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Surgery for Somwhat Mild Case?

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flamingoezz
flamingoezz

I've had HS for about 3 years. Compared to many others I'd consider my case somewhat mild. It limited to only one location (groin). When its active it doesn't seem to fully heal (some drainage usually present), but flares are controlled mostly with antibiotics.

Initially, I took Minocyclin (1 year). It seemed to keep the flares to about 1x per month, but I was not interested in being on an antibiotic forever to keep this in check. I read about trials done with Clindamycin and Rifampin (sp) and asked my doctor about it. He put my on that combo for 3 months. The 2nd and 3rd month were basically symptom-free, and I had another 3+ months after I finished the course without flares.

Unfortunately, it seems to be coming back. I had 2 flares in the past couple weeks where the skin inflamed. Once the boil released, the pain calmed, but it feels like this may continue into a similar state to where I first sought medical advice.

My doctor in the past has recommended Humira, which I'm not really willing to consider at this point.

So I suppose my options are to try another round of Clindamycin and Rifampin with the symptoms not being so bad and hope it goes into a longer remission -- maybe I can get away with being on antibiotics for 3-6 months per year instead of all year round like I was with the Minocyclin.

Or alternatively, I could look into surgical options. My doctor did not recommend it. He said that it doesn't cure the underlying condition (autoimmune) so it will recur in another location. I was curious for those who had surgery, especially those with less severe cases like mine -- did you have the disease pop up in a new location? Are you overall happy with the result? I had a pilonidal cyst before HS came on, and now wish I didn't wait so long to have that surgery, so I am very much in the short term pain for a long term cure camp if that is possible. Since I do not have a disease that has spread, I'm hoping that laser surgery could give me some long term relief. Can some others chime in on their experience?

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2 Replies

  • Pullhandlesup
    Pullhandlesup flamingoezz

    Posted

    I have no advice regarding surgery, but have you tried dietary changes? after ten years dealing with severe HS I've been 100% cured for months by not eating sugar except a normal amount of fresh fruit. It was like an on/off switch for HS

  • soobass537
    soobass537 flamingoezz

    Posted

    Doctors will go by the text book and prescribe what other doctors have recommended for their patients that seems to have helped them. Some doctors describe HS as a nightmare disease to treat. Some diets helped a lot of HS patients to stay free from flares,of course any slip and the HS returns. There is extensive innate immune activity in the guts related to autoimmune diseases therefore avoiding foods that trigger flares works well. Surgery to remove the apocrine glands from an area affected appear to have helped a lot of patients but is not an assurance that they will not have an outbreak or flares in or around that area. Humira is the latest drug to being used for HS, which help for a couple of years then they are back to square one and there are side effects to consider. I wish you good luck in whatever treatment you chose.

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