Medical student syndrome

I'm sat on my bed right now with a sore throat, pressure in my sinuses, possibly a fever and a dull headache. To the average person, that would be the beginnings of a cold. But that didn't stop me considering that I may have meningitis. Yes, that's right. I have been staring at the light on my ceiling for the last 10 minutes trying to elicit photophobia that I clearly do not have and contemplated trying out Kernig's test on myself which may have been a bit of a palaver.

Medical student syndrome is a legit phenomenon according to wikipedia (which none of us admit we use on a regular basis). It is also called hypochondriasis of medical students and is frequently reported in students "who perceive themselves or others to be experiencing the symptoms of the disease they are studying." It can actually get so serious that psychiatric intervention is needed- so if that's you, don't be afraid to get help. But for the 99.9% of us who are really just being a bit silly, it helps to know you aren't alone. The struggle is real. How about a couple more anecdotes then?

There was a time I convinced myself I had bowel cancer. And I mean it when I say 'convinced'. For a variety of reasons, that did not make sense but it didn't stop me from believing it. I eventually had a CT Scan of my abdomen and I am actually an anatomical anomaly! That's my claim to fame now. I have twice as much bowel as the average person which would explain the symptoms I'd been having. It probably isn't appropriate for me to post a picture of it on here. But I always have a copy on my phone. You know, for if ever I have to have emergency surgery after being hit by a bus or something. Always be prepared. If we are friends, I wouldn't mind showing you if you asked very nicely.

Then there was the time I thought I had a brain tumour. A cerebellar tumour to be precise (the part of your brain that's responsible for balance and coordination). I'd been a bit unsteady on my feet during the day. And conveniently just learned to do a cerebellar exam the week before. So I obviously did all the silly tests: wagged my tongue side to side, played patty-cake, walked heel-toe all the way to the kitchen- even did Romberg's test. All negative. Then I remembered I changed my shoes that day and they have rounded soles.

                                       

Then there was the time I thought I had either a slipped disc in my back or cancerous bone lesions. Equally as ridiculous. But I have mild scoliosis (curved spine) and had been standing for 4 hours straight the day before in theatre. So I was having some persistent muscle pain in my lower back.

For supposedly intelligent people, we can arrive at some not-so-intelligent conclusions. I guess knowledge isn't always power.