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Please help me.

Posted , 5 users are following.

LilBam17
LilBam17

I’ve being dealing with HS since I was 16. It started out very small and it was rare that I’d get a boil, but it did happen. Each year it’s gotten worse. I’m 27 now and each year is worse and worse and I just can’t do this anymore.  In the past three years, it’s a constant battle. I’d have at least 3 boils in my groin area, one in each armpit and one on my right breast every day. I didn’t know what was wrong but just kept waiting for them to pop and go away. I finally went to the doctor last year because I had a golf ball sized boil in my armpit and they had to lance it. I started to get them on my face as well and that petrified me. I’m already scared in my groin area and armpits.  The doctor diagnosed me with HS. I cried because I finally knew what was wrong with me and that there were people out there that had the same condition. I wasn’t alone!!! They prescribed me with antibiotics and washing 2x daily with antibacterial soap. It helped for a period of time but they resumed and in full force. I gave up on the antibiotics since I’m planning on getting pregnant.

Here is where I’m at. I smoke, I drink, I eat everything and anything. I can’t keep going to the doctor and paying so much for things that don’t work. I’m not overweight just a bit chubby. I bathe daily if not every other day. I don’t work out. Today hit me hard. I got a three grape size lump over night and I just can’t deal with this anymore. I’m depressed. I’m in pain. I wanna get better. I want to get pregnant and start a family but I’m scared I can’t have sex because the lumps in my groin will be too painful. I want to not be in pain that embarrasses me or drags me down anymore. I can’t shave, I joke with my husband he married a French girl. I know I can get better, but that means not smoking, not drinking, not eating what I want and being more proactive on hygiene and exercise. That’s a lot of changes all at once and I’m scared I’m gonna fail. But I can’t be in pain anymore. I need help. I’m crying out for help. Please help. I’m at my wits end and don’t know what to do. 

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • aussie76
    aussie76 LilBam17

    Posted

    Hi LilBam,

    There is some big correlation between smoking and HS, unfortunately quitting doesn't seem to be a magical cure, however smoking does reduce your circulation and hinder the wound repair so may make them last longer.

    Write down what you ate 12-36 hours before the latest breakout. In my case it was always potato, which I now avoid and almost eliminated the HS.

    I had/have it for 20 years and feel like I've been through the wringer, seen all the specialists, medications, had the surgeries... And my conclusion is nightshades.

    I also suspected probiotics may have assisted fix something in my gut, so maybe give them a go.

    Tony

  • LilBam17
    LilBam17

    Posted

    Thank you so much for the reply. I’m going to quit smoking and I’ll definitely start a food journal so I can track what I’m eating and what could be triggering it. I’ll also check out probiotics. 

    Again, thanks so much for the reply. Sorry you have to go through this as well. 

  • christine60829
    christine60829 LilBam17

    Posted

    Hi I am haveing the same problem I have been on antibiotics for 7 months and they keep getting worse. I have 7 at any giving time. But now they aren't popping they get huge and spread out I am with u I can't take the pain any more and my doctor says he is trying to control them ya right it's not controlling them they are getting worse

    • LilBam17
      LilBam17 christine60829

      Posted

      I’m so sorry you have to go through this as well. I’m gonna try a few things these next few weeks. If I find something that helps I’ll be sure to let you know. We can fight this!

    • christine60829
      christine60829 LilBam17

      Posted

      I have tried changing diet I do smoke cigarettes I have tried alot of different. Things to change in life I have been on 6 different antibiotics with no results I have been on home I v was at urgent Care more then I was home veins kept blowing I talked to my doctor he said they will never go away but we. Can control them. In the last few weeks they have gotten worse. And more pain. I currently have 7 boils on me and tired of all the pain
    • LilBam17
      LilBam17 christine60829

      Posted

      Eeesh. I’m so sorry to hear that! I hope we can find a way to control them enough that we don’t have to be in much pain anymore. I know it sucks but I’m curious to see if quitting smoking helps. I’ll keep everyone updated. Wish me luck! 

    • LilBam17
      LilBam17 christine60829

      Posted

      I feel ya. That’s how I am too. That’s why quitting is going to be so hard. 
    • LilBam17
      LilBam17 christine60829

      Posted

      Hey girl. I promised I’d keep in touch. I wanted to let you know. I’ve started to cut back on smoking. Went from a pack a day to currently 4 smokes a day and I’ve seen significant improvement.

      Give it a go. Every time you crave a cig just think of how much pain you have from those damn boils and how much you wish them away. Try it and tell me what you think, how you feel and if it helps!!! I’d love to see if this helps you like it has me. They aren’t gone by any means but a ton better. The night I did smoke a LOT I felt the pain in the morning. I could feel them growing deep inside my armpits and it hurt so bad. I only smoked 3 that day after and I felt them go back down.  

      Us smoking HS girls need to stick together! smile Try it! I’ll even give you my number so I can be your support. I want this stupid battle to end and would love to find people that we can help each other. 

    • christine60829
      christine60829 LilBam17

      Posted

      Hi. I have cut way back on smoking I don't see a difference. I have even changed a lot of stuff I have been on my meds for 8 months the meds armt working anymore I took my self off of my meds I feel a little better but this is a diease that won't go away but can be controlled and right now these damn things. On me are way outta control

  • Debbon
    Debbon LilBam17

    Posted

    My daughter had alergie test and vitam and minerals she avoids dairy and takes pro biotics she's in remmision hope this helps .

    • LilBam17
      LilBam17 Debbon

      Posted

      I’m lactose intolerant to begin with but am stubborn cause I love my cheeses! I’m going to try an elimination diet and see if cutting out dairy works. Thanks so much for the reply. 
  • LilBam17
    LilBam17

    Posted

    Quick update.  I am slowly weaning myself off of cigarettes. I’ve tried quitting cold turkey in the past and it simply doesn’t work for me.  My quit date is January 1st. I’ve gone from almost a pack a day down to 4 a day. I’ve noticed significant improvement with boil outbreaks. My right armpit has gone down to tiny tiny bumps where before it was a constant 4 boils that were huge and always open and my right armpit is healing very nice. I did have one outbreak after a weekend of heavy smoking and a night of heavy drinking (Office Christmas Party!). But I cut my smoking down again that following Monday and they went away fairly quickly. I’ll keep you updated, but if you smoke......it might be time to try and at least cut back to see if it helps. 

    Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you have a great Christmas! 

  • marc04239
    marc04239 LilBam17

    Posted

    Hi,

    I had HS starting in 2002, and continued until a year and a half ago.  I quit smoking 3 years ago.  That was the magic bullet . 

    I would encourage others to take this as a guideline, as I suffered with it for nearly 20 years.   It was the cigarettes!!! 

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