Woman’s Friend Solves Medical Mystery in 1 Minute After 6 Misdiagnoses

A woman who was misdiagnosed by six doctors was eventually treated for a condition that she didn’t know she had—with the help of her friend.

Makenna Kovach shared their conversation on TikTok (@maceperiod), which has racked up over 736,00 views at the time of writing. The text layered over the clip says: “I diagnosed my friend’s (who is a nurse) mysterious symptoms in 1 minute.”

Last year Kovach, 29, was diagnosed with histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)—a condition characterized by recurring episodes of anaphylaxis-like symptoms including hives and swelling.

“When I first had my major flare it was bone deep fatigue, migraines, dizziness, vertigo, clogged ears, trap and neck tightness and pain, runny and itchy nose, eyes and ears,” Kovach, who lives in San Diego, told Newsweek.

Oddly enough, her friend, who is a nurse, recently experienced almost identical symptoms but medics could not get to the bottom of it.

During the September 5 video, Kovach explains that her friend was diagnosed with a rare inner ear condition that can affect your balance and hearing called Ménière’s disease, clogged eustachian tube, vertigo and irritable bowel syndrome. Despite taking medication, the symptoms didn’t resolve.

Kovach asked her friend if her joints were “hypermobile”—bending further than is average. Her friend said: “extremely!”

During the clip Kovach states “not a single doctor” mentioned histamine intolerance – a disorder associated with an impaired ability to metabolize ingested histamine.

She notes in the caption: “This is not medical advice and I am not a doctor.”

Newsweek reached out to general practitioner Dr. Tony Banerjee, who has two decades of experience.

“Histamine intolerance can be very challenging to diagnose because the symptoms, such as flushing, rashes, digestive upset, headaches, palpitations and brain fog often overlap with many other conditions,” Banerjee said.

Unlike a true allergy, histamine intolerance is caused by the body’s reduced ability to break down histamine, often due to low levels of an enzyme known as DAO.

Banerjee, the founder of a private healthcare service HarleyDoc, points out that shows histamine intolerance and mast cell activation are more common in people with connective tissue disorders like hypermobility spectrum disorders and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which are rare genetic conditions affecting collagen and causing joint hypermobility; fragile, stretchy skin; and slow wound healing.

He said: “The exact link isn’t fully understood, but it may relate to immune system dysregulation and gut health.”

If histamine intolerance is suspected, Banerjee suggests starting a symptom and food diary, If confirmed, management typically involves a low-histamine diet, gut health support and sometimes enzyme supplements or antihistamines under medical guidance.

In this case, Kovach took her friend to a pharmacy to buy three medications: a decongestant that eases nasal congestion by shrinking swollen blood vessels in the nose, a digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins and an antihistamine used to reduce allergy symptoms.

Within two hours, her friend said she felt the best she has felt in the last two weeks.

Kovach’s friend has since diagnosed with histamine intolerance from a naturopathic doctor. She is also being tested for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Kovach told Newsweek: “I wanted to share my story to help others understand the connections between hypermobility and histamine intolerance.

“The conditions that are often misunderstood or overlooked. I never expected it to reach so many people, but I’m grateful it has.

“Having navigated these complex connections myself, I recognize how isolating it can feel when your symptoms don’t fit neatly into conventional medical boxes.”

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