Extreme weight loss, cannot eat. No diagnosis yet.

@filinoid Hi Welcome to connect where we try to help if we can . We aren't Dr.s but have lots of experience. With back and stomach problems and they have ruled out any digestive problems. Have you thought it might be your kidneys? Maybe a Urologist would be able to help you out Where in your back is your pain? Does it radiate around to your stomach ? Can you give us some more detail? Let us hear from you again.

Hi. @filiond A few years ago I decided that I was no way going to move up any more sizes of Wranglers and determined to shed the weight I had gained over the previous decade. In six months I lost 55 pounds. My doctors told me not to lose any more, and I haven't. I had been very slowly climbing out of a deep, dark hole of depression, and in the process was inactive and gained one pound after another.

I've been working since 2006 with therapists and psychiatrists, still am. A number of things pushed me over the edge of that hole, and I never could have come as far as I have without help. Along the way I've grown to appreciate the work of mental health professionals.

You probably know why I said all that. If I were in your position, I'd be asking my doctor for a referral to someone who could do a psychological evaluation on me. Obviously, I'm not in your position, so I can't presume to tell you what to do. Just my own thoughts for you to consider. Whatever is causing your lack of appetite and weight loss, I hope you get some answers soon.

Jim

My pain is below my rib cage. It can take 6 to 12 hours to digest a small meal. My weight is under 100 lbs. I also had my gaulbladder removed 15 years ago. My pain can be at different places It can be the whole back. It can be on the right side and move to the front of my stomach. Once I have digested a meal I feel fine but I know if I over eat my pain will double. I mainly eat liquids with protein and collagen. Some fish with vegetables. Three years ago I was diagnosed with non ulcer dyspepsia and have a small hernia in my stomach. When I began having extreme pain in Nov 2019 I did not have mental or physical problems.

@filiond - I do know of one condition where there is severe pain with eating and weight loss and it is called MALS, short for median arcuate ligament syndrome. It is rare, but we have group here. It is a vascular problem- there is pressure on the celiac artery by a ligament at the diaphragm. The celiac artery supplies blood to the intestines. It is similar to angina of the heart- less blood supply when it is needed, causing pain. I had it. That’s when I found this group, looking for information. They can check if there is problem with blood supply with a Doppler ultrasound.

Have you tried a gastric emptying test. I also lost weight-50 pounds in 6 months. Was always nauseous- felt worse an hour after eating anything. Found out I my stomach didn’t empty all the way. Xifaxan helped me.

Thanks for the info. I looked up the Symptoms.. I don't have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea but according to Wikipedia these symptoms can vary and can include constipation and no vomiting. I will follow up with my gastro Dr. next week by phone because of physical distancing due to the virus.

Thank you for the info I did not have this test I will talk with my gastro Dr. nest week about the test and Xifaxan

Good luck!

I have not have this test done I spoke to my gastro dr and she is ordering other tests. I was wondering if Xifaxan worked immediately and you were able to eat regular meals. I was told by my nathuropath this medication is good but the disadvantage of this medication is that the food passes through the digestive system so fast that the nutrients and minerals are not absored in the digestive system. Can you tell me if you were able to gain some the weight back. than you again

I was able to gain about ten pounds back. I have to be careful how much I eat having gastroparesis- where the stomach doesn’t empty like it should.