Wow, do I feel for you! I have dealt with a pilonidal cyst since I was 15 (2 unsuccessful surgeries). I would try to wait until Monday if you can, just to save yourself a lot of money. They can't really do anything for you at the ER except maybe give you pain meds, and they probably won't even do that. I know it is uncomfortable to sit, but try taking Advil or, if it works for you, Tylenol for pain. Also, the best thing you can do is keep this area clean and dry. Are you having any drainage? My doctor recommends that I clean the area well with hydrogen peroxide, then place a small piece of gauze (I recommend the Topper kind by Johnson and Johnson, you can get it at pretty much any grocery or drug store) in the area where the cyst is. (To be clear, kind of fold it in half and then place it between the "cheeks" where the cyst is near the top of your bottom). Do not apply neosporin or topical ointments, and just keep it dry!
Also, I hope that you are seeing a colon/rectal surgeon on monday. Pilonidal cysts are hard to treat, and many doctors do not even know what it is. I know this from years of going to doctors and mentioning pilonidal cyst excision in my medical history, and most of them ask me what it is.
If you truly have a pilonidal cyst, your doctor will recommend surgery. I have known one person who had the surgery and never had a problem again, but it is not uncommon for it to flare up again---it is in an area that is very hard to heal and keep clean. Also, when I was getting ready for my first surgery, my doctor acted like it was going to be a piece of cake to heal. I wish I had been better prepared. I was out of school for 2 weeks, and in an extreme amount of pain. I had to take narcotics for a solid month everyday and I was only 15 at the time. The cyst was the size of an orange at the time, according to the surgeon. My 2nd surgery was 3 years ago when I was 21, and the doc said it was about the size of a golf ball then, and my pain was being caused mainly by scar tissue at that point. So, if you do have surgery, be prepared to take time off of work. I was only out for a week the second time around.
I know this is a lot of info, but I hope it helps---I wish I had been able to find support from others who experienced this when I did!
Also, I hope that you are seeing a colon/rectal surgeon on monday. Pilonidal cysts are hard to treat, and many doctors do not even know what it is. I know this from years of going to doctors and mentioning pilonidal cyst excision in my medical history, and most of them ask me what it is.
If you truly have a pilonidal cyst, your doctor will recommend surgery. I have known one person who had the surgery and never had a problem again, but it is not uncommon for it to flare up again---it is in an area that is very hard to heal and keep clean. Also, when I was getting ready for my first surgery, my doctor acted like it was going to be a piece of cake to heal. I wish I had been better prepared. I was out of school for 2 weeks, and in an extreme amount of pain. I had to take narcotics for a solid month everyday and I was only 15 at the time. The cyst was the size of an orange at the time, according to the surgeon. My 2nd surgery was 3 years ago when I was 21, and the doc said it was about the size of a golf ball then, and my pain was being caused mainly by scar tissue at that point. So, if you do have surgery, be prepared to take time off of work. I was only out for a week the second time around.
I know this is a lot of info, but I hope it helps---I wish I had been able to find support from others who experienced this when I did!
