# Painful lump on tailbone **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 11, 2013, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725 "2013-06-11T14:54:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/1 "2013-06-11T14:54:56Z")
This is the third day it’s been really bad, and for a couple days before that it was just a bit sore. This started out of nowhere, no trauma. Now it hurts really bad. I’m taking Aleve and that helps some but not enough. I’m about to buy a coccyx cushion, which has a notch cut out for the coccyx. Anyway, I’ve been looking stuff up about it and called a nurse hotline but that was no help, she just said to go to the doctor, which duh I already know I should do that. But I don’t want to. It seems that a cyst is the most likely thing, except are they supposed to be movable? Because mine isn’t. Plus people are talking about the cysts draining fluid, and mine doesn’t have any broken skin or anything. It’s just a hard lump under the skin. So yeah, I don’t want to go to the doctor. I will if I have to, but in the meantime might this thing just go away on its own? Anyone have something like this before? If I go to the doctor they might want to lance it and that sounds terrifying ☹ Someone tell me they had this happen and it went away on its own and everything was great. TIA. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/2 "2013-06-11T15:03:46Z")
Yeah, a pilonidal cyst seems likely. My family (TMI) has a congenital defect that creates deep dimples along the tailbone, and if we spend too much time lounging around with weight on our tailbones, they get quite inflamed. They don’t drain until they’re good and ready to drain, which is why you might want to see a doctor about it. In the meantime, don’t loll on the sofa or lean back in your chair. Keeping weight off it helps. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/3 "2013-06-11T15:08:59Z")
You can live with it for a long time and it’s just there, but when it gets inflamed you’ll spend a lot of time hobbling around thinking “wish I’d gotten this taken care of sooner…” I don’t recall having any draining or anything with mine. Just a persistent lump that hurt when I sat in certain positions and hurt more when it was inflamed. Having it removed did suck - maybe it sucked more because I had it done like a week before band camp - but I haven’t had to worry about it in 20 years now. Just don’t have it removed a week before band camp. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/4 "2013-06-11T15:20:54Z")
I’ve suffered through a few pilonidal cyst inflamations. It ain’t fun. It hasn’t happened for at least 10 years now, nothing was as bad as the first time, but it’s survivable. I’ve heard a serious infection can occur sometimes, so see a doctor if doesn’t drain after a couple of days. Hirsuteness is sometimes blamed, seemed like a good explanation in my case, but one doctor told me that doesn’t really matter. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/5 "2013-06-11T15:28:25Z")
Well, I’d rather get knocked out and have surgery than have them lance it when I’m awake and screaming. But it still doesn’t sound like fun. And while I don’t have to go to band camp anytime terribly soon, I’m not really allowed to take any time off work ever either 😕 **TriPolar** , did yours go away on its own or did you get treatment? ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/6 "2013-06-11T15:32:58Z")
Inflamed cysts will “go away” on their own (although they can become infected and require antibiotics), but the thing is that they never really go away, until you get them surgically removed. They just lie there, waiting, until the next time they become inflamed. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/7 "2013-06-11T15:42:51Z")
From what I’m reading it seems like doctors are all over the place about how to treat them though. Some people get antibiotics, some lanced, and some go right to surgery as a first resort. Do you have general anesthesia for the surgery? ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/8 "2013-06-11T15:46:19Z")
In the derm office I work it, they will lance, pack, and give antibiotics for infected ones. Once the infection is over, if you want it removed, they will do the surgery in the office, with a local anesthetic. Possibly a general surgeon would do it in an out-patient setting with a general, if you wish- not sure about that. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/9 "2013-06-11T15:48:56Z")
Log-in problems making it impossible to edit my last post- a plastic surgeon would probably do this under a general, as well. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/10 "2013-06-11T15:52:26Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > Well, I’d rather get knocked out and have surgery than have them lance it when I’m awake and screaming. But it still doesn’t sound like fun. And while I don’t have to go to band camp anytime terribly soon, I’m not really allowed to take any time off work ever either 😕 > > **TriPolar** , did yours go away on its own or did you get treatment? They’ll give you a shot of novocaine if they lance it. And even without you’ll enjoy the relief more than the brief discomfort. Mine went away on it’s own. Each incident was less severe than the previous. It may happen again though. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/11 "2013-06-11T15:56:45Z")
Oh yeah, they’ll numb it up before they lance it. They’re not in the torturing business. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/12 "2013-06-11T16:00:14Z")
The part where they pack it with gauze sounds disgusting! My stepdad recently had this done for a cyst on his leg and he thought it was really painful, and he’s much braver than me. I can’t deal with this ☹ So it might not be infected though? Just inflamed? And if it’s inflamed it might go away on its own (but might reoccur)? Am I getting this right? Numbing it isn’t enough for me, I would be so scared. Maybe they could do IV sedation at least. I had that when I got my wisdom teeth out and it knocked me out completely. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/13 "2013-06-11T16:13:13Z")
Pretty much, yes. I’ve never had one, but it seems to me like you’d know if it was infected vs. just inflamed. Infection includes heat, swelling, and increasing pain. What’s the problem with having it numbed and lanced- you don’t like needles, or scalpels? Just curious. It sounds worse than it really is. The smell if it’s infected is really the worse part of it. I’ll take 100 scalpels over that smell, any day. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/14 "2013-06-11T16:31:14Z")
A brief excerpt from [UpToDate.com](http://UpToDate.com)’s patient education section: > [@](#): > > What is pilonidal cyst? — A pilonidal cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms just above the crease where the buttocks come together. This cyst can become red, inflamed, and infected. It can also cause pain and make it uncomfortable to sit or lie back. > > What are the symptoms of pilonidal cyst? — If the cyst is not infected, it might not cause symptoms. But if the cyst is infected, it can cause pain, redness, and swelling in the area above the crease where the buttocks come together. In some cases, the cyst might burst and drain fluid, blood, or pus (a milky yellow or green fluid). > > Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Yes, if you have symptoms of a pilonidal cyst, you should see a doctor or nurse. He or she can do an exam and let you know what might be causing your symptoms. > > How is a pilonidal cyst treated? — Treatment for a pilonidal cyst usually involves either draining the cyst or removing it with surgery. > > Draining a cyst can usually be done at the doctor’s office. To drain a cyst, a doctor or nurse will first numb the area. Then he or she can cut open the cyst, drain it, and wash it out. In some cases, the doctor or nurse might also pack the empty cyst with gauze, or leave a drain in place. > > Removing a cyst involves surgery, so it is done in an operating room at the hospital. Right before the surgery, people having the surgery either get a shot to numb the area, or a shot to numb the area plus some medicine to make them drowsy. People having the surgery can usually go home the same day. Now go get it taken care of. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/15 "2013-06-11T16:42:30Z")
Yeah, I’m not a big fan of needles and the whole thing just makes me feel really squeamish to even think about. **Qadgop** , do you think it’s important to get in ASAP or could I wait a couple days? ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/16 "2013-06-12T13:28:16Z")
I went to the ER last night and all they did was give me a prescription for antibiotics and Vicodin, and I wasn’t able to fill it because the only 24 hour pharmacy didn’t take my insurance anymore (I found out after driving all the way there in agony) and I’m supposed to go see my doctor tomorrow or something but I can’t even move. I tried to get them to do something else about it and they wouldn’t. I’m taking more Aleve than you’re supposed to but I don’t know what else to do. I wouldn’t even be scared for them to yank this thing out anymore, I just want it gone. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/17 "2013-06-12T13:47:05Z")
You will feel almost immediately better after they lance it. That’s what I remember from mine. I’ve never had mine recur and so have not had the need to have surgery to remove the cyst. I promise you, you will feel better. You can do this!! ETA: Also, call your doctor’s office and beg to be seen today. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/18 "2013-06-12T14:01:49Z")
You absolutely CAN do this. Lots of people have, and worse, and you’re just like them. Seriously. Now is the time to start telling yourself the plain truth: “I wish I didn’t have to deal with this, but I’m sure I can.” Alas, worse things are in store for you in this life and you will handle/deal with them just like everyone else does. Believe that when the time comes you can get through whatever life dishes out to you. It’s what we do as human beings. You will be scared and wish you didn’t have to go through difficult times, but you will survive. This is the kind of self-talk to play in your head, starting now and running permanently. Whenever my late husband had to go through another surgery, we would focus on the time AFTER the surgery, not the time right before it. Just jump over the event mentally and imagine yourself back home and knowing the procedure is behind you, as it were. 🙂 Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![elninost0rm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed655f/32.png) [@elninost0rm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elninost0rm)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/19 "2013-06-12T14:09:58Z")
Keep in mind that I had the same thing (pilonidal cyst), but mine had formed complex tunnels underneath the skin with infected fluids roaming about. They have to perform a “flap” surgery which involved removing the cyst and any skin affected by the tunnels and then grafting a piece of my butt tissue over the open wound, forming a new (and uninfected) layer. Keep in mind that mine was a pretty severe case. If it IS similar, though, it needs to be taken care of ASAP. My surgeon told me that had I not acted, the tunnels would have likely spread to my rectum and surrounding areas and I might have required a colostomy bag for the rest of my life. Again, I don’t mean to panic you, but please have a qualified doctor/surgeon examine closely. I had the “main” cyst around where you have your lump, but I also had other minor holes that were actually inside my crack and (on the way to) my rectum and I had no idea they were even there. My version was apparently caused by an infected hair that had burrowed into the skin. tl;dr - see a doctor. It can be serious. I am proof of that. If you aren’t draining a pus-like fluid, you’re probably okay, but still… ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725/20 "2013-06-12T14:12:12Z")
A pity the ER was unhelpful. Vicodin will reduce the pain, so get it filled. It’s pretty cheap, especially if you ask for the generic. I doubt antibiotics will help much, or quickly. I lance these things right in the office, and it does give quick relief. Most ER docs will do that for you too, especially if you’ve got good insurance. Were they super busy or something? Don’t take more than 500 mg of Aleve twice a day. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painful-lump-on-tailbone/660725.md?page=2)