ORIGIN STORY – NICOLE

My name is Nicole and I am a 37-year-old woman from Winnipeg, Manitoba. This is my HS Origin Story.

I was ten years old when my HS symptoms first appeared and I didn’t know what was happening to me. I was not diagnosed until I was twenty-one when a dermatologist figured it out.

I had stage 3 HS but I am currently in remission. I have no other medical conditions.

Healthy living has been the biggest factor in the treatment of my HS. I tried other medical routes (ie. anti-biotics, Humira, etc). It wasn’t until I saw a Naturopath and was tested for food sensitivities that I made some major life changes and noticed a difference in my HS! A tip I would have for someone trying to manage their HS would be to try and figure out what foods you are sensitive to and cutting them out of your life.

In terms of HS affecting other areas of my life, it mostly has affected my work life but my social life was largely impacted as well. Luckily, I have my family and amazing friends who support me and are there for me. I am very open to them about my condition. I have many Heroes in my life like my family (my husband and my Mom), and my co-workers. One of the most positive experiences that has come from having HS is seeing how accepting people can be when I tell them about it.

If I could say anything to an HS Hero who is struggling, I would tell them to keep going! It can get better. It might be hard right now, but just know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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