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Unexplained weight loss ??

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Posted 3/31/2013 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've had Fibro & CFS for 18 yrs. The last 4 yrs I've been steadily gaining weight, normal for no ability to exercise and age 53.
I've lost 40 lbs in the last 6 months. I've had normal bloodwork, CT scans, MRI's, and I'm always constipated from the 2 pain pills I take each day. I've checked my meds, no side effects there. I keep getting infections, ie: Strep etc. My Dr is stumped.
I've seen a Neurologist, ENT for vertigo, ear pain, balance:found nothing. Ortho-spine dr. Only found hemangiomas, arthritis, lipomas, thickening ligamentum flavum, mild stenosis in neck, no significant spinal cord compression.

I don't know what's going on, but I wake every morning nauseated and have stomach pain. CT showed nothing.
I feel really sick, "more".

Has anyone experienced this?
Posted 3/31/2013 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Have you seen a gastroentrologist?
You might have gastritis, H. Pyloria, or Gerd.
Posted 3/31/2013 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
What meds are you on. Could it be a side effect to one of your meds?
Posted 3/31/2013 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with couchtater about seeing a gastroenterologist. I had a bad bout of gastritis after surgery in 2011, which caused a lot of stomach pain. I still get flares occasionally. An upper endoscopy would show if anything like that were going on.  I had mine done just after my colonoscopy (the same day) and slept right through both.

A bout of C.diff., I believe, can also cause stomach pain.  Have you been tested for that?

I visit a gastritis site occasionally, and many other stomach-related issues are often included in the discussions.  It's not a healingwell forum, but I hope it's okay to post here (if not, moderators please remove):

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Gastritis/forum

Another thought is a referral from your doctor to an internist (doctor of internal medicine).  My mom was losing weight for unknown reasons and was referred to an internist. 

Have you had an ultrasound and/or CT scan of your stomach? 



Hope you get answers soon!

Posted 4/1/2013 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Check the side effects of your meds. I was on Geodon for depression and I couldn't even look at food. I am 5'4" and usually weigh 125 but that med made me lose down to 102 pounds. I did go to a Gastro doctor they did an endoscopy and colonoscopy but nothing. Finally realized it was that med. So before spending more money check the side effects on your current meds, is my suggestions.
Good luck. I know losing weight is something I like to do but not being able to stomach anything is horrible. Prayers for you.
Izzy
Posted 4/1/2013 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
I take Prilosec for GERD. CT showed No ulcers from h pylori.
Thank you.

So sick of feeling so sick.
Posted 4/1/2013 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Have you had an ultrasound? I get swollen lymph nodes (which an ultrasound can see) and get the naseau and also adnomal pain. Also, are you sleeping elavated? It really helps my gerd, as it affects me most nightly.
Posted 4/1/2013 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
I checked all my med side effects. I eat A LOT. because I feel depressed. I order delivery food every night. Probably 2000 cal a day. I'm not kidding. I HAD CT with contrast of chest? Abdomen and pelvis. Showed NOTHING.
I'm so miserable. I know it's "something" that isn't showing up yet. My dad died of lymphoma. That's why my dr did CTs. I can't fit into any of my clothes. I have no energy. I'm going back to dr tomorrow and tell him I can't keep feeling this bad and eating this much and dropping weight like I'm not eating.
I had a dr tell me yrs ago I'd never lose wait with CFS because I can't burn enough calories.
I'm getting real depressed talking about this.
Thank you got your ideas.
Posted 4/1/2013 7:40 AM (GMT 0)
Have you been checked for diabetes? Weight loss without trying to lose weight is one of the symptoms.
Posted 4/1/2013 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
The Topamax will cause weight loss, but I don't think you were on it long enough.

I hope you find out what is going on.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/1/2013 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have had two bouts of extreme weight loss since I was diagnosed with Fibro 6 years ago. The first was the onset and then second was after a severe allergic reaction. I too had the constant feeling of nausea, but I was unable to eat or drink anything so my weight loss had an explanation. Each time I would lose between 40 - 50 lbs. It's like my body was in too big of a flare and just stopped doing all the "unnecessary" processes until it got back on track. So until I saw that you are still eating I thought our situations were the same.

I hope you get some answers soon.
Posted 4/1/2013 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Any diarrhea? This could be a signal that there is Bowel disease, such as Crohns or Celiac or Ulcerative Colitis. In the extreme, it can cause weight loss because there is poor absorption of nutrients.
Posted 4/1/2013 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
No diarrhea. Only constipation. X-ray showed colon completely full so dr put me on Lactulose. It doesn't make me go every day. I'm still constipated 3-4 days usually. I'm giving up on drs and trying to feel better. But thank you all for your help.
Posted 4/1/2013 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Constipation is also possible with an IBD. There can be a blockage or just too much matter built up and the colon cannot easily move it along because it is diseased.

Have you had either a colonoscopy or an endoscopy by a gastroenterologist?
Posted 4/1/2013 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I had CT with contrast. No abnormalities. Have had tons of all kinds of tests. I've decided to not do anymore. But thank you.
Posted 4/2/2013 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Ok my friends. I have one symptom I haven't told anyone because I thought it was a fluke.
A week ago a clear fluid blister, the size of a pea popped up on my leg just inside my knee. I didn't touch it. It took a week to shrink down now it's a red spot.
This morning I woke up with a quarter size red spot on the front of my neck. I thought maybe it was from sleep and would fade. It hasn't. But it has turned into another clear fluid blister.
I've never had skin problems. Any ideas??
Posted 4/2/2013 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Go to your doctor and ask for an autoimmunity test.
Posted 4/2/2013 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Really.

I hope you don't give up on doctors, although I can understand why you feel like it. Something's not right and you feel sick all the time - you deserve better!

What about the colonoscopy or endoscopy idea? A colonoscopy is recommended for everyone starting at age 50, I believe.

I tend toward bad constipation myself, and feel nauseous a lot. I also have a hard time keeping weight on (didn't until a few years ago), though I've only lost about 15 lbs. I try to eat as much as possible, but have IBS problems if I eat too much, especially raw veggies and fruits, and fats. It does get old.

Debbie
Posted 4/3/2013 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if this is helpful, but just found it today on the gastritis forum I visit:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Gastritis/forum/16115724-i-have-ny-answers-now

It may be something to consider(?)



 

Posted 4/3/2013 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much.
Posted 4/3/2013 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hope things are better for you soon!

It seems sometimes like so many things are wrong. I'm having that kind of week--actually, weeks! Just waiting for everything to fall into place and get better. I hope things work out well for you, and you get some answers.

I had chronic diarrhea several years ago. Would wake up in the morning and have to dash to the bathroom. It was so scary, and I would break out in a sweat. I found out much later (tests showed nothing wrong) it was a motility issue with my intestines. Had to take Elavil for years to calm down the system. I lived in a fog for years, and was so tired from the meds and poor eating (took a long time to see improvement).
Now, looking back, I can't say I was happy about the situation, but I slowly made it through, one day at a time. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, though!
May things get better in your life soon. If you feel down, remember you have friends here. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes.
Posted 4/3/2013 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you 😊
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