Introduction: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a rare genetic autoin@lammatory disease, primarily affecting individuals of Mediterranean descent. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and in@lammation, which can signi@icantly impact quality of life if left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Diagnosing FMF can be challenging due to its nonspeci@ic symptoms, which often mimic other conditions. This was my reality as I experienced repeated misdiagnoses until the age of 8. Sharing my personal journey with FMF offers a unique and insightful perspective on the diagnostic challenges associated with rare diseases, shedding light on the importance of awareness and accurate medical evaluations.

I remember being 6 and 7 years old, spending countless days at home, unable to join my classmates at school because of the relentless, severe abdominal pain. Those days were marked by lying in bed, clutching my stomach, and fighting tears as waves of pain kept me from the simple joys of childhood. The symptoms started when I was just 4 or 5, as my parents often reminded me, but they seemed to grow worse as I got older.