I'm Not Always Me — Kalyn Shelton

The pain of an acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) attack is almost unbearable. It feels like someone is squeezing my right side with their fingernails, and it won’t stop. It has to stop. I…

Katherine was in her room putting clothes away with her chocolate lab, Bentley, by her side. Before she realized what was happening, she dropped to the floor, scraping her back on the bed on…

As I shared in my previous column, my husband, Daniel, my mom, and I drove to Chicago last month for PorphyriaPalooza. The event, held Sept. 13-15, was designed to bring…

Toothbrush, check. Clothes, check. My book, “I’m Not Always Me,” check. Purple hair, check. Finally, I was ready to go to Chicago for the PorphyriaPalooza! My husband, Daniel, and I had traveled…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with several antidepressants and other mental health medications. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.

“You can go with them,” I told my husband, Daniel, as I lay in the hospital bed. “Go where?” he asked. “Out the window,” I responded. Considering we were on one of the top…

This column describes the author’s own experiences with several medicines. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I was 23 and in…

I love you. I can’t stand you. Please don’t leave. I just want to be alone! These conflicting emotions all happened within a matter of minutes. That was red flag No. 2. Severe abdominal…