What happens when you've been told your symptoms are "just PCOS," but deep down you know something more is going on? In this powerful episode of PCOS Unfiltered, Lindsie sits down for part 2 of the conversation with Jessa Miehle to share her remarkable journey through PCOS (PMOS), endometriosis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), infertility, ovarian torsion, chronic inflammation, and years of medical gaslighting. After countless doctor visits, emergency surgeries, and feeling dismissed by healthcare providers, Jessa finally discovered that healing wasn't about finding one magic solution. It was about learning to understand her body as a whole. Together, they discuss the often-overlooked connections between hormone health, nervous system regulation, chronic stress, inflammation, gut health, and individualized nutrition. Jessa shares how identifying her personal food triggers, reducing stress, adjusting her workouts, and becoming her own advocate helped her achieve remission from many of her symptoms and reclaim her quality of life. If you've ever struggled with unexplained symptoms, chronic pain, weight gain, or felt like you weren't being heard by your healthcare team, this conversation offers hope, practical insights, and the reminder that your body isn't working against you, it's trying to communicate with you.
⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine.
(0:00) I, um, the last straw of that for me was I had been going to the ER and I go in and they're like, (0:11) ah, you know, drug seeker, like, yeah, this is not okay. We're not going to take you seriously. (0:17) Okay.Go get your ultrasound. They take their time. Um, but the last time I had went there, (0:24) it was, it was so bad.I, I was vomiting. I was absolutely miserable. And it was actually (0:32) because I had an ovarian torsion from a massive cyst and internal bleeding.(0:38) And so I had walked in and they're kind of dismissing me. And then all of a sudden it was. (0:44) Welcome back to PCOS unfiltered.I'm your host, Lindsie, nurse, health and nutrition coach and (0:50) body wisdom guide. Today's conversation is one. I know so many women are going to relate to (0:54) because it's about so much more than a diagnosis.If you've ever been told your symptoms were just
(0:59) PCOS struggled with chronic pain, unexplained weight gain, infertility, or felt dismissed when (1:05) you knew something wasn't right. This episode is for you. Today's guest, Jessa Miehle courageously (1:11) shares her journey through years of painful symptoms, surgeries, endometriosis, hidradenitis suppurativa (1:17) or HS infertility, and ultimately discovering that healing wasn't just about treating one (1:23) condition.It was about learning to understand her body as a whole. We also dive into topics (1:28) that don't get enough attention like medical gaslighting, nervous system regulation, (1:33) chronic stress, trauma, inflammation, and the importance of becoming your own advocate when (1:38) you're searching for answers. As always, this podcast is for informational and educational
(1:43) purposes only, and should not replace individualized medical advice.My hope is that (1:48) today's conversation reminds you that your body isn't working against you. It's communicating (1:52) with you. Sometimes it just takes the right support and the courage to keep asking questions (1:57) to finally hear what it's trying to say.Now let's dive in. Here's my conversation with Jessa Miehle. (2:10) So you lost your right ovary and pulmonary tube.And then, so after the torsion, (2:15) the torsion was on the left. They were able to save that ovary. Yeah.Yeah. Yeah. I mean, (2:24) and that's something too that I feel like doesn't get talked about, you know, too, (2:28) because it can lead to like a torsion, you know, like a twisting for those that aren't familiar.(2:33) And yeah, lose the blood supply to, you know, to your ovary. You could lose that. You could (2:38) lose your fallopian tube there.It caused a lot of, a lot of things I've seen in the ER as well. (2:45) Um, I mean, how are you, how, how mentally, even just through that, like,
(2:51) I love that you were, you know, you became your own advocate, which is another thing that I talk (2:56) about a lot of episodes. I think that's super important.And that's one thing that I really, (3:00) really encourage people to start doing the research, you know, like you mentioned the (3:04) depo that you just, you were just like, okay, like, but even during that time, you know, mentally, (3:13) like how, like, how are you processing things? How are you, you know, were you dealing with (3:17) things? Obviously knowing what you know now is different, but I'm sure there were some ups and (3:23) downs throughout that. Definitely. Yeah.I mean, I feel like during most of that time I was so (3:33) depressed and I kind of felt like I was trapped in my own body. And I, I had never been taught
(3:43) how to process emotions. So instead of processing it and, and talking about it and trying to work (3:51) through it, um, because chronic illness is extremely difficult on anyone.Um, I would (3:58) just stuff it down. I was taught my whole life to just, you just stuff it down. And that turned (4:07) into my body holding onto so much that I literally couldn't do anything without being reactive.(4:19) And that's where I take accountability in myself too. Um, obviously my ex-husband was not great, (4:27) but I also was not great a lot of the times too, because I, I felt like crap all the time. (4:36) I felt miserable and I felt like no one understood me, no one could help me.And I'm like, why am I (4:44) living this life? What is, what is the point? You know? So yeah, it was, it was extremely difficult (4:52) and I'm so grateful for this day and age because if I, if I hadn't found what I have through even (5:04) just social media, like honestly, I probably would not be here and I'm just going to be (5:09) matter of fact about it because I didn't know how to handle. (5:14) Yeah. Yeah.I mean, you mentioned, you know, you mentioned the weight gain and that's again, (5:18) like another common thing that I hear from a lot of ladies too. And especially when you're
(5:23) doing weight watchers. Oh my gosh, I swear probably 95% of women that I talked to, even, (5:28) even if they don't have PCOS, they've been on weight watchers.(5:32) We've all been on weight watchers. It was at one point, it was the only thing that you, (5:36) it was either weight watchers or the Atkins diet and that's all you had. (5:39) So you gotta pick one.And on weight watchers, you could eat bread, (5:46) which is another thing I learned messes with me. So I had to stop doing that for a while. (5:54) Yeah.But you know, but the weight gain and then the, the, the rapid weight gain that you had for (6:00) like really no explained reason, but then like you said, trying everything to get it off and it (6:06) wasn't working. Like, again, that's just another, I feel like one of those kinds of telltale signs (6:10) it's all different for everybody, but it can be one of those, you know, very prominent signs that (6:16) something is going on and being dismissed. Well, I wouldn't say dismissed, but just (6:24) not getting the answers, you know, what doctor tells you, Oh, we'll just check it again in three (6:30) months.Like me, you should be more concerned and trying to dig deeper. But unfortunately, (6:36) I think our physicians aren't, aren't trained to do that. They're trained to prescribe and cut, (6:42) you know, and then we just go along with it.So you know, green social media too. I wanted to say, (6:48) because I wanted to say how we met because I am part of some PCOS Facebook groups as you are. (6:58) And Jessa had posted her story on that.I was like, I got to meet this, this lady because (7:05) yeah, because I, this is the stuff that I want to share because we do. And you probably see it
(7:11) in those groups too. There's so many women that just go down a rabbit hole.And so they just have (7:17) to know they can come out on the other side and take that first step, you know, for sure. (7:22) Absolutely. And I see it and I'm just like, I was, I'm, you know, like, how can I help you? (7:27) Yeah, yeah, exactly.So I want to talk a little bit more about HS. Yeah, absolutely. As I mentioned (7:34) to you when we first talked, something that I've been, I've been trying to find some experts and (7:39) it's really difficult to actually find anybody that kind of specializes in that.So, and it, (7:49) it sticks out to me because again, going back to my ER days, I would see it a lot in women (7:54) with POS. I feel like there was a big correlation there. You know, one of my first clients had both (8:01) as well.So tell us about that if you want to, you know, describe, you know, tell us more about (8:07) what that is. Absolutely. And then just kind of your experience with that and what you found with
(8:12) that.Yeah, definitely. So I also haven't found a specialist that works with HS. I did work with (8:23) a dermatologist who was at least familiar with it.That was probably about eight years ago that (8:31) I had worked with him, but HS it's an autoinflammatory skin disorder where pretty much (8:42) your hair follicle acts or responds to certain inflammatory triggers and traps bacteria and then (8:54) creates massive like boils. Yeah. And they are, they are excruciating and it mainly attacks just (9:04) like your most sensitive parts.So like your inner thighs, your armpits, under your breasts, (9:10) but I mean, it can even go into your face, your neck. I mean, it can really go anywhere, but for (9:19) the most, and it has, and it's in men too. So it's not just something that is strictly with women, (9:24) but predominantly with women.But then what happens is, you know, either you have to go and (9:35) get it lanced in order to release the infection and go on some sort of antibiotic or (9:46) it will tunnel, meaning it'll create other pockets in your skin and it will just continue to spread.
(9:53) So at my worst, and this was after I got off of the depo shot, mine had tunneled and I would have (10:02) sometimes like up to seven, a cluster of seven at one time. I couldn't even move my leg.It hurt (10:09) so bad. And for me, I had done my research on the HS forums because there is no information, (10:24) at least when I was looking back then, there was no information regarding it. (10:29) And I just kind of started looking through what people were saying was helping them.A big one, (10:38) stress, reducing stress. But for me personally, I went on an elimination diet and eliminated (10:49) trigger foods that people had been saying consistently. And one of those was peppers.(10:58) So I was eating bell peppers every day because I was like, Mediterranean, this is healthy. Like (11:04) this is going to be good for me, you know? And I put peppers out of my diet completely. (11:12) And within just a few weeks, my HS started to clear up.And I mean, peppers are in everything, (11:21) spices, everything pretty much. And so it was difficult to find foods that didn't have it in it. (11:33) But once I did that, I sent my HS into remission.I have an occasional flare, but they don't get to
(11:47) the size they used to. They don't huddle. I'll get a small and then I know how to attack it.(11:54) I slap a hydro colloidal bandage on it. I double check the food that I'm eating. (12:00) I go strictly anti-inflammatory and then it goes away quickly.So it's really difficult because (12:12) I can't say, Hey, just stop eating peppers because peppers may not be your thing. But I (12:18) think that diet and the connection with PCOS is since PCOS is a metabolic syndrome and it's your (12:26) system is so out of whack. So when your inflammation is so increased, like it's just (12:33) triggering that with certain foods that are not reacting well with your body.(12:38) Yeah. And for those who may not be as familiar, HS is hidradenitis suppurativa. (12:47) suppurativa.(12:48) Yeah. I know. It's like a good mouthful.So HS is better, but I just wanted to make that clear (12:54) in case somebody is heard either or. And even if they lance them, drain them or whatever. (13:02) It doesn't stop it.(13:03) It doesn't stop it. They come right back, sometimes in the same place, sometimes worse. (13:08) I know I've had some clients that I've talked to that just, they just get put on the antibiotics (13:13) if they kind of catch it in time.Then, because obviously if they've been dealing with it for a (13:18) while, but then of course you're killing your gut. It's like a double-edged sword because it's like, (13:27) okay, the antibiotic is going to treat that infection, but it's actually making the
(13:31) underlying problem worse. You are completely destroying your gut biome and it's all (13:38) connected.(13:39) Yeah. There was a book, I think I told you now, I can't remember. (13:44) Yeah.I have it. Hold on. (13:49) Yeah.But yeah, for anybody listening, there was a book that I was recommended as I was (13:57) helping my first client that had it and I was reaching out and trying to figure out some other (14:02) things, but she talked a lot in the book. Do you have it? (14:05) Yeah. The Hidden Plague.(14:06) Hidden Plague. Okay. That's it.Yeah. I keep wanting to say the silent. (14:11) Yeah.I mean both, right? (14:14) So the Hidden Plague is what I would recommend. And very similarly, it's somebody that has HS. (14:23) I think hers is basically remission too, but she went through the whole elimination diet thing.(14:29) And I think Nightshades were a big one if I remember from her book. (14:36) So Nightshades are tomatoes, the peppers, potatoes, I think eggplants even in there. (14:41) And like you said, especially with the peppers, I love paprika.(14:46) Paprika. I know. It's horrible.
(14:48) That would be difficult for me. But everybody's so different. So yeah, it might be difficult.(14:58) It might be painful in a way to try to eliminate everything. But if you think about how you're (15:03) going to feel in the end, I would highly recommend somebody checking out the book and (15:09) looking into that because I think we all have our different triggers. For me, gluten, (15:13) gluten-resisting, rice even.I have an issue with rice. (15:19) I mean, and the other thing along with that too, that can amplify things like that. I've had (15:25) reactions even if I didn't have gluten.But I think when your nervous system, going back to that (15:30) theme, your nervous system is in that fight or flight response and you're not feeling safe and (15:36) you're not feeling calm. And sometimes whether you have the food or not, it can be if you're (15:44) already sensitive. And then you have some type of big stressor that can get 10 times worse.
(15:53) Right now, honestly, for full transparency, I'm going through another very stressful (15:58) pocket of my life. And it is manifesting in my cystic acne all on my chin, which (16:05) was very prevalent when I was having HS flares. So I'm being extra diligent because I know my (16:13) stress is so high right now to do other things in my life, make sure my food is good.But also (16:21) reducing stress in whatever aspect that I can to make sure that I'm not allowing this to get out (16:32) of control. And something I just want to touch base on too is psychosyncing my workouts. I was (16:43) like, draining myself because I was like, you know, all of the, the toxic gym culture (16:50) things like, you know, it's not about motivation.It's only about discipline. Just push through it,
(16:57) you know, no days off, like all of that stuff. And I was like, yeah, like, yes, you know, (17:02) I'm going to get so strong.I'm going to do this. But it was, it was completely depleting me and it (17:08) was raising my cortisol and it was making me go back into fight or flight. And so I started doing (17:18) psychosyncing last year because I had, I was just at my breaking point with everything and it helps (17:28) me.And so then also when I'm going through really stressful periods of my life, I'm like, okay, (17:37) well, I'm also going to reel back at the gym right now. Like I am not going to push as hard. (17:43) I'm only going to maybe go three to four days a week instead of the like five days a week.I usually (17:48) go, I need to prioritize rest because my nervous system is really frustrated right now. So yeah, (17:55) you just, you have to like find that balance and things like your nervous system is going to tell
(18:02) your body everything that it needs to do. So, and if we're not providing it the right support, (18:08) like it's not going to be great.Yeah. Yeah. I mean, and that's what makes it so difficult with, (18:14) with all this stuff that's out there because, you know, it's more do this, do that.Don't do this. (18:20) Don't do that. But like, you really just have to learn, you know, and start listening to what your (18:25) body, you know, what your body needs and know that it's okay.That yes, rest is completely fine. If (18:32) cause I get there too. I'm guilty of that sometimes too.And I'm like, of course I think (18:36) I just need a rest day today. Yeah. Yeah.But I love that you bring that up because I don't think (18:44) that's, that gets talked about enough as well. And even like trainers and stuff, you know, if
(18:49) somebody is working with like a personal trainer or, you know, or something, and I don't think (18:54) they're as aware as to how important that is, you know, as to how to push somebody during certain (19:01) times of, of their cycle. So, yeah.And I got, I got really lucky too. Um, I had met a, a coach, (19:09) uh, through tick tock and he, I wanted to, to train with him, but I couldn't afford it. So (19:18) he said, you know what? I actually believe that you're going to do this.So I'm going to do this (19:23) with you and just for free. And I was like, okay, that's amazing. And so we start working together (19:31) and through the whole process, he's like, okay, where are you at in your cycle? You know, um, (19:36) do you have any disorders that I need to know about? I swear to God, I turned this.I have no (19:41) idea. I'm just turning my phone off. Um, this is the ADHD.You're welcome to see it in real time.
(19:48) Um, so, and he was constantly asking me every week, okay, but how's your energy level? Like (19:57) how are the workouts feeling? Are you super sore? Like, and he dove into all of those aspects and I (20:02) was like, well, Robert, okay. Like you're opening up a whole new window for me to look into.Cause (20:08) like, yeah, I feel like crap this week. He's like, okay, well, we're gonna, we're gonna up (20:12) your vitamin C and we're going to do this and, but don't do this. And it was just really (20:18) amazing.And I, I think that more trainers like could benefit their clients by looking into that (20:27) stuff more as well. Yeah. Yeah, for sure.For sure. I would agree. So how are things now? So (20:34) it sounds like you kind of, you know, you still have some flare ups and you kind of get, you know, (20:38) you know how to respond, but in general, um, like, I mean, PCOS wise and endometriosis wise,
(20:47) like everything just basically is in remission then.Yeah. So, I mean, the endometriosis, (20:53) my excision surgeon, where I was back then said, you know, this is not a, this is not a forever (21:01) fix. You can expect to probably have to do this again within three to four years, possibly five.(21:08) And I'm like, okay, well, I'm at almost seven years now. So I'm like, okay, so like I'm doing (21:16) something right, you know? And then for the PCOS, yeah, I have had, I've had regular periods and, (21:24) um, sometimes when my stress is higher, like I do have more pain, I get period flu. The PMDD (21:31) is rough, but my, I don't think that any of this is ever going to just be a set or quick fix.Like (21:39) I still have a lot of work that I need to keep doing in order for this to be completely like (21:47) sustainable. And, but overall I am literally a completely different person than I was. Yeah.(21:57) Yeah. And I think, you know, no matter what, whether it's somebody dealing with PCOS, you know, (22:01) like I said, I've, I've been there, you know, I still have my ups and downs sometimes with my,
(22:06) my health and I'm like, okay, what's going on? What's, you know? And so I think that's super (22:09) important that you just, you have to start listening, you know, that's like, yeah, (22:14) you have to start listening to what your body needs instead of just listening to everybody else (22:18) telling you what to do. So, um, as we wrap up, what's, what's one piece of advice that you would (22:27) give to somebody that might be starting out on this journey and might be confused where to start? (22:37) So listen.Okay. So listen to your body. Obviously that's kind of been the theme, (22:44) but also like, don't be too hard on yourself.And this is not something that is going to change in (22:53) an instant, but this, your main motivator needs to be that you are your own advocate. (23:01) You need to fight for yourself and you're going to find the answers, but you have to make yourself (23:07) the priority. Yeah.Yeah. Super important. You have to do, you have to do that before you can (23:14) do anything else.Yeah, exactly. And it's all trial and error, man. Yeah.It's all trial and error. (23:21) Yeah. There's going to be ups and downs for sure.Absolutely. For sure. Ah, well, (23:27) thank you so, so much.Oh my gosh. Thank you for sharing your story for just being vulnerable with (23:33) us. Um, I think so, so many women need to hear, you know, everything.So, um, really, (23:41) really appreciate you taking the time to be here today. Well, I thank you so much for having me.
(23:46) Yeah.(23:47) What I love most about Jess's story is that it reminds us healing rarely happens because of one (23:55) medication, one surgery, one diet, or one perfect solution. Healing often comes from putting the (24:01) pieces together, advocating for yourself, finding the right healthcare team, supporting your nervous (24:07) system, reducing inflammation, honoring your body signals, and giving yourself grace throughout the (24:12) whole process. If today's conversation resonated with you, I hope it encourages you to keep asking (24:17) questions, keep listening to your body, and remember that you deserve to feel well.You are (24:22) not too complicated and you are never alone in this journey. A huge thank you to Jessa for sharing (24:28) her story so openly and so vulnerably. And I know her experience is going to help so many women feel
(24:35) seen, validated, and hopeful.If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so grateful if you'd share it with (24:41) a friend or leave a rating and review. Every share helps us reach another woman who's looking for (24:46) answers and reminds her that healing is possible. And if you're looking for even more education, (24:52) encouragement, and practical tools to support your journey, be sure to join my Healthy Ever After (24:56) community where you'll find women walking this journey together, resources, recipes, and more (25:01) podcast episodes just like this.The link is in the show notes for you. Until next time, remember (25:07) your body isn't broken, it's communicating. Nourish it, listen to it, trust it, and know that (25:13) healing doesn't happen overnight, but every small step matters.I'm sending you so much love, (25:18) and I'll see you on the next episode of PCOS Unfiltered. Nourish. Heal.Thrive.