Birth control
I Live With the Pain of Taking Deep Breaths: Celeste’s Story
In April 2020, I had been feeling sick and brushed it off as allergies. Due to COVID, I had a telehealth visit and was diagnosed with bronchitis. After four months of a lingering cough, I started to have a hard time breathing while doing the most menial things. Standing became so trying. I finally went…
Recovery is Not Linear: Desiree’s Story
In April 2021, I was diagnosed with a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. I was fortunate enough to have been diagnosed quickly following three days of headache, nausea, and vomiting. My risk factor was estrogen based oral contraceptives. This diagnosis has taken a physical and emotional toll, but I am thankful for where I am. I…
My Only Risk Factor was an Estrogen-Based Birth Control Patch: Stacy’s Story
On May 22, 2022, I woke up and had breakfast with my family. As I was getting ready for my day, I felt dizzy and weak, then I fainted. When I woke up, I projectile vomited. I eventually made it to the shower. When I got out, I was still feeling weak and dizzy. The…
I Heard the Doctor Say my Outlook Wasn’t Great: Morgan’s Story
In March 2019, I was recovering from a broken ankle when I began experiencing odd, unfamiliar symptoms, like shortness of breath and back pain. I thought it was anxiety. My husband picked me up from work one day, and the second I got in his car, I couldn’t breathe, then I passed out. When he…
The Hematologist Told Me to Buy a Lottery Ticket For How Lucky I’d Been: McKenna’s Story
In the summer of 2021, I started to experience extreme back pain. At times, I was unable to sit down or move at all. Being an active 20-year-old who grew up playing sports, I attributed my pain to a tweak that I just needed to stretch out. But the pain continued getting worse, and my…
My Only Risk Factor Was Estrogen: Ann’s Story
I started having intermittent chest pain in March 2021. I thought it was a sports injury and went to see my primary care provider (PCP). By May of that year, the pain was constant, so my PCP scheduled a CT scan. I arrived at the imaging center and they had not received my order.…
This Has Been an Emotional Roller Coaster: Jacqueline’s Story
On April 28, I went to urgent care for pain in my left ankle. I had sprained it three weeks prior, and it was swollen and not getting better. I was also experiencing shortness of breath as well as chest, rib, and shoulder blade pain on my left side. I thought maybe I slept wrong…
I’m Very Grateful for my Blood Clots: Erica’s Story
I woke up one morning with a slight twinge in my left side. I didn’t think much of it, though. I took some Advil and continued on with my day. Despite my discomfort, I went on a hike with my boyfriend. After we got back, my side was bothering me a bit more. I figured…
I Mistook My Symptoms as a Panic Attack: Jillian’s Story
In December 2021, I was climbing up the subway stairs, heading to my college campus in New York City, when I started feeling off-balanced and dizzy. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, so that’s what I thought was happening. I sat down and a nice family came over to me and asked if I…
My Leg Was Massively Swollen, Purple, and Hot: Shelby’s Story
I live a fairly active lifestyle as a preschool teacher, firefighter wife, and dog mom. I am always on the go! When I began experiencing what I thought were muscle cramps, I thought nothing of it. Little did I know, my body was experiencing a trauma that would halt me in my tracks. In November…
