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PODCAST

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery 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

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

47:12

Case #35: Len

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2026/09/29

Len Geiger was a perfectly healthy, athletic young man with no signs of illness…but when Len enters his late twenties he starts falling ill with chronic chest infections. By age thirty - Len begins to experience breathlessness so debilitating he can barely walk across a parking lot. 10 years after the onset of symptoms, Len is dying from lungs that can no longer function due to a disease often overlooked in testing. We want to hear from you! Share your own medical mystery or tell us about

en-US

49:53

Case #34: Brendon

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2026/09/22

Brendon Paradis began to lose his vision out of nowhere. Doctors spend decades trying to stop the unexplained hemorrhaging in his retina with no success. Brendon has attempted to come to terms with his fate but when his son Keegan begins to show a more rapidly advancing version of this mystery condition, they reignite the search in a race against the clock to save Keegan’s vision. We want to hear from you! Share your own medical mystery or tell us about the episode you connected with the most

en-US

40:42

Case #30: Rose & Casey

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2025/12/02

Rockstar Casey McPherson and his family were shocked to the core when his daughter Rose was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation that has no known treatment. Faced with the possibility of losing his daughter, the front man of the Flying Colours dropped everything to devote his life to trying to find a cure before time runs out. 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 or drop us a voice note at

en-US

41:12

Case #29: Cienna

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2025/11/25

For as long as Cienna Ditri can remember, she has had random bouts of “heavy legs”and loss of vision. As she got older - that sensation grew into episodes in which she could not move altogether. Cienna was passing out multiple times a day and frequently losing vision. After a slew of misdiagnoses - she was unsure she would ever understand the cause…until one doctor found the needle in the haystack. We want to hear from you! Share your own medical mystery or tell us about the

en-US

47:46

Case #28: Ian

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2025/11/18

Ian Stedman suffered 32 years with full body rashes, debilitating headaches, joint pain and hearing loss without a clear diagnosis. His Mother Barb had gone over 60 years with the same symptoms. After hundreds of doctors visits and decades of frustration - they had resigned to believe there were no answers. That is until Ian’s daughter, Lia was born covered in that all-too-recognizable rash. Ian re-ignited his search for answers in an effort to save his family. We want to hear from you! Share

en-US

42:33

Case #27: Hailey

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2025/11/11

From the moment Hailey got her period, she could tell that something was different about her. Suffering debilitating menstrual cramps and a flow so heavy she would pass out from blood loss…Hailey spent half of every month fighting to stand up. When she joined the Air Force as a medic, Hailey did not predict how agonizing her symptoms would become… and how harrowing her journey to a diagnosis would be as a woman in a male dominated field. We want to hear from you! Share your own

en-US

2:18

Symptomatic Returns!

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2025/10/28

New season. New mysteries. Host Lauren Bright Pacheco returns to uncover the hidden truths behind chronic and rare illnesses. These are the stories of symptoms that defy explanation and the people who refuse to give up. Look out for new episodes of Symptomatic starting November 4th!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

28:31

Case #25: Trent (Pt. 1)

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/12/17

Trent was a vibrant and successful insurance assessor when his life took an unexpected turn. While working under a car, he sensed something was off. It wasn’t until later that day -- when his legs stopped responding while driving -- that the severity of the situation hit him. What followed was a baffling health crisis that turned his world upside down. With two newborn twins at home, Trent's sudden immobility brought his worst fears to life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-US

16:13

House Calls - Case #16 Lauren

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/12/10

In this next installment of Symptomatic: House Calls, we check in on Lauren from Case #16. Lauren began noticing severe pain that could not be explained away by her professional dancing career. The movements she once took for granted were becoming nearly impossible. Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t listened to this episode yet, you might want to do so first HERE. Feeling confused & betrayed by her body, Lauren pushed through the pain for 15 years before eventually receiving the correct

en-US

43:51

Case #24: Sumaira

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/12/03

When Sumaira was 24, what seemed like a routine wisdom teeth extraction quickly set off a series of unexpected health issues. Soon after, her vision in her right eye began to fade—a small nuisance she tried to ignore. But as her eyesight continued deteriorating, it became clear this wasn’t a passing problem. Eventually, doctors uncovered a deeper issue, revealing a diagnosis that would change everything she thought she knew about her health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

40:11

Case #23: Mik

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/11/26

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

16:04

House Calls - Case #13 Alisha

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/11/19

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. 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

en-US

39:59

Case #22: Mila

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/11/12

In her mid-20s and thriving in a fast-paced communications job, Mila Clarke 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.

en-US

38:46

Case #21: Scott

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/11/05

In peak health, Scott Collin’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.

en-US

18:18

House Calls - Case #02 Athena

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/10/29

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 Season 1, Episode 2. As a young teenager, Athena began experiencing painful, pimple-like abscesses that were misdiagnosed for years. Spoiler alert in case you haven’t listened to this episode… Athena was

en-US

36:46

Case #20: Kelly

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/10/22

In her early 30s, Kelly DuBois 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.

en-US

37:34

Case #19: Jose

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/10/15

At 18, Jose Torres 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.

en-US

4:48

This Year on Symptomatic (2024)

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/10/08

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

en-US

41:41

A Reassessment of Prostate Cancer Treatment (Live...

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/08/06

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.

en-US

39:20

Case #18: Gary (Part 2)

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast ·

2024/07/30

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.

en-US

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