Gaslighting
Dismissed for Over a Week: Chelsea’s Story
I am on the Ohio State Women’s lacrosse team and on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, I felt sharp breathing pain after a warm-up sprint. The next day I could barely practice. I felt light-headed and like I couldn’t breathe. I was hardly able to walk. By Friday, I told my trainer and didn’t practice. On…
The Nurse Said I Was Wasting Their Time: Elizabeth’s Story
In the summer of 2020 I started to have leg pain. It went on for a little while but I just assumed I hurt it somehow. It was peak COVID and I wasn’t about to go to a doctor’s office unless I had to. But, after a week or two I started to notice some…
I Was Told I Was Just An Anxious Mom — Then They Found a Clot In My Lungs: Olivia’s Story
In early 2025 I was pregnant with my third baby and began feeling breathless and tight chested at around 17 weeks pregnant. I knew it wasn’t my asthma as my reliever inhaler didn’t help. I mentioned it to a GP who told me it was the pregnancy, but I hadn’t experienced this with my previous…
Find Doctors Who Will Listen: Justin’s Story
As told by Justin’s mother, Lauren: “Justin’s experience with blood clots started as back pain after a hockey tournament. We went to the emergency department and were told it was spasms and to follow up with an orthopedic doctor. Justin was diagnosed with a bulging disk and started physical therapy. In a month, we went…
This Has Had a Lasting Emotional and Physical Impact: Jessica’s Story
I am a 24-year-old first-year medical student. On December 18, 2025, I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition that requires prompt recognition and treatment. That day, I initially presented the emergency department with severe shortness of breath, near-syncope (fainting), and a rapid heart rate (tachycardia). I …
Trust Your Gut and Push for Answers: Elle’s Story
After an eight-mile run in November 2025, I had pain behind my knee/high calf. I thought I may have strained it, but after two days of rest, I could barely walk. I went to urgent care on the third day, knowing something was off. The nurse laughed and yelled at me and said I was…
Never Stop Advocating For Yourself: Nicole’s Story
On December 11, 2024, I went to the emergency room because my entire right arm was swollen. My father told me not to go since I wasn’t in pain and already had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the next day, but something told me to get it checked out. I truly believed nothing serious was…
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.…
Always Pay Attention to Changes in Your Body: Kristian’s Story
In May of this year, I took a short flight, only about two and a half hours one way, and soon after, I noticed a cramping sensation in my right calf. I assumed it was just soreness or dehydration, so I ignored it for a couple of days. When the pain didn’t go away, I…
Advocate For Yourself: Fallan’s Story
In February 2025, while at work, I started developing a terrible headache, fever, chills, and body aches. I assumed I was coming down with the flu. I spent a day in bed watching TV and resting. Two days later, the flu-like symptoms subsided, but I developed stiffness and pain in my neck. Within 24 hours,…
