I'm Not Always Me — Kalyn Shelton

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Kalyn Shelton lives in North Carolina and battles acute intermittent porphyria, which runs in her family. Because it’s a family trait, she was diagnosed in the early stages of her attacks. Kalyn’s goal is now to spread awareness about porphyria in hopes that others will seek treatment and that healthcare professionals will be more informed on how to treat patients with any of the eight types of porphyria. To help achieve this goal, she writes this column, “I’m Not Always Me.”

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Mental health management can be complicated with AIP

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)…

Kalyn Shelton

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When symptoms of porphyria mimic mental health struggles

“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 floors of the hospital, Daniel was very confused. Anyone would’ve struggled to grasp what was going…

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Some medications have led me to ‘small’ porphyria attacks

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 a relationship with my eventual husband, Daniel. At the time, we weren’t ready to have a baby,…

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My porphyria diagnosis began with mood swings, pain, and nausea

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 pain with nausea and vomiting were red flag No. 1. As an in-home caregiver from western…


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