Please keep an eye on this as you continue to age. My mom's baby sister was born with this condition. Died at 44 when her heart stopped as a result of this condition, my then 18 year old cousin watched her mom die on the side on the road.
Not trying to scare you, just trying to save someone's else family from the heartache that ours went through.

Yup, been there and done that. I also suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It is some rough isht! This has been a bone of contention within my family (mother, sister, etc)

People ( mainly teachers and professors ) didn't believe i had a learning disbaility all my life. Made Jr high , HS and even college hard until one professor my jr yr of College said you may have a learning disability and pushed for testing....well she got me the testing and I have LD's and still even with documentation some don't believe me, but it was great to come back home and rub some teachers from HS faces in it that i wasn't lazy and was not applying myself! VINDICATION on all those HS and Jr High and even college professors who didn't believe me

Yes, I have cateracts. Yes, I am only 24.

Yes, I know that it's usually something that only old people have.


They are very small right now though.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to "disability services" which is available at every school apparently. They have been a godsend when it comes to my depression and anxiety. I have been told that I have ADD, because during tests I can't concentrate. Spend too much time listening to everything around me. There I get to take my tests in a quiet location, with extended testing time. I am allowed to take breaks when I get to the point that I am drifting off.

I highly recommend this if you have a disability that affects your school work. I have introduced several of my sisters to Sharyn (disability coordinator), much to their relief when they realized they weren't alone.

As far as my depression, there is such a social stigma attached to it. I actually was featured in an article about it in our quarterly magazine Themis. I didn't tell any of my sisters the back story behind the depression, but wanted people to know that it is okay to have it treated - rather than to treat it on your own. As my mom said, but you don't have typical depression?!?! HUH? My father just tells me that I have to work things out with my doctor. He can't help me. So I go to my psychiatrist, and my boyfriend has been wonderful. I just bypass the parents. David was the one who actually explained to them recently how BAD things had gotten lately. I think they are getting an idea. It is hard because I was SO different in high school, and that want the "old me" back.

Definitely; I know it's something that requires surveillence. I don't want to be caught offguard by anything.

I'm good about letting my cardiologist know if my heartbeat starts getting irregular (goes up to 150-160 for no reason). The scary thing is that it's not exercise-induced. I could just be sitting on the couch watching TV and my rate will go out. Most of the time though it's not bad at all.

Luckily my cardiologist is one of the best in his field, so if anything comes up I know I'll be in good hands.

Well...I don't want them to have to smell me or my problem in order to get them to believe me but it would be nice to not be ignored & ridiculed. My niece (9 months) has the same problem & of course everyone knows Aimee is lactose intolerant b/c she's a baby. I've tried to tell my family that like me, she will likely have it all her life. They think she'll grow out of it. :rolleyes: My fiance is also lactose intolerant. It should be interesting if and when we have children. Is it a condition that's passed down? :confused:

I don't know if it's passed down, but I think so. My daughter was breastfed until age one and the first time she had cow's milk she threw up violently and she only had about a teaspoon-enough to wet the cereal. I don't push milk on my kids though, so I don't know. For me my LI was gradual, first milk, then ice cream and finally cheese. Now the smallest amount makes me ill. My dad used to say if I ate more of it, the condition would go away. I haven't tested that theory. Parents are fun-huh?

It would be great though if I could get my partner to understand and accept that I am. I am offered milk products at least once a day!