Mayo Clinic

     Our experience at the Mayo Clinic was absolutely phenomenal!  I have never before experienced so many doctor's and specialists who honestly want to help you and get to the bottom of your sickness.  I feel very blessed!  This will be a very detailed blog of my diagnoses.  Please feel free to skip information if it's too much to read.  I wanted to create one very detailed blog seeing as me and my family have yet to memorize all of what was told to us this past week.
     I have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).  PCOS is a hormonal disorder which the doctor's believe I already had at a very young age.  PCOS sometimes shows itself in symptoms similar to breast cancer.  My ovaries are enlarged and covered with cysts, my DHEA level is very low and I do not have regular periods.  Seeing as I show so many signs of PCOS it is clear that mine is very advanced.  Many women with PCOS before the age of 40 get type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea and/or cancer.  Because of these risks it's extremely important to stick to a strict diet and exercise program.   Women who follow a low FODMAP diet (this is a strict diet put together by medical professionals) and who exercise twice the amount of a healthy adult (most adults should exercise 30-60 minutes daily, PCOS women are asked to exercise 60-120 minutes daily) do not have as great a chance of getting type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease etc.  Most women with PCOS are never able to get pregnant.  There are several medications and surgeries that can help encourage fertility however they come with fierce side effects.  Women with PCOS who manage to get pregnant often have babies with many health issues as well as the mom having health issues during pregnancy. Often babies with moms who have PCOS don't survive pregnancy or birth and many end up passing away within the first few months of their lives.
     The doctors also believe I have Willis-Ekbom disease, also known as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).  This syndrome effects sleeping.  Those who have RLS that is untreated never go into a deep sleep.  It's as if they are always only in an extremely light sleep.  The doctor's think that I got RLS when I did the NightWatch at IHOP.  Because of this, they think I may have not have a good night's sleep for over a year!  Therefore, I have extreme fatigue, constant headaches and an achy body.
     IBS (Irritable Bowl Syndrome) is another thing the doctor's found.  I have acid in my esophogus which most people should have in their stomach and my stomach seems extremely sensitive to certain foods (which explains my nausea).  Because of this along with the PCOS they have suggested sticking to an extremely strict diet of low FODMAP foods for several months.  After this they want me to slowly start adding certain foods back into my diet.  Foods high in fat (mainly dairy), wheat products (including gluten products) they want me to stay away from for life.  This will greatly decrease my chance of heart disease, cancer, diabetes etc.
     Of course our big question was, how on earth does my body have so many things wrong with it at such a young age.  My doctor thinks it is one of two things.  1, it may be a post viral infection.  My body may still be trying to fight off the bad stuff and therefore my body has simply gotten weak from fighting.  2, I may have picked up something during travelling to different countries that weakened my immune system and caused me to have several side effects.
     I am starting on several different temporary medications.  I made it very clear to my doctor that my dream is missions and therefore I do not want to be dragging with me bottles of pills for the rest of my life.  Therefore thankfully, most (not all) of my medications are simply temporary.  It may take several weeks for my body to adjust to the new medications.  My doctor's are all keeping in contact with me to help adjust amounts of medications and different types of medication if necessary.
     To sum it up, in day to day life my biggest adjustment will be diet and exercise.  My doctor's kindly explained that this isn't something I can 'cheat' on once in a while.  Other then this, the doctor's are hoping that within three months I will be as good as new!