Texas girl suffers from mysterious condition, sneezes 12,000 times per day

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Texas teen suffers from mysterious condition sneezes 12000 times per day
ABC's Marci Gonzalez has the story

ANGLETON, Texas -- A 12-year-old Texas girl started sneezing constantly about a month ago - and she hasn't stopped since.

Katelyn Thornley sneezes up to 20 times per minute - that amounts to 12,000 times a day.

She said it started in "little spurts" but has now lasted more than 22 days.

"I just am constantly in pain with, you know, my abdomen and my legs are hurting because I've been weak and I can barely eat," Katelyn described. "It's not fun at all."

Doctors have already ruled out a virus and allergies, but they have no idea what is causing the sneezing or how to stop it.

Katelyn said the only time she doesn't sneeze is when she's sleeping, and that's after she has taken Benadryl and listened to music to relax.

She also says the sneezing has compromised her way of life, forcing her out of school and preventing her from playing her beloved clarinet.

Her parents are now asking for anyone with any expertise in this field to please come forward and help their daughter live a normal life again.

ABC News contributed to this report.

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