Ganglion Cyst

RE: Ganglion Cyst

swimshark — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:47:44 GMT

Where I grew up, wrist ganglion cysts were not infrequently referred to as "Bible cysts". A good heavy book (or a heavy Good Book) sharply rapped across said cyst, and, praise be, the offending lesion was "cast out". Disclaimer: In my hometown, there were tent Revivals where, among other things, rattlesnakes were handed around by True Believers. I don't know if the term "Bible cyst" exists outside of this rarefied environment. Jon, my 2 hand cysts were while I was living in Atlanta so I've heard that term and yes, it was suggested to me. Even with this one that has been suggested. But even touching this one hurts since it's so close to the surgery site. I would need a lot of :chug::chug::chug::chug: to do the bible method now. No, Stud, you can not volunteer!

RE: Ganglion Cyst

jonblank — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:23:34 GMT

Way back when, they used to slam a heavy book down on a cyst to rupture it.]-LBJ Where I grew up, wrist ganglion cysts were not infrequently referred to as "Bible cysts". A good heavy book (or a heavy Good Book) sharply rapped across said cyst, and, praise be, the offending lesion was "cast out". Disclaimer: In my hometown, there were tent Revivals where, among other things, rattlesnakes were handed around by True Believers. I don't know if the term "Bible cyst" exists outside of this rarefied environment.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

swimshark — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:30:57 GMT

Yeah I want you to keep it too... I want my picture taken with it at Nats!!! Gee, I have to keep it (and the pain) just for Rich to have his picture with it?! It is more than a nuisance. It is hitting on the nerve and does cause pain at times. Especially during *** and I'm doing the 50 *** and 400 IM at Nats. Hopefully the adrenaline will get me through.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

knelson — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:40:08 GMT

Ganglion cysts can be uncomfortable and are a nuisance, but they are not a big deal. I agree. I had one on my wrist for years as a teenager. It finally just went away on its own.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Former Member — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:56:58 GMT

Bummer. I used to get ganglion cysts on/in my fingers due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. I never had them drained; the doctor would just inject them with a corticosteroid and presto, they would disappear. This was 15 years ago, so maybe draining is the thing to do now. My guess as to staying out of the water would be to gently stretch the area affected after the draining and swim gently. LOL @ the book-slamming technique. My mother still tells me stories of how my great-grandmother would "cure" her arthritis-laden hands and fingers with dictionaries. And that was one gross video...and yep, most likely no health insurance, so you do what you gotta do.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Former Member — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:30:54 GMT

Allision, don't do anything, particularly if you are hoping to swim well at Atlanta. Ganglion cysts can be uncomfortable and are a nuisance, but they are not a big deal. They don't make your joints weaker. In fact, they are a result of, and not the cause, of inherent joint issue. If you poke and prod, you may get temporary drainage, and if you are fortunate not have a complication. But if there is a complication of the procedure, you'll really be sorry. I'd suggest using it as a source of humor or distraction. Sounds like its already become that! Good luck at Nats; wish I could be there. Yeah I want you to keep it too... I want my picture taken with it at Nats!!!

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Former Member — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:36:00 GMT

RE: Ganglion Cyst

kristilynn — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:38:32 GMT

I had one removed from my foot years ago (when I was a teenager). My uncle did it for me (disclaimer: He is a surgeon; no home surgery here). I think that I was supposed to stay out of the water until the stitches came out, but I have a vague recollection of swimming with a ziploc duct-taped to my foot well before the stitched were removed.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

swimshark — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:54:02 GMT

This was on the top of my foot and it really didn't cause pain except from pressure from my shoe. It was sore for a couple of days after but nothing bad. At the time I was not swimming, but the only restriction was to wait a couple of days for the skin to seal since it was, in effect a puncture wound. I was very glad that I didn't have further problems and avoided the surgery. I had several surgeries on my leg a few years before and I did not look forward to more time in the hospital. Thanks for the info. I'm glad yours went away and didn't cause any more problems. I did a simple stretch and pointed my toes yesterday and had major pain. This is not good. I think walking around Disney a few weeks ago may have made this grow.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Former Member — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:05:33 GMT

And that was one gross video...and yep, most likely no health insurance, so you do what you gotta do. In poking around a bit, it seems that a decent number of people do home surgery for minor things as a matter of course. If you go to Youtube and search on "home surgery" or similar, it comes up with a disturbing # of videos of same. Disturbing to watch as well. They even had a book-slamming video. I have to admit that it is a rare idea that is so stupid that I won't try it, but this is up there. Still, I do have this cyst on my left arm.... -LBJ P.S. Haven't seen a "home vasectomy surgery" yet, but I bet some dim bulb has tired it.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

pendaluft — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:09:22 GMT

When I was in 7th grade my dad took a plantar wart off of my foot with a tool from his wood shop -- that was my most fun experiment with home surgery! He also cauterized my nose with a silver nitrate stick at the dinner table a couple of times when I was having nose bleeds as an pre-teen. I haven't been tempted to try any home surgery on my kids, yet.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

swimshark — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 05:37:23 GMT

I have to admit that it is a rare idea that is so stupid that I won't try it, but this is up there. Still, I do have this cyst on my left arm.... . My husband's idea last night was to "poke it with a fork". Gee, thanks.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Former Member — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:14:20 GMT

Has anyone had a ganglion cyst drained and if so, how long were you out of the water and did you feel stronger after? I had ankle surgery in Nov to repair a sprained ankle. I went in for a routine follow-up on Monday and there was a bump that I thought was scar tissue. The doctor told me that he thinks it's a ganglion cyst and I'm pretty sure he's right. I've had 2 in the past (hand and wrist) but I wasn't swimming much at the time. Both were drained but came back shortly after and had to be removed through surgery. I'm swimming at Nats and I'm wondering if I should have this one drained since I feel like I've lost strength in my ankle as this thing is getting larger (you can see it!). This would probably be a temporary fix but I was hoping it would get me through Nats. Opinions? Jeez Alison...nothing is simple with you is it? Good luck with the ganglion...

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Betsy — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:12:54 GMT

RE: Ganglion Cyst

no200fly — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:13:29 GMT

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Bobinator — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:18:21 GMT

I would wait till after nationals. You never know what might happen if you try to get it fixed before.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

swimshark — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 08:31:26 GMT

Jeez Alison...nothing is simple with you is it? Good luck with the ganglion... Nope. If it's strange, I have it or have gotten it! Thanks Stud. This one totally threw my for a loop. I expected a good report on Monday. Certainly didn't expect to be looking at another surgery down the road.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Former Member — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 06:34:35 GMT

I thought I wasn't squeamish, then I watched that video. My pal "the wookster" wouldn't flinch at all, he rips people's arms out of their sockets.

RE: Ganglion Cyst

swimshark — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:53:20 GMT

I had a bursa cyst on my foot that the doctor was convinced would need to be surgically removed. I asked him to try draining it first. He did and poked a few holes in it with a large bore needle and it never came back. I would give that a shot if you can. How long were you out of the water? How long until you felt good after?

RE: Ganglion Cyst

no200fly — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:51:57 GMT

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Former Member — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:00:13 GMT

I don't know what kind of cyst was involved, but one of the swimmers that I coach told me a funny story. She had a cyst on her hand at the base of her thumb. She showed it to me one day and said she was going to have to see the doctor. As it happens, we did some sprinting that day and she was in the lane by the wall. On one of the sprints she hit her hand on the ladder. She came to me later to show me that the workout had cured her problem and saved her a doctor's visit. The cyst had broken from the impact with the ladder. A happy ending. Way back when, they used to slam a heavy book down on a cyst to rupture it. They also used to aspirate cysts with needles as a way of providing temporary relief and avoiding surgery - I had this done about 35 years ago to one near my knee. And for the truly insane (not for squeamish viewers): LiveLeak.com - Gnarly home surgery on cyst -LBJ

RE: Ganglion Cyst

swimshark — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:55:03 GMT

Hey Alison, good luck with this! I can relate to you regarding having "strange" medical things happen. I'm very healthy, but when something DOES happen, it's never normal! We sure could swap stories!:blah: Eliane, we'll have to do that at Nats! I don't think I even want to watch that video:afraid: The one on my index finger popped the day of surgery. I ran in to a door frame and it popped. But it came back 3 months later and had to be removed. So far this one is just growing.... The old idea of slamming a book on a cyst is called the bible effect. Um.. no thanks!

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Elaine Krugman — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:12:29 GMT

RE: Ganglion Cyst

Bobinator — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:07:22 GMT

I think the guy in the video enjoyed the procedure! I bet he has no health insurance!