Have you ever had severe abdominal pain, followed by at least one other unexplainable symptom? It could vary from limb, back, or chest pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, seizures, weak limbs, constipation, diarrhea, or dark or reddish urine.

The experience may have sent you to the doctor or hospital repeatedly over the years, often resulting in different suspected diagnoses. If this sounds at all familiar, it may be a disease called acute hepatic porphyria (AHP), which represents 4 types of porphyria.

Porphyria refers to a family of rare genetic metabolic disorders, and is classified as either acute or cutaneous, depending on the primary symptoms.

The cutaneous types present with blistering of the skin, pain, and/or redness and swelling in sun-exposed areas. The acute types can cause severe abdominal pain and other symptoms. AHP is a disease that people may experience differently. It has a wide array of symptoms that often mimic those of other diseases, making diagnosis difficult. It can even cause potentially life-threatening attacks.

The good news is that there is support available and there are ways to test for AHP. This website provides education, resources, and information on the signs and symptoms of AHP, living with AHP, tests to help diagnose AHP, so you can start a conversation with your doctor and get answers.