This week on The Medical Detectives, we share Hailey’s decades-long ordeal with sudden, terrifying “stuck throat” episodes—from rural Yukon ERs and improvised home remedies, to the social anxiety of hiding her symptoms, until a late-night trip, a can of Coca-Cola, and a specialist referral finally pointed her to the right diagnosis. Along the way, we explore the highs and lows of rural medicine, the power of having a name for your condition, and how keeping it all inside can become a dangerous “new normal.” If you’ve ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or too embarrassed to speak up, this is a must-hear reminder that finding your voice can unlock real answers.

Have a medical journey to share? Email us at [email protected].

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

Trigger Warning: Discussion of infant medical crisis and loss.

When baby Ivy couldn't breath doctors said it was normal, but Kalla’s instincts told her something was terribly wrong. Dismissed repeatedly, she fought through fear and isolation to uncover a rare genetic disorder that explained Ivy’s muscle spasms and respiratory failure. Discover how parental persistence and selflessness saved her daughter’s life.

Have a medical journey to share? Email us at [email protected].

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

This week Anna and Erin welcome Tracy, whose years long struggle with bone-deep exhaustion, persistent sore throats and sudden blood blisters led her on a winding odyssey from GPs to specialists, with inconclusive tests and tough treatments at every turn. In our “Diseases That Need a Rebrand” series, we’re asking you to help us rename this mysterious, tongue-twisting condition—email your rebrand ideas (and your own medical mysteries) to [email protected], and drop us a rating and review, and share the episode with someone who needs to hear it.

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

This week on The Medical Detectives, Erin and Anna tackle their first-ever male patient story, delivered by the one person who never stopped believing him: his wife, Angela. From childhood Guillain-Barré and a hidden battle with addiction to a whirlwind romance and marriage, Trevor’s life derails when relentless vomiting and mysterious “unexplained” ER visits lead to gallbladder surgery, and still no answers. It isn’t until a desperate trip to Johns Hopkins that a sharp-eyed clinician finally diagnoses him, revealing how dangerous medical labels and overlooked side effects can be. Join us as we explore the power of advocacy, the damage of judgment, and what it really takes to be heard in your own care.

Have a medical mystery or story of your own? Send it to [email protected].

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

For nearly 35 years Chelle lived with daily headaches, nausea, numbness, and overwhelming pressure in her head—symptoms repeatedly dismissed as anxiety or depression. But when her child’s medical crisis taught her to trust her instincts, she finally pushed for answers. In this episode, Chelle shares her decades-long journey of misdiagnosis, self-doubt, and dismissal before discovering the true cause.

Have a medical mystery or story of your own? Send it to [email protected].

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

In this deeply emotional and eye-opening episode of Medical Detectives, we sit down with Rita, whose medical mystery spanned nearly a decade of pain, misdiagnosis, and dismissal. From being a young mother and nurse with a sudden onset of terrifying symptoms to being told she just needed candy or mental health care, Rita’s story highlights the devastating impact of medical gaslighting, sexism in healthcare, and systemic failures—particularly within the military medical system. Through years of relentless symptoms and self-doubt, Rita finally receives a diagnosis that validates everything she’s endured.

Have a medical mystery or story of your own? Send it to [email protected].

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

Leah grew up never seeing a real doctor, but learning from her homeopath mom how to listen to her body. As an adult, she was told she was allergic to the sun, iron, and bread. But when she landed in the ER on her 40th birthday, vomiting, in unbearable pain, and with purple urine, doctors were perplexed. Every test was coming back negative, and all of a sudden she felt like she was in an episode of House. Finally, an orthopedic surgeon remembered an obscure disease from medical school...

This is a medical mystery for the books, with misdiagnoses, near-death moments, and a diagnosis so rare it made Leah a teaching case. Part comedy, part chaos, and all too real for anyone who’s ever had to fight to be believed.

Have a medical mystery or story of your own? Send it to [email protected].

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

In this extraordinary episode of The Medical Detectives, we meet Bethany, a former professional dancer whose body, once built for movement, began betraying her in small, painful ways that no one could explain. What started as stiffness and toe pain evolved into years of misdiagnoses, dismissed symptoms, and being told it was all in her head.

Over two decades, Bethany endured chronic pain, gave up her dream career, and pushed through three pregnancies — all while quietly suffering with a condition no one could name. It wasn’t until a late-night scroll on Facebook and a self-driven Google rabbit hole that she discovered what no doctor had seen.

This episode has it all — ballerinas, babies, and dinosaurs (yes, dinosaurs). But at its core, it’s about perseverance, medical gaslighting, and the power of self-advocacy. Bethany’s story is a testament to trusting your gut, pushing for answers, and the life-changing power of finally being believed.

Have a medical mystery or story of your own? Send it to [email protected].

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

In this gripping and emotional episode, we dive into Jill’s extraordinary journey — a story of relentless persistence, unanswered questions, and one life-changing discovery.

For over a decade, Jill battled mysterious and increasingly alarming symptoms: unexplained weight gain, drastic changes in her appearance, and a series of concerning medical issues that doctors struggled to explain. Despite her unwavering efforts to find answers, Jill was dismissed, misdiagnosed, and even told it was all in her head.

But Jill refused to give up. Her determination eventually led her to a breakthrough — one that not only changed her life but inspired her to become an advocate for others facing similar struggles.

What was the hidden cause behind Jill’s mysterious condition? How did she turn her pain into purpose? Join us as Jill reveals her incredible story of resilience, hope, and the power of trusting yourself — even when the experts don’t.

Have a medical mystery or story of your own? Send it to [email protected].

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***

In this gripping episode of The Medical Detectives, we meet Jennifer — a working mom whose life was turned upside down by mysterious and debilitating symptoms. From a racing heartbeat to progressive numbness, poor sight, and immobility, Jennifer's journey highlights the frustrating maze of misdiagnoses she faced. With multiple doctors dismissing her concerns as stress, Jennifer was left questioning her own sanity. But thanks to her persistence, a dedicated GP, and a determined neurologist, the truth finally emerged — a rare condition tied to an unexpected diagnosis.

Have a medical mystery or story of your own? Send it to [email protected].

***The information provided on the medical detectives is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While we may feature licensed medical professionals, including doctors, we are not your personal doctors and no doctor patient relationship is established by listening to this podcast or interacting with our content.

All discussions are general in nature and may not apply to your specific health situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have heard on this show

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately or consult a qualified healthcare pro***