Well. Mine is confined to my groin/tailbone/labia, so yes, it is the general path that it follows. They can start anywhere at anytime unfortunately, that is why this disease is so frustrating, and I do understand your frustration. I'm sorry the medicine didn't work for you. Hopefully you will like your new doctor and be sure to mention that this medicine just doesn't work and has caused you even more problems than before. Medicine has way too many side effects sometimes you wonder if it's even worth it to take them. For the painful ones you have now try hot compresses of epsom salt. You want to try and shrink them before they get hard to manage. Good luck with your new appointment. I hope it works out for the better.

I am soooo very sorry for your discomfort honey. I understand exactly what you're experiencing. My first experience with doxy was quite unpleasant. For me, it was because I took it on an empty stomach. I don't know if this was the case with you, but you may want to take it a few hours after eating(3-4). This is what I did and it seemed to work. As for the clyndamicin, it seems to work for me but everyone is different. An adjustment in diet can be extremely helpful with HS. I now have a very low-sugar low-carb diet. Blueberries,blackberries, warm lemon water and a tumeric capsule in in the morning and evening are a daily staple for me. Minimal fried foods as well. Original Dial soap(yellow bar) is what I suggest washing the infected areas with. When my discomfort isn't tolerable, I take motrin 800mg. This is a perscription but 4 of the over the counter 200mg will do the same job. That in conjunction with the epsom salt hot compresses should give you some relief.

I know it's a lot, but it's worth it for some comfort and the ability to function. Please let me know how you make out.

The clindymicin lotion is great at getting rid of the smell. It also stops helps to prevent more break outs. But to really get rid of it, I would get a prescription of Evoclin 1% Foam. It's expensive but it will clear you up quick.

i dont have any advice. just letting you know i havent found a solution yet either. did goto a new doc today and shes gonna see about my hormone levels. hope its my answer! ive also tried doxy, clindamycin both gel and pills and spironolactone. nothing has helped. but i have noticed as my weight goes up, the more flare ups.

pistoff,can i ask why ae they checking your hormone level? i never heard of that one yet. i think i am going through menopause and maybe that is why my breakouts are very bad lately

I honestly believe hs has a lot to do with our hormones. As a baby I've always had problems with my hormones so I had different medical conditions because of it but nothing severe. I didn't get hs until I hit puberty and I started my cycle well I didn't know it was hs at the time just thought it was a hair bump and they would go away. Throughout my teens I had irregular periods so my outbreaks weren't as bad. I started birth control and hs was still managable would get a cycle here and there and would get a outbreak here and there. At 23 I became pregnant had a miscarriage at that point I notice my cycle become regular and so did my outbreak. I notice around my cycle outbreaks are at it worse. Stress or excitement also make it worse. Nobody really know what causes this but just writing jornals of my day to day routines has help narrow things down and getting a lot of test done. I would recommend getting your hormones checked. Although we have no answer and it may seem drs don't care its up to us to research research research!
Stay blessed

I am sooo sorry you are going through this. For me Generally with any new med I always get worse before I get better. The doxy did make me nauseous if I didnt take with food. But as for the Clindamycin it never really worked for me either. I have tried quite a few. I also had my levels checked for hormone abnormalitites but found I had PCOS and I am a little heavy on Testosterone. But other than that I am ok. I will keep you in my prayers to find a great dr in your area who has some experience with this. Please ask your dr its opinion on Bactrim. That really helped me before I am now on Humira and it is working as long as my meds are delivered on time. I hope you find relief soon.