The other thing that I wanted to update about was the Hidradenitis Surgery I had at the end of August, which left me with an open wound on my inner left thigh. The nurse was initially concerned about me travelling to New York before it had healed properly, but felt better once she realised I was capable of looking after the wound myself.
Apart from changing the dressings every couple of days (and laying Aquacel onto it), I barely noticed it was there. It continued to heal nicely, although not as quickly as they’d expect due to the Prednisolone. Last week, the nurse laid it with something similar to aquacel but which encouraged faster granulation and healing – it made me itch like crazy but after keeping it there for 3-4 days, the wound had reached skin surface level and so now all it needs to do is close in from the sides.
At my last appointment on Thursday, she decided it didn’t even need the Aquacel anymore, so I am now down to straight Softpore dressing. I’m really pleased with how the whole experience has been – of course I’m still keen to see how the scarring turns out, but so far I have not been put off having the surgery again if required.
Talking of which – the site that developed on the opposite side no longer drains; there are still two tiny holes/tracts in the skin and the skin itself is thickening but I’m hoping this is just self-healing and that I won’t need the surgery in the too near future at least. I next see the surgeon on 16th Novemeber, which leaves plenty of time to evaluate how things are looking.
I really hope that once the healing is through, I can have a break from all things abscess related at least.
L
Ps. I’ll try and post some photos showing the wound at different stages of the healing process.
Edited to add photos:
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I was interested to read your post on HS. I’m a long term sufferer an have ha countless operations (my next one nov 16) and noticed your surgeons are leaving the wound open instead of stitching it up. The first five or six ops my surgeon was closing the wound but we found the condition reappeared; my dermatologist has concluded by leaving the wounds open to heal may take longer, but the scarring itself prevents the condition from reappearing.
I noticed your doctor encourages the granulation of the wound; mine on the other hand does all possible to stop the granulation of the wound. I think this has more to do with the scar healing smoothly and not resulting in bumping or unsightly scars.
Where has your condition effected you the most? Mi e started under my arms and has progressed to my groin/backside area. Not fun. Also have you been placed on any medication to prevent HS? I was on Neoral (cyclosporine) for a few years which did help to some degree. I am now on a med called imuran, which I am still undecided on it’s effectiveness.
Im looking forward to hearing from you
Hi, thank you for your post.
This was my first HS surgery, the site had been draining for just over a year and I’d been given various unsucessful treatments, before a new GP told me that surgery was the only option. I did have a problem with abscess in the same (groin) area years ago, leading them to test for Crohns Disease, but these always healed after a course of antibiotics. This one didn’t respond to antibiotics and I also developed a Pilonidal sinus and now a HS site on the right groin, which may need surgery.
The funny thing is, I had been on Cyclosporin for 8 years previously to treat my Still’s Disease but had to start reducing the dosage shortly before the HS appeared. My Still’s disease has been uncontrolled since, so maybe it was working for both things and the problem will ease once I find a new treatment? I tried Imuran in January and Cellcept before that, but it made me neutropenic.
As for surgery, my surgeon initially told me that he would stitch the wound but changed his mind during the procedure because the tracts went deeper than expected. This method is supposed to have less chance of HS reoccurence and although it takes longer to heal it will definitely be worth it if it works. The reason the nurse was encouraging granulation recently was because the wound wasn’t healing normally due to me being on longterm steroids. Ironically, it has now overgranulated slightly on one side, so I have a pressure pad over it.
I hope your surgery in November is successful and brings you relief, I can’t imagine what it must be like to go through this time and time again.
Best wishes,
Laura
Oh wow! Can you post this on the Still’s Disease Cure facebook page? We have some active flares going on right now and I just want to remind them that no matter what Still’s throws at you, there is always a way to fight it! Stay well! 🙂
Hi Shatia, I shall post a link to my next update later today if that’s okay? Thanks for the support, hope you are well too x
This is my second bout of Hidradenitis Surgery in the same general area of my right arm pit. The procedure is the same. Cutting, draining, removing infected tissue. Packing with gauze. Then leave open to heal.
I’m prone to boils, skin tags, warts and moles, cysts from the mild to those that require a laser, freezing or the knife. I think it’s all in my head, in my genes, and in attacks by germs
Hi Jack,
Sorry to hear that you are suffering from this awful condition too. I doubt it is all in your head but I do wonder if the other two things are contributing factors. Hope things get better for you soon, good luck with the second surgery.