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Take Pain and Swelling Seriously: Julie’s Story

Mine just happened last week (March 2025) so this is very new for me. I woke up one day in extreme shoulder pain. I just thought I pinched a nerve sleeping until I noticed my entire arm was swollen, red, and tingling with limited mobility. My friends and family suggested going to a chiropractor, but…

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This Experience Changed the Course of My Life: Libby’s Story

When I was 18, I was diagnosed with multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli. I was an active young adult, attending university and playing volleyball for my school. I woke up one night not being able to catch my breath and felt crazy amounts of pain in my ribs, upper right quadrant of my abdomen, and back.…

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I’m Relearning How to Trust Myself: Hillary’s Story

Ah summertime, my favorite time of year. Except last year. Last year, I found myself with sudden side and chest pain, difficulty breathing, inability to fully stand or sit upright, and inability to recline back seated or lay down in any position. Within 24 hours of these symptoms, I went to the doctor. He treated…

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It Helps to Know You’re Not Alone: Jennifer’s Story

Six years ago, I woke up early to shovel the snow before work. I’m not in the best shape, but I’m never winded after shoveling. That morning, I was having trouble catching my breath, but I just thought I was coming down with something. The next day, I could hardly walk. My best friend took…

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Misdiagnosed With a Pulled Muscle: Dominique and Michelle’s Story

As told by her mother, Michelle Dominque, known to her friends and family as “Meeka,” loved the Maine outdoors and spent as much time as possible at camp on Moosehead Lake. Growing up, she enjoyed playing soccer, basketball, and softball. Meeka was a member of the Windsor Historical Society and volunteered at the Windsor Fair…

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I Broke Up With My Doctor: Ana’s Story

In 2021, I was experiencing shortness of breath, blue lips, constant fatigue, and brain fog. I could barely walk up one flight of stairs to my apartment and would collapse at the door many times. My doctor kept saying it was bronchitis and would regularly test for Covid, which always came back negative. I ultimately terminated…

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This Experience Transformed My Life: Nina’s Story

I was on a business trip to Scotland when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest during pre-dinner drinks. I began to feel dizzy and had difficulty breathing. I thought it might be anxiety caused by dehydration and not having eaten that day. A taxi was arranged for me to return to my…

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I Continue to be Gaslit: Stephanie’s Story

When I was around 23, I started to go to the doctor complaining about persistent, enduring headaches. I was told it was stress. I went to the optician, where I was immediately sent to the emergency eye hospital. I had idiopathic intercranial hypertension, which was causing vision loss due to my optic nerves being forced…

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Misdiagnosed With a Gallbladder Attack: Bob’s Story

My wife and I have an RV and sometimes we are on the road for 6-10 hours without stopping. One day, after a long trip, I began having pain in my left calf. I went to my doctor and he ordered an ultrasound on my leg and discovered a blood clot. I started taking a…

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Always Smiling With an Irish Twinkle In Her Eye: Kathleen’s Story

As told by her daughter Katie My mom was one of the healthiest people I knew. She had never been to the hospital besides to have her six children. Over the summer months of July and August of 2022, the only symptom my mom noticed was a slight shortness of breath when she went up…

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