Re: Bartholins gland cyst

[Guest guest]

My problems actually all started with a recurring bartholin's gland

cyst. The first procedure I had was a simple drainage where the

surgeon packed the gland with a cotton wick. Then, within a year, I

had to have two word catheters (where they drain the cyst and put in a

rubber catheter to keep incision open), two marsupializations, and a

window procedure, because the cyst just kept recurring. Now, three

years after the last procedure, the cyst hasn't recurred, but I have

scarring and chronic pain (probably from the gland being inflamed).

The non-invasive treatments for the pain and scarring (lidocaine,

steroid shots, and physical therapy) haven't helped at all. I'm

planning on having surgery later this month to have the gland removed,

which I'm scared about, but which I think is also my best option given

that the pain is chronic and severe. By now the anatomy of the gland

is so distorted that the procedure will be much more invasive than it

would have been if I'd just had the gland removed after a couple of

failed procedures. I've also developed pelvic floor dysfunction, which

the doctors think is a result of the gland being chronically inflamed

for so long.

My advice to you would be to *not* allow the doctor to simply lance and

drain the cyst. Cysts recur much more frequently with that kind of

treatment, and each procedure that you have increases the risk of

scarring. If you want something minimally invasive, ask for a word

catheter, and otherwise I'd probably recommend a marsupializiation.

I'd also recommend going to someone who has experience with bartholin's

glands. I was a student when my cyst problems started, so I just kept

going back to the student health center, not realizing that with each

procedure I was setting myself up for pain later on.

The only advice I got on how to prevent the cysts from recurring was to

take sitz baths three times a day. It didn't work for me, but I hope

you have better luck!

>

> I was just wondering if anyone here has ever had a bartholins gland

> cyst. I also have vestibulitis and recently on a trip to my doctor

he

> discovered that I have this cyst. I tried warm baths and it burst

and

> than unfortunatly closed up again so it is back. The doctor can

lance

> it and if that doesn't work perform a procedure in the OR. I am

> worried about surgery there due to the vestibulits so I was wondering

> if anyone else has had this and how the handled it. Thanks alot.

>

> Jen

>