All articles tagged with #misdiagnosis
Paula Sojo’s viral TikTok recounts years of dismissed symptoms before a severe Crohn’s diagnosis at 18, followed by surgeries including a proctocolectomy and a permanent ostomy; now in remission and using her platform and her Osto•me Fashion brand to raise awareness, empower ostomy wearers, and push for earlier detection in others.
Twenty-year-old Madi Foster was repeatedly told her breathlessness and fatigue were anxiety before doctors diagnosed adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare adrenal cancer, after a 15cm tumor wrapped around her spleen. She underwent surgery but developed septic shock, and the cancer returned in 2023 with a prognosis of 15–18 months. Her family funded a treatment path in the United States at the NIH, raising about £45,000 for care as she undergoes further surgeries and radiation while maintaining a hopeful outlook and plans to study oncology.
A Oklahoma mother spent years being told her persistent pain was “just gas” before an Oct 2024 MRI revealed Stage 1 kidney cancer. After removing the tumor in 2025, she investigated a possible environmental cause and found her home’s ice machine was moldy, producing Ochratoxin A, a mycotoxin linked to kidney damage. Doctors say a direct cause can’t be proven, but mold exposure can trigger inflammation and organ injury. Removing the ice machine led to symptom relief, and she is now cancer-free, underscoring the potential health risks of household toxins and the importance of considering home environments in unexplained illnesses.
Healthy 37-year-old Mohammad Samad experienced abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation that were misattributed to stress, IBS, and Crohn’s disease, delaying a diagnosis of stage-3 colon cancer. After a colonoscopy confirmed the tumor, he underwent chemotherapy and emergency surgery when infections prevented further treatment, the tumor grew to the size of a watermelon, and he required a stoma and nerve damage. He is now cancer-free for two years, with his tumor testing positive for Lynch syndrome, and he has launched a blog to raise awareness about rising cancer rates among young people and the need for earlier screening and awareness.
A 20-year-old English amateur footballer, Luke Abrahams, died in January 2023 from sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis after doctors reportedly dismissed his symptoms as tonsillitis or sciatica; in the days leading to his death he interacted with multiple healthcare providers, including ambulance crews, who did not transfer him to hospital promptly. An inquest was opened in January 2023 at Northampton Coroner's Court, with his parents calling for accountability and a review of the care he received as investigations into the handling of his case continue.
A study suggests up to 13% of dementia diagnoses in the US may be misdiagnoses, with some cases actually caused by treatable liver-related conditions like hepatic encephalopathy, highlighting the importance of liver health screening in cognitive decline cases.
Many women, including public figures like Lori Harvey, experience delays in diagnosing common hormone conditions affecting reproductive health, highlighting a widespread issue of misdiagnosis.
The article shares 17 emotional stories of individuals who faced misdiagnosis or dismissive treatment for chronic illnesses, highlighting the long and often dangerous journey to proper diagnosis and the importance of listening to patients' symptoms.
A woman was dismissed as 'too young' for colon cancer, but later diagnosed with stage 4 and successfully treated with chemotherapy, leading to remission after nearly a decade.
A cardiologist highlights cardiac amyloidosis, a rare but underdiagnosed condition where misfolded proteins build up in the heart, causing stiffness and failure, often mistaken for common issues like hypertension or aging.
A mother from Flintshire advocates for increased awareness and research funding after her baby girl, Molly, was misdiagnosed with colic before being diagnosed with a brain tumour, leading to complex surgeries and ongoing treatment challenges.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals that heart attacks in women under 65 often have nontraditional causes like embolisms and SCAD, which are frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed, highlighting the need for tailored diagnosis and treatment approaches.
Natasha Reynolds, a 23-year-old woman from Sheffield, experienced an 18-month delay in ovarian cancer diagnosis due to her symptoms being dismissed by doctors as IBS or endometriosis, highlighting the need for better listening and investigation by medical professionals. Now cancer-free after surgery, she urges women to advocate for themselves and for doctors to take persistent symptoms seriously, as new NHS guidelines aim to improve early diagnosis.
A young runner was misdiagnosed with shingles after developing a rash during marathon training, leading to an 8-hour ER visit and unnecessary treatment before being correctly diagnosed with eczema, highlighting issues in medical diagnosis and costs.
Liliana Castaneda, a 19-year-old with Turner syndrome, experienced heavy vaginal bleeding that was initially dismissed as stress by her doctor, but was later diagnosed as Stage 2 clear cell carcinoma, a rare form of vaginal cancer. Her case highlights the importance of considering underlying conditions and seeking second opinions when symptoms persist, especially in young patients.