In short - immunotherapy has been a life changer for me!
From November, 2022 to July 2023, I had six cysts/abscesses on various parts of my body. Obviously, I knew it wasn't normal and figured it had something to do with autoimmune, but it was only recently that I saw a commercial about something called Hidradenitis Suppurativa - according to the website it is a skin condition that causes lumps in places where the skin rubs together such as the groin, buttocks, or armpits. I had them in all three of those places (armpits twice) plus the right lower leg and the gum of my mouth. It is the result of inflammation.
The cyst/abscess on the lower leg became infected after it ruptured and then advanced to cellulitis.
Besides dealing with the abscesses, I also had three UTI's during that time span.
Most of these infections caused my whole body to react and would cause intense vomiting and fevers.
The only time I sought treatment from a doctor is when I had the cellulitis and, looking back, this seems insane to me! I really don't know what I was thinking because now that I look at it through a different lens, any of those infections could have easily turned into something life threatening.
The out of control psoriasis was another depressing and embarrassing issue. I watched as the psoriasis advanced up my legs, up my arms, and up my whole back. My feet were also affected, but that was not new - my feet had been bad for about five years already. The itching was horrible and it was embarrassing to show any part of my skin and have white flakes of skin fall off constantly and everywhere!
I am ashamed to think about how bad I let myself get and only started getting treatment because I ended up in the hospital with such severe inflammation that it was affecting my heart.
My first dose of Methotrexate was at the end of July. Since then, I have not had any more cysts or abscesses, no vomiting (other than medication related a couple of times), and no fevers. I have had one UTI about a week after I stopped taking probiotics/prebiotics for urinary health so I promptly ordered more and take them every day.
And my skin...
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| July |
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| September |
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| December |
So very thankful and grateful!
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