Let this be a lesson to always advocate for yourself at the doctor, and if you’re getting ignored, get a second opinion.

I'm an LA-based trending news writer covering health, politics, and internet culture.

"Unknown to me, they had put a nitro patch on me. At some point, I was complaining of major migraine (this can be a side effect of nitro). They then accused me of drug seeking! Thank goodness, they called my PCP, who said, 'Nope, if she is complaining, there is an issue. Admit her.' The next morning, I had an endoscope. They found a large esophageal ulcer. When that got treated, the bad breath went away. Advice is to keep searching for answers and don't let doctors continue to dismiss you."

"Then, the same thing happened five years later, and my new primary told me it was just a painful period and put me on a new birth control. Another ER visit, and this time it turned out I had a 15 cm dermoid cyst on my other ovary. For a short period of time, they thought it was cancerous because of the imaging. It was the scariest time of my life. As women, it's clear we need to advocate for ourselves and never accept a diagnosis that doesn't match our symptoms. Trust your gut."

"Instead of not being able to sleep, I literally couldn't stay awake for more than a couple of hours at a time. The bloody noses ended up getting so bad that I had to go to the doctor, and they suggested I get a sleep test. FINALLY, diagnosed with sleep apnea at almost 21 years old, and my whole life changed once I started using my CPAP machine. My mood improved, focus improved (I got an ADHD diagnosis/meds, which can be exacerbated by sleep apnea), migraines and headaches diminished, and I rarely have a bloody nose. I truly became a different person. GET A SLEEP TEST DONE!"

"I advised the doctor who ordered tests and confirmed I have Hashimoto's. I started treatment, which improved the Achenbach's and some other symptoms. Still have an undiagnosed underlying autoimmune disease, which may be the cause of Hashimoto's, but at least some of my symptoms are explained and managed."

"Turns out I had idiopathic intracranial hypertension — unexplained cerebral spinal fluid build up in my brain, which was putting so much pressure on my optic nerves that I was going blind and would have had a stroke. I was in the hospital for two weeks, had brain surgery to have a stent placed, and was out of work for three months after. Thankfully, my condition was caused by a medication, and since I don’t take that medication anymore, I am stable, but I am still followed by a team of doctors every six months!"

"Several hours later, along with multiple doses of antibiotics and pain meds, I was taken by ambulance to another hospital (thankfully, I had filled out emergency assistance for medical care and was approved). Hours later, I was taken to the operating room. The kidney stones moved to my ureter; they were blocking urine flow, and there was a lot of pus in my urine. My urine was backed up. I was in the hospital for a week, had a midline put in my arm, and went to the hospital daily for infusions of antibiotics. During my follow-up, my primary care provider showed me the X-rays from months earlier that I had with the jerk male provider, and even I could tell the kidney stones had moved, and I should have been treated sooner. She and I were so mad. We reported him. And my blood sugar was higher because of the infection."

"Finally, one of my doctors referred me to a general surgeon to see if he had any ideas. He suggested taking out my appendix because, 'You never know!' Sure as shit, after he took it out, it had a huge laceration. Turns out my appendix was spewing toxins into my body for two years! I have no clue how my appendix got cut open, or that it was even possible. But on the bright side, I’m apparently a medical marvel and in a medical book as a case study, so there’s that!"

—Anonymous, 55, Female, Brisbane, Australia

"I was born with only one kidney, and after Googling the link between renal and reproductive tract anomalies, I suspected a rare condition called OHVIRA. When I was a teenager, I mentioned this condition to my nephrologist — he actually laughed at me for trying to diagnose myself and was extremely dismissive. Later, when I was in college, I decided it was time to finally be a big girl and go to the gynecologist for the first time — thankfully, that sweet doctor actually listened to me, ordered an ultrasound, and confirmed I had a uterine anomaly. Further imaging was needed to confirm which type of uterine anomaly I had, and she also recommended I see a fertility specialist. After I got married, I went to a specialist who ordered a pelvic MRI."

"Trust your instincts and advocate for yourself. Go to the doctor if you suspect something is wrong — don't ignore it or accept that as your new normal. If a doctor is dismissive or belittles you, find a new one who will listen to you and address your concerns. Listening to your body and finding the right doctor can be the first step toward healing."