Columns

Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (PH). It can have many triggers, and if you’re a patient just starting to learn about PH, you might be wondering what they are. Each person is different, of course, so something that might trigger…

While I take a fair amount of medication to manage my pulmonary hypertension (PH), sometimes the hardest pill to swallow is admitting when I fall short with my treatment plan. Earlier this month, I was at a restaurant sharing a meal with an old friend I hadn’t seen…

Years ago, when my husband, Tim, transitioned from intravenous Flolan (epoprostenol GM) to the oral medicine Uptravi (selexipag), it was a major milestone. The weeks-long process came about through careful planning between Tim and the physician who manages his pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The daily lowering of…

If you haven’t heard about the advancements in potential treatments for those of us in the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community, hold on to your seats! I recently spoke with a dedicated, well-known PH specialist from the Houston Methodist Hospital, Dr. Sandeep Sahay, the co-director of the hospital’s…

My husband, Tim, and I have always practiced the art of giving help. We both feel loved when others allow us to assist. Whether we’re washing dishes after a meal, caring for children, or painting, we like to feel needed. When Tim was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension…

Since my pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis, I have been labeled a high-risk patient. Because it’s a rare disease, PH can be challenging to diagnose, treat, and manage. And with several other conditions, including chronic kidney disease, I face unique issues that can leave medical professionals…

My mother, Ann, became a nana when she was 40 years old. In some situations, becoming a grandparent so early involves a crisis, so it may not be regarded as good news. In our case, I got pregnant when I was 18 and a freshman in college. The nine months…

I settled on the couch, the warmth of my cozy, heated vest wrapped around my aching body. But in that moment, even prescription pain medicine failed to bring relief. The clock on my MacBook taunted me. It was already past 3 a.m., and I found myself wide-eyed, lost in the…

This column describes the author’s own experiences with some prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. When I was in college, I always had a Ricola cough drop on hand. They littered my…

Most people will admit to having at least one vice. My worst one is eating sweets — I’d rather have cake for dinner than the actual dinner itself. My husband Tim’s worst vice is nicotine. On our first date, Tim and I walked through the streets of my hometown chatting,…

Fall has always been my favorite season. Unfortunately, San Diego doesn’t quite have the enchanting fall foliage that other places do. Instead of a vibrant cascade of leaves, it’s more like a few scattered ones and a whimsical dance of pollen floating through the air. That mix mingles here with…

When I was 3 years old, my family temporarily moved to Michigan because of my dad’s work. A year later, while we were still there, I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH). It was overwhelming to receive such life-changing news at a time when we were removed from family,…