In a remarkable account shared on Reddit, a social media user has claimed that the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT played a crucial role in diagnosing a potentially life-threatening condition, ultimately saving his life. The anonymous individual recounted feeling unwell after what he thought was a light workout, prompting him to seek assistance from the AI.
“I explained my symptoms to ChatGPT and it recommended I immediately go to the hospital, as my symptoms aligned with moderate to severe Rhabdomyolysis,” he stated in his post.
What is rhabdomyolysis?
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious medical condition characterized by the rapid breakdown of damaged muscle tissue, which can lead to severe complications, including kidney damage and metabolic imbalances. If left untreated, it can even result in death.
The user detailed that following his workout, he experienced extreme soreness and fatigue, which led him to consult ChatGPT after two days of worsening symptoms. Acting on the chatbot’s advice, he sought medical attention, and tests confirmed he had developed severe rhabdomyolysis.
“They performed lab work, and it turned out that I had developed severe rhabdomyolysis. I had to stay in the hospital for a week getting IVs constantly and being monitored,” he explained.
AI’s role in medical understanding
In addition to diagnosing his condition, the user utilized ChatGPT to analyze his lab results, finding that its interpretations aligned with those provided by medical professionals. “I knew what was going on before I was even told by the doctor what was going on due to the analysis conducted by ChatGPT,” he added.
The post quickly gained traction online, sparking discussions about the potential of AI in healthcare. Many users shared their own experiences with AI chatbots assisting in medical diagnoses. One commenter expressed relief for the original poster’s recovery: “Happy for you OP that you’re alright now. And yes ChatGPT is great with such details.” Another user suggested uploading medical notes for further analysis by the chatbot.
A third user remarked on the effective use of AI for preliminary assessments: “This is how GPT should be used for medical advice. You throw some symptoms and see about it afterwards with a professional doctor.”
Another success story: Grok identifies fracture
In a related incident, another woman shared how Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, successfully identified her daughter’s fracture after medical professionals initially overlooked it. AJ Kay recounted that following a serious car accident, doctors at an urgent care center dismissed any fractures and sent her daughter home with painkillers. Unsatisfied with this assessment, Kay consulted Grok, who analyzed her daughter’s X-ray and prompted her to seek a second opinion from a wrist specialist. The specialist confirmed Grok’s diagnosis of a distal radial head fracture, averting potential surgery through timely intervention.
These accounts highlight the growing role of AI in healthcare diagnostics, raising questions about its efficacy and reliability compared to traditional medical practices.
While stories like these showcase the potential benefits of AI tools like ChatGPT and Grok, experts caution that they should not replace professional medical advice but rather serve as supplementary resources for informed decision-making.
