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,...
Help. I have my yearly OB appt this week. Over the last year my armpits have flared quite severly. I am getting it under control with advice drom these boards. I have an appt with a dermatologist in September. Wondering how to broach this with the OB? She delivered both my kids and I know she has seen aome " breakouts" in my armpits in the past but never commented on them besides " maybe an ingrown hair". At this point I am embarrassed for her to see them buy as she always does a breast check and checks my lymph nodes there is no hiding it. Plus I have had a few boils in my groin area/ upper thighs in the past but being embarrassed never saw her for these. How do you guys approach this with a doctor who may not know what this is?
Manda
Manda
deleted_user
As hard as it is, honey just voice your concerns. it was the same way with me, I kinda danced around it for a while with my OB, Gyno and family phys. Till I finally realized what I had. I know it;s hard and my prayers go out to you but yes, just be straight forward and let them know what you think is gong on with you. It's better to know than live not knowing. I send strength and prayers for you. Stay strong and keep your head up. :)
deleted_user
My Obgyn that delivered my last baby knew what it was without me telling her. She even recommended a new derm who she says deals with all her patients with HS. I already had one but she says she's seeing it more and more often every year. Don't stress about it I work in the medical field and trust me they have seen much much worse ;) keep you chin up momma!
respectful
My Gynecologist was the first to diagnose me, and I was completely thankful to him....because it was in my groin, he sent me to a colo-rectal surgeon who has done all my surgeries. Don't ask me why I went to a gynecologist in the first place...i figured since it was "in that area" he would know what it was...and I was right. So don't worry about it...she probably already will know as soon as she looks at you.
deleted_user
I agree with what others have said above. My HS is primarily in my underarms as well and I have gone with flair ups to my annual check up. I had some of the same concerns as you. My dr took a look at what was going on with my HS, we talked briefly about it and she continued to do the rest of the well woman exam. While HS is somewhat rare she did not make me feel as though I was some odd medical case and really normalized my experience by allowing me to have an open non judgmental conversation with her about it. I suggest that you be open about HS but think about what you are needing most from this drs apt and let that be the motivating factor in sharing your concerns. Hang in there! :-)
deleted_user
My OB/GYN was very familiar with the condition. I have PCOS and it's so common with PCOS women that she actually suggested seeing the derm first. If she asks about it just tell her what your diagnosis was, any good doc, if they aren't familar will research and maybe help you. That's what my regular family doc did when I went in for my pre-op a year ago and he even made some additional suggestions. Trust me, they've seen it all.
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