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Recent bartholim cyst drainage and catheter placed. What to expect? Is this normal?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Marz51855
Marz51855

Hello! I am new here and new to the idea of a bartholin cyst. I will give my detailed story, and try to sum it up quickly at the bottom for those who don't want all the details.

I had been experiencing pain and discomfort and eventually noticed a large lump near my vagaina, but quite a bit under the skin. Nothing could be seen from visual inspection. At first I had thought I had a badly pulled muscle, as it was a similar discomfort but nothing I tried was relieving it (hot packs/baths, acetominophen etc).

I could not get into see my primary care physician for over 2 weeks, and I was increasingly uncomfortable and began having intermittent fevers, so on Monday I made my way to an outpatient hospital clinic. After being there for several hours and seeing several nurse practitioners and doctors, none of them could figure me out. They had even said it couldn't be a bartholin cyst as it was too large. They sent me to the emergency room of another hospital. There I saw more doctors- 2gynecology residents, a gyno, and eventually a more specialized gynos (one of the two big head haunchos in our area). They said it was a bartholin cyst and they were going to drain it and put in a cath. The regular gyno and residents did the precedure, the specialist was in and out. Reg. gyno said that the catheter is kept in for 6 weeks, but that most of the time it falls out before then. The specialist told me to make an appointment with his office for 6 weeks from then to have it removed, and that it was imperative that it stayed in until then. I didn't get to ask much for questions because at this point I was mentally/physically exhausted (not to mention I hadn't eaten or drank anything in about 20 hours) and just realived to know what it was that I didn't think to ask anything and now I'm not even sure I heard all of the instructions. They did say it didn't look like it was infected, I was not put on antibiotics, but that it just looked like a lot of "old blood". The drainage process was quite involved, the dr was expressing the large cyst for quite a while and had to work pretty hard at it (I'm quit a bit bruised) and the room looked like a murder scene when it was done. My poor SO left work as soon as I told him what was going on, he showed up just as they were finishing and walked in on blood everywhere and didn't have a single clue what was going on.

My issue is it has now been about 36 hours after the drainage, and the catheter was tucked up into my vagina and I couldn't feel it from the outside, I woke up early this morning and could tell something was different, not any more painful or uncomfortable really, but different. I checked and it is definitely poking out. I'm not sure if this is normal, or if I should poke it back up. I'm afraid to touch it because I don't want to displace it even more. I can't get in to see my family doctor, the gyno who is supposed to remove it in 6 weeks (as I don't have a gyno)... but I will go to out patients/ER again if I absolutely have to.

I am also wondering how much bleeding should I expect in the weeks to come? I had quite a bit in the first 24 hours, it has tapered off but still there. Is this going to be a consistent thing for the next 6 weeks? I'm just not sure what is normal and what I should seek help for.

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • cyrah
    cyrah Marz51855

    Posted

    Hi there,

    Sorry you had to experience one of these terrible things. The good news is that statistically you're pretty unlikely to get another one. I've had a number of these drained and from experience and every account I've heard the caths always fall out. It's not the end of the world as they make little difference anyway to be honest.

    Do your best to keep the area as clean as possible to ensure that it continues draining and prevent infection. Use ice packs for the next two days or so and then switch to damp heat (then back to ice, etc until it's better). I'd imagine you won't be bleeding for a whole lot longer. Perhaps a couple of days, and it should get pretty light.

    Also, not saying your doctor is wrong (that's a lie, I'm saying they're wrong) but you most likely have an infection and should've been given antibiotics. They rarely get that large without there being an infection and since you had a fever... yeah, all signs point to infection.

  • Nonna-g
    Nonna-g Marz51855

    Posted

    I totally sympathize! I didn't have much bleeding at all post excision. Just a drop or so of blood when I patted dry after using the bathroom. I've had the word catheter in for 8 days now and yesterday was the first day I didn't have to take pain meds. I had my follow up appt today and unfortunately he recommended I leave it there for another 3 weeks! He explained that the longer you leave it in the less chance it comes back. He explained that the catheter is creating a new duct as the skin around it heals. He deflated the balloon a little bit to make me more comfortable. It's uncomfortable but not painful. I still get little surges of pain and stinging sometimes but not as bad as the first several days. He also mentioned how impressed he was at the placement of the word catheter and that most er doctors are not experienced with this procedure. He said it was tucked away nicely lol

    Good luck to you and hang in there! You are not alone. These forums have given me so much comfort throughout this ordeal. Please keep us posted ??

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