Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast

In this next installment of Symptomatic: House Calls, we catch up with Alisha from Case #13. Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t listened to this episode yet, you might want to do so first HERE. Alisha was diagnosed with psoriasis at just 7 years old. Feeling deeply self-conscious and isolated by others’ reactions to seeing her body covered by plaques, she adapted by hiding under long sleeves in the summer and convincing herself she’d never feel the rain on her skin again. Then she discovered the power of biologics, which changed her life. Join host Lauren Bright Pacheco as she checks in with Alisha on her progress and the response she’s received since bravely sharing her story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-19

17:04

In her mid-20s and thriving in a fast-paced communications job, Mila began experiencing symptoms reminiscent of those her mom had managed with diabetes for years. However, as time went on, it became clear that this was different. Little did she know, her life was about to take a significant turn, leading her on an unexpected journey with a chronic illness she never saw coming.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-12

41:13

In peak health, Scott's life took a drastic turn when a rare disease nearly claimed it all. Initially misdiagnosed and dismissed, his symptoms escalated into a near-fatal episode, revealing the true extent of his condition. Forced to confront challenges affecting his heart, lungs, and more, Scott’s journey became one of resilience and survival against all odds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-05

38:45

In this bonus episode, we introduce Symptomatic: House Calls. Throughout Season 3, we will reconnect with past guests to get updates on how they’ve been managing their conditions and how their lives have changed since appearing on the show. For our first House Call, we revisit Athena from Case #2. As a young teenager, Athena began experiencing painful, pimple-like abscesses that were misdiagnosed for years.   Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t listened to this episode yet, you might want to do so first HERE.   Athena was eventually diagnosed with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory condition. Join host Lauren Bright Pacheco as she catches up with Athena to hear exciting life updates and her latest experiences living with HS. Discover the challenges she’s faced, the progress she’s made, and the significant moments that have shaped her life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-29

18:47

In her early 30s, Kelly was suddenly plagued by a series of inexplicable health issues, from severe heartburn to rapid weight gain, leaving doctors utterly baffled. Misdiagnosed and even subjected to brain surgery, Kelly’s journey took a shocking turn with an unexpected genetic revelation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-22

38:13

At 18, Jose faced a whirlwind of hospital visits, severe abdominal pain, and debilitating fatigue. Having already given up his dream of becoming a professional boxer and now risking his education, Jose was desperate for answers. At his lowest point, the fighter in him emerged, pushing him and his mom to seek solutions before the unknown illness could take even more from his life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-15

38:54

Uncertainty. Isolation. Breakthrough. Symptomatic returns with new episodes starting October 15th!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-08

04:48

Lauren is a professionally trained dancer whose biggest strength has always been finding expression and connection through movement. However, as she pursued her college career, she felt her body slowing down. Simple exercises became challenging, and her flexibility turned into stiffness. Lauren’s condition worsened after having children, and she periodically had to rely on crutches to accommodate her growing immobility. She was desperate for a doctor who could help her. Without a proper diagnosis, she was being torn between maintaining her two passions: dancing and family. *  *  *  *  *  * ****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ****** To find out more on psoriatic arthritis you can check out the Arthritis Foundation’s website at Arthritis.org. You can also find Lauren Scholl on Instagram @CoachScholl.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12-12

39:39

For decades, Eliza dismissed her GI flare-ups and irritated skin. But after the birth of her first child, her concerns escalated, fearing she might faint while caring for her baby. She turned to her sister, who had paralleling symptoms, to explore any potential connection between their experiences. Ignoring the burning pains for so long, Eliza and her doctors dive into her symptomatic past and family history. They uncover a diagnosis that would restore normalcy in her life. *  *  *  *  *  * ****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ****** You can find out more about celiac disease and Dr. Green’s work on Columbia’s Celiac Center website: CeliacDiseaseCenter.Columbia.edu. You can also find his book Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic and Eliza Minot’s incredible catalog wherever books are sold. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12-05

34:33

Maria is a neurological specialist who became a patient herself when she noticed problems with her mobility. She started to experience cramps in her hands that soon prevented her from driving or tying her shoes. As she saw her ability to care for her patients gradually decline, she faced the skepticism of her colleagues and the fear of not finding a diagnosis. Maria raced to get answers before she lost not only her profession but her whole way of life, as well. *  *  *  *  *  * ****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ****** To learn more about Maria’s journey, check out her books, including Parkinson’s Diva. And for more information on the condition visit the Parkinson’s Foundation website at Parkinson.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-28

32:34

At just 7 years old, Alisha was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis - a condition that manifested in overwhelming flare-ups, covering nearly 90% of her body. Enduring both the physical toll and the harsh judgment of ignorant peers and their parents, she became so self-conscious about showing her skin. She would wear long sleeves in the middle of summer, would never go to the beach, and even feared she would never again be able to feel rain on her skin again. Alisha goes on a long, desperate journey to find a treatment for this disease, seeking not only physical relief but also respite from the mental and emotional trauma of living with psoriasis. *  *  *  *  *  * ****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ****** If you’re looking for more information on plaque psoriasis, go to the National Psoriasis Foundation’s website at Psoriasis.org. You can also learn more through the Global Healthy Living Foundation at GHLF.org and follow Alisha Bridges on Instagram @AlishaMBridges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-21

36:27

In this bonus segment, host Lauren Bright Pacheco checks in with Michele from Case #09 to share feedback from the Symptomatic community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-16

05:53

After going through a challenging divorce and relocating cross country, Chris was struggling with depression and anxiety. For a while, he simply ignored his GI symptoms as they progressively got worse. His bowel issues were soon preventing him from living the life he loved: hiking, attending concerts, and participating in activities with his kids. The situation deteriorated to the point where he had to be rushed to the ER multiple times, sure he was having a heart attack. However, the reality was far more complex. *  *  *  *  *  * ****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ****** To find out more about Alpha-gal syndrome, you can check out the CDC’s website at CDC.gov or check out AlphaGalInformation.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-14

32:05

Jerad had been battling an overwhelming amount of stress while juggling PhD studies, early parenthood, and work with the Minnesota Judicial System. Slowly losing his energy and ability to make it through day-to-day activities, he knew his developing condition meant something even bigger than just stress at work. With his wife’s fierce advocacy, Jerad hurried to find the source of his symptoms before permanent damage was done. *  *  *  *  *  * ****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ****** If you’d like to follow Jerad Green's story you can find him on Instagram @HeartFailureHotTakes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suffering from incessant fevers, muscle pain, and mysterious nodules across his body for nine years, Chuck's hope was fading. No doctor could explain his sporadic flu-like symptoms. Then, he crossed paths with Dr. Daniel Kastner, an unconventional and brilliant physician with a unique approach to disease research. Together with his colleagues at the National Institutes of Health, their groundbreaking discovery might just hold the key to Chuck's medical mystery. *  *  *  *  *  * ****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ****** If you’re looking for more information on VEXAS and to learn about Dr. Kastner's work, go to the National Institutes of Health's website at NIH.gov. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.