Gaslighting
I’m Grateful to be Alive and Share My Testimony: Roxanne’s Story
There was a tingling sensation in my right leg with noticeable swelling, while pain developed in my chest and right side when I took deep breaths. I work as a hairstylist, so tired feet and legs come as no surprise, but this was different. I went to urgent care, and they recommended I go to…
I’m Living My Days to the Fullest: Elizabeth’s Story
In my twenties, I developed a pain in my calf that was extremely uncomfortable. I couldn’t put my foot on the ground to walk. My dad had DVTs a few years before and told me to go to the hospital. At the hospital, I was given an anticoagulant and sent for a scan the next…
Nobody Should Have to ‘Just Deal’ with Bleeding: Meghan’s Story
In February of 2020, I had recently gotten married, and the world was about to shut down. I developed unbearable chest pain and shortness of breath that I ignored for a week before finally going to the emergency room. It turned out that I had a massive pulmonary embolism. I was in shock, wondering how…
I’m Hoping For a Better Outcome: Saru’s Story
I had my blood first clot at 26. I visited a doctor, but they couldn’t diagnose it, saying it would fade with time. After two months, it did fade. At 28, when I was newly married and planning a baby, I got red bumps on my calves. I tried lymphatic exercises for two months, but…
Don’t Accept a Diagnosis if Your Intuition Tells You Different: Jasmine’s Story
When I was 32 years old, I experienced terrible pain behind my knee for weeks. My doctor said it’s from standing, and I need physical therapy. I did that, but the pain persisted. Eventually, I went to a vascular surgeon who did vein stripping surgery. Seven days post-op, I felt sick, like the flu, but…
I Feel Lucky to Have Gotten a Second Chance at Living: Kara’s Story
In May 2021, I was experiencing extreme perimenopausal hot flashes, and hormone replacement therapy wasn’t helping, so I started estrogen-based birth control. Things were improving until one day, I lost my breath while vacuuming. I sat down and thought I might have caught Covid, but I started feeling better, so I got back up, but…
I Still Deal With PTSD From Thinking I Could Have Left My Children Motherless: Victoria’s Story
Towards the end of my fourth pregnancy, I felt many random aches and pains. My loved ones would write it off, saying it was likely due to being pregnant with my first son. The day after a wedding, I told my doctor I woke up with a terrible charley horse going down my leg. She…
My Body Fought to Live, and I’m Living Every Moment: Shytasia’s Story
On June 21, 2020, I experienced a pulmonary embolism. I was at work when all of a sudden my arms went numb and my vision became blurry. I thought was talking to a customer, but there were no words coming out. An hour later, I couldn’t taste or hear and could barely see anything. I…
This Experience Has Instilled a Deep Sense of Gratitude: Karla’s Story
On October 29, 2024, I began experiencing persistent pain in my right calf. The discomfort was significant enough that, five days later, I drove myself to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, no blood work was conducted, and the ultrasound performed on my leg was brief and inconclusive. I was diagnosed with a muscle cramp and advised…
Blood Clots are Invisible, But We Are Not: Maarib’s Story
I had my first pulmonary embolism in 2021 and my second PE along with deep vein thrombosis in 2025. The first time around, I experienced sudden chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood. The second time, I had woken up to severe calf pain. Both times, my symptoms were constantly invalidated by doctors…
