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Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:51 pm  |
I'm just wondering if any cystic acne sufferers have ever had a cyst that grew to the size of a golf ball. So large that it finally had to start draining itself, draining black blood for a few days. Now it's been oozing pus for weeks on end. Does it on its own. Btw, this is located on my right cheek, up to my temple. It's about 2.5" length wise and has been inflamed to about an inch off my face. It's awesome.
I've seen a great number of doctors, most fearing it and not even wanting to drain it (I say 'it', but I think that it's multiples). My new dermo currently has me on prednisone and Septra. I am very stubborn about accutane. I've done it twice in the past and all it gave me was heart-ache.
My question is though, before I continue treating it as acne, perhaps it isn't? I've also recently found out my prolactin is 'at 50, and the norm is 20'. Was supposed to be referred to a hormone specialist, 2 months ago, but when I asked my derm if she had could contact the specialist she kinda freaked. Can't tell you why.
Last week I became greatly inflamed again, after having not had to wear bandages for 2 whole weeks! I'm a bit better now-dermo uped my spetra to 2 horse pills and I'm remaining at 4 pills of prednisone for 4 weeks.
Anyone have had the same pleasure as I'm currently experiencing out there?? (I'm actually praying no. I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy.) |
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Wed Sep 22, 2010 6:46 pm |
| yikes, truth, i'm so sorry. I have never had a cyst that big, but i did have a pretty large one (brought on by accutane!!) where the jaw bone meets the neck just at the base of the earlobe (if that makes sense) my derm at the time (the one that put me on accutane to clear up my non cyctic break out) had to actually surgically remove it because it would not budge!! can't remember how many stitches but i do have about a 1.5 inch scar... i was lucky because the scar is nicely hidden just under the jaw. Since your cyst is on your cheek, you would need a plastic surgeon, should it be necessary to go that route. That said, i would keep going to derms until you find someone who knows what the hell to do. Is there anyway it could be an out of control boil? Ichtheimal (spl?) is an excellent expellant..looks like tar, but pulls stuff out...hope that helps some. i really wish you the best |
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Wed Sep 22, 2010 6:58 pm |
That sounds miserable!
You have seen multiple health care providers; do they all agree that it is an acne cyst? I ask because when I was a student, I developed a huge cyst on my forehead. I thought it was acne, but -- as I learned years later when it recurred -- it was actually herpes. Needless to say that the doctors at the campus health care center did not know how to treat it (well, they thought they did, but it didn't help).
Quick search found a case of cheek herpes. http://www.herpesdoctor.com/forum/cold-sore-cheek There's no indication of absolute size, but the mom says it doubled, then doubled again.
Just a thought. Hope whatever it is, it clears up soon. |
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Wed Sep 22, 2010 7:19 pm |
Moongoddess-thx for the advice of the solvent. I actually just read a few threads on it and am considering trying it. I want to keep what I'm using down to a minimum at this point though.
I've had a biopsy done and am waiting on the results of an ultrasound from mon. The biopsy comes back with gram positive bacillus. Totally normal. Me and my newest doctor (who actually seems to understand that it's not nice to have something disfiguring on your face) are trying to suss out any other avenue we can go down to get this away. He's also trying to find a good plastic surgeon for me (my dermo was enraged with this suggestion-said she could cut it out herself and even drew diagrams for me to illustrate how bad the scars would look. I was so taken aback I couldn't explain that that is why I would want a Plastic surgeon!).
Hermosa-very interesting! I've also been prone to getting cold sores since I was a kid (born with it kind of herpes). I'd imagine though that that would show up in the biopsy. I'd imagine... |
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Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:18 am |
Thanks Darkmoon,
First thing I looked into was a variety of different boils. I had cystic acne for years when I was younger (started at 9) and this thing on my face does not act like a cyst. Honestly, it drains all the time! It's a bit less inflamed now so it doesn't drain as badly but man, watching stuff just pouring out of your face....not great for the psyche. Especially when it's on going.
Anyway, all the tests have come back stating it is not a boil (or variety of), not a staph infection, and not MRSA.
Ugh. |
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Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:43 am |
Sorry truth,
I can only imagine what a nightmare this is for you! Keeping fingers crossed your doc figures it out and you get rid of whatever it is! |
_________________
I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:03 pm |
| OMG! Yes I have to say that I have had the hugest cyst of my life that lasted 2 full months near my nose. It swelled to the size of a penny in diameter and probably 1/4 inch thick. At first I thought, wait this must be some freaky skin thing that has happened to me, but with my exerience early on before accutane, I used to get this kind of cystic acne for a long time. This one tho, was the ultimate end all of end all cysts. It took me 3 weeks to drain out, as it would ooze everyday and yes it is soo freaky like some movie crap but I have had your similar experience- and now it has healed over and I'm better. I didn't go to a derm because well I have been through 2 rounds of accutane, there is no hope for me now. I hope it gets better for you! |
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Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:50 pm |
I had one the size of half a golf ball and have a permanent scar on my thigh. 
It happened in my 20's and it made one side of my leg swollen. As I was studying, and forgot about it, I felt and itch and scratched it. It popped and leaked for a few hours. No blood though, but I could swear that some of the fat on my thigh came out also! It was so gross. My scar is a large acne skin pit now.
I wish I went to to emergency room or something, because it grew and popped all within 8 hours, but I was busy with school and my studies. |
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Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:55 pm |
So have the results come back? It sounds like a painful thing!
I had cystic acne in my teens and went on Accutane while at University. I am now on a retinol topical cream and have never been happier. But I am constantly on the lookout for skin "errors"... obsessively. I believe acne has such negative psychological impact on its sufferers.
Good luck! |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:59 pm |
Well, it's gone down...I was put on prednisone (to combat the inflammation) and Bactrim. The prednisone did a great job making me a little mental but not much for the inflammation. Bactrim could've been pez for all the good it did. Now I'm off everything, appreciating me much more after who I was on steroids and using food (beets, cauliflower, garlic etc) and my fav gem, Prid's Drawing Salve. The Prid's has done an amazing job sucking it out.
I'm still adament this is not acne. Maybe it started out as but progressed to something far more evil. That said, I personally don't think accutane would help. Never did before anyway so why would it now? And I also believe our docs get a nice kick back from pushing accutane.
So I'm plowing along with the Prid's right now. Hopefully soon the infection will be gone and I can tend to the excellent scars this monster has left me with.
I'll continue to keep you posted. Thx for caring everyone  |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:09 pm |
| This sounded weird so I googled prolactin. You might want to be tested for a pituitary tumor. It's fine to treat the symptom but you need to find out the cause so it doesn't return. Good luck! |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 10:14 pm |
I agree with you SoftSkin. That's the problem with western docs these days. They don't ever seem to want to find the cause. Just keep doling out the pills and mask the problem. I don't agree. I think too many people are taking way too many meds.
I'll def keep that in mind. Never considered anything like that but heck, whatever it is is showing itself through one of our largest organs. Something is amiss and abnormal. And it ain't acne!
Oh, and I forgot to include the results of the ultrasound: the infection was running itself through the entire bottom of my right cheek. So no doc could actually cut it out. They'd have to cut my entire cheek off. Funnily, I knew it was that deep and large. But no doc will listen to a patient's instincts. Fair, but somehow not fair.
Patience is a virtue, right? Might as well through a dash of stubborn in there  |
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Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:32 am |
| truth wrote: |
I agree with you SoftSkin. That's the problem with western docs these days. They don't ever seem to want to find the cause. Just keep doling out the pills and mask the problem. I don't agree. I think too many people are taking way too many meds.
I'll def keep that in mind. Never considered anything like that but heck, whatever it is is showing itself through one of our largest organs. Something is amiss and abnormal. And it ain't acne!
Oh, and I forgot to include the results of the ultrasound: the infection was running itself through the entire bottom of my right cheek. So no doc could actually cut it out. They'd have to cut my entire cheek off. Funnily, I knew it was that deep and large. But no doc will listen to a patient's instincts. Fair, but somehow not fair.
Patience is a virtue, right? Might as well through a dash of stubborn in there |
Did your doctor give you any antibiotics?
I know you mentioned some medications, but I have no idea what any of them do.
Also, if you cheek was infected sometimes just antibiotic pills do not work that well.
Earlier this year I fell outside and scraped two fingers badly...kind of looked like the top of 2 fingers was badly skinned.
Went to the hospital and they did nothing-even after I mentioned I probably needed antibiotics.
So my fingers were slowly getting better and then one day my two fingers were really red and hurt.
I go to the hospital again and was given antibiotics, they did not work well....so ended up having to get IV antibiotics for a few weeks and my fingers were better eventually.
So maybe because the infection is/was in your cheek and internal, pills do not work as well?
Just a guess as I'm not a medical person.
Also my mother a few months ago she had a jaw infection from som dental work and had to take tons of IV antibiotics and needed jaw surgery for her teeth (not really related). |
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Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:33 am |
| Are your doctors sure it's acne from the tests? To me it sounds like it could be a sebaceous cyst- which is not acne but an actual sac that fills with white matter that looks a lot like puss but isn't. I know this is very gross, but does the matter smell cheesey at all? Please look this up because if it is one, the actual sac must be removed via a simple procedure to ensure it doesn't re-fill. Simply draining it won't get rid of the sac. |
_________________
34, sometimes temperamental, acne-prone skin. Rx retinoids, AALS, TCA peels and sunscreen are staples. |
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Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:45 am |
I'm surprised that IV antibiotics have not been suggested. If I remember correctly, you did see an infectious disease dr? I would definitely seek out another ID dr. I would also ask about getting a bone scan done to be sure the infection had not spread to your bone.
Ottawa Shopper is right that not all infections can be treated with pills. Some times IV treatment is needed. |
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Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:49 pm |
Leigh-you're assuming the docs even bother to test I had to push to get the MRSA test. So, no, the docs are not sure it's acne. They're just assuming.
I was put on a multitude of different antibiotics. To my knowledge, none of them made a lick of difference. IV antibiotics is something no one, including myself, even considered. Thank you for the suggestion! I'm seeing a new doc on Jan 27. We'll see what she says.
Right now the Prid's Drawing Salve is doing the best out of everything I've tried. Imagine, something that costs less than $3! Hahaha! When this is all done, I'm gonna buy a bunch and give it to all the dermos I've seen
So far as infectious disease goes, the ID doc was fantastic. He tested for everything and I'm clean. He thought for a moment it could be fungal but ruled that out.
Again, thank you everyone for taking an interest in my problem. I appreciate all the suggestions and will definitely keep them in mind. I'm going into the new drs office armed with lots of information! Let's keep our fingers crossed she can see beyond accutane (for the record, the left side of my face has always been clear. One of the reasons why I ruled out acne). |
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Wed Jan 12, 2011 4:09 pm |
Hi
Manuka, honey would be good for curing this. Manuka honey has been used to treat wounds that don't heal and MRSA |
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Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:48 pm |
| GirlieGirl wrote: |
I'm surprised that IV antibiotics have not been suggested. If I remember correctly, you did see an infectious disease dr? I would definitely seek out another ID dr. I would also ask about getting a bone scan done to be sure the infection had not spread to your bone.
Ottawa Shopper is right that not all infections can be treated with pills. Some times IV treatment is needed. |
Glad to know I'm somewhat correct in my guess?
I did not think of infection spreading to the bone...but I guess that anything is possible with open skin.
I know with internal infections if you are not careful you can get a blood infection.
And that is not fun. |
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Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:17 pm |
| I saw a cyst that big on YouTube once. The fella popped it...with a pair of scissors. Yikes. |
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Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:48 am |
TooInvolved- Ewwwww!! Gross!
Lucky me, didn't have to pop it...it drained for months on it's own! Lol! |
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Mon Jan 17, 2011 2:56 pm |
Ok, so I'm looking into scar healing. My question is: is it safe to use CPs when the infection is not fully gone.
I've visited a few surgeons who could definitely help with my array of scars thru various procedures but won't touch me till it's all gone. Fair enough. They don't want it to spread. Heck, not sure how well I'd handle this the 2nd (although kinda 3rd) time around. But I'd like to help my skin in healing, if it's at all possible.
Or am I jumping the gun?
Currently I'm using epsom salts, baking soda and AHA/BHA under my makeup. And of course, the fabulous Prid Drawing Salve at night. And sometimes Bio Oil, which I see does not have the best reviews here but I've used it in the past after a fairly bad scooter dump. Saved me from scarring then.
What's the opinions? Thanks guys!! |
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Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:28 pm |
| I don't know about using them while whatever infection is still present? What if it heals closed and yet the infection is still there inside? If it were me I would want to get to the bottom of the cause, heal that, then use the CP's to heal the wound left behind. I may be wrong but that would be my concern, it might just open again and cause more scarring, plus I would just want to be rid of the cause! |
_________________
I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:32 am |
| I agree with DM. I would focus on healing the infection first. Until the infection is gone you are still suitable to more scarring. |
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Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:32 pm |
I would prob go to the doctor and try and get better antibiotics.
because if you have an open infection that is not getting any better it could spread to your blood and other things andmake you realy sick.
My sister, her fried was on vacation and cut his toe- did nothing about it till her got home and ended up at the hospital w a blood infection.
Also I think Bio Oil prob does not help that much as it has mineral oil and could maybe trap bad stuff in your skin?
I have no idea though... |
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