Mik’s health challenges began at an early age, with unusual symptoms like recurring staph infections from small cuts—signs that both doctors and her family brushed aside. Later, she experienced rapid early-onset puberty, facing changes far earlier than most kids. But as these symptoms intensified, her parents soon realized this was something far more serious.

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You can also follow Mik’s story @MikZazon, and to learn more about endometriosis, you can check out Dr. Karen Tang’s work @KarenTangMD.

Mik&rsquo;s health challenges began at an early age, with unusual symptoms like recurring staph infections from small cuts&mdash;signs that both doctors and her family brushed aside. Later, she experienced rapid early-onset puberty, facing changes far earlier than most kids. But as these symptoms intensified, her parents soon realized this was something far more serious.
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You can also follow Mik&rsquo;s story @MikZazon, and to learn more about endometriosis, you can check out Dr. Karen Tang&rsquo;s work @KarenTangMD.

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.

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 <a href="mailto:SymptomaticPod@gmail.com">Symptomatic@iHeartMedia.com</a>.

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast

In 2007, Chris Vaughn was arrested during a funeral for his wife and three children. He would be tried and convicted of their murders. To this day he maintains no memory of what occurred that tragic day 20 years ago. Murder in Illinois follows the complicated circumstances that led to Vaughn’s conviction, as well as the forensic evidence his supporters believe proves his innocence- in attempt to answer one question: Who killed the Vaughn family?

In 2007, Chris Vaughn was arrested during a funeral for his wife and three children. He would be tried and convicted of their murders. To this day he maintains no memory of what occurred that tragic day 20 years ago. Murder in Illinois follows the complicated circumstances that led to Vaughn’s conviction, as well as the forensic evidence his supporters believe proves his innocence- in attempt to answer one question: Who killed the Vaughn family?

Murder in Illinois

Case #23: Mik

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/20467821-80bd-45e7-8249-b2300135e0dd/transcript

Grace Sullivan was only 17 when she was hit by unexplained bouts of uncontrollable vomiting that would last for days, even weeks. Countless trips to the ER, tests with no conclusive results, and no clear indicator for the root cause. After 19 hospitalizations in the span of two years - Grace believed she may never get better…especially when it became clear that the thing causing these episodes was something she had become completely reliant on.

 

We want to hear from you! Share your own medical mystery or tell us about the episode you connected with the most at Symptomatic@iheartmedia.com.

 

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You can learn more about Dr. Andrew Meltzer's work on CHS here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39985554/. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, you can find resources at usa.gov/substance-abuse.

Grace Sullivan was only 17 when she was hit by unexplained bouts of uncontrollable vomiting that would last for days, even weeks. Countless trips to the ER, tests with no conclusive results, and no clear indicator for the root cause. After 19 hospitalizations in the span of two years - Grace believed she may never get better&hellip;especially when it became clear that the thing causing these episodes was something she had become completely reliant on.
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We want to hear from you! Share your own medical mystery or tell us about the episode you connected with the most at <a href="mailto:Symptomatic@iheartmedia.com">Symptomatic@iheartmedia.com</a>.
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You can learn more about Dr. Andrew Meltzer's work on CHS here: <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39985554/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39985554/</a>. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, you can find resources at <a href="http://usa.gov/substance-abuse">usa.gov/substance-abuse</a>.

Case #37: Grace

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a2d983a6-86d3-4ff1-af35-b4ef01062d4a/transcript

Travis Bolt was a charismatic kid with an old soul…and a natural talent for music. When Travis turns eight years old, he begins to experience uncontrollable muscle movements that continue to escalate in intensity. He starts getting in trouble in school, injuring himself inadvertently, and faces years of medical trial treatments that create new health problems. All the while, Travis endures relentless bullying at school—not only from fellow students, but from teachers as well, the result of ignorance and a lack of understanding about his condition—until he stumbles upon an unconventional treatment that changes everything.

 

We want to hear from you! Share your own medical mystery or tell us about the episode you connected with the most at Symptomatic@iheartmedia.com.

 

Travis's music was provided by Gravel Road Records and can be found on your favorite streaming platforms by searching Travis Bolt. His new album is called Burning Bridges.

 

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If you'd like to learn more about the Tourette's Association of America, you can find them at tourette.org. 

Travis Bolt was a charismatic kid with an old soul&hellip;and a natural talent for music. When Travis turns eight years old, he begins to experience uncontrollable muscle movements that continue to escalate in intensity. He starts getting in trouble in school, injuring himself inadvertently, and faces years of medical trial treatments that create new health problems. All the while, Travis endures relentless bullying at school&mdash;not only from fellow students, but from teachers as well, the result of ignorance and a lack of understanding about his condition&mdash;until he stumbles upon an unconventional treatment that changes everything.
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We want to hear from you! Share your own medical mystery or tell us about the episode you connected with the most at <a href="mailto:Symptomatic@iheartmedia.com">Symptomatic@iheartmedia.com</a>.
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Travis's music was provided by Gravel Road Records and can be found on your favorite streaming platforms by searching Travis Bolt. His new album is called Burning Bridges.
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If you'd like to learn more about the Tourette's Association of America, you can find them at tourette.org.&nbsp;

Case #36: Travis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/53cf242b-036d-412e-aad6-b4e90002b0d0/transcript

Let's revisit one of our favorite episodes from Season 1. Zach was your average 11-year-old who loved pizza, sports, and going fishing with his Dad until an incident at a baseball game changed his life forever. As an illness quickly takes hold and wreaks havoc on his body, it’s a race against the clock to figure out what’s happening and save Zach’s life. All new medical mysteries are back next week!

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To find out more information on Sepsis, visit Sepsis.org.

Let's revisit one of our favorite episodes from Season 1. Zach was your average 11-year-old who loved pizza, sports, and going fishing with his Dad until an incident at a baseball game changed his life forever. As an illness quickly takes hold and wreaks havoc on his body, it&rsquo;s a race against the clock to figure out what&rsquo;s happening and save Zach&rsquo;s life. All new medical mysteries are back next week!
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To find out more information on Sepsis, visit<a href="https://www.sepsis.org/sepsis-basics/what-is-sepsis/"> Sepsis.org</a>.

Case #03: Zach - Revisited

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a11ab90d-7f2a-4647-8ff7-b4e4014eca57/transcript

Case #23: Mik

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Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast

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