Research hopes to shed light on medical mysteries

A Calgary researcher is looking for people to partake in a study about medically unexplained physical symptoms or MUPS.

Chloe Atkins is looking to talk to people who are suffering from medical symptoms but don’t know what is wrong with them.

She has a personal interest in the study because she went undiagnosed for 15 years before learning she has a form of muscular dystrophy.

“I experienced a form of weakness and paralysis that was fluctuating but gradually I went downhill to the point, I was a quadriplegic and then on and off life support,” said Atkins.

Atkins is currently collaborating with researchers at UBC.

The goal of the research is to help doctors and care givers to manage undiagnosed patients better.

“I think we should create more public awareness that medicine is fallible, it can't see everything, it can't know everything. You may want an answer but there may not be one,” said Atkins.

If you would like to participate in the research email [e-mail].

(With files from Karen Owen)

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  Chloe Atkins is working with researchers from UBC to investigate the condition