I'm close to tears, how do I manage HS?

Hi this sounds awful for you and I do sympathise.  It is very good you are seeing a dermatlogist and should have been sent straightaway for a proper diagnosis.   S/he knows more about HS and should be able to advise you better.  

Some people say cutting out nightshade foods ie potatoes, tomatoes etc.  helped control their symptoms,  others say tumeric.  I have not tried any of them so I can't personally comment.  I am fortunate that my HS is nowhere near as severe as many on here and I have been virtually in remission for the last few years but had a very nasty one on my stomach and am just recovering from one on my leg. 

The pain is excruiating isn't it?   I find the only thing that helps me is to take ab's - doxyclycline but it can take a few days to have effect.   I did for years take textraclycline on a maintainance basis but found it didn't help.

Do you know any triggers?  I found one of my biggest ones was stress,  but how you avoid that I have no idea.  

As it Sunday the site is slow but I am sure others will be in soon to support and advise you.  Take care.   Bev x

 

Hi lily I think anything is worth trying as you never know what might help and it is often a process of trial and error. 

The good news is that your dermatologist should be able to advise you on current medical treatments ie I know you can be prescribed rouccatine,  though it is strong.  

I don't know about you but when mine are cured but with hard matter still in some of them recur again and again.  I have these incised by a surgeon under a local anaesthetic and so far none of these ones have come back. 

I know for extreme cases plastic surgery can sometimes be an option and I had a friend who used to get loads under her armpits over many years.  It was so bad she couldn't raise one arm due to scar tissue.  She had the plastic surgery and on the whole is pleased with the results.  She doesn't get any more there,  but it doesn't stop them spreading to other places.

My dermatologist that there is a lot more they can do if you are only in stage 1 ie confined to one area,  but the problem with this is by the time most of us get diagnosed it has spread.  Mine has from my upper thighs to my stomach and he said the only answer at this stage is to incise them as and when.  I am in stage 2 I think.  

Good luck and let me know how you get on please.

Bev x

I am sorry to read the horrors that you are going through, however i just wanted to warn you to always keep a level head with this condition. if you don't constantly seek treatment the condition will worsen, trust me you don't want it to get that bad i have been on and off treatments for about 7 years but whenever i stop it shortly worsens

HI! I'm in exactly the same position. 22. teary and depressed. I was diagnosed yesterday and the dermatologist didn't explain anything effectively. He checked me out and diagnosed HS and prescribed a list of antibiotics, roacc and birth control (I've never taken any before) without explaining the treatment and how to take it. All that was in 15 minutes and I was rushed out the door. I'm confused, I've been perfectly healthy all my life apart from this condiction under my armpits and suddenly I'm on chronic medication. I'm terrified.