Have Your Say
Every month we will be featuring a story based on the views and experiences of a HS sufferer. If you would like to tell the world how HS has affected your life, then send us your story to mystory@ba-hs.org.uk. Stories from previous months can be viewed using the links below this months story.
(Unfortunetly we cannot guarantee that every story will be published. Stories will be published as received.)
This Month - Sarah tells of her experiences with HS.
Hi my name is Sarah, I'm 26, a stay at home Mum of two beautiful little girls, and was diagnosed with HS today. I can't begin to tell you what a relief it is to finally have someone tell me what is wrong with me.
Around 5 years ago I found a small swelling under my left arm, it was about the size of a pea and didn't give me much trouble. This swelling returned every two to three months but I never experienced any pain untill around 2 years ago while pregnant with my second daughter. The lump became very painful and inflamed, but just not enough to push me to do anything about it, big mistake!
Very close to my due date I noticed what I thought was an ingrowing hair on the left side of my groin, it was not painful, just itched a little. Still I did nothing, I told myself the reason for doing nothing was being distracted with the birth of my child. When I think about it now though I admit it was sheer embarassment that held me back.
After the birth of my youngest the problem seemed to get worse and worse more pain, more bumps and lumps and even more worry. In the end I headed to the GP's and showed the nurse under arm. She told me it was a cyst gave me anitbiotics, and I thought thats the end of that. But only a few months later it was back, and again, and again, it would just not shift. I searched my symtoms on wikipedia, and there it was the answer! HS! I printed the information off and went to see the GP again. I showed the doctor the information which they quickly dismissed. I was given antibiotics for two weeks twice, and while I was taking the medication other lumps appeared.
Enough was enough around two weeks ago, it was back and the most painful it had ever been. I was feeling really low, I felt it was ruling my life! My confidence is at an all time low, I can't wear deodorant, remove the hair under my arms and it limits what activities I can do with my children. So off I went to the GPs again, this time I wanted answers! The GP seemed to be in a hurry and rushed the appointment, she tried to send me home witht the same antibiotic that didn't work, again! I told her that she had prescribed this medication before and it didn't work then and it won't work now, I needed to see a specialist. She eventually agreed and made me an appointment at the hospital.
Today I attended that appointment, and was told I was suffering from HS, and I was to start treatment right away. Simple as that!
Hopefully now I can find the right treatment for me and I can start living my life again, can't wait to take the little ones swimming!
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