After Cavernous Malformation Surgery on Her Brain, Christina Developed Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration

When Christina turned 40 she suddenly started having migraines every day. She was going to work as an accountant dealing with spreadsheets and math, while splitting headaches turned each day into relentless agony. After a month of this pain she finally went to see her doctor, who ordered an MRI. Read more…

Recovering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Through Neural Rewiring

While working as a hairstylist, Merideth was repeatedly exposed to chemicals that released formaldehyde. Eventually her health collapsed, and she found herself unable to continue working. Doctors recommended avoiding future exposure, but this proved insufficient as Meredith’s issues with chemical sensitivity began to expand exponentially. She became chronically ill, housebound Read more…

Doctors Fractured Her Neck During Childbirth, Then Gaslit Her for Years

In 1998 Bella was severely injured during childbirth. Her doctor accidentally stepped on the pedal to raise the table she was strapped to during a C-section, causing her feet to raise and neck to lower. She immediately complained of extreme neck pain, but was sent home in a disassociated state 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 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…

Registered Nurse on Navigating Healthcare System for Pain Patients

Many people with chronic pain, undiagnosed disease or invisible illness run into constant barriers when seeking medical care. Doctors often don’t take their symptoms seriously, or assume nothing is wrong when they can’t immediately pinpoint a cause. For people dealing with dynamic illness, understanding the medical system well enough to Read more…