Has anyone had unexplained weight loss?

Posted by lildiva4jc @lildiva4jc, Oct 4, 2023

I've started having unexplained weight loss since May 2023. I eat every 2 hours almost 18 hours a day since I have insomnia. But I don't gain weight. I don't each junk food because of all the bad stuff in them and nothing with high fructose in it. But the most that happens is I get constipation or diarrhea. I'm drinking unflavored organic coconut milk. And that is better for my GI tract than the lactose free milk I was drinking. But it's still hard to deal with how I look now. I don't feel attractive anymore, my husband is sweet and says I look fine. But when I look in the mirror I have to remind myself to say" I love how I look" why? Because I believe that God knows what is happening to me and he doesn't want me to be discouraged. That he will always be with me no matter what I'm facing. My body is just a temporary thing. Eternity is what I'm looking for. To be with God and have a new and better body. I hope no one is offended by my religious beliefs. They sustain me as I get encouragement from reading the Psalms and seeing what they struggled with and God saw them through all their problems. May be not the way they wanted because God deals with us individually in the manner we live our lives.

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@lildiva4jc

I eat raisin bread to help keep me regular and well as drinking non sweet organic coconut milk but I still can't gain weight. So my endocrinologist is going to be testing my adrenaline glands to see if that is the problem. The last time I saw her last week she spent an hour with me talking about all the issues I'm having and she recommended starting a pea powder protein shake but from researching it they taste awful. So I need to do more research to see if I can find one that is unsweetened and tasteless as well. I hope that it's even available. It seems as if God is the only one who can heal me. He created me so he knows how to heal me too.

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Get a stool test for pancreatic enzymes, if the pancreas isnt working right the body doesnt fully digest fats so its hard to gain weight. That is a fairly cheap test to rule out the pancreas.

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@lildiva4jc

My gadtroenterologist has done a EDG and a colonoscopy. But not the gas test. I don't even knows where it can be performed because he hasn't suggested it. Instead he is sending me a the Mayo clinic for testing to see if there are issues with my liver that are causing the problems. He thinks I only have a mild case of IBD. So there's not much I can do unless the Mayo clinic decides to do testing in this area as well. I'm scheduled for 1 day of testing. But things can change or we may need to go back at a later date. My insurance co-pay are high when it comes to testing. Blood work doesn't cost us anything. I'll talk to my GI doctor about the breathing test to see if he can get authorization for it and can find someone who does this. Thanks for the suggestion.

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I had SIBO too it took five months and 4 gastroenterologists to figure it out. I was in extreme pain at night though belly on fire night cold sweats and barely slept. Food was coming out totally undigested. Antibiotics cleared it up but I am left with weird pains in my left rib, have had all sorts of imaging blood and stool tests to rule out liver, pancreas and gallbladder. I lost 45 pounds this year, finally recovering now for a couple of months. Wish you well, a breath test can help but I would suggest getting the biggest stuff checked first incase its serious!

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Good day. I have the same issue was at 165 now I weigh 105 and still getting smaller went to see several gastrointolgists and no one can tell me what's wrong. I pray everyday but as reality starts my faith is waver. I'm so miserable every day. So I say to you is stay strong in your faith I will pray for healing for as well. May God be with you always in Jesus Name!!!!

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@frances007

in reply to @lildiva4jc I can sympathize with your situation, having lost 40 percent of my body weight as a result of dilation of my liver and pancreatic ducts, and I completely understand you concern about your appearance. In fact, the majority of people in my community now shun me as a result of my appearance, as I do look rather anatomical. Like you, I am unable to gain any substantial amount of weight no matter what I eat. The result of the dilation of my bile ducts is that I have zero appetite, and therefore am unable to eat like "normal" people. Often I must force myself to eat, and when I do, it is usually one of those protein bars found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, The Perfect Bar. I eat these because of the amount of protein, not necessarily the calories. When I began losing weight, I started a weight lifting program so that I would not lose muscle mass, and everyday after my shower I have a routine lifting 2 pound weights, and the habit has paid off quite well.

I have always been one of those people who care about their appearance, and have this mantra: "If I look good, I feel good." It took a long time for me to accept the fact that I was losing friends simply because of my appearance which has drastically changed. However, I have realized that those, including many who I thought of as "friends", obviously do not share the same value system as I do, and therefore, the loss of my friendship because of my physical appearance is their loss and not mine. Obviously, it took me some time to accept that many do not have a sense of humanity as I. I have been told by others that I look like a Holocaust victim and that I should purchase makeup in an effort to make myself look less gaunt. I have found on an average, women are the worst culprits, as the guys are always very complimentary, asking me how I am feeling, telling me I look great and things of that nature. The loss of my friendship is on "them" and not me. A friend of mine told me that people in general think I have cancer and they do not know what to say. Whether this is true or not is up to question.

Unlike you, I am not a "believer", however, I do believe that "God" has a plan for me, as one of my doctors recently told me. After she said this to me, it became another mantra that has brought me some comfort. This is not to say that I identify as a Christian, but I do respect your beliefs, and if they help you that is a good thing. In all honesty, I still occasionally look at myself in the mirror and am disgusted with my appearance, but also know that I am doing the best that I can in order to function and be a member of society in the best way I know how: helping others, having a lot of humility and generally being selfless, which often creates a problem, which I am working on. Just as religion brings you comfort, art gives me comfort as I am very creative and have the ability to make beautiful things. My art is my therapy. If religion works for you, I commend you for finding something that gives you the strength to get through what often feels for me, a terrible trial.

Like others have suggested, seeing a gastroenterologist is a good idea. I only found out about my bile duct issue when I went to urgent care during COVID and expressed to the doctor an ongoing pain in my upper right abdomen that I had been complaining about to my PCP for quite some time. He ordered a CT scan three years ago, and despite multiple tests and procedures, my doctors are no closer to determining my problem than they were nearly four years ago. It can be frustrating, yes, However, I have not lost sight of the fact that I can still function fairly well, and for this I have an abundance of gratitude.

Best of luck to you.

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If you are continuing to lose weight a feeding tube can assist with additional calories. That is what keeps me alive. Best wishes!

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Amen! Your faith will sustain you! I was diagnosed with Microscopic Colitis in July after 30 years of constipation, and then 15 years of diarrhea. I am now on the oral steroid, Budesonide, for the MC, but strangely I am struggling to keep weight on. Looking for answers. I also have Bronchiectasis, a rare lung condition, and non-tubercular mycobacteria colonization in both my lungs and sinuses. DDD, hypothyroid, joint hypermobility, arthritis. Thank God my lungs have been stable for 3 years. I was once an athlete/PE & science teacher, on med leave right now. Still battling to exercise daily & maintain strength! Eating 5000-6000 calories a day, just can’t figure out where they’re going, now that I’m out of the hospital and the diarrhea has lessened. I’m sorry for your struggles. Keep advocating for yourself!

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@hikeema123

Good day. I have the same issue was at 165 now I weigh 105 and still getting smaller went to see several gastrointolgists and no one can tell me what's wrong. I pray everyday but as reality starts my faith is waver. I'm so miserable every day. So I say to you is stay strong in your faith I will pray for healing for as well. May God be with you always in Jesus Name!!!!

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If you still have weight loss you should check out other parts of the body. It could be caused by cancer, and not necessarily a gastrointestinal issue. Go to GP (maybe also Hematologist) and do blood tests and other tests (Ultrasound, CT scans...). Important to find the source of the problem so you can heal.

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I'm not a believer, and I'm not offended by your religious beliefs. That is who you are and people who are that genuine always have good things to say.

Certainly your god will see you as you are. But don't discount other people. Life is not something to be endured for a greater reward later. Life should be its own reward and can be if you see it in that light.

As for your weight, if it truly is a problem I suggest seeking professional help. Sometimes the way we see ourselves is radically different than the way others see us. Either way, you'll be able to move forward.

You are a sensitive and kind person. Your real friends and your god will not only see you though all your problems, they'll help you get through them, or accept them, or leave then in the past.

Be kind to yourself first. You most certainly deserve it.

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@frances007

in reply to @lildiva4jc I can sympathize with your situation, having lost 40 percent of my body weight as a result of dilation of my liver and pancreatic ducts, and I completely understand you concern about your appearance. In fact, the majority of people in my community now shun me as a result of my appearance, as I do look rather anatomical. Like you, I am unable to gain any substantial amount of weight no matter what I eat. The result of the dilation of my bile ducts is that I have zero appetite, and therefore am unable to eat like "normal" people. Often I must force myself to eat, and when I do, it is usually one of those protein bars found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, The Perfect Bar. I eat these because of the amount of protein, not necessarily the calories. When I began losing weight, I started a weight lifting program so that I would not lose muscle mass, and everyday after my shower I have a routine lifting 2 pound weights, and the habit has paid off quite well.

I have always been one of those people who care about their appearance, and have this mantra: "If I look good, I feel good." It took a long time for me to accept the fact that I was losing friends simply because of my appearance which has drastically changed. However, I have realized that those, including many who I thought of as "friends", obviously do not share the same value system as I do, and therefore, the loss of my friendship because of my physical appearance is their loss and not mine. Obviously, it took me some time to accept that many do not have a sense of humanity as I. I have been told by others that I look like a Holocaust victim and that I should purchase makeup in an effort to make myself look less gaunt. I have found on an average, women are the worst culprits, as the guys are always very complimentary, asking me how I am feeling, telling me I look great and things of that nature. The loss of my friendship is on "them" and not me. A friend of mine told me that people in general think I have cancer and they do not know what to say. Whether this is true or not is up to question.

Unlike you, I am not a "believer", however, I do believe that "God" has a plan for me, as one of my doctors recently told me. After she said this to me, it became another mantra that has brought me some comfort. This is not to say that I identify as a Christian, but I do respect your beliefs, and if they help you that is a good thing. In all honesty, I still occasionally look at myself in the mirror and am disgusted with my appearance, but also know that I am doing the best that I can in order to function and be a member of society in the best way I know how: helping others, having a lot of humility and generally being selfless, which often creates a problem, which I am working on. Just as religion brings you comfort, art gives me comfort as I am very creative and have the ability to make beautiful things. My art is my therapy. If religion works for you, I commend you for finding something that gives you the strength to get through what often feels for me, a terrible trial.

Like others have suggested, seeing a gastroenterologist is a good idea. I only found out about my bile duct issue when I went to urgent care during COVID and expressed to the doctor an ongoing pain in my upper right abdomen that I had been complaining about to my PCP for quite some time. He ordered a CT scan three years ago, and despite multiple tests and procedures, my doctors are no closer to determining my problem than they were nearly four years ago. It can be frustrating, yes, However, I have not lost sight of the fact that I can still function fairly well, and for this I have an abundance of gratitude.

Best of luck to you.

Jump to this post

Started my nightmare journey into G.I. chaos with a two month regimen of high-powered antibiotics with Cipro being the main culprit I do not have C diff and so far all my blood tests and scans ultrasounds have come back just perfect there’s nothing wrong with you . well I’m the sickest healthy person I have ever heard of before in my life and I’m tired of it. It’s not for lack of trying to get better

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