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Ever since I was around the age of 6, I’ve had severe stomach issues. I had chronic constipation, abdominal pain, nausea and acid reflux. When I was in the second grade, I was unable to go to school for almost two full months due to my symptoms. I was brushed off by the medical community, who told me it was just anxiety. 

 

When I was 18, I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome. This lead me to look into all the comorbidities that can come along with EDS. Since I had been brushed off for so many years, I had started ignoring my own symptoms. Without realizing how much my stomach was still bothering me. I then learned that a childhood friend of mine had been diagnosed with MALS. So I began looking into MALS to see if that was my answer too. It still didn't register that it was something I could have I was just curious at that point. 

 

I talked to my psychiatrist about some of my symptoms and how certain foods were triggers and how I was fearful of food. She immediately misdiagnosed me with an eating disorder and sent me on my way. Several months later, I was talking about it with my orthopedic surgeon. He went into his office and came back out with a page about MALS. I kept thinking about it for a few weeks, and realized that I could very well have it. 

 

After several months of appointments and imaging, I was finally diagnosed with MALS in September of 2023. I'm set to have surgery in the next few months. 

 

My story shows the need for more awareness and education in the medical field.

 

I am a MALS Warrior.