Hi Maddy! I got HS around 14 also and we're about the same age! Haha. I was diagnosed in February of 2014 and was on antibiotics from that month until July when I had my surgery on my breast and have been mostly off them ever since as they don't really work for me anymore. When I was meeting with a breast specialist she told me that the mixture of different antibiotics can mess with the intestines by stripping the good bacteria in them and put my on probiotics to replace what the antibiotics was taking away! I think it would be worth a shot to try and see if it helps any!

Thank you for the response and the tip! How did the surgery go? Was it worth it? Has your HS reappeared since surgery?

No problem and it went well! It came back in my left breast somewhat, it would grow and burst every so often but I don't think it has done that in over a year and recently I've been having some of the worst flare ups of my life, so I'm considering it gone! And it was well worth it, I was so anxious that other people would see my tracts on my breast if I wore a lower cut shirt or worse smell them and it was super painful to wear a bra and sleep on my chest at night and having it removed help me take a little piece of my life back.

That's amazing! I am happy for you! I have the same issues you had. I haven't worn a bikini or low cut shirt in 5 years. Bras hurt. I also have it in my groin. I'm beyond self conscious. Was it a skin graft they did on you? Or did they just completely remove it? Any scarring from surgery?

Thanks! And get a high waisted bikini! It hides it! It seems like we have the same problem areas! I have them on my underarms as well and want those removed next. Fingers crossed with will be sometime next summer. And I completely understand about being self conscious about it, I try to hide it as much as possible. My friends are always asking my why I'm always wearing like a denim shirt or something over my tank tops or aren't you hot and I have to remind them why. And no skin graft was needed! That was a HUGE fear of mine. They were able to just cut out the infected muscle and stitch it back together and then glues my skin. And I actually chose not to buy any scar removers, sometimes I regret that choice cause I still get a little self-conscious about the scars cause they kinda look like a long stretch mark. But it reminds me of the pain, tears, anxiety, and hospital and doctors trips and that I overcame all of it.

Hi im 25 years old and im being referred for humira treatment. But I really dont know what to expect. How has it been for you? xx

Hey guys! My name is Cindy and I've been suffering from HS for about 4 years now, I recently created a blog where I talked about how I was able to put mine into remission and everything that I've tried. If you guys want to check it out the link is : www.sweattearsandthesea.weebly.com
hope it helps!

Hello bride_of_chucky,

So sorry for the late response. I have been on Humira now for about 5 or 6 months. It has done wonders on my chest. I have gone from having about 3 active boils to about one at a time and some days or weeks I have none! My groin area is still not under control so my dermatologist asked that I continue Humira for another 6 months before deciding whether or not it is working in the groin area. I will have to be on Humira for the rest of my life. I have tried everything. Humira was my last resort. Just make sure that if you are already on Humira or decide to go on Humira that you become a germaphobe. Wash your hands always, don't drink after others, and take vitamin supplements! Especially vitamin C. Let me know how it all works out. Wish you the best!

Maddy