Before my HAE diagnosis, I was investigated for everything — IBS, Crohn's, endometriosis, appendicitis. I had these episodes of severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting that would come on suddenly and last a day or two. I even had an exploratory laparoscopy that found nothing. A haematologist finally put the pieces together when I mentioned that I sometimes got hand swelling around the same time as the stomach pain. Apparently abdominal attacks are one of the most commonly missed presentations of HAE. I'd had dozens of episodes over nearly a decade before anyone considered it. I wanted to share this because I know there are people out there being investigated for GI conditions who might actually have HAE. The abdominal symptoms can happen without any visible swelling at all, which makes it even harder to spot. If this sounds familiar, please ask your doctor about complement testing. It's a simple blood test that could change everything.