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A rare medical condition was finally diagnosed in a woman after years of being misdiagnosed, thanks to the use of ChatGPT. Phoebe Tesoriere, a 23-year-old from Cardiff, endured multiple incorrect diagnoses over four years, including anxiety, depression, and epilepsy. Despite numerous visits to the emergency department, she was repeatedly told that her symptoms were mental health-related. Her frustrations culminated after she spent three days in a coma following a significant seizure, prompting her to seek alternative means of understanding her health challenges.
After her coma, Phoebe turned to the AI chatbot ChatGPT, inputting her various symptoms into the system. The chatbot suggested several potential diagnoses, including hereditary spastic paraplegia, a rare neurological disorder. Armed with this information, Phoebe visited her general practitioner, who agreed that this possibility warranted further investigation. Subsequent genetic testing confirmed that she indeed had hereditary spastic paraplegia, a condition often misdiagnosed because of its rarity.
Phoebe’s health journey began long before her adult years. She experienced a limp in childhood due to being born without a hip socket, undergoing surgeries early in life. Though she was also tested for dyspraxia, which affects motor coordination, this diagnosis was ruled out. At 19, after suffering a seizure at work, she was mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety. Later, she received an epilepsy diagnosis and medication in 2022, but her symptoms persisted and worsened. A fall down stairs in early 2025 led to a prolonged hospital stay with inconclusive tests. Her condition deteriorated further when a major seizure in July 2025 left her comatose.
The confirmation of her diagnosis brought Phoebe clarity and a sense of direction. Although symptoms of hereditary spastic paraplegia are currently managed through physiotherapy, the condition has prevented her from continuing her career as a special educational needs teacher. She now uses a wheelchair and has embarked on a new academic path, studying for a master’s degree in psychology, motivated by her desire to continue helping others despite her challenges.
The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board expressed sympathy regarding Phoebe’s experience but refrained from commenting further on her individual case. Meanwhile, GP Dr. Rebeccah Tomlinson emphasized the importance of patients using AI tools as a starting point for health inquiries while ensuring these are followed up with professional medical advice. She acknowledged the challenges faced by general practitioners, explaining that the increasing pressure on the NHS requires doctors to be receptive to information patients bring. “General practice has to be a two-way conversation,” Dr. Tomlinson said.
The use of AI technology like ChatGPT in health matters is growing but remains controversial. Earlier this year, OpenAI introduced a new feature in the United States designed to analyze medical records to provide improved responses, though it is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Despite privacy concerns from campaigners, OpenAI maintains that such tools are designed to support rather than replace medical care. It remains uncertain if this feature will be made available in the UK. Nevertheless, millions, including Phoebe, are increasingly turning to AI for various practical uses, from social media personalization to obtaining advice on daily issues
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