding your own body, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. The answers obviously do not come from the doctors but are inside ourselves. The wonderful doctor that helped me 9 years ago, died shortly after he helped me. I have not found a doctor that has reaaly understood the female body since. I strongly recomend educating yourself and getting a second opinion. If I had seen the miracle doctor first, I might not be dealing with Bartholin's gland problems now, because initially it wasn't the problem. But after three surgeries, infection to the surgical sight, not to mention a hack job ( part of my inner labia is gone, just snipped off during one of the marsupializations ) and I now have a chronic Bartholin cyst problem. Best of luck to everyone suffering. I share your pain. |
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recurring bartholin cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/09/2004 Time: 04:03:27 |
Thank you everyone for writing in. This has been a great help. I have had a recurring bartholin cyst for the past 4-5 years. It has been lanced 1x and drained about 6 times or so. I would say that 4 of them alone were this past year and also 1x had a Word Catheter put in. I do NOT recommend the catheter, it hurts like h*ll. At least it did for me. I could not urinate, bend down, sit down or anything. The doctor told me that I would feel slight discomfort but what I felt was far from slight. The greatest relief was when my gyno stuck her fingers near the catheter and it popped out, I will not let her put it back in. I noticed that my cyst would fill up when I had sex but didn't realize that it was related, but after reading all of your stories, I see that it is. My cyst also filled up while wearing tampons.
Luckily my cyst is soft and when drained, the fluid is clear. Make sure you have your fluid checked for STD's, especially if it is not clear.
Unfortuantely I do not know what to do now. I will speak with my gyno regarding the marsup. procedure and do some research online about it. Otherwise, anyone have any other suggestions. I have not done sitz baths but think that I will try that also.
Some of you recommended changes once you went off the pill--I might try that.
Has anyone gotten rid of there cyst and haven't had a recurrence is over a few months. if yes, please let us in on the secret...
thanks ladies.... |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/09/2004 Time: 16:31:43 |
I first posted to the list on August 19, 2004, the day I had my first BC drained by my gynecologist. Anyway, the cyst came back within 10 days. It isn't as large (yet), but it's there. This problem is very very frustrating and, as others have said, psychologically damaging. Sex doesn't feel good anymore--I'm scared to have it!--and I have no idea what to do. Marsupialization doesn't seem to guarantee an end to the problem either, though I may try it eventually. I plan to RELAX now, because there's nothing else I can do.
I regret letting my doctor treat it with Incision and Drainage (I & D); she wasn't honest about the rate of recurrence. It was a waste of money. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/09/2004 Time: 20:25:53 |
| I was diagnosed approximately 3 yrs. ago with BGC and my gyno said we would just "watch" it. I had no pain, no discomfort with sex and only slight discomfort when sitting on hard surfaces. In March 2004, I went for my check up and it had grown considerably and the doc said that it needed to come out. It was still not painful, only discomfort when sitting on hard surfaces. He did not offer me any other options stating that he believed in removal for they only come back repeatedly with the other procedures. I naively agreed and had the cystectomy done on a Friday in June 2004. He said it would be a simple procedure and that I could return to work on Monday with a "donut" cushion. (I do not work outside the home) I also have a very high pain tolerance. By Monday, I was in such pain in the surgical area and my entire hip. I was frightened thinking I was supposed to be able to return to work. Ha! I called the doctor and he prescribed more pain pills which I have never had to take my entire life and I am 42. By Wednesday I knew I had an infection from the odor. Went to the doc on Thursday and all the internal and external stitches were coming out. Began Bactrim DS, continued sitz bathes and began H2O2 cleaning. The "hole" at the surgical site did close up. Unfortunately, the stitches came out of where he had sewn the labia minora back on (why it was cut I will never know and had no prior anticipation that it even might be) so the area on that side is kind of exposed and the labia lip has reduced down to a "tag". I now have to make the decision to clip the "tag" off or see a specialist in a nearby large city. My husband and I have had a very healthy sex life for 15 years and for the first time I am very emotionally and psychologically drained regarding sex and my new vulvar area. I am not an extremely vain person, but this was something that was personally important in my life. My husband is very understanding and patient. It is not about him, it is about me. Is there anyone out there who has had any experience with labia repairs? Is sex painful even after a good healing period? Please, I could use any advice soon as I have to return to the doc in 2 weeks. I have tried to search for info on the web but cannot find any. It has been very comforting reading all of your posting. I now know I am not alone. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/09/2004 Time: 20:29:59 |
| I was diagnosed approximately 3 yrs. ago with BGC and my gyno said we would just "watch" it. I had no pain, no discomfort with sex and only slight discomfort when sitting on hard surfaces. In March 2004, I went for my check up and it had grown considerably and the doc said that it needed to come out. It was still not painful, only discomfort when sitting on hard surfaces. He did not offer me any other options stating that he believed in removal for they only come back repeatedly with the other procedures. I naively agreed and had the cystectomy done on a Friday in June 2004. He said it would be a simple procedure and that I could return to work on Monday with a "donut" cushion. (I do not work outside the home) I also have a very high pain tolerance. By Monday, I was in such pain in the surgical area and my entire hip. I was frightened thinking I was supposed to be able to return to work. Ha! I called the doctor and he prescribed more pain pills which I have never had to take my entire life and I am 42. By Wednesday I knew I had an infection from the odor. Went to the doc on Thursday and all the internal and external stitches were coming out. Began Bactrim DS, continued sitz bathes and began H2O2 cleaning. The "hole" at the surgical site did close up. Unfortunately, the stitches came out of where he had sewn the labia minora back on (why it was cut I will never know and had no prior anticipation that it even might be) so the area on that side is kind of exposed and the labia lip has reduced down to a "tag". I now have to make the decision to clip the "tag" off or see a specialist in a nearby large city. My husband and I have had a very healthy sex life for 15 years and for the first time I am very emotionally and psychologically drained regarding sex and my new vulvar area. I am not an extremely vain person, but this was something that was personally important in my life. My husband is very understanding and patient. It is not about him, it is about me. Is there anyone out there who has had any experience with labia repairs? Is sex painful even after a good healing period? Please, I could use any advice soon as I have to return to the doc in 2 weeks. I have tried to search for info on the web but cannot find any. It has been very comforting reading all of your posting. I now know I am not alone. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 14/09/2004 Time: 20:49:58 |
| Just in case you haven't found this web site, www.bartholins.com is also a comforting read. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 24/09/2004 Time: 03:54:11 |
Four weeks ago I first started feeling an intense pain and noticed that one side of my vagina was very swollen. It was Bartholin's cyst that had abscessed. My gyno said he sees it all the time and he lanced it followed by word catheter. The cathether fell out in four days but dr. said that's fine and a week and half later said that I was all well and that I can have sex again.
Well, right after my husband and I had intercourse I felt a pressure and the area began to swell. This progressed in the past week to a hard lump - a Bartholin's cyst. I saw my dr. today and he suggested that I get it marsupialized - otherwise it will continue to bother me. I guess I will do that. I have to schedule the surgery soon. But it sounds from people on this site that the cysts can stay around for years and not go "bad". Maybe I should wait a bit more. Has anyone's cysts just gone away for good?
I guess those people would just get on with their lives though and not read this site obsessively. But let me know if you had a cyst go away on its own. Thanks. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 27/09/2004 Time: 20:30:42 |
I just had my 3rd bartholins abcess in about a years time. I have had three children, naturally without medication ,and would quite happily have another rather than face this again. I've always prided myself for having a high pain tolerance but these things are absolutely the most painful things I've ever endured. I've made an appointment to have the gland removed in a week (it's my last resort!). After reading this, I hope I'm not making a mistake. This has caused so much depression and anxiety for me. I even quit my job over it because I could no longer keep missing time to recover from them.
Anyway, it has been great to read the posts and know that others have this and I'm not just a freak. Will keep you posted on the removal. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 30/09/2004 Time: 04:50:10 |
Have you tried other methods? I have heard negative comments regarding removal of the gland. Try to research a little more before making your final decision.I know what you are going through,but I don't think I would remove the gland.
Try Marsupialization and antibiotics. In the last two years I have had 4-5 abscesses. In June of this year I had a Marsupialization. It returned three weeks later and then I was given two different antibiotics. I have been fine since July. Not only does it cause depression and extreme anxiety but it can also affect your sex life.
Be careful , make your decision wisely. Good Luck. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 05/10/2004 Time: 08:47:33 |
| Thank you so much to all who have contributed to this site. I have had 2 previous BC's, the first one bursting on holiday after severe pain. The second was marsupialised and this morning I have found that it has returned. I immediately broke down and felt all the fears most of you have felt. I am about to ring my doctor now and dread this whole procedure once again. However, knowing I am not some freak and there are others out there suffering the same has made me feel a lot better. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 05/10/2004 Time: 08:47:33 |
| Thank you so much to all who have contributed to this site. I have had 2 previous BC's, the first one bursting on holiday after severe pain. The second was marsupialised and this morning I have found that it has returned. I immediately broke down and felt all the fears most of you have felt. I am about to ring my doctor now and dread this whole procedure once again. However, knowing I am not some freak and there are others out there suffering the same has made me feel a lot better. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 07/10/2004 Time: 06:18:23 |
I was scheduled to get a marsupialization yesterday but it was cancelled by my doctor because the cyst had gone down so much. He said that the surgery needs to be done when the cyst is swollen, otherwise it is difficult to get a good result.
But the cyst is still there, though very small, and it is tender (painful?) when I press on it. When the doc was examining me the day before yesterday it really hurt when he pressed on it. I'm hoping and praying that it goes down all the way. I'll post again to give you guys an update. Let's all hang in there. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 09/10/2004 Time: 07:47:19 |
| To answer the earlier question of a cyst going away- NO! I have had a long stretch of no problems but I always soak in hot water, monitor the cyst and avoid all the common culprits! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/10/2004 Time: 03:06:16 |
| I have had this occur now for the 2nd time in my life. First time it went away after a week or two of pain. This time I told my herbalist about it and she recommended Silica. Well what this did for me was bring it to a head much quicker and relieved the pain soon after it 'popped'. Silica is one of Dr. Schuessler's Tissue Salts. He is the father of Biochemistry. I certainly am glad I tried this before going to the dr and getting frustrated. It was much cheaper too less than $10 for a bottle of 100 tablets. It was a gradual onset. Hard little lump little pain then after a week it was getting really painful to even touch it and as soon as I took the silica for an acute onset (1 tab every 1/2 for 3 hrs, not to exceed 6 tabs a day) it wasn't long before it 'popped'. Now it's still a bit swollen but no pain at all! And it's been 2 weeks since initial onset where I just noticed a very small lump. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 20/10/2004 Time: 03:06:16 |
| I have had this occur now for the 2nd time in my life. First time it went away after a week or two of pain. This time I told my herbalist about it and she recommended Silica. Well what this did for me was bring it to a head much quicker and relieved the pain soon after it 'popped'. Silica is one of Dr. Schuessler's Tissue Salts. He is the father of Biochemistry. I certainly am glad I tried this before going to the dr and getting frustrated. It was much cheaper too less than $10 for a bottle of 100 tablets. It was a gradual onset. Hard little lump little pain then after a week it was getting really painful to even touch it and as soon as I took the silica for an acute onset (1 tab every 1/2 for 3 hrs, not to exceed 6 tabs a day) it wasn't long before it 'popped'. Now it's still a bit swollen but no pain at all! And it's been 2 weeks since initial onset where I just noticed a very small lump. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 21/10/2004 Time: 08:27:18 |
I'm 19 and definitely have one of these cysts. I don't know how long I've had it; I noticed it perhaps six months ago, but only until recently did it occur to me that it might be something (i.e. a cyst). It has slowly become more noticeable over the past six months, and is now between the size of a marble or a grape. It has also gotten harder than it once was. I can't imagine that it is an abcess because it has been there for at least half a year and is painless, except during sex. Usually the discomfort is really minimal and only at the beginning, after which the pain goes away-- or at least I don't notice it. But, at the same time, even a little hurt during sex is not at all fun and it makes me worry.
So, I figured I'd suck it up and go to the doctor. However, after reading these posts, I'm really wary. In an honest, lay opinion-- should I get a doctor to take care of it, or just wait and see what happens? Everything that's been written here regarding treatment sounds extremely invasive and painful, and often in vain. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 26/10/2004 Time: 20:39:52 |
Hi Ladies,
I have wrote a few times now. My first BC was April 2004. I have had it drained once where they stuffed me with gauze for a few days and left to drain on its own... it came back... i then had them put a word catheter there which was in place for 3 weeks, finally bursting ( i pulled it out on my own) at this point i was single and was not having sex.. had no problems until Sept 2004. The cyst came back and I went to get Marsipulization. Very Painful!! It has not come back since- now Oct 26! I waited over a month before having sex. Had sex finally for the first time- well lubricated! Sex was fine but was painful when the head of the penis passes the area where its healed. A lump remains there.. Doctors figure it might be "might" be.. ( they never give you a strait answer!!) the scar tissue, i say its the gland. I recommend sitz baths, pressure around that area (light massage) and very well lubricated sex! i will keep you updated, if any questions please email at qwikstepa@hotmail.com |
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Outpatient Marsupialization IN australia!!! |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/11/2004 Time: 08:35:40 |
Going in for Marsupialization in 3 weeks.
Is this procedure local or general?
Does local anaesthetic hurt????
Will there be scarring?
What size will the pouch heal to?
freaking out here
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 03/11/2004 Time: 04:01:39 |
| I am glad to know that I am not the only one! I am now on my 5th infected cyst! Hot compresses and hot baths are a good idea. It was explained to me that it is a "zit" of the genetalia...just something that happens when a pore/gland gets clogged by sweat or dirt. Maybe the doctors are vague because they don't want to really say you have a big zit down there. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/11/2004 Time: 14:07:17 |
| I'm still laughing at the last message. If you ever get a facial zit the size of my cyst/abcess (half an avocado best describes it) I would offer you all my prayers! I needed cheering up. I have my first B cyst and am rather depressed that it may be the first of many.... I do not have rough sex, always moist (maybe too much?) and recently had a Depo-provera contraceptive injection to regulate a hormone imbalance. By the way I have been quoted £1300 for private hospital surgery. Not keen on taking pot-luck after reading all these tales of incompetence! I'm also going to stock up on remedies. This site is useful - but shows worst case scenarios Big Time. I wonder if thousands of one-time only sufferers would be bothered to surf the net and share their experience? UNlikely so I will console myself with the thought that this might go forever! Good luck everybody. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 04/11/2004 Time: 14:07:17 |
| I'm still laughing at the last message. If you ever get a facial zit the size of my cyst/abcess (half an avocado best describes it) I would offer you all my prayers! I needed cheering up. I have my first B cyst and am rather depressed that it may be the first of many.... I do not have rough sex, always moist (maybe too much?) and recently had a Depo-provera contraceptive injection to regulate a hormone imbalance. By the way I have been quoted £1300 for private hospital surgery. Not keen on taking pot-luck after reading all these tales of incompetence! I'm also going to stock up on remedies. This site is useful - but shows worst case scenarios Big Time. I wonder if thousands of one-time only sufferers would be bothered to surf the net and share their experience? UNlikely so I will console myself with the thought that this might go forever! Good luck everybody. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/11/2004 Time: 19:48:19 |
| Maybe there is a genetic connection? My mother and my grandmother both had Bartholin cysts! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/11/2004 Time: 19:49:45 |
| Maybe there is a genetic connection? My mother and my grandmother both had Bartholin cysts! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 10/11/2004 Time: 19:49:45 |
| Maybe there is a genetic connection? My mother and my grandmother both had Bartholin cysts! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 17/11/2004 Time: 21:07:39 |
| Hi everyone! I just wanted to post some advice. For all those who are suffering reoccuring infections, I highly recommend getting several opinions! I have been through it all - for 3 years, every 5 months and with my period I would get an lump/infection. I have had two surgeries and took a LOT of antibiotics. Nothing worked. They kept coming back worse each time. The point of my story is that in the end it WAS NOT a BC. It was an anal fistula. For some reason, I ended up with this problem - a whole in my rectum with infection that was attacking my Batholin's gland. The doctor's I saw over the years all attributed the problem to an infected Bartholin's gland and it wasn't. Due to the fact that everything is so closely linked down there, the infection was causing that area to be inflamed to let me know something was wrong. I am not saying that everyone who gets a BC has what I have, but let me tell you, I have been through a lot of pain, infection and illness to do me the rest of my life and I would hate to have others go through that simply b/c a doctor doesn't take the time to do a thorough check. If you keep getting them over and over, I would suggest going for alternative tests to find out if something else is wrong!! |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/11/2004 Time: 13:10:15 |
To Guest 17/11/04
I'd like to talk to you further as I too have had the same as you and still suffering. I am having various symptoms and think that it might be something else despite having been in surgery several times. My email address is lmoon@plymouth.ac.uk and I really would like to hear from you as I am at the end of my tether!
thanks
Lynda |
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Pain! |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 24/11/2004 Time: 11:57:17 |
I'm so glad I found this site, it is comforting to know I am not the only person suffering. I have had 3 abscesses, one burst by itself, one was drained and the last one marsupulised. The last op was 6 weeks ago and I am now suffering from severe discomfort whilst sitting. Having a desk-based job doesn't help. Pain is on same side of abscesses it is a dull ache that occurs everytime I sit - its so frustrating. I have had an MRI scan and and a vaginal scan and they found nothing. I was put under general aneasthetic last week so doctor could have a deeper look - again nothing was found - yet I am still in pain!
I'm feeling pretty low and feel so isolated because I don't know what the problem is. Has anyone else experienced this - or have any ideas as to what I can do? |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 02/12/2004 Time: 19:50:16 |
I am having a Marsup... done this coming up Tuesday, Can someone tell me how bad the recovery is going to be....
Thanks |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 08/12/2004 Time: 10:50:56 |
Check out this site: http://b4.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?&user=catelee2u
There are loads of postings on the site to advise you. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 13/12/2004 Time: 04:18:04 |
i just experienced my first BC abcess this week. I went to the gyno and she said it wasn't my bartholin gland but my skenes gland..she just cut me with a scalpel and sent me on my way.
The very next morning i woke up with the worst pain i have ever felt in my life. I crawled into the ER screaming in pain and tears flowing.The ER doc said my gyno was crazy and it WAS my bartholin gland on the right side at the top right next to my clitoris. It had swollen up to the size of a golf ball. He said the gyno had also cut me in the wrong place and only made things worse. He said lidocaine shots wouldn't help me any,and just got the scalpel and started slicing. Oh lord the pain! He didn't put a catheter or anything in. He just cut me,told me to lay there 15 minutes or so while it drained,then sent me home with the anitbiotic Bactrim.
I've been sitting in a hot tub of water twice a day since,and so far no real pain..i still feel a very small lump though and that concerns me.
What concerns me most of all though is this terrible TERRIBLE itching i have.I've had it for months now and no doc can tell me why. I have eczema on my hands,and one doc said i could have it on the genital area,but i don't break out or have any bumps besides the one BC. I've been checked for every STD and am clean as a whistle. I believe i got this BC abcess from the intense scratching i've been doing down there. I possibly injured myself scratching too hard. |
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Re: Bartholin's Cyst |
| Posted By: Guest Date: 23/12/2004 Time: 15:21:45 |
I'm 22, recently married, on the Ortho Evra patch, and healing from my first marsupialization. I just discovered the painless marble-sized lump 13 days ago, and after two doctor's visits (one said it was a varicose vein; the other said it was definitely a BC), I had the general surgery done two days ago. Yesterday I walked bowlegged and watched movies all day, but today I'm walking normally with just some bruising and slight pain.
I'm trying to find a common denominator between BC sufferers but can't. I was hoping to find some posts reporting one cyst + marsupialization = problem solved forever, but it looks like that is not the case.
My husband and I both saved ourselves for marriage, and I can't believe I developed this just as we started to really enjoy sex. I am scared that I will battle this my entire life, and though my husband is so gentle and understanding, I feel like I have let him down.
Has anyone out there ever had their first surgery be successful?? Anyone?? |
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