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,...

1,904 Members
4,903 Posts
0 Online
Skin & Hair
/ Hidradenitis Suppurativa Support Group

Pregnant! :)...but flaring up like crazy!!!

celestialmeg
celestialmeg
Well, I haven't posted in a while, but I was scheduled for thigh/groin surgery, my first for HS, on June 21st. Well, happy surprise, I found out that I am pregnant about a week prior to my surgery date, so obviously it has been postponed. Honestly, I was going to do some hormone testing with my gynecologist fearing I would have fertility problems with HS, so this was a total shock! While I am thrilled to be pregnant, as this is all I have ever wanted, I am disappointed that my skin has been flaring up worse than ever! My buttocks, thighs, and groin are unbearable! I am about 9 weeks, and had read that a lot of people had gotten relief from their symptoms during pregnancy. I hope it's just a first trimester thing, with all of these hormones going wacky, but I'd love any input on people's experiences with HS and pregnancy.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I flaired and progressed in staging during both of my pregnancies. The last was so bad to the point where I doubt I will have anymore children. I still have an unhealed spot and my son is 19 months old.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Mine actually was about the same or possibly better during pregnancy-only one flare up and then two that popped up on my thighs the week I had my daughter. The antibiotics they put me on the hospital for the delivery actually helped things. I think mine got better because I believe that the disease for me is an auto-immune disease. Pregnancy suppresses the immune system, so I think it kicked my HS in to near remission. Unfortunately, since I had my daughter five months ago things have been much worse. However, having my daughter has pushed me to actually try to treat this horrible disease and to do something about it, so I believe it is a positive thing. Congratulations to you and sending prayers your way!!
celestialmeg
celestialmeg
Thanks for your replies, ladies. I guess everyone is different. I figure, I'm already at stage 3, so if it gets a little worse now, better that I hold off on the surgeries anyway...there may be more areas they need to excise later! I can endure anything for this baby :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
True, everyone is so different with their experiences! My first pregnancy, I didn't see a difference. The second pregnancy, I was miserable! Of course, neighbors and workmates thought I was having a difficult pregnancy but no it was the HS! I had a c-section and the pain from HS was all I was worried over. I had a lovely nurse that kept cleaning and dressing my wounds. While handing me my son, one spot burst open and drained all over her. She was so kind and quickly cleaned me up and hugged me because I just cried and cried. I couldn't bare to breast feed my son either because of the flare ups. It was very distressing! I'm so glad to have my two lil munchkins but I'm done with pregnancies. That scared me.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Last year i was only 6 wks pregnant when i had a miscarriage.Of course there were no signs of HS flare up in that short amount of time.It was a huge fear of mine,being pregnant with HS & what might happen to me or worse...would my baby get HS like me.I would gladly take being pregnant over what HS could do to me.On the other hand,hearing all your stories it is a frightning prospect.@celestialmeq:congrats to you & i wish you amazing health & happiness during your pregnancy! Take care of yourself my dear =]
ariesgurl
ariesgurl
I just had my baby a month ago and my HS seems was about the same during pregnancy but I experienced some bad flares right before my c section and two weeks right after. They seem to be calming down now but I am also taking turmeric. There is nothing worse then being in pain from the surgery and having to deal with HS at the same time. Funnily the HS pain was worse then the surgery pain. I too had to stop breast feeding my baby recently due to a very painful abscess under/on my breast. Waiiting for that one to clear up as it hurts so much...

I didn't have any problems with HS when pregnant with my first child but a few months after having her my HS went out of control. 2.5 years later I'm still struggling with it.