Backwards and in heels: Trying to access healthcare as a marginalized person

[topaznebula]

I've had chest pains most of my life, ever since I was about 11 years old. As a child, doctors told my mom that I was probably fine, but if my symptoms ever changed or got worse, to come back

Comments

[suesniffsglue]

Important and heartbreaking post. Thanks for sharing your experience in such an eloquent way.

[karmasoup]

I know this to be true. I hope we can become better than this someday. But I'm not holding my breath. :-/

[adoptedwriter]

Aw, man! So sorry you have to deal with this BS. It's not right.

[rayaso]

It is important for those of us not on the margins to read things like this. Thank you.

[roina_arwen]

Did the doctors ever find out what was causing your pain? I hope you’ve been able to get help, and thank you for sharing all this info.

[topaznebula]

After several years (because I could only afford the time and copays for some many visits), and several different doctors, I’m still not sure what the cause is. I know several things that make it worse, and I do my best to avoid them.

My maternal grandmother has a heart condition that she had symptoms of starting around 25, but they refused to diagnose her with anything until it got horrible in her 50s, and that condition is genetic and shared symptoms with my pain. So, for now I assume it’s likely that same thing, and I’m just holding out for another 10 or 20 years until someone will take me seriously.

It’s not life threatening unless it changes significantly, which I watch for. (I mean that’s what prompted me to seek help in the first place, but you saw what happened lol)