Kasey

Hi, my name is Kasey. I am 26 years old. I have been battling hidradenitis suppurativa since I was 14. I remember getting my first one on my rear(pain in my ass, am I right?) Through out my teen years it wasn't often that I got one but as I got older it progressed. I was about 19 when they started getting bad. Both armpits, under both my breast, on the sides of my stomach. I now rarely get them on my buttocks anymore but I do get occasional ones on my hips. I probably seen doctors for lancing and draining over 50 times before I was diagnosed when I was pregnant with my daughter in 2017, my obgyn was the first to bring up hidradenitis suppurativa. I suffered in silence. My parents and sister and a few friends is who knew. Once my obgyn brought it to my attention I started doing my research and made an appointment with my PCP. He instantly put my on doxycycline and I broke out into hives. So we stopped the medicine and I went back in. He pretty much told me that there was nothing to do but put me on more antibiotics, I declined them at this time. I went through some of the worst ones I ever had in my life after I had my daughter. Getting prescribed many different kinds of medicines and breaking out into hives every single time I usually just let mine run their course. I don't try to mess with them, put anything on them, but if they get bad enough I do go to the doctor for them. It has impacted my life tremendously. I try my hardest to push through the pain that every single one brings. I have raised 2 kids with these, worked 70 hour work weeks with multiple lesions, I have cried, I have screamed, I have wondered why me, but 1 thing I have not done is let hidradenitis suppurativa win. Sometimes i just slap a bandage on them suck it up. I have been offered humira but I fear that trying something new may make mine worse. I have told myself so many times that I will not try anymore medicine till it's a cure. I don't want to put my body through more than it already goes through. As for my day to day life, I enjoy every moment I can. I have an amazing support system from my kids, boyfriend, family and friends. I put a smile on every day and live it like it's my last. I have traveled over 6,000 miles of this country this summer just taking it all in. I am blessed with this life that I have been given and If that means battling my own skin every single day, than so be it.

 

"The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about" -Jonathan Harnisch