Mystery Diseases Tv Show

[Claire]

The show covered several different diseases. The first one was celiac. These diseases are presented as case studies. The Celiac case was a small child who presented atypical symptoms. He did not thrive, was small, did not talk and generally performed way below his age expectations. He had unusual seizure like episodes that kept getting worse and more frequent. The mother had celiac but the doctor had told her that there was almost no chance that any of her children would have it because it was so rare!!!!! To make a long story short, he was finally diagnosed and today is a happy, healthy early teen ager.

The interesting points in his case were that he had positive blood work, positive endoscopy but he did not present the GI symptoms that his mother had and would have recognized. Instead he presented primarily neurological symptoms. This goes to prove that you can't really define celiac by symptoms. Though the gluten sensitivity is usually where you see the neurological damage - this case clearly showed it in a diagnosed Celiac.

I was sorry to see that they did not discuss the neurological implications at all.

The bottom line of this entire program was the common thread of frustration, fear, discouragement, despair felt by all the patients who went from doctor to doctor and got absolutely nowhere. Some of these people lived out their young lives with chronic to acute illnesses - some barely missed death. Scary.

It sure gave a clear message that doctors are not too swift with diagnosis. All these people were persistent and won out in the end - put paid so dearly for the lack of early on help and support. Most of the women were ultimately told to see a psychiatrist. Wouldn't you know.

Anyone else see the show?

[bluelotus]

I don't get the discovery mystery disease channel. That show would have made me so angry anyway......I really hate doctors at this point and the feelings keep getting exaggerated. I heard today that a 15 year old girl died in Canada after kissing her boyfriend. She had a peanut allergy and had kissed her boyfriend after he had eaten a peanut butter snack of some kind. What the f?!!? Don't doctors tell parents and kids about those sort of seemingly minor risks?!? Ggggggggggrrrrrrrr...... Wish I knew kickboxing so I could take my frustration out in an appropriate manner. Reminds me of doctors only worrying about what us celiac disease's eat - like toothpaste, lipstick, mouthwash, etc. didn't matter!!! So, long story with many tangents later, I wish that family the best, but I am so glad I didn't see the show. I probably would have had an aneuysm.

[happygirl]

Yes, I saw it too! Here is a link to the discussion about the show that has been going on:

Open Original Shared Link

[mightymorg]

I don't get the discovery mystery disease channel. That show would have made me so angry anyway......I really hate doctors at this point and the feelings keep getting exaggerated. I heard today that a 15 year old girl died in Canada after kissing her boyfriend. She had a peanut allergy and had kissed her boyfriend after he had eaten a peanut butter snack of some kind. What the f?!!? Don't doctors tell parents and kids about those sort of seemingly minor risks?!? Ggggggggggrrrrrrrr...... Wish I knew kickboxing so I could take my frustration out in an appropriate manner. Reminds me of doctors only worrying about what us celiac disease's eat - like toothpaste, lipstick, mouthwash, etc. didn't matter!!! So, long story with many tangents later, I wish that family the best, but I am so glad I didn't see the show. I probably would have had an aneuysm.

I heard about that poor girl too. Obviously, someone (parents, doctor...etc) wasn't responsible enough to educate them about careless risks. It makes me sad.

I didn't see the show on the Discovery channel; I completely forgot! I hope they show a rerun soon...I'd love to see it.