Advocate for yourself
For the last month, I kept getting told it was a cold, pneumonia, allergies, and that I was fine… you name it, I heard it.
I went to the ER and urgent care SEVEN times in the last month, because I knew something was not right with my body. Every test kept coming back “fine,” chest X-rays , bloodwork, and I was sent home over and over with different medications that were not helping, not making me feel better, I was only getting worse.
Last night, on my 7th ER visit, dr said from the beginning he read my record from my past visits and there was no other antibiotic he could give me, that they had given me everything they could for my symptoms. He named three things he was going to test me for and long behold .
I was finally diagnosed with Valley fever. Dr took me serious, he asked the right questions. The entire time I was being treated with antibiotics for pneumonia when what I actually needed was antifungal medication.
Valley fever, also known as Coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection caused by breathing in spores found in dry desert soil and dust, most commonly in parts of California and the Southwest. Large outdoor events in dusty desert areas, like Coachella in Indio, can increase exposure when wind and foot traffic stir up contaminated dust particles into the air. Symptoms can mimic the flu or pneumonia and may include persistent cough, fatigue, fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
There were moments I felt defeated and honestly felt like the doctors were tired of seeing me come back. I know Tricare isn’t going to be happy 😣 But I kept pushing because I knew my body and I knew something was wrong.
I went to Coachella last month, and after learning more about Valley fever and dust exposure in desert areas, I really encourage anyone who went to Coachella and has been dealing with persistent coughing, fatigue, chest pain, or flu-like/ pneumonia symptoms to please get checked out by a doctor and advocate for yourself.
If you feel like something is off, KEEP FIGHTING for yourself. Ask questions. Go back. Get a second opinion. Advocate for yourself even when you feel exhausted doing it.
Nobody knows your body better than you do. 🤍 #roadtorecovery #valleyfever #coachella #indio #california
From my experience, self-advocacy in healthcare can literally save your life, especially when symptoms persist but standard treatments fail. Valley fever is often overlooked because its symptoms resemble common respiratory illnesses like pneumonia or the flu. However, if you’ve recently been to a desert area like Coachella or parts of California and experience a persistent cough, fatigue, chest pain, or fever, it’s crucial to insist your doctor consider fungal infections such as Valley fever. It’s not uncommon for initial tests like chest X-rays or bloodwork to come back normal, which can be very frustrating and discouraging. But I learned that thorough medical history and repeated visits might be necessary to catch elusive diagnoses. Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, tests, and treatments. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctors if they’ve considered fungal infections, especially if antibiotics aren’t helping. Moreover, Valley fever is caused by inhaling spores from dry desert soil, making large outdoor events in dusty areas potential hotspots for exposure. Being vigilant about symptom onset after attending such events can give clues. Treatments involve antifungal medications rather than antibiotics, which underscores the importance of an accurate diagnosis. If you find yourself in a similar situation, trust your intuition about your body. Persistent symptoms deserve persistent efforts for answers. Asking for second opinions or seeing specialists like infectious disease doctors can be beneficial. While it can be emotionally exhausting, advocating for yourself empowers you to receive the care you truly need.
