PE
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…
Enjoy Every Moment With Your Loved Ones: Allen and Stephanie’s Story
As told by Allen’s daughter, Stephanie. My dad had suffered from multiple health disorders, including A-fib, asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and chronic cellulitis in both legs. I had been visiting him because he needed a lot of assistance. One day in February 2024, I couldn’t reach him. I went over to his apartment…
As a Physician, I’m More Aware of Looking for Blood Clots in my Patients: Lynette’s Story
In 2014, while in podiatry school, I went to the student health center because I was short of breath and was coughing up blood. The nurse practitioner diagnosed me with bronchitis. Less than two weeks later, I learned the truth — I had a saddle pulmonary embolism, which means a large blood clot was blocking…
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…
I Collapsed on an Airplane After a 15-Hour Flight: Enisa’s Story
On Christmas Day, 2017, I was on a flight home to Sydney. I sat in the window seat on the connecting flight from Dubai for 15 hours. A young couple sat beside me, lounging in their seats and sleeping with their legs stretched out. Luckily, I didn’t need the toilet. About 30 minutes before the…
Blood Clots Can Be Silent and Misleading: Jamie’s Story
Five days before everything came to light, I sat in a rheumatologist’s office explaining my concerns. Instead of investigating, she dismissed me, chalking it all up to my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. My after-visit summary simply said to “wear spandex-type garments,” and there was no more that rheumatology could do for me. I left feeling unheard and…
Never Give Up Hope: Shaun’s Story
I was diagnosed with two left pulmonary emboli on January 22, 2024. I tested positive for Covid one week prior, and I had just started estrogen-based birth control for irregular periods as well. On Sunday, January 21, I started having shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain. I still had a cough from Covid, and…
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…
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…
