You know, losing weight might help reduce your symptoms.
I hadnt been to a gym in years.
I had gained about 25 pounds during college that I wanted to lose regardless of HS.
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Motivated to get healthy, I went home and signed up for a gym membership.
The bumps increased in size and started to resemble boils.
I saw five doctors before receiving a diagnosis.
Allyson Byers
According to theMayo Clinic, “Hidradenitis suppurativa develops when hair follicles become blocked and inflamed.”
We also know that it’s not contagious and it’s not due to poor hygiene.
But, for some, losing weight can also be helpful.
Which brings us back to my new workout plan.
The thought of pedaling for 45 minutes straight was terrifying.
What if I couldnt finish the class, because I got too tired?
But I was motivated to lose weight and reduce my HS symptoms, so I signed up.
Within 10 minutes of thefirst class, to my surprise, I fell in love.
The loud music pushed me to keep pedaling, while the instructor encouraged me not to give up.
She cranked up the resistance dial and told me to keep climbing.
Drenched in sweat, I felt like a warrior.
My legs were shaking after I got off the bike…and I liked the feeling.
I signed up for another class the next morning.
I went to class every day for the next week.
The following Saturday, I woke up to unbearable pain in my groin and thigh area.
It felt like someone was stabbing me with knives.
The area was hot to the touch and I noticed two new boils forming.
My underarms were swollen and had abscesses that were draining so rapidly that my t-shirt was wet and stained.
Barely able to walk, I spent the weekend in bed and called my dermatologist first thing Monday morning.
She advised me to temporarily stop cycling and see if my symptoms improved.
Moisture [from sweat] also increases friction, Dr. Sayed says.
The flare-ups didnt stop.
Most of the time they were manageable, meaning I could go about my day with minor pain.
My thighs and underarms burned and the abscesses became open wounds that bled and drained.
While cycling made me feel unstoppable mentally, it was taking a huge toll on my physical health.
Dr. Rosmarin says that fast-paced repetitive motions, like running or cycling, can exacerbate symptoms.
I didnt want to tell mydermatologistabout this out of fear that she would scold me for continuing to cycle.
I assumed she would tell me to stop, and I didnt want to stop.
I became frustrated and angry; I resented this disease and the limitations it placed on me.
I had finally found a workout I loved, and it only made me feel physically worse.
But I continued to secretly go to class and fight through the pain.
Id grit my teeth and raise the three-pound weights as high as I could.
The flares didnt stop, but I refused to listen to my body.
It was something that my friends and I would do every weekend morning.
I didnt want to give that up.
But after six months, I hung up my gym shoes.
I was in constant pain and couldnt get comfortable enough to sleep at night.
I get frustrated when friends say I should work out more, because its not that simple.
And [if] they go out and exercise, that seems to exacerbate symptoms.
I take it really slow and wear breathable clothes to reduce the moisture.
The flare-ups have been less frequent and painful since I stopped indoor cycling.
My cycling shoes still sit in the closet.
Im hopeful that one day Ill be able to return to class.
Until then, Im going to keep finding enjoyable ways to be active that work for my body.
