Mental health
I Was Repeatedly Misdiagnosed and my Symptoms Were Dismissed: Liz’s Story
After a dilation and curettage (D&C), my doctor tore my cervix. I was given medication to stop the bleeding, but I passed out in the hospital from blood loss five days later. My doctor gave me tranexamic acid (TXA) to control the hemorrhaging. Later that day, I started feeling a burning sensation in my chest.…
I Learned to Love My Body Again: Andreea’s Story
Two weeks after a 68-mile bike ride, I couldn’t straighten my leg, and my veins bulged. “It’s just a bruise,” the ER doctor said, looking at my leg. He dismissed it the same way that the sports doctor and physical therapists did. But weeks later, my leg looked blue with spider veins. I sent a…
This Could Have Ended Up Much Worse: Michelle’s Story
In February 2021, on a Friday, I noticed that my heart rate was getting high with very little activity. By Monday, I was having chest pains and severe shortness of breath. On Tuesday, I decided to go to the hospital because I was concerned about my heart. After almost passing out multiple times in the…
If You Feel Like Something is Wrong, Please Advocate for Yourself: Nicole’s Story
On October 27, 2024, I was diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). There was a large blood clot taking up the transverse and sigmoid portion of the venous sinus of my brain. I am still dealing with some neurological deficits. My symptoms started while I was working. Looking at the computer screen, numbers and…
Travel, Mild Dehydration and Chronic Inflammation Caused My PE: Rachel’s Story
The day after I returned from a trip to Los Angeles, I suddenly felt like I was having a panic attack. I tried all my usual tricks, but it would not go away. I do have health anxiety, and since I had just traveled, I decided to get checked out. I drove myself to the…
I Will Never Take Breathing For Granted Again: Judy’s Story
It all began at the beginning of August 2021. I had been having a cough, pain between my shoulder blades, shortness of breath, and fatigue. I assumed at the time that it was a virus since my granddaughter had just had that. On Saturday, August 7, I became extremely short of breath while in the…
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…
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 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…
I Had Constant Leg Pain That I Mistook for Soreness After the Gym: Alexia’s Story
On March 14, two months before I was to get married, I fell off my front porch steps and thought nothing of it. I went to work and walked normally for eight hours. In the last 30 minutes of my workday, I started experiencing extreme pain in my left foot. I went to the ER,…
