Hidradenitis Suppurativa Support Group

Hidradenitis suppurativa (hi-drad-uh-NIE-tis sup-yoo-ruh-TIE-vuh) is rare, long-term skin condition that features small, painful lumps under the skin. The disease manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, sometimes as large as baseballs, that are extremely painful to the touch and may persist for years with occasional to frequent periods of inflammation,...

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Alcohol

mcasltles
mcasltles
How's everyone doing? I've been Ok myself. Short synopsis of myself - HS for 10 years, had surgery in my armpit and to remove a pilonidal, recently stopped eating dairy because of an IGG test I took, a couple of days ago I had to have my armpit operated on (no anesthetic) and it hurt like a BITCH. So needless to say I'm still dealing with HS, by my breakouts seem to be spacing themselves out a little more.

My question for all of you is what is your experience with the effects of drinking alcohol? Does everyone get a reaction? I'm 99% sure that alcohol definitely exacerbates my condition, so I know I eventually have to give it up. This is hard for me, as I love to drink/party what have you. Most of my friends are drinkers. I live in NY, where marijuana laws are extremely strict, so I can continue to smoke, but should a job drug test me, I'm screwed.

So what is everyone else's experience? Have you given up alcohol and seen any improvement????

Let me know!
kaylaB86
kaylaB86
I drink almost every night lol gosh that sounds so bad! I mean a couple after work while cooking tea .. Not extreme amounts.
I'm not sure it affects me in a bad way.. I have a lot of ha in almost every area (besides neck , fingers crossed) and bad scarring but Iv never had a missive access nor ever needed surgery. But continual tracks and small sores ( still hurts like a bitch)

I wish I could stop smoking/drinking but this shit has already takin SO much from me!!
kaylaB86
kaylaB86
Damn auto correct!!! Hope you can understand lol
mcasltles
mcasltles
Yea I know how you feel. I try my best not to let HS affect my life as much as possible. I'm already dairy free, constantly having to taking month long breaks from the gym, and I feel that soon I will have to give up alcohol.

I'm just looking to see what everyone else's experiences are. AKA see if there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Givethanks
Givethanks
Hi, giving up alcohol definitely helps. I find too much sugar and gluten tends to bring on lumps. However, I enjoy a drink with friends and have found if I drink moderately with lots of water and exercise the next day it helps to flush and sweat the alcohol out. Drinks like gin and tonics or mojitos or dry apple ciders appear to have no HS effects for me. The best part since I've cut down on drinking is my tolerance is less and one drink tends to be enough to feel merry. Seems best to take it easy and enjoy spending time with good friends and whatever you're doing together, more than drinking.
mcasltles
mcasltles
Well Givethanks. My birthday is coming up (the big 26). After that I'm planning on abstaining from alcohol format least a month and monitoring my HS symptoms.

I also found this article, which talks about mixing antibiotics and alcohol for anyone who is interested.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/monday-s-medical-myth-you-can-t-mix-antibiotics-alcohol
pbnowell
pbnowell
I have HS as well! And I celelbrated for New Years and I'm not much of a drinker, mostly occasional. But I have noticed new breakouts after I had a few drinks. Its so hard to tell what goes on with this disease it seems anything will cause a reaction. Its frustrating as hell but I wish the doctors could seriously find a cure for this. I was told by one doctor there are way more diseases and sicknesses to worry about than HS! I felt he was bit of an asshole about this but seriously this is such a mentally frustrating disease which can lead to people wanting to commit suicide and other mental healh issues! But what do I know, I just wish it would go away!