Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Crohn’s Disease and Fibromyalgia

Elias has a trio of chronic pain syndromes, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease and fibromyalgia. Ankylosing spondylitis is the least well-known of these conditions, and involves a cycle of inflammation, calcification, scarring and bone formation that can actually fuse vertebrae together over time. Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel Read more…

Living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

Nolan had been living with unexplained exhaustion for years before their health flare-up kicked into high gear. Suddenly they were experiencing seizures, weakness, gait issues and vocal/motor ticks. When seeking answers from doctors they were often brushed off, having the reality of their symptoms denied when answers were not immediately Read more…

Living with Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia

Frankie’s life has changed dramatically since developing nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). She has the fibrotic form of the disease which causes permanent scarring of the lung tissue, making it harder to get oxygen into her lungs. Describing how it has changed her life she says, “I never sat still. And Read more…

Late Stage Lyme Disease: Diagnosed 20 Years Later

At 11 years old, it was common for Emily to play in the grassy field of the buffalo farm where she grew up. One day she was bitten by a tick, developing a bullseye rash around the bite. Within weeks she developed a severe fever and hallucinations, but unfortunately the Read more…

Tools to Overcome Crippling Social Anxiety

Many people don’t understand the severity of crippling social anxiety, and how it can prevent individuals from seeking experiences that might involve social interaction. People don’t just experience anxiety in social settings, but before and after those interactions as well. This anxiety manifests as fear of being watched, judged and Read more…

Living with Histamine Intolerance

Many people suffer from seasonal allergies, or have experienced some form of environmental sensitivity in their lives. But for Elizabeth, navigating the world with histamine intolerance means she must be constantly vigilant about the foods and environments she is exposed to. Histamine intolerance sounds like a sensitivity to histamine, but Read more…

Beginning the Diagnostic Journey for a Mystery Illness

Mak lived with health issues for years, but didn’t realize she might have an underlying illness until Covid-19 shut down the world. A musical theater performer and dancer, Mak was accustomed to her body being in pain after strenuous use and assumed it was normal. But when the world went Read more…

Living with Multiple Diagnoses and Multiple Mysteries

Stacey experiences a wide variety of complex health issues that impact her daily life. Doctors have diagnosed and labeled her with many things, including autoimmune diabetes, fibromyalgia, severe anxiety with agoraphobia, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Living inside such a multifaceted symptom picture has been extremely challenging, especially since doctors can’t Read more…

Living with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)

Six weeks before finishing her residency in internal medicine, Summer started experiencing bizarre neurological symptoms in her left leg. Instead of focusing on becoming a doctor she suddenly became the patient, searching for answers to her mysterious symptoms. Summer was initially misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, learning years later that she Read more…

Living with the EDS Triad: Ehlers-Danlos, POTS and Mast Cell Disease

As a child, Morgan didn’t realize it was unusual to be in constant pain. She thought it was normal for joints to constantly pop out of place, to be hyper sensitive to foods and environmental factors, and to experience constant dizzy spells with risk of fainting. As she got older Read more…