Fibromyalgia w/chronic pain, brain fog, GI issues, large weight gain

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?

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.

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

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?

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

Over the past 4 years I have gained over 65 lbs (maybe more if you look at lose a little gain more). This gain has been generally in large bursts (between 5 and 25 lbs over night). This type of gain occurs with the following symptoms 1 to 12 hrs after eating experience cramping/nausea/cold sweat then diarrheas' (loose watery stool along with gas). Recently I have noticed that certain foods sets this off. The list is growing. Can anyone help with what type of doctor one should see for this? I don't eat enough to warrant this gain usually 1 maybe 2 meals a day and exercise 4 to 5 days a week.

@gohan, The symptoms you describe sound similar to Dumping Syndrome. Here is a newsfeed article and a discussion on the condition that you might want to take a look at to see if it matches your symptoms.

--- Managing Symptoms: Dumping Syndrome: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/newsfeed-post/managing-symptoms-dumping-syndrome/
--- How Do You Treat Stomach Dumping Syndrome: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-treat-stomach-dumping-syndrome/

A gastroenterologist would normally be the type of doctor who specializes in treating digestive system disorders. Have you talked with your doctor about your symptoms to see if they will provide a referral?

Have you tried giving up dairy and gluten? I know to some people it's a fad but even if you don't have Celiac you can be gluten intolerant. The standard of checking that would be a endoscopic biopsy. You really should be seen by a gastroenterologist. I don't have Celiac but I have something called CVID which means I'm immuno compromised. I have to do subq infusions of other peoples plasma to get their antibodies and sometimes this condition effects the GI tract and mimics Celiac. Before I gave up gluten I wouldn't be able to leave the house and it would last for days. There is help you should get it check it out. But don't change you diet until you get this looked at.

Have you been tested for H Pylori?

Not sure about the weight gain, but I had cramping at night with cold sweats and diarrhea for 2 months and no one could figure out what was wrong with me. They kept saying IBS and I kept telling them its not IBS! I was perfectly healthy with normal bowel movements daily before this all started. Really greasy food made me run for the hills almost right after eating it. I lost over 30 pounds during that time though because I was nauseous and didnt want to eat much because it all left my body as soon as I went to bed. Anyway, I was given antibiotics for a separate issue and it cleared up whatever this was. Gastro thinks it may have been really bad SIBO but I got that test well after the antibiotic treatment.