Re: Cora, infected cyst

[Guest guest]

Cora,

I have had a sebaceous cyst on my head since I was a teen. I first noticed

it when I was about 17, in 1978. I was sent to a surgeon, but he said to

just leave it alone. It bothered me off and on but not enough to go to the

doctor again. In Oct 1991, it started really hurting suddenly. It is on

the back of my head, so I cannot see it. I called the doctor but I was

unable to get in to his office because we were in the process of moving to a

new state. It felt like my head was going to explode there was so much

pressure! I went to the bathroom mirror to try and see it. When I touched

it, it literally exploded! Warning - this is really gross! There was

actually blood and pus on the mirror and even the ceiling! However, the

minute that happened, every bit of the pain and pressure was gone! It has

never gotten to that point again, but over the years it got to where it was

hurting off and on more and more often. I have long, curly red hair that I

love very much, so vanity kept me from having it removed for a long time. I

finally showed it to my family doctor but he told me that it was too large

for him to remove in the office. When I had my portacath put in in January

2003, I had the surgeon remove it. He promised me that he would remove only

the tiniest bit of my hair. He was true to his word. It required 5

stitches, but he shaved such a tiny bit of my hair, so it never showed at

all. There is still a little bit of it left and it still bothers me but

when I showed it to the surgeon that did my last hernia surgery, he felt

like trying to remove the rest would just make things worse. So, it's still

there and off and on it hurts a little, but I guess for now I'll just deal

with it.

I certainly hope yours is able to be lanced today. I think the minute they

lance it, you will no longer have any pain. Best of luck to you.

W

-------------------------------------------------

This message has been scanned for viruses and

dangerous content by PCLNET, and is

believed to be clean.

Visit www.pclnet.net and get a 3Mbps cable modem!

-------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I realize that cysts are very common. Even infected ones. The

doctors (yes - doctors - there was 3 in the room) didn't think

lancing it would be a good idea (yet), due to the immune suppressing

drugs that I am on they worried that opening it up might make it

worse and more susceptible to infection. The swelling has covered

my entire forehead, part of my nose, one temple, and parts of both

eyelids. It looks like I was in a fight or car accident. The

swelling is increasing all the time. I have to call them tomorrow

if the pain is not any better. They said they would refer me to a

surgeon who would probably lance it in the operating room, because

they felt even a " procedure " room wouldn't be sterile enough for

someone with a compromised immune system. The pain is

excrutiating. I didn't work today, but am going in tonight for a

meeting. I have to work tomorrow......I hope !!

Cora

[Guest guest]

I am taking Keflex 500mg 4x day for 10 days. I have to call them

again in the morning.

Liver wise I am doing good. August lab results showed my AST/ALT

were within normal range! First time in over a year!!!

Cora