Heike Sachtleben

About me

gemeinsam.

Share knowledge. Pass on experience. Help one another.

For many years, I worked as a naturopath, in medicine, as a bank clerk and a business administration graduate, and in a range of creative and social projects. Connecting people, understanding medical relationships and sharing knowledge have always been my passion.

Today, I am severely ill myself.

A severe multisystem disease has left me almost entirely bedbound. I cannot walk or care for myself. Neurological impairments, severe pain and extreme sensitivity to stimuli shape my life. Often, I cannot do anything for days. On better days, I sometimes have only a few minutes to dictate my thoughts.

Even so, I want to share my knowledge and experience.

Why this website exists

On P.E.C., I want to share insights into my life, analyse scientific studies, explain medical connections and offer my own hypotheses and perspectives.

Sometimes in detailed articles, sometimes in just a few sentences or a video. There is no fixed publishing schedule: I contribute as my health allows.

I hope this can offer guidance to others affected, encourage people around them and doctors to reflect, and bring people together.

When a lack of care becomes life-threatening

People who are severely ill must not be forgotten.

The story of 30-year-old Kathi, who chose assisted suicide in 2026, is a deeply distressing illustration of the despair that extreme suffering and a lack of treatment prospects can cause.

During my earlier therapeutic work, I lost two patients myself.

Today, I experience how threatening inadequate care can become. For months, I have suffered from severe gastrointestinal problems and can now barely take in food. Although I am practically unable to be transported, I am fighting for hospital admission and medical help.

I want to live. And I do not want other people to have to go through similar experiences.

Together also means: I need help.

The little energy I have is no longer enough to organise my daily life, medical care and awareness work on my own.

That is why I urgently need support:

• Personal assistance: Correspondence, health insurers, authorities, and communication with doctors and hospitals.
• Local help: Shopping, errands and practical help in daily life.
• Editorial work & science: Researching studies, writing, publishing and organising my thoughts.
• Press & social media: Public outreach, videos and website support.
• Organisation & fundraising: Coordinating offers of help and financial support.

People who can take on individual tasks or regularly give a little time are also welcome.

What I hope will remain

Throughout my life, I have enjoyed sharing knowledge and helping people. I want to keep doing that, even though my possibilities are now extremely limited.

If I do not survive my illness, I hope that my experiences and insights will at least benefit others.

Ideas such as 5CAST, a five-minute information and interview format, remain hopes for the future, if my health ever allows it again.

Right now, the priority is to secure my care and make accessible the knowledge I can still share.

If you can support me, I would be glad to hear from you.

gemeinsam. – Because no one should be left alone.