I had pains but not urination pain just from the area where the surgery was done, ask your doctor if thats normal.

thanks, i think i also got a urinarytract infection! How long was it painful for? Have you made a good recovery?

I can't believe I found this forum. I have been struggling with these cysts for several years now. Just in the past few months, however, has it been the worst.

2 months ago I developed a cyst that swelled to the size of a baseball. The gyno sent me right away to the ER where they cut it open and put in a catheter. The catheter came out (excruciatingly) the very next morning. Within 2 days I was in the worst pain I have ever known, so bad I couldn't even walk and when I did all I could do was cry involuntarily. I went back to the gyno only to find out it was much worse, majorly infected and there was a blood clot. I had the procedure redone in the gyno's office (bad decision), but I was out of my mind with pain. I drove myself home from the doc's with no memory of doing so, and once I got home went into shock.

I finally did "heal," but it came back a week and a half ago. I had a marsupialization one week ago today. So far, so good. But then I was told that I had MRSA, a type of staph. I am on so many antibiotics I can hardly keep track. The vomiting is pretty bad, but not as bad as when I was on Flagyl the last time. I've only got several more days of the antibiotics, and I can't wait.

What others have said about the depression and the worry is absolutely true. I am constantly wondering with every move and every little twitch if it's coming back.

I am really glad to see that there are others out there who are struggling with the same thing and who have words of wisdom to share. This has been awful.

My recovery took me a good two weeks, i had sex for the first time in seven weeks and it feels good.but as time goes by it will only feel better i hope it will work out the same for you too good luck am praying for us all.

I feel your pain i too went to the ER so many times,mine got to the size of a gulf ball then so much pain i shiver, i could'nt imagine any one going through these pains i would pray for it to go away i would put hot water for it to break i sit in hot water until i feel like i want to vomit, i never want to feel those feelings again i have to sit up in my couch and sleep because every position i lay in was pain right now am so happy i think i did the right thing o do the marsup ill keep you in my prayers good luck.

Hi
Its been 8 days since my masupualisation.This was for my first cyst. It went well. There was some pain afterward for about 5 days, especially during/after urinating but now seems to be healing very well. After reading some of these horror stories I am a little nervous that it may return...I am looking for some success stories if anyone has them?? Im also wondering if sex is the same afterward and how long people waited?

Hi I have just had my cyst removed surgically it was the size of an orange the last one I was rushed to a and e in excruitiating pain - i wanted to die it was infected and had emergency surgery. Any way I think he removed it entirely said it was huge the op was meant to take 20mins but took 1hr 20, I had bad reaction to anaesthesia stayed in hosp 3 days. I am still sore and depressed and really smelly he said there is about 10stitches down there they will disolve. I had general ceasar that I think was easier than this. now I am so scared I might have to go back after reading the above.He is sending it to be tested and go back to see gyn in a week so will keep you updated.

I am 30 and just had my first Bartholins cyst. It got infected and I took one day off work. The doctor lanced it in the office and wanted to see me after one week. So - I went in yesterday and she said its starting to fill up again. They schedule me for the marsup procedure, does not want to do the cath. Worried it will fall right out.

I have read all of your posts and it really made me feel better. Great to hear your stories.

Only question, does it seem like to soon to do the marsup? It's getting kinda swollen again but nothing like last week. She says she wants to catch it before it gets filled up. Been taking Cipro for a 5 days now. They want to do the marsup on Friday morning. For those of you that have had these over and over...would you get the marsup this soon?

Thanks guys.

get the whole gland removed even thought it is the pits make sure you realise recovery is long. Beware of infections to I have 10 days later a bladder infect a tissue infect on heaps of drugs, if it didntclear was going to Hosp for iv antis - keep getting random sharp stabbing pains did anyone get this and inside labia has a white linning- not sure if this is infect?????go back to gyny monday so keep you posted

HEY GUYS HAVE'NT BEEN ON FOR A WHILE BUT I CAN SEE MORE AND MORE LADIES SUFFERING FROM THE SAME CYSTS, ITS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND TWO WEEKS SINCE I DID MY MARSUP, EVERY THING GOOD SO FAR NO PAINS THE SIDE THAT IT WAS ON FEELS NORMAL AND AM SO HAPPY,IT SEEMS ALL ME PAIN AND SUFFERINGS ARE FIANALLY GANE, AM STILL PRAYING FOR ALL OF YOU THAT ARE JUST GETTING IT I HOPE THE MARSUP WILL WORK FOR YOU TOO GOOD LUCK.

Just some baseline info; I've been at this since 2004:

- Drainage in the gyn office is better than in an ER

- Drainage still involves 4 - 6 needles (one to two anesthetic, 2 to 4 drainage needles)

- Drainage via needles is NOT IND, incision and drainage where they actually make a cut

- The gland becomes blocked, for whatever reason - possibilities include bacteria, some glands get all twisted up, genetic - sebacous fluid gets too thick, improper cleaning and care, and so forth

- Sex can bring it on, bec/ the gland is then furiously producing liquid. Self pleasure also brings it on. Anything that stimulates the gland can bring it on.

- Clean religiously, every day. Clean before and after sex. Clean before and after masturbation. Check every day on the size of the cyst. Help the body squeeze out the fluid if you have to.

- The best time for a marsup or gland removal procedure is when you are not swollen up, when the cyst can be felt under the skin, and is in a "dormant" state. Essentially, when the docs can find it under the skin but there is no infection or ongoing condition.

- The word catheter helps promote drainage via a puncture that is not allowed to close. Hence, the sitz baths keep the area warm and fluid and draining. The area will remain tender until it is removed and the area can completely heal.

- The W catheter should be sufficiently inflated that it does not fall out. If it is annoying, simply cut the tip (one way valve), drain the liquid from the gadget, and the catheter can be removed.

I'm going to talk with the doc about a "permanent" solution, either marsup or removal. Am dreading it. Am dreading the procedure.

Good luck to you all.

Cross posted elsewhere

I had one cyst in my life. My doctor explained that this happens when the pore going into the gland gets clogged with, most of the time, bacteria from feces. He said always wipe yourself from the front to the back and never have vaginal intercourse after anal intercourse. He took a syringe and unclogged the pore and told me to go home and set in a very hot tub 4 or 5 times a day until it started to drain. I did this and kept on soaking for a week until it drained completely. I have never had a problem since and that was over 25 years ago.

Hello. I am happy to have found this site. I recently had surgery for my bartholin's cyst. Back in March. The gland was going to be removed after having a word cath twice and no luck. I was in horrible pain. In surgery the gland ruptured and the doctor had to perform a marsup instead.
Just 2 days ago I found that the area was feeling a bit irritated as tho being pinched.
The feeling is still there and I have an apt. with the ob.gyn tomorrow to get it checked out.
Wondering what will become of this. Wondering if he will want to remove it.
tammy

i'm scheduled to have a marsupialization next week and i'm a nervous wreck! i've read a lot and it seems like the experiences really run the gamut - some heal up perfectly while others have nightmarish stories about scars and permanent nerve damage. i hope mine goes well and it at least slows down the recurrence rate. i never had a cyst until 6 months ago (i'm 32), and it has not gone away since it cropped up (though the size has grown and shrunk, depending on how much i'm having sex).

if anyone has any other marsupliazation tales to tell, please do share! i really am nervous and want to know what to expect. i tried the word catheter and was in so much pain i had to have it removed two days later. i couldn't sit, stand, or walk, and it was terrible. i hope the marsupialization is an easier process!

Hi all, I just have to say.. for us who are 2 percent of all women, good lord - we are all quite a big number!

I have had reoccurant cysts for about 3 years now, I get about 4 a year, up until this year. The causes I feel would be from rough sex, a new partner, masturbation, or even tight pants. I am scheduled soon for the removal of the gland entirely this friday, I hope everything goes well. I have been told that the surgeon basically 'digs' out the scar tissue and cell lining, it is almost like a blind man in a cave, feeling for the walls and going for that. It doesnt seem very reliable, if you ask me.

To those that are scared of marsups or catheders.. DONT! It is so simple. This past year the last 4 cyst flares I've had, have all taken up the entire right side of my genital region ( yes - down to the anus, side to the leg!!! ) and I handled all three drainages with very little crying and lots of discomfort. You will be fine after 2 days, honestly, I think giving birth is so much less painful than dealing with a cyst. I couldn't walk, I couldnt sit up or even move. Lying down for me right now brings gravity against it, causing more pressure and making it painful. Its just not fair. But ladies, please, you will be fine, this is for your better health - get it done! Do not ignore it! I have ignored it for 2 years of my life and now everytime I get one its not a golf ball, or an orange, or the size of a grape.. Its my entire region! Do not become what I was. The doctor told me because I've dealt with it so long there is most likely a chance that any time the gland tries to do its job it backfires and swells up, because it is so twisted now from previous flare ups.

I will inform people about my surgery, I am extremely nervous.. I have been told that I wont be able to walk for a week, or urinate for the first couple of days. Also, if you are having a hard time finding a gyno who specializes in this, GO TO DIFFERENT ONES. They will know someone. My surgeon is an amazing man who literally deals with 5 girls a day who have the same issues as us! He told me for 15 years he's been popping these cysts. He gave me his cell number just in case, and boy did I need it. I had some really scary situations when I got my cyst drained the second time without stitches. Lets just say I went home with a string of flesh hanging out of the hole, decided to freak out and cut that flesh, only to be bleeding nonstop for an hour. That had to be the worst experience ever.

Anyway.. Good luck to everyone. We need a real support group and more help on this issue.

Hello, lady friends. I'm 34 years old and sans children/pregnancy.

I've had an infected Bartholin's cyst/abscess on my right side that was resolved via an ER visit and packing three odd years ago. The infected abscess was awful pain, but the drainage was a blessing. It never reoccurred, despite the fact that the ER doctor should have used the Word catheter treatment.

Lo and behold, I then developed a Bartholin cyst on my left side just 5 months ago. I will tell you now that I seem to have a high pain/discomfort threshold (at least according to my obgyn) because the initial drainage was nothing to me; nor was the later drainage and placement of a Word catheter (both were done under local anesthesia). The cyst did fill back up and I had to have a marsupialization done two days ago. Let me just say that I have an excellent obgyn! The procedure was done under general anesthesia so she could get past the hymenal ring and thus far healing has been a breeze. I was walking fine 24 hours later and have since felt absolutely no pain. Let it be known that this can and DOES work and you will all be fine in one way or another.

Just to follow up with my previous post. Surgery was on friday. I didnt feel a thing during the surgery, was knocked out thankfully. Woke up after 2 hours of sleep with no recollection of anything, but a soreness down there. Also was on vallium and percoset at that point, they took the dressing off of me and were surprised I wasnt screaming? lol.

Came home and everything was a little woozy, but the pain wasnt horrible. In fact it was little to nothing down there with the painkillers at hand. I wound up taking some vicodin immediately after the vallium wore off. Next day I took a look and its quite horrible; I can see about 6 stitches from afar. My entire right area was cut, and there are two holes on the sides that have been stitched up. It looks like a horrible massacre. Bruising began on day 2. Was still taking vicodin, the pain was bearable, only I could feel the stitches everytime my legs opened or moved around. Moving around, picking things up, are not recommended. I can walk around though, which is a big improvement frmo what doctors have told me.

Today is Day 3, I have stopped taking vicodin, there is just a dull soreness down there. The bruising has spread down to my ass cheeks. Sitzing helps but its uncomfortable to squat down to sitz for me. This is super tiring, and sitting straight down is impossible. I have found sitting in the child's pose ( sitting on your calves) helps sometimes. So far things are okay. I'm hoping I heal up very nicely and quickly - it looks like scarring is going to be a big issue here. Joy.

Hi BartholinVictim. Did you get the excision surgery to have the full gland removed? I am sure that is quite a surgery to go through! I am glad you are doing ok afterwards, though sorry to hear of the bruising and scar issues.

I just had my marsupialization done yesterday, and I am SHOCKED at how well it went. After all my fears and worries, I wanted to post to let people know that it isn't always that bad. I just had local anesthesia, shots of lidocaine, and was awake the whole time. The procedure took about 20-25 minutes. The worst part was the shot to numb the area, and I could also feel him pulling the thread through my skin as he was suturing me up (which didn't hurt at all, just felt really weird).

Afterwards, my friend drove me home, but I had hardly any pain, just some soreness. I even took her out for lunch afterwards and had a margarita! I was worried it was going to burn when I urinated the first time, but it was fine. I have been taking vicodin, but really don't need it. I can walk, and stand, and even sitting isn't bad (unless it's on a hard surface). Staying home and in bed mostly though, so I don't strain any of the stitches. What surprises me the most is that there has been hardly any bleeding at all. I've been wearing a panty liner and barely even a smear or two in 24 hours.

I am a little nervous that this whole process has gone SO well that it can't possibly be working! We'll have to wait and see how it heals over time and if there is a recurrence.

Hi all,Im 21 from the UK.
I have had 3 Barthtolins abcesses and each time have had them marsipulized,they have all been on left side.
I had my last marsipulization 5weeks ago and have now got yet another cyst.
It is so painful to walk,sit and is having a real affect on my life,i got told i could have the gland removed on the left side to stop this reacurring but at this time the cyst is too inflammed and infected for them to do anything,so im on antibiotics.
Been on constant antibiotics for 6 weeks now since the last one occured and antibiotics do not seem to be helping at all.
,but the docs are unwilling to do anything to help.
Has anyone else with this problem feel that they just dont take you seriously enough!

I am wondering if anyone out there has found "induration" during a marsupialization procedure. I had what I think it my first Bartholin cyst/abscess at age 33, and because it was rather deep under the skin the dr. performed a marsupialization. He ran into induration, which is the hardening of the tissue due to infection, and I am taking antibiotics in the hopes that it goes away on its own. I did some internet research and was terrified to find that induration is a symptom that suggests the need for a biopsy. I realize that cancer of the Bartholin gland at my age is very, very rare but I am still freaking out, and hoping to hear from someone who experienced induration and what the diagnosis was. Thank you!