I experienced pain when sitting on a hard surface and thought I had broken my tailbone while snowboarding and falling on my bottom. The pain persisted for awhile and then I went to the doctor and a quick visual examination identified the pilonidal cyst. This happened when I was 19.

My name is Nicole and I am right now 18 years old. My pilonidal cysts problem started in high school around 16. After the process of having it surgically removed and heal from inside out I was so behind in school I failed my first class ever. I just got caught up by the end of the year and the cyst was back for finals. The pain after the cyst becomes inflamed is crucial. I can barely turn over laying down. The cyst coming back a second time made me wonder why me? Two days in the hospital and four weeks recovering each time I have been cyst free for two years, but now I think it's back. I hope I don't have to battle this whole life. The reason I think it's back is because this time instead of being dead center pain in the upper buttocks I feel in my left side and leg. I guess I am looking for advice if I should jump the gun and go straight to the surgeon again cause it feels like the same pain or hope it's something else but either way if anybody had an off center cyst please send comment. I am very sorry for all those out there going through the same thing it is a hard path and I wish you all well and a speedy recovery.

My experience with the cyst seems to be a little different from the most. It started with what felt like a tiny golf ball under the skin, at the top of my left buttock near the tailbone. It would be tender, but not red or raised, and it would fade away after a few days. It wasn't until after I had a job that required I be on the road driving quite a bit that the cyst came to the surface and opened. Now the site is tender, and slightly inflamed. It's also constantly open and draining. I'm considering my options retreatment, removal and recovery verses care.