Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast

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Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast Podcast

How terrifying would it be to fight an unknown enemy? One you don’t recognize and didn’t see coming? What if that enemy was coming from within; a disease that even doctors couldn’t identify? Nearly half of all Americans suffer from some chronic illness and many struggle for an accurate diagnosis. Every other week on Symptomatic, host Lauren Bright Pacheco unravels the medical mystery of a patient’s baffling symptoms and explores how their lives were turned upside down in search of answers.  From the first signs of trouble, through a swirl of misdirection and failed treatment attempts, to the final relief at a confirmed diagnosis - these are their stories. This is Symptomatic. We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think of the show or share your own medical mystery by emailing us at Symptomatic@iHeartMedia.com.

  1. 6 AUG

    A Reassessment of Prostate Cancer Treatment (Live from the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting)

    About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Join Lauren Bright Pacheco at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, as she investigates the advancements in prostate cancer care.  Dr. Mohammad Atiq shares ways innovative treatments are paving the way for better outcomes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    42 min

  2. 30 JUL

    Case #18: Every Cure Pt.2 (Gary)

    Gary Gravina, a skilled carpenter and Marine, was rushed to the ER in 2016 due to severe flu-like symptoms which morphed into a brutal battle with a mysterious disease. Discover how Gary's dire condition would lead him to Dr. David Fajgenbaum and Dr. Grant Mitchell, who had become experts on his rare disease. See how their collaboration not only saved Gary’s life but also significantly impacted the field of medicine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

  3. 23 JUL

    Case #17: Every Cure Pt.1 (Dr. David Fajgenbaum)

    Dr. David Fajgenbaum, once a college quarterback and competitive weightlifter, turned medical researcher, was the picture of health until he became critically ill at the age of 25. After all available treatments failed to keep him out of the ICU, David, with his friend Grant’s help, races to save his own life, repurposing existing drugs to find a cure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min

  4. 16 JUL

    The Teamwork Behind Breast Cancer Treatment (Live from the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting)

    Did you know 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime? Join Lauren Bright Pacheco for a special episode from the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, where she dives into the best collaborative approach to breast cancer diagnoses and care. Medical oncologist, Dr. Nan Chen, and breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Sarah Shubeck share how their teamwork benefits breast cancer treatment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min

  5. 12/12/2023

    Case #16: Lauren

    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.

    40 min

  6. 05/12/2023

    Case #15: Eliza

    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.

    35 min

  7. 28/11/2023

    Case #14: Maria

    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.

    33 min

  8. 21/11/2023

    Case #13: Alisha

    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.

    36 min
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Trailers

Hosts & Guests

About

How terrifying would it be to fight an unknown enemy? One you don’t recognize and didn’t see coming? What if that enemy was coming from within; a disease that even doctors couldn’t identify? Nearly half of all Americans suffer from some chronic illness and many struggle for an accurate diagnosis. Every other week on Symptomatic, host Lauren Bright Pacheco unravels the medical mystery of a patient’s baffling symptoms and explores how their lives were turned upside down in search of answers.  From the first signs of trouble, through a swirl of misdirection and failed treatment attempts, to the final relief at a confirmed diagnosis - these are their stories. This is Symptomatic. We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think of the show or share your own medical mystery by emailing us at Symptomatic@iHeartMedia.com.

Information

  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2024 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast

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