It's classic isn't it? You tell someone you're a medical student and, "Ooh, what do you know about ankylosing spondylitis. My auntie's got it." As students we can often be forgiven for our ignorance, and phrases like, "Sorry, we haven't covered rare tropical diseases of the eye yet," come in quite useful.

A friend of mine phoned me up the other day. "Hi, our Sandra's here with our Kylie."

"Oh, how is the little poppet?" I inquire, remembering the time that she had pulled my cat's tail and then chased it all over the house. Tiddles never recovered and would probably benefit from some feline therapy to coax it out of the wardrobe where it has resided ever since.

"Well, she won't stop crying and she's got a rash." Oh no, she wants medical advice. "I'm only a second year. We haven't done any paediatrics yet.You've got a GP haven't you?" That's what I wanted to shout. What I actually say is, "Ah, the poor love, when did this start?"

As I ask lots of questions it gave me time to stall. Help me, oh God.of.poor. medical.students.trying.to.sound.all knowledgeable.and.wise.

At last, the crucial question came to my mind, "Is she on any medication?" Fully expecting a negative, I was surprised that she was actually taking antibiotics before some dental work. It all fell into place with a clang-it was an adverse drug reaction. My heart soared.

Perhaps celebration in the face of someone else's adversity is a little insensitive, but I was actually celebrating the fact that my credibility had survived intact - this time. I began to ramble on about the adverse effects of drugs. "Yeah, but what do we do about it?" Slightly miffed that my extensive knowledge was not the least bit interesting to them, I mumbled, "Erm, stick a bit of calamine lotion on and phone up to get the medication stopped or changed . . . I think."

Credibility slightly dented - diagnosis achieved but failed to adequately treat. I could hear Kylie sobbing relentlessly in the background and I began to feel pity for the little cutie . . . for a second. A strong smell was assaulting my nostrils. It seemed to be emanating from the wardrobe. Tiddles had poohed in my shoes again.