I talked to my brother tonight, and I'm worried

[Not_Giving_Up]

He just got back from a six month submarine deployment. He has apparently gotten some condition, which he does not know the name of, but for which at least SIX guys on his sub have had surgery for. Something about an inflammation at the base of the tailbone, just above nature's split. He says they told him that it's an infection, and they go in and drain it. He found out about it because some guy was getting ragged on for getting his "butt plugged" nightly by the doc. When my brother asked WTF, he was told that the guy had the surgery right before deployment, and that the gauze had to be changed every night. It seems to start with pain and tenderness in that region, and he says that he has it now. Anybody know what this is??? The Navy is telling him that it's from sitting on hard surfaces for extended periods of time (they often sit on the floor of the sub to study and stuff, not a lot of room for chairs). Sounds funky to me.

Disclaimer: I'm not seeking medical advice, just asking if anyone has ever heard of this.

[bluestateguy]

1. Have you tried Hawker Hurricane?

He was in the Navy for over 20 years, but on a carrier, not a sub (at least I don't think).

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. Nope, just here so far

I'm just afraid that they'll tell him it's something much less serious than it really is....Looking for input!

[Sporadicus]

2. Pilonidal Cyst?

No Rash Limbo jokes, please.

'A pilonidal cyst is a cyst at the bottom of the tailbone (coccyx) that can become infected and filled with pus. Once infected, the technical term is pilonidal abscess. Pilonidal abscesses look like a large pimple at the bottom of the tailbone, just above the crack of the buttocks. It is more common in men than in women. It usually happens in young people up into the fourth decade of life.'

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/20243-1.asp

[Not_Giving_Up]

4. This sounds like it might be it

He did say that he thought it was a pimple, and tried to pop it, but it wouldn't pop. I'm waiting for the link to load on my slow ass dial-up.

[RedSpartan]

7. That's most likely what it is.

It also has the nickname "Jeep Seat," so given because a lot of GIs in WWII got them from the sweat a dirt and friction from bouncing around in Jeeps traveling all over the place.

I actually got a minor case of it playing football in college. No idea how -- I mean, I showered after every practice -- but it was easily taken care of. It's quite common and the treatment you describe sounds like par for the course.

[Not_Giving_Up]

8. Just called my brother

Read off everything I could find, and he said "Yep, that's me".

Thanks for the help, I was really freaking out!

[JVS]

12. Tell him that Limbaugh used it to get out of the war, so he should...

be able to milk it for a medical discharge

[Not_Giving_Up]

13. He doesn't want out

He likes the Navy....and submarines. Besides, he owes them for college and nuke school.

[havocmom]

5. My bro had a cyst removed from that area a zillion years ago when he

was in the service. Coast Guard cutter instead of a Navy sub though. No mention of it being an infection but I was pretty young so no surprise they didn't tell my much.

[FloridaPat]

6. Sounds suspicious. If sitting on hard surfaces gave people that,

every kid in grade school would have that by sitting on wood chairs.

[TexasProgresive]

9. Only in California

where the constant vibration of tremors aggravates siting on the hard surface.

[jody]

10. 99%+ that it's a pilonidal cyst. No problem, however recovery from

surgery could be several weeks if the pouch incision is large. Essentially zero risk but perhaps a bit uncomfortable for a while.

VERY CRITICAL that the Navy does the surgery before he gets out.

:hi:

[Not_Giving_Up]

11. Oh, he's not getting out anytime soon

He owes the Navy a chunk of time. He's going to get it looked at ASAP, but I needed to know what it was.

[liberalitch]

14. my former roomate r andy had that, he's fine just had a beautiful...

baby girl... actually wife did. but randy used to have jsut such cycsts they are not serious but common in people who must sit or squat alot.... ie computer techs and submariners... like carpol stuff for typists... occupational thingy