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GI or OBGYN? UPDATE

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Posted 9/8/2009 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all! I'm on vacation visiting family right now, so that's why I've not been on too much lately. 

Anyway, I have a little medical "thing" going on, and I'm not sure which doc to see.  I thought I'd call each and leave a message to see which one they think I should see (and luckily, they are both at the same medical center, so they both would see the same chart), but I also thought I'd see if any of you had insight.

So the day or so before and sometimes the first day or two of my period, I have a sore spot on the left side of my vagina.  The pain kind of radiates back towards my anus.  I've felt down there before, and there's a lump about the size of a small marble.  It doesn't hurt at all in between times, so I always forget about it.  I've noticed it since I've been in remission, basically, and my hemmies completely healed up.  Before that, I think I always assumed the pain was related to the hemmies (they were really, really bad). 

Do you think this is some sort of injury from childbirth or do you think it's UC related?  It's so hard for me to know, because of when my first flare started.  Which doc would you see?  Right now I'm leaning to ONGYN simply because of its location, but I'm also worried about the possibility of it being a fistula or something.

Thanks!

Posted 9/8/2009 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely see your ob/gyn, & your GI! This is exactly how my abscess started, which then developed into a recto-vaginal fistula- which I've had for 2 years now! I just met with a surgeon, & was informed that there's not too much they can do about closing these things. Lovely. So- right away, go see your ob/gyn first, & if it is an abscess, either they can drain it or your GI can. The one unusual thing is that you say it comes & goes- is the lump always there? Is it painful to the touch? When I first started to get an abscess, I had a tiny lump, which was sore to the touch- it didn't bother me much, so I just blew it off, but then it became more & more painful. I thought it was an internal hemmorhoid, so again blew it off! I wish I hadn't- if I had gotten it properly drained, it never would've burst & resulted in the fistula. Get it looked at ASAP- it sure could be some weird childbirth thing, but belive me, in this case it's definitely better to be safe than sorry! Unless the idea of fecal matter draining from right near your vagina doesn't bug you.... ugh!!!!!
Posted 9/8/2009 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
The pain definitely comes and goes, but I'm not sure about the lump itself. I've just completley forgotten about it in between periods. The lump definitely is painful to the touch. Yesterday it hurt quite a bit, but I was in the car for about 4 hours, and on the floor playing a lot with my little guy, so had a lot of pressure in that area. This morning, it's definitely not hurting as bad, but then again, I haven't had nearly so much pressure on it. So far today, it basically just hurts when I touch it.

And just because I wasn't clear in my first post, it's definitely under the skin...nothing is visible on the skin surface.

EvaLou, I thought of your issue when I started wondering what this was, so that's why I'm definitely getting it checked out. I just didn't know which doc to see first!
Posted 9/8/2009 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'd vote for the OB/Gyn to start with. Since it only bothers you when your hormones change, that may be a clue that it has to do with that cycle.
Posted 9/8/2009 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
right, it's my scenario to a T! I'd start with my ob/gyn first too- if the lump is in/near your vagina, they could probably drain it. If it's closer to the perineum area, your GI could drain it. I'd imagine they overlap a bit, in this area! good luck, let us know how everything goes.

Posted 9/9/2009 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
this is so wierd, but i am experiencing the same thing.  i wondered if it had to do with coming off of the prednisone, because i noticed it about 2 weeks ago which is when i decreased my pred to 0 mg.  the bump is under the skin and not visible to the eye.  i am going to see my obgyn about it i think.  let me know if you find anything out, and i will do the same.  hopefully it's nothing!

Posted 9/9/2009 8:17 AM (GMT 0)
what does the lump look like? Does it look almost like a zit?
Posted 9/9/2009 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Definately have it checked out by a doc but keep in mind that it can be an ingrown hair as well. Or possibly a boil. But either way it's always best to be safe then sorry.
Posted 9/9/2009 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
absolutely the gyne initially. 
Let us know what happens.
q
Posted 9/10/2009 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
It's definitely not a boil or anything like that. I did some feeling around up there, and it's a hard area that extends up in my vaginal wall. So, I'm really leaning toward something that happened during labor. I have an appt. with my OBGYN on the 24th.
Posted 9/13/2009 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Well, all seems to be better for now. We're visiting my family right now (we leave for home tomorrow), so I asked my sister what she thought was going on (she's an MD...pediatric nephrologist). She said she thought it was a Bartholin cyst, and I think she was right. The pain just kept getting worse and worse and the lump kept growing as well. By Friday, I was in constant pain...the only thing that felt good was to squat with my knees apart. We had a family get together yesterday, and I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to enjoy it (or help my mom get all the food ready) because I hurt so bad. I also had no idea how I'd manage the flight home.

I took a super-hot bath Friday night, and luckily the cyst ruptured. Within 15 minutes, it basically didn't hurt any more. It doesn't seem to be filling back up, either. I'll keep my appointment with my OBGYN, because from what I've read, there's a good chance it'll keep doing this, even though this time was the worst it's been.
Posted 9/13/2009 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
I was going to mention a bartholin cyst but I never got around to post it! I had one of those once and it was pretty big and I had to rupture it myself. No fun.
I'm glad you got it figured out :)
Posted 9/13/2009 4:32 PM (GMT 0)

Good to have your OB/GYN check for infection.  Glad you got relief. I had a couple of those when younger - no fun!

ElaineNY

Posted 9/13/2009 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Happy to hear you're doing better. I have never heard of such a thing but I am sure now that it's in my head, it will likely happen to me.
Posted 9/13/2009 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
good news fruitgirl...that you have relief. I agree to get it checked anyway.
q
Posted 9/14/2009 8:05 PM (GMT 0)

notsosicklygirl said...
Happy to hear you're doing better. I have never heard of such a thing but I am sure now that it's in my head, it will likely happen to me.

Oh my gosh, isn't that just how it is. That just made me laugh.
Posted 9/14/2009 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
You must be so relieved that it's not an abscess. I've heard of those things, Bartholins cysts, but am not really sure what they are. So will the doctor just keep an eye on it, & do something if it becomes infected ot swollen again? I laughed at your comment too, notsosicklygirl- aahhhh, the power of the mind! If only it worked in reverse! "I do not have UC, I do not have UC, I do not have UC......" tongue
Posted 9/14/2009 10:52 PM (GMT 0)

I do not have UC - I do not have UC - I do not have UC - I do not have UC!!

I am trying it! Never hurts to keep our sense of humor!!

ElaineNY

Posted 9/14/2009 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what my doctor will do. From what I've read, it seems they can usually be treated at home. But, since that gland (there are two Bartholin glands, one at 4 o'clock and one at 8 o'clock...the bad one was at 8) gets bad with every period, he'll probably want to do something more permanent, I guess. That either means putting a couple of stitches in so it drains better, or just removing it. I'm guessing something happened during labor and/or during the flare after labor that caused the opening to get blocked. I'll update after my appointment on the 24th.

I'm having mental images of ruby slippers and "there's no place like home" right now! Maybe if we had ruby slippers we could "will away" our UC!
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