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Major Pain

Major Pain

Written by: Jesse Mercury
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About this listen

 The Major Pain podcast is a collection of interviews from people living with chronic illness and disability. Our goal is to spread awareness, empathy and community around experiences often lived through in isolation. Through sharing these stories important themes have become increasingly apparent, including the dangers of medical gaslighting, the importance of self-advocacy and the fact that none of us are in this alone. You can share your thoughts, your story, or inquire about appearing on the show at majorpainpodcast@gmail.com.Major Pain Podcast Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Living with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis

    Living with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis
    Jan 4 2026

    Several years ago, Janene was at a golf tournament when something terrifying happened. Out of nowhere her feet began to burn, as if she were walking on hot coals. She discovered that blisters were spreading across her feet at an alarming rate, as if she were being burned by an invisible fire. As the blisters continued to spread she rushed to the doctor, but nobody had any idea what was going on. After several terrifying days she finally saw a dermatologist who diagnosed her with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). She went home with four creams, pain meds and steroids. Thankfully, this intervention helped bring this outbreak of GPP under control.

    In this episode of the Major Pain podcast, Janene talks us through her experience with generalized pustular psoriasis as well as her complicated chronic illness history. Along with GPP she has also been diagnosed with plaque psoriasis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, Raynaud’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. As a mother of twins, managing this many diseases has been a challenge. However, her experience with GPP was the most horrific medical trauma she has been through. That’s why she has devoted herself to spreading information and awareness about generalized pustular psoriasis, to help others find their way through this painful disease.

    Learn more about generalized pustular psoriasis at GPPandMe.com

    PlayWatch the episode on YouTube or Spotify, listen here on our website or on your favorite podcast platform.

    PODCAST LINKS
    WEBSITE: https://majorpainpodcast.com
    EMAIL: majorpainpodcast@gmail.com
    SUBSCRIBE: https://majorpainpodcast.com/subscribe
    SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NDoD07WJmICdfdRKq0TyN
    APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/major-pain/id1562947550?mt=2&ls=1

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/majorpainpodcast
    TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorpainpodcast
    YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@MajorPainPodcast
    FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/majorpainpodcast

    AFFILIATE LINKS
    RARE PATIENT VOICE: https://rarepatientvoice.com/MajorPainPodcast
    AMAZON SHOP: https://www.amazon.com/shop/majorpainpodcast
    NEURAHEALTH: https://www.neurahealth.co/majorpain
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Angel on Battling Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Thyroid Cancer

    Angel on Battling Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Thyroid Cancer
    Dec 1 2025

    In this episode of Major Pain, we continue our talks with people dealing with hidradenitis suppurativa. Today we talk to Angel, a mother of five who has had multiple health challenges. A self described “homestead mom”, Angel loves to grow vegetables in the garden and make her own food like butter whenever she is able. She stays busy homeschooling her autistic son while raising her other four children, including a fifteen month old. She hopes someday to get a small acreage and have a few animals and live the country life.

    At thirty years old, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had to have multiple surgeries to drain and remove the liquid filled tumor, and eventually her entire thyroid. After the surgeries and radiation treatment, she still struggles with getting the right supplements to replace her thyroid hormones, properly absorb nutrition and avoiding fluctuations in weight.

    After the birth of her son, the skin symptoms that had been an undiagnosed since she was a teenager became much worse. She had struggled with doctors telling her that she had contact rashes or allergies to certain fabrics or personal care products like deodorant. Finally, at thirty three years old she got the diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa. While finally being diagnosed was a relief, it was also the beginning of a long road looking for treatments. She tried Humera but experienced minimal relief with a lot of side effects. Cosentyx had worked fairly well for her until she became pregnant with her youngest child. Now she is attempting to get back on a new medication but has struggled with insurance for approval for a year. On this podcast episode she talks us through her journey so far, and discusses her public advocacy as @hsqueen96.

    PlayWatch the episode on YouTube or Spotify, listen here on our website or on your favorite podcast platform.

    PODCAST LINKS
    WEBSITE: https://majorpainpodcast.com
    EMAIL: majorpainpodcast@gmail.com
    PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/majorpainpodcast
    SUBSCRIBE: https://majorpainpodcast.com/subscribe
    SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NDoD07WJmICdfdRKq0TyN
    APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/major-pain/id1562947550?mt=2&ls=1

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/majorpainpodcast
    TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorpainpodcast
    YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@MajorPainPodcast
    FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/majorpainpodcast

    AFFILIATE LINKS
    RARE PATIENT VOICE: https://rarepatientvoice.com/MajorPainPodcast
    AMAZON SHOP: https://www.amazon.com/shop/majorpainpodcast
    NEURAHEALTH: https://www.neurahealth.co/majorpain
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Parish’s Path to Acceptance

    Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Parish’s Path to Acceptance
    Nov 10 2025
    Parish Armstead was only 7 years old when the first signs of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) appeared. This is a painful inflammatory skin condition that causes boil-like abscesses and scarring, which can occur anywhere that hair follicles grow. These abscesses are known to reform in the same spot even when surgically removed, or connect with each other through tunnels under the skin called tracts. This disease runs in Parish's family, and growing up it was normal to use hot soaks to treat breakouts. His first surgery was at 11, and he would continue to get surgeries throughout the years as his HS developed. It wasn't until he turned 18 that a doctor recommended a CAT scan, which discovered a system of tracts under his skin, leading to his diagnosis with hidradenitis suppurativa. In this episode of the Major Pain podcast, Parish tells us what it is like to live with HS. This disease does not only affect the skin—it causes systemic fatigue, necessitates a regimented diet and exercise, and also carries a heavy mental health toll. Parish's journey has been one of acceptance. At first he rebelled against this disease, not wanting to make the necessary lifestyle changes or even be seen in public— how he has embraced this lifelong challenge, allowing him to discover a deeper sense of self. This upward trajectory began with HS Connect, an advocacy group that Parish is now an active member of. Finally finding community around HS showed him the importance of being visible and speaking up about his journey. He now co-hosts the HS Brotherhood Podcast with Joey Torre (two-time guest of Major Pain) and curates an advocacy platform as HSOpenWounds. Explore HS Connect online: https://hsconnect.org/ PlayWatch the episode on YouTube or Spotify, listen here on our website or on your favorite podcast platform.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 21 mins
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