As a young teenager, Athena began experiencing pimple-like abscesses in various areas of her body. For years, doctors attributed the painful lesions to poor hygiene, shaming Athena into internalizing and enduring her chronic inflammatory condition in silence. Pushing through pain, embarrassment and self-blame, Athena meets a young doctor who finally gives her hope - and a name - for her disorder.

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If you’re looking for more information on Hidradenitis Suppurativa, you can check out the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation by heading to HS-Foundation.org. You can also explore Athena Gierbolini’s work with Hope for HS. 

As a young teenager, Athena began experiencing pimple-like abscesses in various areas of her body. For years, doctors attributed the painful lesions to poor hygiene, shaming Athena into internalizing and enduring her chronic inflammatory condition in silence. Pushing through pain, embarrassment and self-blame, Athena meets a young doctor who finally gives her hope - and a name - for her disorder.
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************ SPOILER ALERT BELOW ************
If you’re looking for more information on Hidradenitis Suppurativa, you can check out the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation by heading to <a href="https://www.hs-foundation.org/">HS-Foundation.org</a>. You can also explore <a href="https://www.hs-foundation.org/athena-gierbolini">Athena Gierbolini</a>’s work with <a href="https://hopeforhs.org/standing-ovation-at-aad2019/">Hope for HS</a>.

How terrifying would it be to fight an unknown enemy? One you don’t recognize and didn’t see coming? What if that enemy was coming from within; a disease that even doctors couldn’t identify? Nearly half of all Americans suffer from some chronic illness and many struggle for an accurate diagnosis.

Every other week on Symptomatic, host Lauren Bright Pacheco unravels the medical mystery of a patient’s baffling symptoms and explores how their lives were turned upside down in search of answers. 

From the first signs of trouble, through a swirl of misdirection and failed treatment attempts, to the final relief at a confirmed diagnosis - these are their stories. This is Symptomatic.

And for Season 2, we want to hear from you! Tell us what you think of the show or share your own medical mystery by emailing us at Symptomatic@iHeartMedia.com.

How terrifying would it be to fight an unknown enemy? One you don’t recognize and didn’t see coming? What if that enemy was coming from within; a disease that even doctors couldn’t identify? Nearly half of all Americans suffer from some chronic illness and many struggle for an accurate diagnosis.
Every other week on Symptomatic, host Lauren Bright Pacheco unravels the medical mystery of a patient’s baffling symptoms and explores how their lives were turned upside down in search of answers. 
From the first signs of trouble, through a swirl of misdirection and failed treatment attempts, to the final relief at a confirmed diagnosis - these are their stories. This is Symptomatic.
And for Season 2, we want to hear from you! Tell us what you think of the show or share your own medical mystery by emailing us at <a href="mailto:SymptomaticPod@gmail.com">Symptomatic@iHeartMedia.com</a>.

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast

Case #02: Athena

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7b391e24-7047-4a42-85ac-af300108c481/transcript

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