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Help me find a diagnosis for my mystery illness.

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My name is Jennifer and I really need your help. I’ve been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and autonomic dysfunction which causes me body wide pain, trouble walking and an enlarged heart among other things, and these symptoms have been getting worse over the last 8 years, but over the last year or so, something scarier has been happening. I have been having deteriorating, overwhelming exhaustion and lack of stamina along with more and more trouble breathing, even when sedentary. I now even have trouble talking without getting out of breath. It is progressing rapidly and I have to spend most of my time in bed. Even basic functions such as taking a shower feel almost insurmountable and I have to lay down constantly just to be able to function in short bursts. Even though I work from home, I’m only able to be productive for a couple of hours each day and even that feels like it’s tearing me apart now. I’ve been seeing a neurologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist and specialists for my Ehlers-Danlos and autonomic dysfunction, but despite all of the many tests they have put me through, all of the results come back normal and they don’t know what else to do for me. All of my specialists want me to go to Mayo Clinic, so I can be seen as a cohesive whole rather than focusing on specific systems and organs of my body that might not even be the cause of this rapid mystery deterioration. The problem is that Mayo does not accept my insurance and I would have to pay out of pocket. I was told that even a consultation would require a down payment of $5,000 and it’s extremely likely that I would require extensive testing considering that my symptoms extend across such a broad range of body systems. I expect the grand total will easily be double or triple that down payment amount. With my extremely limited income, there is no way that I can afford to go to Mayo and potentially find answers that I so desperately need. Please consider donating to my trip to Mayo and give me my best chance to get my quality of life back. Even $20 or $30 will add up. If you are unable or unwilling to make a donation, would you please consider sharing my link with those you know? Getting my story out there is the only way I have a chance of making my goal. Thank you so much!

Fundraising team (6)

Jennifer Riddle
Organizer
South Bend, IN
Carissa Morris
Team member
Gurmukh Mongia
Team member
Andre Gilbert
Team member
Terry Austins
Team member

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