Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Nero Wolfe – "You Might Also Like: Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast"

Release Date: November 26, 2024
Host/Author: Adam Graham

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Old Time Radio Nero Wolfe, host Adam Graham delves into the heartfelt and arduous journey of Mick Zazon as she navigates the labyrinth of undiagnosed medical conditions. Joined by Lauren Wright Pacheco, Mick shares her decade-long struggle with persistent symptoms, misdiagnoses, and the eventual discovery of endometriosis. This episode not only highlights Mick's resilience but also sheds light on the broader issues surrounding chronic illnesses and the importance of advocacy in healthcare.

Mick's Early Health Struggles

Mick Zazon's medical journey began at a young age, marked by recurrent infections and unusual symptoms. Reflecting on her early experiences, Mick shares:

Mick Zazon [00:09]: "I remember having my friends drive me to the ER once, and someone had to carry me into the ER because I could not even move."

Her sister Christine provides further context about Mick's childhood health issues:

Christine [03:08]: "She was getting poked by, like, a pine needle or something, and it would turn into a staph infection."

Mick's early onset of puberty compounded her health challenges:

Mick Zazon [04:05]: "I started hitting puberty in elementary school way before a lot of people my age did."

The Struggle with Misdiagnosis

As Mick grew older, her symptoms became more severe and pervasive, yet medical professionals struggled to pinpoint the root cause. Lauren Wright Pacheco highlights:

Lauren Wright Pacheco [12:14]: "By Now, Mick is 20 and four years into a more serious search for answers. Finding herself in and out of the ER as her symptoms continuously flared, she started seeing specialists, hoping for the relief she needed. But no one could seem to uncover the real root of the problem."

Mick recounts the frustration of frequent ER visits without finding a diagnosis:

Mick Zazon [10:01]: "Honestly, they were always emergency situations. It hit me so badly. I would be fine one minute and then I wouldn't be able to walk the next."

Social Media and Mental Health Impacts

During her tumultuous high school years, Mick turned to social media as an outlet, which had unintended consequences on her mental health:

Mick Zazon [14:02]: "I was at the height of my social media career and I was slowly deteriorating. I hadn't really opened up at all online, but I just had all of these business opportunities coming at me left and right."

This period saw Mick developing an eating disorder, further complicating her health:

Mick Zazon [16:27]: "So this is interesting because at the time, I was dealing with binge eating disorder. So in high school, when all of these things started happening, I had orthorexia, and then it kind of went into bulimia and then binge eating disorder."

Discovering Endometriosis

A pivotal moment in Mick's journey came through an online interaction that led her to Dr. Shivakamini Somasand, known as Dr. Minnie. Equipped with detailed symptom tracking, Mick sought Dr. Minnie's expertise:

Mick Zazon [27:48]: "It was 10 minutes long, and all they said was, I think you need to watch this. Maybe it will give you some answers. And I hope it does."

Dr. Minnie offered a glimmer of hope with the possibility of surgical intervention:

Mick Zazon [28:45]: "She was going to every doctor's appointment with me at that point because I was scared that I was going to miss something. And she was like, I don't want to miss anything. I want to help you move through this because you shouldn't be alone."

The confirmation of endometriosis was both a relief and a validation of Mick's long-held frustrations:

Christine [30:44]: "It's just very validating to go so many months, weeks, years just saying, oh, this is just pms. This is just ibs. To finally get that, it's like a huge weight lifted off your shoulders in that moment."

Insights from Dr. Karen Tang

Dr. Karen Tang, a gynecologist and author, provides an in-depth explanation of endometriosis and its impact:

Dr. Karen Tang [31:21]: "Endometriosis is where something that looks like that tissue grows outside of the uterus."

She emphasizes the severe pain and widespread inflammation caused by the condition:

Dr. Karen Tang [31:31]: "The main symptom that it causes is really severe pain, mostly pain with periods, pain with sex. And also it can cause lots of inflammation of the pelvis, including all the organs that are nearby."

Dr. Tang also addresses the misconceptions surrounding endometriosis:

Dr. Karen Tang [33:17]: "Female pain has been so normalized, period pain has been normalized, that a lot of times when people come to their doctor saying, I can't go to school, I can't go to work... they somehow is sort of reflective of their tolerance for pain or maybe they're a hypochondriac rather than that maybe there's a medical condition that's causing it."

The Aftermath and Ongoing Challenges

Despite the diagnosis, Mick continues to face challenges in managing her condition, exacerbated by personal losses and stress:

Mick Zazon [35:24]: "Yes. So I'm currently in a flare right now. I feel like after the surgery I was in denial because I was pain free, that it wasn't a lifelong thing that I needed to keep up with."

Mick attributes much of her strength to her online community and her sister's unwavering support:

Mick Zazon [36:26]: "It has brought me so much. I have loved speaking with every single person that has DMed me and has asked for advice or me asking for advice. And to be able to have that resource is everything but."

Christine highlights the importance of support systems:

Christine [22:49]: "I just want her to know that she's not alone through this."

Conclusion and Takeaways

Mick's story is a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding chronic illnesses and the crucial role of self-advocacy in healthcare. Through her journey, she emphasizes the significance of understanding one's body and seeking support when needed:

Mick Zazon [38:22]: "Your body loves you, even if it feels like it's breaking down... Your body makes sense and your story makes sense and what you are going through makes complete sense when it feels like it doesn't."

Dr. Karen Tang offers a hopeful outlook for the future of endometriosis treatment, acknowledging the advancements and increased awareness brought about by advocacy:

Dr. Karen Tang [37:09]: "I am very optimistic. I think that things even within the last couple of years... was very different and so much now is looking more hopeful."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as both an inspiring narrative and an educational resource, highlighting the importance of persistence, community support, and the need for greater awareness and understanding of conditions like endometriosis. Mick Zazon's journey underscores the profound impact that accurate diagnosis and compassionate care can have on an individual's life.

Notable Quotes:

• Mick Zazon [00:09]: "I remember having my friends drive me to the ER once, and someone had to carry me into the ER because I could not even move."

• Christine [03:08]: "She was getting poked by, like, a pine needle or something, and it would turn into a staph infection."

• Dr. Karen Tang [31:21]: "Endometriosis is where something that looks like that tissue grows outside of the uterus."

• Mick Zazon [38:22]: "Your body loves you, even if it feels like it's breaking down..."

Resources Mentioned:

• Endometriosis Foundation: indofound.org
• Mick's Social Media: Instagram and TikTok @Mickzon
• Dr. Karen Tang: Karen Tang, MD

This summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of Mick Zazon's medical journey, the challenges she faced, and the eventual triumph of finding a diagnosis and support.