Help and advice on a cyst?

[BecciMarie]

Hey!!
Good morning, found this site on google and so far loving it, such a fantastic community.

I was looking for some advice from people who know what they're talking about and I don't know where else to turn.

Since Janurary this year I've had quite a large lump on my leg that can be between the size of a walnut and a ping-pong ball, as you can imagine this has been very painful. Originally I took anti-inflamitries to keep the swelling down. When I spoke to my nurse about it, thinking it was a side effect from injecting in my leg, she informed me that if I was in too much pain to walk properly then I would need to see my gp as it was nothing to do with my injections.
My gp diagnosed it as a cyst and gave me a course of antibiotics to get rid of the swelling, when they didn't work I was given more. On the third trip I was refered to a surgeon to talk about removing it. This appointment was last week and the surgeon has said he won't remove the cyst and it has been caused by either bacteria getting into my leg when injecting, insulin crystalising in my leg or over-injecting. his advice was to stop alternating my legs as injection sites for a few months.

I'm only 19 years old and I've been told that this cyst will cause me a great deal of pain for the rest of my life. I can't lie on my side, I can't do a lot of physical activity, can't walk long ddistances all because of the pain I'm in. My mum complains constantly that I seem to walk with a slight limp now. I'm worried that not alternating injection will cause the same problem in my other leg and I'm finding this all very stressful and upsetting right now.

Any advice anyone..? xxx

 

[Caroline]

Your leg sounds painful. Is there another doctor in your practice who may be more sympathetic and helpfull? Sometimes it helps to talk to the practice nurse. They are normally more clued up on things than the doctor.

If the pain gets too much, perhaps a visit to A&E might help? I do hope you can getthis resolved soon and feel better.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi Beccie,
you need to go back to your GP and ask for another opinion.
Being left in pain like that is not good.
As to injection sites, you do need to change them all the time. If you don't you will end up with scar tissue and very bad absoption which will lead to bad control of your diabetes.

Ps welcome to the forum 🙂

 

[trophywench]

I'm v puzzled.

Surely the whole point of a cyst is that the outer shell of it encloses the infection to stop it getting out into your insides? That being the case they can normally either be removed entirely or at least drained - even if they fill up again after?

Did the surgeon call it anything else other than just a cyst? Hyperlipotrophy for one suggestion.

I mean just cos I've never heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist - but I'm not particularly happy with what's apparently been said to you. - in many ways!

Have you seen your DSN/Diabetes consultant and asked them? - bearing in mind insulin jabs are alleged to have caused it, presumably they should be up to speed on all complications arising therefrom?

 

[BecciMarie]

Thanks for replying!!

I do change my injection sites alot because my legs bruise really easily, you can always see where my last one was! I have herd of Hyperlipotrophy but this wasn't mentioned. It's always been a cyst as the size does change regularly and it reduces with antibiotics and anti-inflamitaries. At the moment I've been prescribed voltarol gel to use, it's about the only thing that works.

My DNS was the first person I mentioned it to and I've seen my consultant a couple of times since then. They've told me it's unrelated which is why I went to my GP with it.

Really do think I'm going to have to see another surgeon though which is a massive hastle as it took me nearly two months to get the last one!! Really am at a loss. xx

 

[StephenM]

Some years ago I had a cyst and like yourself went around the houses somewhat. I even saw a pharmacist who sold me some expensive ointment that made no noticeable difference. I finally got referred to surgeon. The cyst was looked at by a junior member of the team, who wanted to leave it, but fortunately the ?head honcho? came in for some other reason and then decided to take a look himself. He decided it should be removed. When it was removed it was somewhat uncomfortable as apparently they prevent the local anaesthetic working properly. However things felt a lot better an hour later and 24 hours later the only thing that reminded me of it was the dressing. A week later it was a memory.

Push to get it seen by someone else. It is not really an issue for A&E but if you go to your local minor injuries unit (these are mainly nurse lead by people with a lot of experience) they might write to your GP suggesting it needs to be sorted.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Thanks for replying!!

I do change my injection sites alot because my legs bruise really easily, you can always see where my last one was! I have herd of Hyperlipotrophy but this wasn't mentioned. It's always been a cyst as the size does change regularly and it reduces with antibiotics and anti-inflamitaries. At the moment I've been prescribed voltarol gel to use, it's about the only thing that works.

My DNS was the first person I mentioned it to and I've seen my consultant a couple of times since then. They've told me it's unrelated which is why I went to my GP with it.

Really do think I'm going to have to see another surgeon though which is a massive hastle as it took me nearly two months to get the last one!! Really am at a loss. xx

Hi Beccie,
if you are bruising from injecting then you need to see about some different length needles.
It sounds to me as if your needle length could be an issue for you.
Hope you get that cyst sorted soon and do push for another apt with someone else.