mystery illness Archives

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Jesse Mercury on Starting the Major Pain Podcast and Seeking a Diagnosis for Mystery Illness

This week on the Major Pain podcast, our host Jesse is interviewed for a change! This interview is taken from a recent rheumatoid arthritis summit hosted by Andrea Dunn. She asks Jesse what inspired him to create the Major Pain podcast, inquires about his health journey and recent diagnosis of Read more…

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By Major Pain Podcast, 2 monthsFebruary 21, 2024 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Living with Collagenous Gastritis

Ezra lives with collagenous gastritis (CG), one of the rarest conditions we’ve ever covered on the Major Pain podcast. Collagenous gastritis is characterized by a buildup of collagen in the digestive tract, which causes bumps or nodules to form. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain and anemia. Ezra has Read more…

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By Major Pain Podcast, 2 monthsFebruary 14, 2024 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Jessy’s Disabling Mystery Illness

Jessy has been living with a disabling mystery illness that has turned his life upside down. He experiences extreme fatigue, brain fog, tremors and intense pain. His body has become so unreliable that he requires a wheelchair to navigate the world. And yet, his doctors have no idea what is Read more…

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By Major Pain Podcast, 6 monthsOctober 25, 2023 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Season 3 Premiere! Catching Up With Previous Guests

This week we kick off the third season of Major Pain by catching up with previous guests! First we’ll check in with Andrew, who originally appeared in December 2021 to discuss mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). He has been slowly improving since then, feeling as if a new self is Read more…

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By Major Pain Podcast, 1 yearApril 12, 2023 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Season 2 Finale with Andi and Jesse!

Andi and Jesse wrap up season 2 of Major Pain by sharing their health updates and reflecting on the past year of the show. Jesse discusses his potential diagnoses of mast cell activation syndrome and small fiber neuropathy, while Andi tells us about her vocal surgery recovery.

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By Major Pain Podcast, 1 yearMarch 29, 2023 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Author Alexis Kline Discusses Her Chronic Illness and How It Informed Her Latest Book

As a child, Alexis Kline hoped to one day be a professional soccer player. That all changed at 12 years old during soccer tryouts when Alexis started feeling so weak and sore that she needed to visit the doctor. Her soccer dreams were dashed when she was diagnosed with dysautonomia, Read more…

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By Major Pain Podcast, 1 yearJanuary 25, 2023 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Andi and Jesse’s Health and Travel Updates!

Andi and Jesse share updates from their recent travels to New York and Florida, plus both of their health situations including Andi’s vocal injury and Jesse’s continued quest for a diagnosis. Jesse has seen significant improvements in his mobility, while being evaluated for mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and small Read more…

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By Major Pain Podcast, 1 yearNovember 23, 2022 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

A Diagnosis from Every Category: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Vestibular Migraines, Bipolar Disorder and More

Kevin has been on a diagnostic roller coaster over the past few years. He was working in a management position at a museum when he started having trouble walking, difficulty straightening up and intense pain in his feet. He also developed uveitis in his eyes, a painful inflammatory condition that Read more…

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By Major Pain Podcast, 2 yearsOctober 26, 2022 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Level 10 Pain, the Mayo Clinic, Aphasia and Sarcoidosis: Claudia’s Journey So Far

Claudia Alick is an activist and influencer with a transmedia social justice practice, creating spaces for entertainment, education and empowerment by and for marginalized communities. While working as a disability advocate in 2009, Claudia found themself suddenly experiencing what they describe as mysterious level 10 pain, accompanied by mobility issues Read more…

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By Major Pain Podcast, 2 yearsSeptember 14, 2022 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Andi and Jesse’s Adventures with Travel and Covid

Andi and Jesse are back from their month of traveling, but things didn’t quite go as planned. They share stories from their trip to Maine for a wedding, followed by Tahoe where Andi unfortunately came down with covid. Andi shares her frustration with a series of difficult events in her Read more…

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By Major Pain Podcast, 2 yearsJuly 6, 2022 ago