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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stillirize 06/10/2011

I've been viewing this site for the past few months and I love the support and advice that every shares on this website.I am now 20 years old and I was diagnosed with HS when I was 15 but had it a few years before. I've had two surgeries, one for each underarm when I was 16. It went well and I hadn't had any outbreaks besides a few small cysts on my inner thighs. However my freshman year of college I had a cyst under my arm and then my breast. I attend school in North Carolina so I decided to see a Dr at Duke Hospital. I was put on a "cocktail" of antibiotics from rifampin, minocycline and any other cyclines. My breast started draining last summer but are still open. As a student I learned that stress, esp around exam time, my period and alcohol(this is a recent finding) all affect my HS tremendously. I had Botox injections a few weeks ago and if that does not yield results my dermatologist is suggesting an IV medication used to treat arthritis. I also tried Turmeric pills for a few weeks but feel they were unsuccessful. I've just been bouncing around medications and want to try something natural. I have a great support system in friends and family and hope I can share with this site

I am refraining from alcohol this summer, trying a gluten-free diet and going back on the tumeric twice a day. Any other suggestions are welcome.

stillirize 10/27/2011

I had a really bad outbreak on my labia and groin and went to see an OBGYN in may. I haven't seen her since I came back to school but she recommended I try Yazmin. She wasn't familiar with HS but she was compassionate and willing to help me. I stopped seeing the Doctor at Duke because she kept sending in med students to look at me. Each time it was a different Dr. and i felt like a zoo animal smh. So i'm looking into other Doctors and options. I'm not going back to antibiotics but I do want to be under watch for infections.

deleted_user 10/28/2011

It's great that you've found someone to work with you. I haven't ever used Yazmin before nor have I heard anything related to HS with it. Birth control hasn't been a viable option for me because I get very stomach sick with it. I hope it helps you.

I saw in your original post that turmeric wasn't something that worked for you. I've been taking it for almost six months now and I'm only now noticing some of the benefits of it. Some things just take a while I guess. Then again, I just mix it in water and gulp it down. Apparently not a lot of people can do that.

I also see you're looking around for different doctors. Have you considered or do you have the options to see a specialist?

stillirize 11/05/2011

@WNic Thanks for your support. Yea I probably should;ve continued the tumeric but Im not a fan of swallowing pills and it smells gross. I discussed seeing a specialist with my mom but its hard since I'm not in the area of my home doctor (away at school) so getting referals are tough but I did see a dermatologist at Duke for about a year but was unhappy with my care.

pistoff 11/05/2011

was curious how you make the epsom salt drink? i would be interested in trying that out. i'd like to give you some help or advice also but i have none right now sorry. nothing works for me either :(

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