1. < Digestive Health

Food Sensitivity Quick Large weight gains and gastrointestinal issues

Posted by gohan @gohan, May 27, 2023

I am on a search for an answer/diagnosis and way to manage. Have not found the right doctor to help. Any advice on type of doctor to go to or possible cause of these problems.

Am a 30 year old female that has lived with chronic muscle pain and brain fog for 15 years - have been told I have Fibromyalgia. Along with the overall pain I have had consistent stomach pain, diarrhea, weight gain and brain fog. Weight gain has been in large "chunks" that doesn't go away. Weight gain of 10 lbs overnight are not uncommon.

Recently, I had a situation where, for 2 weeks, I could only eat 2 types of food with pasta. During that time I lost 25 lbs and had reduced pain and my body hormonally started to go back to my "pre pain" days. This made me go through some testing on foods and discovered many foods that made me have the gastrointestinal symptoms as well as gaining 5 lbs overnight .

I am wondering if these foods maybe setting off some sort of internal reaction that creates the weight gain and/or the Fybro symptoms.

Am looking for advice on what doctor to go to and/or anyone else experiencing similar symptoms

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 27, 2023

Hello @gohan, Welcome to Connect. Sorry you have been battling this condition for 15 years. I'm wondering if some of your symptoms line up with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) which has symptoms that include unexplained weight changes, as well as muscle pain, brain fog and allergies to food.
--- What to know about chronic fatigue syndrome: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/184802.

If you think it might be certain foods making your symptoms worse, the FODMAP diet may help you determine which ones. The FODMAP diet is an elimination diet to determine food intolerances in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It requires the elimination of fermentable carbs for 4-6 weeks, and then reintroducing one food at a time to see if symptoms recur.
--- A Map for the FODMAP Diet: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/a-map-for-the-fodmap-diet/.

You might also find the following discussion helpful:
--- Chronic Illnesses of Millions of Women Left Untreated: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-illnesses-of-millions-of-women-left-untreated/.

Have you thought about seeking help at a teaching hospital or major health facility like Mayo Clinic?

REPLY
1 reply
gohan | @gohan | May 27, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @gohan, Welcome to Connect. Sorry you have been battling this condition for 15 years. I'm..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @gohan, Welcome to Connect. Sorry you have been battling this condition for 15 years. I'm wondering if some of your symptoms line up with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) which has symptoms that include unexplained weight changes, as well as muscle pain, brain fog and allergies to food.
--- What to know about chronic fatigue syndrome: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/184802.

If you think it might be certain foods making your symptoms worse, the FODMAP diet may help you determine which ones. The FODMAP diet is an elimination diet to determine food intolerances in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It requires the elimination of fermentable carbs for 4-6 weeks, and then reintroducing one food at a time to see if symptoms recur.
--- A Map for the FODMAP Diet: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/a-map-for-the-fodmap-diet/.

You might also find the following discussion helpful:
--- Chronic Illnesses of Millions of Women Left Untreated: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-illnesses-of-millions-of-women-left-untreated/.

Have you thought about seeking help at a teaching hospital or major health facility like Mayo Clinic?

Jump to this post

I have thought about a teaching hospital. Just don't know what type of doctors. Rheumatology has told me twice it's not them even though my PCP tells me to go there. Any suggestions - Do I go to a Neurologist, gastrointestinal, dietician or allergist?

The foods that I have found sensitivity have been high protein. Like eggs, chicken, black beans, lima beans, and whey.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 27, 2023
In reply to @gohan "I have thought about a teaching hospital. Just don't know what type of doctors. Rheumatology has..." + (show)
@gohan

I have thought about a teaching hospital. Just don't know what type of doctors. Rheumatology has told me twice it's not them even though my PCP tells me to go there. Any suggestions - Do I go to a Neurologist, gastrointestinal, dietician or allergist?

The foods that I have found sensitivity have been high protein. Like eggs, chicken, black beans, lima beans, and whey.

Jump to this post

I'm not sure that there is a specialist type of doctor that treats ME/CFS if that is what you have based on your symptoms. That's the reason why I mentioned seeking help a teaching hospital or major health facility like Mayo Clinic that uses a multidisciplinary teamwork approach to diagnosing and treating patients. The multidisciplinary concept originated with Mayo but I think most teaching hospitals and major health facilities use this approach when diagnosing difficult conditions.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360510

REPLY
gohan | @gohan | May 29, 2023

Thank you,

How does one go about this? The PCP has decided on Fibromyalgia and, therefore , won't look at anything else. They always says see a rheumatologist but the rheumatologists (2 of them) have said "Rheumatologists don't treat Fibro" and sends back to PCP. Can one just call a teaching hospital to talk to someone to give advice?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 29, 2023
In reply to @gohan "Thank you, How does one go about this? The PCP has decided on Fibromyalgia and, therefore..." + (show)
@gohan

Thank you,

How does one go about this? The PCP has decided on Fibromyalgia and, therefore , won't look at anything else. They always says see a rheumatologist but the rheumatologists (2 of them) have said "Rheumatologists don't treat Fibro" and sends back to PCP. Can one just call a teaching hospital to talk to someone to give advice?

Jump to this post

I guess if it were, I would try to find a teaching hospital located close to me and then give them a call to see if I could get an appointment. Here's a list of teaching hospitals by state if you live in the U.S. - https://www.healthguideusa.org/teaching_hospitals.htm

REPLY
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