In a book I once read, one woman told another woman (with regards to having her first orgasm), "When you have one, you'll know." This pretty much sums up how I feel about migraines: when you have one, you'll know! Granted, for a long time, 'migraines' were listed on my medical records - and I…
Chronic Illness
Traveling with IBS
Look, I know I'm not the only one who's experienced a change in bowel habits after travel. And I'm not talking about acquiring a traveler's bug from drinking contaminated water. I'm talking about constipation, diarrhea and bloating that happen - seemingly out of the blue - while abroad. If you have IBS, you may have…
How I Found Out I Had an Ovarian Cyst
When I was fifteen, I got my first ovarian cyst. I found out when I went to the doctor worried I had appendicitis. Because I had pain in my lower right quadrant, the doctor referred me to the hospital for an ultrasound, where I was told that I'd had a simple ovarian cyst that burst.…
I Got a Gut Health Test – and Now It’s Being Investigated by the FBI
Earlier this year, I got a strongly-worded email from my parents with a question about my health insurance. Immediately, I called my mom - and she explained that a company called UBiome was trying to bill us for thousands of dollars worth of medical tests. My heart sank. I knew exactly what she was talking…
Continue reading ➞ I Got a Gut Health Test – and Now It’s Being Investigated by the FBI
The ABCs of IBS
As the Jackson 5 once sang, A-B-C....it's as easy as 1-2-3. But you know what isn't as easy as 'A-B-C, 1-2-3, baby you and me girl?' Dealing with IBS! IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome: I was diagnosed with this functional disorder at age 20, during my third-and-final year of college. Having IBS means I suffer…
Upper Endoscopy: What to Expect
I never thought I would need an endoscopy before the recommended age of 50 - but then again, I never predicted any of my struggles with chronic illness. When my mom found out she might have celiac disease, I needed to know if I was at risk. My gastroenterologist first recommended a blood test to…