Hidradenitis Suppurativa is taking my quality of life, help me get some of that back.

Hi visitors,

I appreciate you clicking on this page and taking your time to read this.

A little bit about me - My names Jordyn, I'm a 26 year old woman who lives in Otago NZ, and i suffer with a chronic skin condition called Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa? Its a chronic skin condition that causes painful, recurring boils and cysts in areas with sweat glands, with mine mainly effecting my groin area.

I had my first painful 'lump' in late 2019, and was diagnosed in late 2022, at the end of my 1st year of nursing study, i am now in my final year.

I have been on multiple medications, with me currently on the last biologic medication funded in New Zealand for my skin condition, called secukinumab (what a mouthful) leaving me immunocompromised. Sadly, as some of you reading will know, public dermatology in the south island has 'collapsed', leaving patients such as myself with no specialist to go to anymore, leading me back to my GP on a weekly basis. Majority of the time, I am also on antibiotics for infections, with the high risk of sepsis lingering around the corner. With my condition being so debilitating, i struggle to do a lot of daily life activities such as bathing, toileting, dressing and mobilizing without the assistance of my wonderful mum.

I understand peoples situations are different, that not everyone is in the position to donate, but even making people aware of this condition makes a huge difference as it is so common, but so rarely diagnosed.