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Recently i went to the doctor after being diagnosed with a Pilonidal sinus by my basketball clubs doctor. I have read 90% of the messages on this forum and i have gotten alot of infomation that the doctor didnt supply me with.
Why i am writing is the doctor told me that surgery is a last resort. I advised him that pain was minimul, drainage was steady but not too much, and he said i should just attempt to "live with it" unless it becomes too painful.
I took this word as true until i reached this board, it seems to me that by everyones messages that surgery is a must. After reading this i contacted my doctor and he assures me that it wont be necessary if im not in too much pain.
Is this true or without surgery will it only get worse? Please help me as i am receiving conflicting stories and im unsure of what is best for my health, which is priority number 1
thankyou so much
In Reply to: pilonidal sinus posted by Brett Maher on October 22, 2002 at 03:11:18:
Brett,
Your doctor is absolutely correct. I also have a pilonidal sinus, my only flare-up was 2 years ago, after having it lanced and following the protocol described on this web site (hot compresses for any flare-ups, don't sit on hard surfaces, use a donut whenever possible) I haven't had another incident. Remember the surgery is totally optional, and not guaranteed to eliminate the problem.
Good luck!
Jennifer
In Reply to: pilonidal sinus posted by Brett Maher on October 22, 2002 at 03:11:18:
Well Brett I wish it was as easy as saying yes or no. Jennifer is right but that doesn't happen to everyone and that's why you get all this conflicting information. Some people have it worse some people have one incident and even without proper care never have another one again.
So your best bet is to wait and see for right now. Since you have little trouble with it you may be lucky and be like Jennifer. However it's possible to live with a cyst for years and years with little trouble then the flare-ups get worse.
Also with each flare-up these cyst can grow and tunnel.
Well I know this doesn't seem to be helping and it is confusing. But it is the facts. My brother has a Pilonidal cyst. He had one flare-up and hasn't been bothered with it for five years. Me I've had four bad flare-ups that had to be lanced and two surgeries. Go figure. I wish I could give you some concrete advice.
So best bet for now, research and learn, it won't hurt to see a surgeon to get surgery options so that you know what to expect.
Another site that gives great living with it advice, surgery options the best way to find a good surgeon is www.pilonidal.org. Check it out.
Good luck
just another suffer
In Reply to: pilonidal sinus posted by Brett Maher on October 22, 2002 at 03:11:18:
Hi,
I had the surgery not because it was painful but I just go sick of the draining and itching my butt (emberrasing). I had the open wound type of surgery and the surgery itself is not painful but the recovery can take some time. You can resume your regular activities in a few days but you'll need 12-16 weeks of being pampered and cleaned. Also I would not recommend the closed wound surgery as the success rate seems to be lower based on Dr. Walt, polls on this board and what the surgeon will tell you. Good luck.
In Reply to: pilonidal sinus posted by Brett Maher on October 22, 2002 at 03:11:18:
Hi, Brett.
Your doctor is right! You are fortunate that you have one that is doing what he would do for himself were he in your shoes.
Listen to ccc, just & Jennifer. I think you could benefit youself by more closely reading what is in the archives. Basically, we have been recommending exactly what your doc is saying. Once you have surgery you cannot go back.
The stories of the post surgical failures are SO horrible that I, for one would have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to the operating table before I would have surgery for this.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: pilonidal sinus (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll on October 23, 2002 at 12:46:18:
I bet if you had two flare-ups a year that had to be lanced open, no essential oils worked nor hot compresses just extreme pain until the cyst was lanced. Then four months of healing after each. (total of 8 months in a year) Sorry I shouldn't argue but you were a little one-sided since you've never suffered from it and thus really don't know what you'ld do if you were in extreme pain.
You'ld go to the operating table pretty easy. Sorry Dr. Stoll this Pilonidal cyst thing is not so cut and dried each person can have a different experiance. Which is why I pointed out to Brett that what may work for one may not work for another. Even if I have to have surgery every two or five years it's better than lancings twice a year with months and months of healing.
To each it's own.
For CC, the closed method surgery is not to be overlooked. The recurrance rates you see on this site and many are for post op infections only. NO LONG TERM RECURRANCE RATE HAS EVER BE DONE. I know it's rather confusing. The rates surgeons and such gives you is for post op infections. Just wanted to let you know.
just another suffer
In Reply to: Re: pilonidal sinus (Archive.) posted by just another suffer on October 24, 2002 at 15:34:59:
Sorry, just.
If you have read my notes about this you know that all I am doing is trying to make sure that the person has enough facts to make up their own mind. I certainly do not have an ax to grind!
Walt
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