Claire Richmond,  —

Claire Richmond was diagnosed with acute intermittent porphyria in 2017 after living with unexplained pain for 19 years. She was 32 years old and quickly learned there’s no guidebook for incorporating a strange rare disease into her life. When she could no longer work full time, she struggled to find her purpose. That’s when she began to write. Claire hopes speaking her truth will build connections and generate hope. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with her family and rescue poodle.

Articles by Claire Richmond

Fighting for My Last Vice: My Morning (Decaf) Coffee

I love coffee, but it doesn’t play well with my acute hepatic porphyria (AHP). Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, and in recent years I’ve grown more sensitive to its effects. My AHP already causes me anxiety, irregular blood pressure, and insomnia, and as much as I may…

Why People With Acute Porphyria Should See a Cardiologist

Last month, my primary care physician (PCP) referred me to a cardiologist for suspected postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) after I blacked out (again) on the massage table. According to many testimonies on porphyria message boards, POTS is frequently cited as a comorbidity of acute hepatic porphyria (AHP).

How a Tree Ornament Reminds Me of My Inner Wisdom

Last week, we decorated for the holidays. Mugs of cocoa steamed on the dining room table, and jolly holiday tunes played in our living room as the kids maneuvered around our tree, bestowing treasured ornament-shaped memories onto perky plastic branches. In my hands, I held a rust-colored piece of metal…