OMG. I can't believe I'm over here crying after reading this.
I was dx with PCOS when I was 19 but I've had HS since I was 15-16. I've been SO embarrassed about it and it's really effected my confidence. DH knows about it & it doesn't bother him in the least bit but it bothers me. I don't have a horrific case (not like some I've read about) and I've never needed surgery. I do have a lot of scars and darker skin patches where they've been in the past.
My gyn & my regular doctors kept telling me they were ingrown hairs. No. They're. Not. When I was 15-16 my mom took me to this doctor who did dx it as HS right away and then told me no caffiene, no peanut butter, no deodorant, no tight fitting clothing. I'm not even lying, she suggested I wear a moo-moo around then house. She actually said moo-moo. Yeah....a 16 year old is going to be REALLY receptive to that.
I'm blown away that there are so many other people with this and that I'm not alone. |