Gaslighting
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…
I’m So Happy to be Alive: William’s Story
I got home from work and found it very painful to walk up the stairs. It felt like I pulled my groin. The next day I was supposed to see my mom for her birthday, but I could not get out of bed because I couldn’t move my legs. My mom told me to call…
Listening to Your Body Could Save Your Life: Kamisha’s Story
I’ve been living with DVTs and PEs since the age of 15 when my calf pain was misdiagnosed as arthritis. I’ve never taken birth control and, to my knowledge, there is no family history of clotting disorders. I’m now 46, and honestly, I’ve lost count of how many blood clots I’ve had—including a saddle PE.…
I Had to Learn to Trust That the Medication is Working: Kacey’s Story
I took oral birth control starting at age 18 until 33, when I got pregnant. I delivered twin boys by C- section in May 2024 and resumed taking the same birth control shortly after. In September 2024, I noticed my left leg was swollen and began turning a dark red/purple color. I went to the hospital…
Never Ignore What Your Body Is Telling You: Annastasia’s Story
On May 6, 2024, I was admitted to the hospital to give birth to my little rainbow baby. I had planned a natural birth, but complications meant an emergency C-section. I was terrified and unprepared. Surgery went well, but hours later I developed a severe headache. My doctors said it could be spinal leakage. I…
