I've actually posted here before mentioning these darned boils, just as a side thing. LOL. But now it's worse, they won't stop coming back, they spread to cellulitis and antibiotics (and every home remedy) doesn't keep them from returning.

So my doctor had said if the antibiotics don't work, I should see a surgeon for removal. Since I mostly care for them at home, she has no idea how often they return. (this is ongoing for years, and it's just a cycle....drain and fill back up, drain, fill, drain, fill)

I went to see a surgeon and she said it requires full surgery! I was expecting an incision and drainage in the office with local anesthetic. Instead, she's talking full anesthesia, "Probably" going home that night (huh??) and I think when she held up her fingers to show me the size of the incision, it was five inches. (Okay, I'm not the best guesser with dimensions, but was HUGE)

That's all I know. I was so floored by this that I didn't ask any questions, just walked out in a daze.

The official diagnosis (from last weekend at ER because it had gotten pretty bad) was abscess and cellulitis. The surgeon did a full breast exam, asked when I'd last had a mammogram (3 months ago) and also felt my armpits. She assured me this was a skin infection, and I think was reassuring me that it wasn't like a lump or cancer. (I wasn't thinking it was, because if it were cancer, I'd be long dead.)

I've done lots of googling, and found a lot on mastitis and breastfeeding abscesses. I'm not breastfeeding. ROFL. I'm in my LATE 40s and menopausal. The other thing I found was some kind of breast abscess involving the areola area. This is far from the areola, so I don't think it's that. It's just recurring boils, although called an abscess (and there *are* some lumpies under the boil area....which doctors have felt around on and didn't seem alarmed...I think they're like bags of pus or something)

I'm desperate for information if anyone knows anything or has heard of this. Breast SURGERY seems so extreme. In fact, driving home, I was thinking "I could put up with the boils I think, I've been putting up with them for years anyway." And I think I could, even though I'm just darned tired of them. But I'm concerned that it's all growing worse and bigger, and I think my body is tired from constantly having to fight the infections. It needs a break. Plus now that it goes to cellulitis (my breast looks and feels like a big sunburn, including the peeling skin), there's the risk that it could spread into an organ or bloodstream. I don't need that.

So I'm willing to do the surgery if that's what it takes. I just don't get it...what happened to an I&D in the office? That seems to be the standard for boils and abscess.

Does anyone have any idea what's going on, why a full surgery...and more importantly, know anyone who went through this and what it's about?

Sorry to be so long winded, but I'm grasping at straws here....confused by what I thought was a minor thing.

I'm sorry you are having this issue with boils/abscesses. Quite honestly I have never heard of this before. Did the dr. say if you had the surgery you would be free of these? If so, I would have the surgery. Sounds like a job taking care of something like you have.

Keep us posted.

Hugs,
Karen

i think you tryed your best at a do-it-your-self fix- let the surgery give you back your life, you will be glad when its over !!!

Hi Sweetie,
After reading your post twice it's my humble opinion that the surgery is your best option. If in fact, those "lumpies" your feeling under the boil area are pus pockets, this problem will NEVER go away unless those pockets are completely removed and the area surrounding them is cleaned out. The problem with abcesses is that they are enclosed pockets of infection and while the antibiotics will sometimes help somewhat, the relief is temporary because the actual infection isn't being touched. As dreadful as the surgery sounds to you, you must (again, in my opinion) do something other than what you have been doing up until now. Your concern that this could eventually spread into another organ or bloodstream is well founded in my opinion. If it gets into your bloodstream you will be talking about a systemic infection which will make you very ill very quickly. Be sure to talk to the surgeon again about exactly what she thinks this is, exactly what she intends to do and what the possibility of success/recurrence will be. That will be the only way you can really put your mind at ease about the situation. I wish you peace of mind and relief from this problem. You've given it your best shot but I think it's time to try something else.
Take care and let us know how this turns out.
Hugs to you,
Jan

Thanks, everyone! I have a lot of questions for the doc, but I was so floored by the news my mind went blank at the time.

I'll get these questions answered before I proceed. The business about pus pockets makes perfect sense to me.

I've just never heard of (and can't really find online) anything other than incision and drainage for abscesses. This seems so extreme, but maybe breasts are a special case (or maybe it's worse than I realized and the doc didn't share that). Millions of questions!

Sending you good thoughts. I hope this goes away for you.

I got another opinion this morning, and it's basically the same thing. Hearing the surgery described, it sounds kind of like removing a breast lump and taking healthy tissue around it just to be sure. Except this is infection instead of cancer. (I'm grateful.)

Still scary and stuff and a lot more involved than I ever dreamed. Thank you for the good tidings.

Dear 'LooptieLoop'
Just wanted to reach out and offer my support and Prayers
I hope all goes well with the surgery.
Remember you have 'Power' behind you!

Please keep us informed
God Bless
Elizabeth

I'm so sorry you're going through this! I went through a bout of boils under my arms a few years ago. They are SO very painful. Did your drs. check for MRSA? Turns out that's what I had. Took some really strong antbiotics to get rid of it. I still get the boils occasionally, but they are generally small and my immune system fights them off.

Here is something you could try before the surgery. Maybe it will work, maybe not. Back about 15 yrs. ago I had recurring mastits (sp?) while nursing and my chiro had me use a product by Standard Process called Spanish Black Radish. It worked just as effectively as the antibiotics I had used previously. I have used it for sinus infections etc. ever since. In fact, about a month ago I developed a rash on my face and the dermatologist did a scraping and determined that it was a staph infection and prescribed keflex and a cortisone cream. I used the cream, but not the antibiotic-- I used the black radish instead. It began clearing within a few days. I usually take 3 tablets 3x per day.

I believe that you can order this on Amazon or go to the Standard Process website and request the name of a practitioner in your area who stocks their products.

Also, using a probiotic regularly can help your body fight infection.

It sounds like something is out of balance in your system. If it were me, I would try a homeopath or chiropractor who practices alternative medicine before resorting to the surgery, as long as the Dr. doesn't think there is any real danger in waiting.

Just be sure to have a reliable and an expert surgeon for your operation. It's always nice to be sure of everything especially when you talk about your health.
________________
breast surgery

Every time (I'm sure you already know this part) a boil forms, drains or IS drained it leaves behind scar tissue. This sets you up for another infection. They sound like they want to go in and take out the "pocket" of scar tissue that is left behind. Antibiotics ongoing is very very hard on a persons system. Dealing with the boils instead of having surgery you are told you need is pointless. You are right about it having the potential to spread to other organs and that is scary because then it can become life threatening. Do they always give you the same antibiotic? Could be you have built up a resistance to that one.

get them removed, scars fade .. sounds like this is something that needs to be delt with. I had breast cancer surgery. It was a lumpectomy I have about a 5 inch incision on the upper outer portion of my left breast. It was 5 years ago.. you can barely see the scar now. Dont let this bothersome situation continue, you will be happier in the long run. Cysts dont just disappear ,, your problem will persist until they are removed.