Stephanie suddenly got sick & developed chronic pain 5 years ago, when she was 16. She’s been to over 20 doctors, and none of them have known what to do with her or how to help because her case is so complex, unusual, & hidden (think “Mystery Diagnosis” unusual). It took 3 years to find some answers as to what is wrong with her, and no treatments, medications, therapies, supplements, diets, etc. that she’s tried have been successful her. Her severe abdominal pain remains undiagnosed, and nothing (pain meds, diet, surgeries) helps it. She’s completely bedridden & can only eat once a day because of the excruciating pain.
Some of her over 15 diagnoses are Chronic Lyme Disease (+ 5 co-infections), Mold Toxicity, Dysautonomia (PoTS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, on top of the debilitating chronic pain. These conditions are progressive, meaning they worsen over time, and incurable, meaning Stephanie will live with them for the rest of her life.
After years of research, we found a doctor who has made progress & has seen success in treating complex chronic illnesses like Stephanie’s. He has given groundbreaking insight into a new way of looking at chronic disease. She started seeing this doctor in Austin, Texas, & each time, she has made great progress. Unfortunately, this is not a one-and-done cure. It’s is an ongoing, long-term treatment for conditions which have no cure, but will hopefully improve her quality of life, & save her life. These treatments are not usually covered by insurance and are expensive because they’re experimental & research-based, & because the conditions are not accepted yet since they are newly discovered & under-researched.
The treatments she has received so far have made a huge difference, for which we are so thankful because no other treatments have been effective since she got sick.
We are also trying to afford housing for her so she can receive consistent treatments long-term & be near her doctor.
Please consider supporting Stephanie in her fight for life, & hopefully benefiting others in similar situations in the future through this research-focused care.
(For more on Stephanie’s story, here is a link to her blog— click here)