DeepSummary
In 2012, a 16-year-old high school volleyball player named Emma from Minnesota fell ill during practice and was eventually diagnosed with severe pneumonia. Despite being treated with antibiotics and a ventilator, her condition continued to deteriorate, and she had to be put on an ECMO machine, a refrigerator-sized device that took over the functions of her heart and lungs. Emma was then transferred to the Mayo Clinic, where doctors were baffled by her rare condition and couldn't find a cause or treatment.
After months on the ECMO machine, Emma's organs unexpectedly began to recover on their own, and she was able to be taken off the machine without needing a transplant. However, the doctors were still unable to determine what had caused her illness in the first place. Years later, Emma realized that she and several other young people who had experienced similar respiratory failures had all been taking the acne medication Bactrim (TMP/SMX) before falling ill.
With the help of a doctor treating one of the other patients, Emma's experience led to the identification of 19 other cases where Bactrim appeared to have triggered a rare, potentially deadly allergic reaction that caused acute lung failure. While Bactrim is still widely prescribed, acute lung failure is now listed as a potential side effect due to the cases identified.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- A previously healthy teenage athlete suddenly developed severe, life-threatening pneumonia that baffled medical experts.
- After months on an ECMO machine, the young patient unexpectedly recovered without needing an organ transplant, but the cause remained a mystery.
- Years later, the patient realized she and others who suffered similar respiratory failures had all been taking the acne medication Bactrim beforehand.
- This connection allowed doctors to identify 19 cases where Bactrim appeared to trigger a rare, potentially fatal allergic reaction causing acute lung failure.
- While still prescribed, acute lung failure is now listed as a potential side effect of Bactrim due to these cases being uncovered.
- The episode highlights how rare diseases or medication reactions can go undetected and the value of patients' experiences in solving medical mysteries.
- It underscores the importance of thoroughly documenting potential side effects, even for commonly used medications.
- The case demonstrates the dedication of medical professionals in treating and investigating baffling conditions to improve patient outcomes.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Doctor Richards was perplexed. She said to a nurse how incredibly rare it was for a young, athletic high school student to be put on a ventilator.“ by Mister Ballin
- “Emma was shocked to hear this. She held back tears as the memories of her own time on the EcMO machine came flooding back to her. She wanted to do everything she could to help this girl.“ by Mister Ballin
- “Emma wondered if maybe Zee, this person in this headline, was taking Bactrim as well. For years now, this suspicion about Bactrim had lingered in the back of Emmas mind.“ by Mister Ballin
- “Today, Bactrim or TMP SMX is still widely prescribed, but acute lung failure is now listed as a potential side effect.“ by Mister Ballin
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Episode Information
MrBallen's Medical Mysteries
Wondery
2/27/24
In 2012, a healthy high school volleyball star suddenly has to fight for every breath she takes. Within a few weeks, she’s on the list for multiple organ transplants and needs a refrigerator-sized machine to keep her alive. Her doctors have no idea why this is happening to her – until the answer comes from a place nobody ever expected.
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