My Personal Medical Timeline

A Decade+ of Discovery (2011-2024)

Why This Timeline Matters

In 2011, I turned 35. Looking back, I wish I had access to my earlier medical records because researching and putting together this timeline opened my eyes to just how long I’ve dealt with various symptoms and issues. If you’re reading this, you’re likely curious about your own health timeline or that of someone you love. Here’s the big takeaway: IT IS NOT RANDOM. These symptoms are often the beginning of a bigger health picture—and I hope this inspires you to ask questions and demand answers sooner rather than later.

2011

• March: Kicked off the year with the flu. Not COVID (didn’t exist yet, thankfully). Lovely.

• May: Two visits: abdominal and right lower quadrant pain. Followed by the good ol’ annual physical. First sign of weird body complaints—and trust me, I don’t run to the doctor for every little thing. I’ll wait that shit out until it’s seriously a problem.

2012

• October: Annual physical. Welcome to GERD, mood swings, arthralgia (joint pain), and a skin issue called tinea versicolor. Oh, and the start of general aches and pains. My body is starting to throw shade, clearly.

2013

• July: Constant exhaustion and a sore throat. Told it was nothing. (Not even the flu or COVID—(ya know? cuz, it didn;t exist the either!)

2014

• April: Left hip pain diagnosed as bursitis. Because why not add hip issues to the mix?

• August: Another round of hip pain and my first UTI. Started physical therapy for the hip but ended up managing it with ibuprofen because, let’s face it, that’s life.

2015

• January: Coughing, feeling like crap, and topped off with tonsillitis. Great start to the year—A+.

2016

• August: Yet another sore throat. Honestly, I could’ve just started a sore throat diary at this point.

2017

• Annual Physical: Abnormal pap led to a colposcopy. They told me I had an abnormal pap, which sent me spiraling. Sat there worried about that shit for 2 weeks thinking I had something major wrong with me and turns out it was normal, but I had to foot the bill for two visits and a procedure with no insurance. Still pissed about that one.

2018

• May: Annual physical with worsening symptoms: abnormal bleeding, irregular periods, fatigue, weight gain, and high blood pressure. Asked, “Is this menopause?” and got told no—hormones were “not in range.” Classic. Honestly, why even ask?

2019

• April: Dysphagia (trouble swallowing) led to an endoscopy. Nothing was found, even though I’d been choking for years because of difficulty swallowing. ( Not like that tho, Ya dirty dog!) I never went in though because I figured it was because I had a bulimia problem and was embarrassed to talk about it. Then there was my most terrifying episode where I choked so hard I peed my pants in front of my kids, and they literally thought I was dying in front of them. Add that to the list of humiliating moments. So, that is when it made it clear I couldn't keep that shit up.

• Weight Gain: Continued for even more obvious reasons.

2020

• January: Irregular cycles, hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, depression, and weight gain. Basically, a menopause checklist.

  **Now during this time everything was shut down and you could not go anywhere which only led to more depression and frustration. It was the breaking point of my on-off relationship. That is a nightmare I hate talking or even thinking about. I will get into that some other time.

• August: High blood pressure noted again during the annual physical.

• November: Positive for COVID-19. Mild symptoms but lost taste and smell for a week. On the bright side, I lost a few pounds—until they found their way back.

  Back & hip pain led to MRI. It was ordered for my back as they thought that was what was causing the hip to ache. Tailbone was messed up and spacing was narrowing.

2021

• January-October: Unbearable pain, particularly in the hip. Therapy and injections provided minimal relief. My body was basically trolling me at this point.

• April: Went in after I realized that my hip was not working when it was cold. It would lock up. Could not do a MRI on that as insurance only covered one a year. So, this continued on until it warmed up. Then it stareted to pop in and out of place.

• September: Annual physical with itchy scalp, skull changes (yes, really), hot flashes, irregular periods, and more weight gain. Asked about menopause again—still no concrete answers. Are you sensing a pattern?

2022

• March: Swollen legs/feet, hand numbness, hot flashes, night sweats, severe bleeding, and breast soreness. Still being told it wasn’t menopause.

• July: MRI done on hip. Diagnosed with Advanced Osteoarthritis of left hip. Put on schedule for surgery.

• September: Total left hip replacement. Should’ve done it years ago. Finally off daily pain meds, though, so yay for progress?

• Vision Decline: Bought my first pair of cheater glasses. Officially aging like fine wine—or maybe vinegar.

2023

• February: Diagnosed with diabetes after blood sugar hit 604. Started metformin and insulin, but the lisinopril they gave me made me cough like a mother hummer. So I quit it. Because that’s how I roll.

• April: Annual physical, mammogram (clear), and colonoscopy. Throwing a party for the one good test result.

• June: Heavy periods, possible uterine prolapse, and irregular bleeding. It felt like my uterus was falling out. Is there an end to this madness?

2024

• May: ER visit for abdominal pain—gastroenteritis suspected. Thought it was a ruptured appendix. Nope, just another mystery gift from my body.

• June: Severe hot flashes, chills, and irregular periods. The menopausal furnace is in full swing.

• August:

  • 15th: Withdrawal from Effexor. Add medication changes to the shitstorm.

  • 20th: Started HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). Fingers crossed this marks a turning point.

  • Finally replaced my glasses. Still partial to Amazon cheaters: 5 pairs for $15 beats the price of a single prescription pair. Just saying I could have had over 200 pairs of Amazon cheaters.

Final Thoughts

If I’d known back then what I know now, I could have saved myself a decade of misery. Don’t wait to advocate for yourself. Share this timeline with your daughters, friends, or any younger women struggling with “random” symptoms. Random doesn’t exist. Start asking questions and pushing for answers—it could save years of unnecessary suffering.

If you want to hear how it has gone since. I started the Monthly Menologues on here. I am summarizing what happens each month from here on out. I have never been a journal type of person but digging this deep into all this has me curious and motivated. It's rather relieving to know I wasn't fucking crazy and shit wasn't just "all in my head". I heard that line so many times, it irritated me just to type it there. LOL.