Sorry--This is embarassing

Headie · 09-25-2002, 12:38 PM

Ok, sorry to ask such embarassing questions, but I know if anyone else has these problems this is the place to ask. First question-- I have started to gets cysts(boils)whatever you want to call them on my "private area" and now there are pimples that are starting to come up "down there". Has anyone else had this problem? Also I have noticed that I have gotten 2 skin tags there also. I have quite a few skin tags, but not there, is this normal? Sorry to be so graphic, but this has just scared me and was wondering if this is something that goes along with PCOS. I was dx with PCOS last year and quit taking my meds(gluc 1500mg/day) b/c it made me sick. Well I go back to the dr next week and going to ask him what else they can do, b/c when I went it was pretty much "you have PCOS, have a nice day". This is the only place I have found information about PCOS. I don't post alot but I do read alot of the posts. My mother said she had the same problem with the cysts when she was younger. If anyone could be of any help, it would be greatly appreciated. Have a good day!!

Heather

lamaannalove · 09-25-2002, 01:21 PM

i don't know what it is, but i've also had some mysterious bumps. i hope someone can shed some light.

Roo · 09-25-2002, 01:42 PM

Hi. I have boil-like cysts that develop in my groin area, under my breast and most recently on my stomach.

I have been suffering from these nasty things since puberty (I'm now 29). No doctor ever told me what the condition was until I went to a new dermatologist two years ago. Finally, I got a diagnosis for the bumps. What I have is called Hidradenitis Suppurativa. It's a "disease" of the apocrine sweat glands. The problem has a hormonal component.

My dermatologist was the one who suggested I get tested for PCOS because of the H.S., acne, weight problem, and facial hair. I am on antibiotics and use a topical med for the bumps too.

Hidradenitis is a chronic condition. They don't know what causes it, but suspect it's hereditary and hormone linked.

My doctors say that if I have PCOS the meds for that may help my skin problem.

You should ask your doctor about Hidradenitis Suppurativa. If your GYN isn't familiar, see a dermatologist. You certainly may not have the same condition I do, but it's worth asking about. It's always helpful to be able to put a name to problem.

There are several websits about H.S. that describe symptoms and treatments in more detail. Just do a web search on Hidradenits Suppurativa.

Good luck with everything.

You can e-mail me at rlk73@hotmail.com anytime if you want to "talk" about it more. Just put PCOS or HS in the subject line.

Roo

lamaannalove · 09-25-2002, 01:46 PM

that is so helpful!! and it makes sense because these things seem to pop up in unison with my period! and what kind of treatement do you use?? i need to do some internet research. thanks!!

Headie · 09-25-2002, 04:02 PM

Thanks so much for the info. Go to the doc. next week and will post with what info he has to tell me. Once again, thanks!!

Heather

mommyof1 · 09-25-2002, 06:15 PM

I have also had these bumps for years and I did a seach on that and all the links came up in spanish. Is there some in english?

Melissa

Roo · 09-25-2002, 07:10 PM

Here are two websites that have information about Hidradenitis Suppurativa. You can also find more by searching the internet with keywords "Hidradenitis Suppurativa". If you don't get many results, try using a different search engine like www.dogpile.com.

Here are two sites that I have found helpful.

www.thebarricade.free-online.co.ukmainframe.html

http://www.capederm.com/info_hidrade...uppurativa.htm

I suggest copying and pasting these addresse, since they are so lenghty.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences with this condition (H.S.) It's such a comfort for me to hear from you.

-Oh, yeah. The treatment that my dermatologist started me on recently is an oral antibiotic called Batrim (spelling may be incorrect) and a topical antibiotic to put on the affected areas (I can't think of the name of it at the moment, I'll have to look when I get home today - I'm at work now). My derm may put me on some type of hormone medicine, but she won't know about that until my PCOS is confirmed (I should have blood test results Monday).

Warm compresses can help when the cysts are really bad. Also, you can use a product called "Boil Ease", available at many drug stores, to help the cyst erupt. Sometimes it's helpful.

I had somewhat less of a problem with H.S. when I was on the BC pill, but even then I had some cysts. I have one in particular that has come back over and over for about 15 years (no exageration!).

I am hoping that between my Gyn and my Dermatologist I can get my hormone problems in order and maybe the skin stuff will clear up as a result.

Take Care.

Roo

Roo · 09-25-2002, 07:18 PM

Boy these long website addresses are tricky.

Sorry, I left out a slash in one.

Here's the correct link:

http://www.thebarricade.free-online....mainframe.html

Roo

P.S. I'm following two threads, so sorry if you've already seen this info on my other posts.

gingerbread · 09-25-2002, 08:26 PM

Yes, I too have skin tags, a lot, even down there. I am also on Glucophage, makes me sick, I can only take 1 pill a day. I am finding out you are not alone, neither am I. This is a wonderful website. I found out I had PCOS by going to an infertility specialist. Thank God I did. Good luck.

KAT71NY · 09-25-2002, 10:17 PM

There is also a great Yahoo group out there that has tons of the most recent information on HS.There is very little research so we all help each other. If you would like to check it out, there is a link in the CysterSites that Kat has posted at the very top of the page.
Good luck!

spikeadoo · 09-26-2002, 12:28 AM

Headie, thank you so much for asking this question. I was just diagnosed today with PCOS and have been wondering for YEARS why I had these "boil-like" bumps that always popped up on my breasts and inner thighs. They are extremely painful, and none of my doctors seemed too concerned. Just told me the usual "lose weight"...(grrrrr). I am going to call my doc tomorrow and ask about the Batrim. He tried once before to treat them with Keflex and a topical antibiotic ointment, but it did nothing for me.

Another question to add to this thread...when you all get these bumps, do they leave red or dark discolorations on your skin when they finally erupt, I guess scarring might be a better word?

Busy_B · 09-26-2002, 01:05 AM

Yes, the bumps are terrible- painful & embarrassing. Mine got so bad that I actually had the skin of my groin excised (the Docs cut away the area with the hidranitus suppurtiva) when I was a teenager- now I have scarring from the operation, and still have the bumps pop up around the scars!

The good news is that they go away when I strictly follow a low-carb diet. Unfortunately, they never permanently go away- just go "dormant"

Roo · 09-27-2002, 05:21 PM

Hi. The bumps I get do leave ugly reddish scars. The scars on my breast fade a little with time, but you can still see where every one of these pesky cysts has been.

--So much for my career as a nude model.

-I have heard that putting the liquid form of lever 2000 antibacterial soap on the cysts like a lotion can help them heal up. I haven't tried this as I haven't been able to find that exact soap.

R.K.

ziggy687 · 09-30-2002, 03:37 AM

You're not alone -- in addition to hot compresses and all the other suggestions here -- i've also found that applying a triple antibiotic cream to the boils also helps (and if you get the ones that also numb like neosporin Plus, the pain is eased).

Good luck,

Christine

USMCwife · 09-30-2002, 06:09 AM

I have HS and get them on my private area(well, I only have one, the cyst is there like a pea under the skin all the time, but then occasionally it turns into a big boil. I just soak in a hot tub several times a day until it drains. I do tend to get them more around AF, and they are WAY worse if I have taken Provera-like I said, I only have one, it's been there for about 10 years but only actually turns into a boil about once a year-the first time I took Provera it turned into a boil, and I got a second boil about an inch from the first! I've never had a second one. Now I avoid Provera as much as I can, thank God Gluc has regulated my cycles so I don't need Provera to bring it on.
Ricki