Barely a day can go by without someone mentioning the television shows House MD or Mystery Diagnosis to me.
Not a real doctor. Not even American.
“You need to go on Mystery Diagnosis!”
Well, not really. You see, Mystery Diagnosis features people who have already been diagnosed. The show tells the story of their mysterious symptoms, the persons that helped make the diagnosis are interviewed, a climax of the story is reached, a final diagnosis is revealed, and then cut to how great the person is doing now.
“You need Dr. House!”
Well, not really. He’s fictional. And, he’s indeed a wonderful diagnostician; however, he only helps people who are on their death bed. I’m hoping for a little help before I reach that point.
So, I’ve been thinking. Perhaps the world needs more television programs about the undiagnosed, the medical mysteries and puzzles. Here are some of my ideas I think I should pitch.
The Patient
A Specialist reviews the work ups of a dozen patients and narrows down the choices to six lucky patients. The Specialist spends 5 minutes with each of the lucky finalists. In a special hospital gown giving ceremony, The Patient is chosen. If
Who will be the next Patient?
things go well, the Specialist and The Patient will have a steady doctor-patient relationship.
Note: I felt a bit like I was part of The Patient as I waited to hear whether Neurologist #4 will “pick” me as his patient. Got a call today at 4:40pm – I’ve been selected. The medical center has spoken.
So You Think You Can sleep?
Fatigued patients from all walks of life are brought to The Biggest Sleeper ranch. Each week, a patient who sleeps less than 8 hours per day is sent home. The person who sleeps the most hours wins an all expense paid trip to the Mayo Clinic (including all medical expenses).
TextbookBusters
Fun, medical students Will and Gordy search America for persons with diseases that
The TextbookBusters!
present themselves in ways that differ from standard textbook presentations. The persons with diseases undergo excruciating tests to prove that they are indeed ill and not suffering from somatization disorder. Sometimes life-like mannequins or fake body parts are used.
Diagnosis Island
Undiagnosed chronically ill persons are treated to world class medical care in paradise. Ahhhhh…
Pimp My Pill Sorter
‘nuff said
The Next Discovery Health Channel Star
The freakiest and most unusual living medical mysteries compete for the title of The Next Discovery Health Channel Star where they and their illness can be exploited for all of the world to see.
What are your television program ideas?
Do share them – need not be associated with the undiagnosed.
They’ve got to be better than mine!
Thanks for reading, sharing, and caring. I always love to hear from you.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: pimp my pill sorter, silly, TextbookBusters, The Patient, tv for the undiagnosed, undiagnosed chronic illness
Nicely written! You’re going to earn that award yet!
I have to say I was heartbroken after discovering that Mystery Diagnosis only dealt with people who had *received* their diagnosis. I’ve never seen it, and didn’t hear of it until people started telling me I should be on it. Ah well.
Thanks for making me giggle. Laughter is the best medicine, after all, so I hope you’re giggling too, even while it hurts.
Funny TV show ideas!
You got picked?! That’s terrific!
Yes! I got picked!! Can’t wait to talk to Dr. PCP today to see if she helped me get in and if she will join me! I’m staying hopeful on all fronts.
Clearly my happiness about getting picked made me come up with a silly post.
I’m surfing the Internet seeking for relevant info same in your blog. I’m impressed with the message. Thanks for the info, keep up the nice work. I’ll bookmark your website so I can see for updates afterward
I just found your blog. So loved this post. I’ve been told the same thing about the mystery diagnosis….and you’re right…it’s not a mystery anymore! I know some of what I have too, but some of it remains a mystery.
Hi Melissa, sorry to hear you’re going through a similar situation. Now that you know about this blog, you know whjere to find someone who understands. Take good care!
So I just started reading more of your blog and saw that you get a lot of respiratory and ear infections…have you ever read anything about primary cilliary diskinesia? It’s a rare disease where the little hairs (cillia) in your body don’t work right, and it makes you get more infections. No idea if that’s helpful, but I was looking into it for a while because I have trouble breathing a lot too and I had another risk factor for it. I know doctors are always telling me that there is probably one disease explanation for my problems, but sometimes I think even two major diseases would be O.K. with me
.
http://www.pcdfoundation.org/
Wow, Melissa! I’ve never heard of PCD but it’s as much of a possibility as anything else, right? I agree, 2 explanations, a very common problem presenting itself strangely in me – anything! I will take it. I just want to get the proper treatment and move on. Let me know how things progress with your search, ok?
No, I can’t beat “Textbook Busters”. That is awesome.