I'm Not Always Me - a Column by Kalyn Shelton

Fezzy Wezzy is a cute little kitten. Fezzy Wezzy is as soft as a mitten. Festus’ claws, however, will tear you to shreds. Festus “Fezzy Wezzy” naps with his paw in his owner’s palm. (Photo by Kalyn Shelton) One-year-old Festus “Fezzy Wezzy” is as soft as a brand-new pair…

Porphyria attacks can be triggered by a number of factors, which may vary depending on the individual and the type of porphyria. For instance, people with acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) are often advised to avoid alcohol, smoking, physical or emotional stress, and certain medications, which may trigger a life-threatening…

When living with a rare disorder, it is crucial to understand what is happening within your body. This not only allows you to recognize when your symptoms are about to flare, but it can also ensure you get proper and timely treatment. I was diagnosed with porphyria in October…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with various mental health medications. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. In July 2020, prior to my diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), I was prescribed Prozac (fluoxetine)…

Growing up, whenever I’d go to the doctor with my mom, she’d inform them that she had porphyria. But even though the condition has affected several generations on her side of the family, and my mom was once hospitalized for more than three months because of a porphyria attack,…

My rare disorder, acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), is pronounced pohr-fear-ee-uh, and it puts fear in my life. In July of 2020, I started having mood swings, severe pain on the right side of my abdomen, and other symptoms. That’s when the fear really started. “What’s wrong with me?”…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with various medications, including Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Abilify (aripiprazole). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I’ve been scatterbrained, so I’m just going to lay this column out how it comes…

I’m a fifth-generation porphyria warrior, and the generational curse ended with me in February 2021. That month, I had what’s called a bilateral salpingectomy, the surgical removal of my fallopian tubes, to prevent me from getting pregnant. Although it wasn’t an easy decision, it had to be done. In…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with etonogestrel implantation. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. My arm was laid out to the side as my then fiancé and now husband, Daniel, held my hand. “Are…

I was a few weeks into a common cold, and late one evening I needed to lie down. My husband, Daniel, was already in the bed, so I made myself comfortable beside him by lying flat on my back, placing my hands on my chest and interlocking my fingers. I…