HS Symptoms

Hi there, just wondering; have you tried any treatments to control it?

Weight loss / antibiotics / dietary measures, etc?

Hello! I've never had the surgery, however I've heard that there is a 50/50 chance of it returning. I think it really depends on personal preference as to whether or not you want to go through the surgery. For me, someone who only gets major, debilitating flare ups once or twice a year (knock on wood), I'd rather just hope that it goes away rather than taking the 50/50 chance and possibly winding up having it return. If I had major flare ups more frequently I think I'd opt for the surgery, because at that point it's almost just what do you have to lose, you know? So if you're having them very often I'd say go for it. Also, to answer one of your questions, I don't think I find myself tired because of a flare-up, I think for me it's more of a depression that it causes, leading me to be unmotivated until I heal. Hope I was able to help, and if you wind up opting for the surgery make sure you update us on how it goes! Good luck!

Hi sorry you are going through this I have had HS since 2004 and boy has it been a long road. I have had surgery and the two I had removed knock on wood have not returned it was a day surgery. You do know it only temporary not a permanent thing I just have been lucky plus I have also list 55 pounds. I believe that has helped however I have had really bad flare up since January and nothing has really helped I have been using tanning bed that's helped a little but just started Humira as my other meds stopped working so I should notice a difference soon. I will keep you all posted. Godluck

I've had my HS for a few years now and it started out the worst in my armpits but I think I also have it in the groin area but it's nothing compared to how it is in my armpits. I did feel drained and very tired but I'm not sure if the HS was the cause or something else...I have other health issues on top of the HS so it's hard to pinpoint. It shouldn't be causing you to feel tired or drawn except the fact of maybe being drained due to being in pain or uncomfortable all the time. There's been times where I've wanted to have surgery or take it out myself I was so beside myself over it but that's because I go through spells where I just get that sick of it but right now I'm healing so I'm OK for right now. I have seen a conversation in this group where someone did have a surgery to remove HS from the armpits and the surgeon didn't take enough so it came back and now she has to get surgery again for removal but that doesn't mean that happens all the time. I'm sure everyone has had different experiences. As long as all the HS is removed along with some good flesh around it it shouldn't come back. I was told though that HS is genetic so I'm not a hundred percent sure if it won't move somewhere else...I'm not sure how my future is gonna be with the HS but I'd have to hear all the odds and outs about the surgery route before taking any step like that. Well good luck and wish you well.

Symptoms wise I get the painful bumps and then they turn into holes and they drain. I hate to say it/admit it but there's also an odor that comes from the holes and I absolutely HATE it. Not trying to gross you out.

Yes, I do feel exhausted during outbreaks and my body aches. I have had one surgery which was a overnight stay in the hospital. I have also had several areas wicked. The surgery was in the groin area and it mostly burned. They cut a large section of skin away to make sure they got the tunnel. They were able to to close it without grafting. I have since healed without a scar there. I now have several other outbreak areas but that one is still clear. I have started using Manuka Honey bandages and it has been helping with the healing process one area is closing after 2 years.

I always feel drained during a flare and end up having lots of nana naps on the couch in the afternoon. I intially throught that I was low in iron and took supplements. However, I stumbled across articles regarding "inflamation anemia" which is a a type of anemia where you body holds on to you iron stores as opposed to being low in iron. It apparentely is very common and is associated with cronic and inflamatory dieseases. I havn't really followed it up to see if HS fits in there, but it kind of makes sense.  The take home message is iron supplements won't fix it. The following link will give you some info.

https://patient.info/doctor/anaemia-of-chronic-disease

Emis Moderator comment: I have replaced the given link with a link to the equivalent article on our site.