Introduction - The Story Behind CD&A
Hi there! My name is Bryaunna Pugh, and I am the Founder of Centre Design & Artistry. I am so excited that you’re here and I thank you for your attention, patience, and support as I work hard at getting Centre Design & Artistry up and running. This business is something I am incredibly proud of, and I hope you are just as excited as I am to start this chapter.
My Story
In August 2024, I noticed a seemingly random set of symptoms begin to arise throughout my body. I would suddenly get a rush of adrenaline accompanied by facial flushing, panic, and a sense of impending doom without an explanation. My heart would race, my chest would tighten, my vision would go white… It would happen to me multiple times a week. It quite literally feels like I am going to die when this happens, and I was very, VERY scared. I am still scared of them. So, naturally, I went to the Emergency Room during one of these episodes.
My blood panels all came back normal, my urine analysis was clean, and the CT scan of my chest showed no abnormalities. As many people who experience the early symptoms of chronic illness hear, I was told that it was “just anxiety”. The doctors sent me home with as-needed anxiety medication and told me to practice mindfulness. These, I quickly found, did not work at all.
Fast forward to Thanksgiving. My husband and I were visiting his family in Oregon and suddenly, in the middle of the night, I experienced a sharp, unrelenting pain in the “V” of my ribs. The more I tried to ease the pain, the worse it got. I went to the ER and, again, was sent home without answers.
Between August and November, I was seen at the ER 11 times. These visits always ended the same way. “Your labs are clear. I can’t figure out what’s wrong with you so it’s likely just anxiety.” Even my Primary Care Physician thought it was anxiety at this point. But every antidepressant I tried sent me into another one of these episodes and, with every episode, my health got worse, and my weight went down. I also started to experience widespread pain that was at a constant 8 on the pain scale.
This all raised a red flag for my doctor. He began running tests and sending loads of referrals out, all while telling me that he was very proud that I continued to advocate for myself. That this certainly could not be blamed on anxiety alone. For the first time in four months, it seemed like a medical professional was finally taking my symptoms seriously. Relieved and hopeful, we continued towards a diagnosis.
My Diagnosis
In February of this year, I was finally given some answers. The GI symptoms are caused by a rare condition called Collagenous Gastritis (only 65 people in the world are known to have it), where a layer of collagen is present on the lining of my stomach, causing inflammation and discomfort when eating, eating too much, and digesting food. I was also diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS, where the heart rate rises 30 beats per minute or more when going from a lying position to standing due to decreased blood volume. For me, it causes heat intolerance (one of my more debilitating symptoms), exercise intolerance (like gardening, walking up a flight of stairs, or lifting heavy objects), chronic fatigue, lightheadedness, and hydration issues.
Then, I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder called Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Because the structure and organization of collagen in my joints are abnormal, it makes them weaker, fragile, and unstable. I experience chronic pain, fatigue, digestive issues, and autonomic symptoms as a result.
Fun fact: POTS and hEDS are comorbid, meaning they are often seen together.
What Now?
My doctor and I are still working towards further diagnosis, but insurance requirements, repeat labs, and long-standing referrals have slowed the process down. I figured out that my “episodes” (which are called “adrenaline dumps”) are caused by certain medications, heat intolerance, and consuming fatty, spicy, acidic, and carbonated foods/drinks. I have a very bland, strict diet and steer clear of hot environments if I can. I have not had an adrenaline dump since February!
Still, my life is unrecognizable compared to what it looked like a year ago. Once a busybody, I now cannot complete simple tasks or enjoy any of the outdoor activities I used to love. The list of foods I can eat is very small, and all my meals are the same every single day. Ordering at restaurants is a task and socializing takes up most of my energy. I cancel on friends and family quite frequently and must reject certain plans because of my health. In everything I do, fear of a flare accompanies me. I spend most of my time in bed, which, if you know me well, is not something I enjoyed when I was healthy.
It’s easy to sit around grieving over the life I used to have (hell, I’ve had plenty of those days… and I still do) and the loneliness and guilt I feel living with these invisible, chronic illness are indescribable. I want to do more, be more, and live more than I am but my body is constantly telling me “No.”
But I have found through speaking with many individuals living with chronic illness that I am not alone in feeling this way. There are people out there in the world who doubt, worry, and mourn the same way I often do. Through knowing these individuals and seeing their strength and resilience, I decided to alter my way of thinking to one that is hopeful, positive, and seeks goodness in the darkness that is chronic illness. I had to let go of dreams I knew I would not be able to physically handle anymore, but that just made way for new ones. Centre Design & Artistry is one of those dreams.
I have never been prouder to do anything else in my life as I am about this company. It is designed to not only raise awareness for those living with chronic, invisible illnesses, but also to give back to them, too. Our products aim to promote a better understanding of every illness, and 10% of our monthly sales are given to charities supporting research, providing direct care, and advocating for individuals with chronic illnesses just like we are. Our company stives to promote awareness and education, provide community and connection, and normalize transparency and inclusiveness for all who are chronically ill.
As we continue to release new products, we thank you for your patience and support for our company and our community. Together, we can make life with chronic illness a little easier through advocacy and awareness, one step at a time.