A Conversation with AI

As we all know, artificial intelligence (AI) is the newest latest crazy in healthcare right now. All players in healthcare are now utilizing this technology, even chronic pain patients such a myself. Despite its popularity and increasing utilization, so many posts are from people with some measure of expertise in technology or AI I’ve found. I’m not one of those patients. If you are new here, I’m a ski instructor at heart who has patient advocacy experience and a growing professional resume in healthcare finance.

Recently I started experiencing some new neurological symptoms in my right elbow. Since I have 8 screws and 2 plates in m neck already, along with extensive damage, I’m no stranger to new symptoms. However, there is something concerning about neurological pain so I turned to AI for some help.

At the end of my chat with AI, I asked it to make a raw copy of our conversation. My hope is to show fellow patients like me, especially those with no expertise in AI, that you do not need a background in IT in order to utilize this tool. All you need is patience, a willingness to ask questions, and a realization that this is just a tool and not an official diagnosis.

Raw Chat: Discussing a New Nerve Symptom

USER: I need help with diagnosing a new symptom

ASSISTANT: Of course — I can help you think it through. 💛

Tell me what’s going on.

To get a clear picture, it helps if you can share:

- What the new symptom is

- When it started

- Where you feel it

- What it feels like

- What triggers or relieves it

- Any recent changes

USER: This started about 5 days ago. I'm getting a pinching, burning pain in my right elbow. It feels like it's closer to the surface and not from deep in the joint. Not always, but most of the time the pain comes when my arm is fully extended or if I keep my elbow bent for awhile then try to extend it. The pain only last for a few seconds. It is getting worse and more frequent with each passing day it seems.

ASSISTANT: Thanks for laying that out so clearly — that helps a lot.

[Assistant explains nerve-related causes, ulnar nerve irritation, superficial nerve irritation, red flags, and immediate steps.]

USER: I do get tingling and numbness in my hand and fingers. I do have 8 screws and 2 plates in my neck plus my neck has fused together from all the damage. I do ride the stationary bike 5 or 6 days a week at my gym and I do have an office job where I spend most of my day on a computer. Tapping lightly on my elbow does reproduce the pain but my elbow has been tender from the center to the bottom on the inside.

ASSISTANT: Okay — thank you, this extra detail really sharpens the picture.

[Assistant discusses ulnar nerve compression, double crush syndrome, importance of neck history, red flags, and next steps.]

USER: I've never heard of double crush syndrome. Can you tell me more about it?

ASSISTANT: Absolutely — and you’re not alone.

[Assistant explains double crush syndrome in plain language, why neck history matters, evaluation, and prognosis.]

USER: What are some treatment possibilities?

ASSISTANT: Great question — and this is where things actually get reassuring.

[Assistant outlines conservative to advanced treatments, posture, therapy, meds, injections, surgery as last resort.]

USER: Yes, talk to me more about nerve glides and what they should and should not feel like.

ASSISTANT: Perfect — this is a really important topic.

[Assistant explains nerve glides, what they should/should not feel like, gentle ulnar nerve glide, timing, and cautions.]

USER: How do I open my wrist slightly?

ASSISTANT: Great question — this is exactly the kind of detail that matters with nerves.

[Assistant gives step-by-step guidance on gentle wrist extension and safety cues.]

USER: how can I check to see if whether my wrist is already extending without realizing it?

ASSISTANT: This is a fantastic question.

[Assistant explains desk tests, gravity checks, visual alignment, keyboard/mouse factors.]

USER: right now I see my pain doctor on a monthly basis. would he be a good person to talk to about this?

ASSISTANT: Short answer: yes — absolutely, and sooner rather than later.

[Assistant explains why pain doctor is appropriate, how to frame concerns, and timing.]

USER: Can you turn our conversation today into a word document?

ASSISTANT: I’ve turned today’s conversation into a Word document for you.

[Assistant provides download and explains usage.]

I can’t stress this enough, AI is a tool and that’s it. Just because it states I might have Crushed Nerve Syndrome or some other issue regarding my ulnar nerve, does not mean that is why I’m experiencing these new symptoms. I’m a firm believer that a diagnosis is not “official” until a doctor or another provider confirms. As a patient, I know what I’m feeling and hurting but that does not mean I’m qualified to self-diagnose.

That said, this is my body and I can do whatever I want with it. Due to my experience as a chronic patient with something like 11 surgeries, countless hours of physical therapy, along with too many injections, I’m more than comfortable creating a rehab plan for myself based on this conversation with ChatGPT. Although my pain does seem to be getting progressively worse, I am currently planning on trying calm the nerve on my own before I go see my doctor.

Ready for the big conclusion paragraph?

Not only is AI a tool, it is considered a unique opportunity to reform healthcare for the better. A positive. I’ll admit, there are many designers who are asking very intriguing “how might we…” questions. This includes everything from fellow patients designing their own unique treatment plans with their medical teams to Dr. Larry Chu (the executive director of Stanford University’s Medicine X Conference for which I’m a graduate) asking how might we reform medical education. The future does like bright.

Here is the “big conclusion” part. AI is an opportunity, but it is also a symptom of a healthcare system who has forgotten its primary role; to help raise our quality of life. I’m not utilizing AI because it is smarter or better qualified than my doctor. I’d much whether go to my doctor frequently than having to turn to tools like AI.

I’m utilizing AI because even as someone with “good” health insurance it is still expensive to see my doctor. It is expensive to go to physical therapy, to receive steroid injections. None of these treatment options are unique, rare, or relatively hard for a provider to perform (this is compared to brain surgery or administrating chemo for example) yet they are priced to prevent access even from those with means.

Maybe I’m naive, maybe I’m unrealistic but I would love to led conversations and ideation sessions where we try to redesign our healthcare system to make AI obsolete. If that is not possible, let’s utilize AI to create cures for my rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or my friend Emily’s nonsense mutation of cystic fibrosis (happy birthday again Emily!). Long story short, I used AI today because our healthcare places a higher priority on my profit potential rather than raising my quality of life.

Ok, so my big conclusion paragraph turned into Big Al’s Ted Talk. I apologize but thanks for listening if you made it this far.