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Queensland woman's 'mystery illness' leaves doctors baffled

A Queensland woman who was struck down with a mysterious illness has turned her diagnosis into a quest for health.

At the time the illness hit, Ashleigh Jensen was a self-confessed gym junkie who was rarely sick, however Jensen, 25, has ended up in a Brisbane hospital where she continued to baffle doctors.

Her condition left her suffering with nausea, shaking, sweating and ultimately being bedridden.

A Queensland woman who was struck down with a mysterious illness has turned her diagnosis into a quest for health. Source: Instagram/ Ashleighjensen.
A Queensland woman who was struck down with a mysterious illness has turned her diagnosis into a quest for health. Source: Instagram/ Ashleighjensen.

"It was Australia Day long weekend, they were short staffed, they did some tests but still didn't know exactly what it was so I was given a broad spectrum antibiotic and sent home," she told The Sunshine Coast Daily.

Months later, Ashleigh was struck down again with the same mystery illness.

"It was worse than before. I went from being totally healthy, having a coffee to not knowing how I was still alive half an hour later."

This time she was rushed to nearby Nambour Hospital where she would spend the next three days while doctors ran extensive testing.

When the results returned Ashleigh was finally diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome.

Toxic shock syndrome otherwise referred to as (TSS) is an illness caused by a toxin (poison) produced by certain types of the bacterium known as Staphylococcus, often known as 'staph'.

TSS is also known to be an extremely rare condition and Ashleigh attributes this to why the doctors took so long to diagnose her initially.

Ashley also wants to inform the public that you don't get TSS from being unhygienic which can often be a popular narrative.

"That's just a myth. There are many ways you can contract TSS. A lot of people don't realise the bacteria lives in your nose. TSS is also known as lots of different viruses under different names.

"I got TSS when I was competing. I ran myself into the ground eating basically nothing and training three hours a day. I wore myself out," she told APN.

Ashley also wants to inform the public that you get TSS from being unhygienic which can often be a popular narrative. Source: Instagram/ ashleighjensen.
Ashley also wants to inform the public that you get TSS from being unhygienic which can often be a popular narrative. Source: Instagram/ ashleighjensen.

After contracting the devastating illness twice in less than a year she decided to switch to a plant based diet in a bid to make a lasting change.

"After running myself into the ground I started researching veganism. But it wasn't until I decided to give it a try that I noticed the difference. I just felt so much better.

"I went from eating nothing but chicken, broccoli and brown rice to 25 bananas and 10 mangos a day.

"I had energy. I went from nearly fainting on stage to having the energy to compete," she told APN.

Today a much happier and healthier, Ashleigh works in the marketing team for a Queensland media company that produces worldwide food and health documentaries.

Ashleigh also has created Wholesome Living, a blog where she regularly uploads her recipes and share them with her online followers.