Mixture of Symptom..Severe Fatigue, Massive Weight Gain, Dep

sorry for all of you gals!
I've been in bed for 2 wks with extreme fatigue, extreme sweats, headache behind the eyes. I have gained 32 pnds in 8 1/2 weeks. Taporing off of Lyrica for fibromyalgia...450 mg to 75 now, thinking that could be the culprit. Saw my back doctor today who now thinks it's not. Thyroid levels are fine. Going to check my last ovary in a week, seeing my primary care physician tomorrow. Also having a problem swallowing pills and some food due to swelling or blockage possibly.

I have now found this blog and will keep you posted after doctors to see if i can help.

Ok not sure if anyone is still reading this...
I completely agree these are classic hypothyroidism signs and symptoms...Whoever is seeing a Dr that is sending you to nutritionists or telling you that its all a fluke...run...run as fast as you can...Just because they are MD's doesn't mean they really know it all or keep up with the latest and greatest on endocrinology (not even if they are endocrinologists) trust me half of them can't even read labs...I should know I am a health professional...not to knock anyone who is a DR on this site, but then again if you are blogging here, then your not the type of DR I am referring to...
This is my story, I was always active, athletic, very pretty and in shape with a killer build and shapely muscles...I literally went from 138lbs to 215lbs from age 26 to age 28, yep thats right thats fast if you think about it, my now husband started noticing I developed a large neck and a fat layer on the upper back I had never had, then every symptom ever noted in this blog....I kept a very strict diet and maintained a healthy life( even though I had NO ENERGY), I am now 30y/o and I had been telling all kinds of DR's this until I began getting edema (swelling) all over my stomach, neck, eyelids, and especially legs, I had lizard skin, thinning hair, I thought ok I am fine everyone is just telling me I am fat...I guess that is how life is...I was at my end, literally...out of the blue My blood tests showed kidney problems...ok so I go to a nephrologist....I tell her my mom and everyone related to me has thyroid problems and I told the other Docs that, they all say I am fine...She did more indepth thyroid tests and voila I have Hashimotos...I have been trt for less than a year, I am still not in the clear of kidney problems due to the excessive amount of time my body was reacting to no thyroid....I have to take HCTZ daily for the thyroid water retention, now I am slowly...and I mean slowly getting my body back...its there I know it is...but darn if I didn't listen to my gut instincts and just run from every careless, not really giving a %&*!! Dr. The point is I could have nipped this one in the rear 30lbs into this....if I had just actively seeked second, third etc...oppinions...empower yourself, just walk out if they blow off your symptoms...its your body....oh and my current weight is 197...weight loss is slow and takes hard work, but atleast I feel better and less hazy! Oh and the stomach bloating random weight gain....quick weight gain is a sign a bad one! Hashimotos and Celiac disease goes hand in hand...google it.....oh and if you have any of the symptoms on this blog tell them test me for every hormone, endocrine, rheumatically issue on the planet and don't leave out Addison/cortisol testing.... a 24hr urine is a must! Good luck and I hope to when the battle of the bulge!!!! My Mom has Hashimotos and she maintains a pettite fram....hard work included of course.

It could possibly be adrenal fatigue

I was 155 when i got pregnant with my daughter couldnt gain weight in the being doctor advised me to eat more often and snack as often as i could with healthy snacks did this and i started to gain the weight. Advised my doctor i was concerned with the weight gain as it started to go up and up and he advised me that i had such a hard time gaining it i would have no problem at all to lose it.Through out my pregnancy i had chest pain and several false labour scares where they checked me and sent me home (thinking i was making it up). Gave birth to my daughter in August 2007 and she weighted a whopping 10lbs 12oz went down to 180 after this and the chest pain continued and other symptoms started to follow (yellowing of the skin, back pain,nausea,extreme hot and cold sweats,vomiting and extreme chest pain) was later diagonosed with gallstones and pancreatitis (because of the extremly high number of stones) had surgery to remove my gallbladder in Oct 2007. Then following this needed to have 3 umblical hernia repairs as a result of the surgery. Also had an mirena iud implant put in Jan 2008 have had several tests down and they have no idea what is going on with me. I walk 7km every day and i am working closely with a nutritionist and there is no change i am 3 lbs more than i was when i gave birth (231lbs)
Has anyone heard of this or had this happen??
also i am extremely fatigued all of the time cant get enough sleep and cant fall asleep even when feeling exhausted
PLEASE HELP!!!!

Sounds like me the last few years as well...only after a meriod of tests and
dissapoinment as to what the problem was I was finnally diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Not fun but at least I know what it is. I am still tired ALOT but I have found ways to get
more restfull sleep and it helps increase the energy a bit. Check out mdjunction
there are a ton of people to talk to about symptoms and answers:)
Best of Luck to you all ;-)

I had a friend who had similar symptoms and she was diagnosed with Cushings caused by a tumor on her pituitary gland.

Hi Ashley,

I know it's been a while since you made your post here, and I hope in that time you've had some relief from what you were suffering.

I wanted to post here because so much of what you described is exactly what I've dealt with for many years now. I'm 35, and in 2001 I was diagnosed with Graves' disease. I had my thyroid ablated with radioactive iodine, and am now hypothyroid.

As I result of hypothyroidism, I have the same laundry list of symptoms you described. Constant fatigue, depression, weight gain, joint pain, on and on.

Your thyroid impacts every system in your body, and if it's underfunctioning you can definitely have the symptoms you described. If you haven't been re-tested for a thyroid disorder since your doctor told you that you were "okay", please get retested. A woman's body changes - before, during and after childbirth especially. Have your doctor check the following:

- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- T3
- T4 and Free T4

Beware that doctors can interpret these tests in different ways - what may be "normal" to one is "off" to another. And the "right" levels vary from person to person. Be your own best advocate and research thyroid testing before seeing your doctor or interpreting results.

Thyroid disease affects so many women, and is so under-diagnosed it's a crime. When I was full-blown Graves' (overfunctioning thyroid), I was told I just had "anxiety", and when I became hypo I was told it was just "moodiness and depression". Thyroid disease is easily treatable once you get the help you need - it's finding the help that can be frustrating. I'm now blessed with a fantastic endo who helps me stay on top of my condition, and keeps me on track with regular thyroid tests (because again, our bodies are always changing).

If you're tested and it's not thyroid, then at least you've narrowed down the cause. :) Best of luck to you!

Amanda

You are all describing what my sister went through, and what is starting with me. She went to doctor after doctor, only to be told that her hair loss was genetic, and she needed to "eat right and exercise". By the way, she cooked wonderful, healthy meals and dragged her exhausted self out of bed every morning to complete a 50 minute hard workout at the gym. To make a very long, frustrating story short, she finally went to a naturopath and was diagnosed with a form of Adrenal Fatigue. The treatment actually did help, and she is on the road to recovery. Many traditional doctors totally discount this disorder because it doesn't fit either Cushing's or Addison's disease. But it is real, and many women are getting the run-around from their doctors who don't believe in alternative medicine.

Personally, I am starting with my GP, but if they smile, nod, and tell me to watch what I eat and go to the gym . . . I'm going to a Naturopath. I will pay out of pocket if need be and drive the 65 miles for every appointment. (I live in a rural area.)

My advice is . . .
Find a Naturopath!

You have menopause, and yes, you absolutely can have it at an early age.

That's what my hunch is too. I have the same symptoms described by the OP as well as others that have responded here. I gained 10 lbs in two weeks, kept insisting that I be tested for Hashimotos because my mother has it, and the response I was getting from doctor after doctor was "You know, you ARE getting older!" Honestly, the AMA should take some of these people's licenses away. But even after 18 months of treatment for my thyroid I'm still gaining weight, despite taking 30 mg of Adderal and eating around 1000 calories per day. Ridiculous! There's something going on. I have the waist of a size 14 woman with the butt, hips, legs and arms of a size 4 woman and I look horrible, but all the docs look at is my skinny arms and legs and think I'm nuts to even suggest Cushings. Do they have to wait until I'm the size of a mobile home to take me seriously? Don't they realize that the only thing keeping me for being absolutely gigantic is the Adderal? After six endocrinologists I now have one who mumbled something about a possible pituitary tumor and he's ordered some testing. We'll see what happens. Not that I WANT anyone to find anything wrong with me, but I WANT someone to find something wrong with me so I can end this hell I'm going through, know what I mean?

I have the same problem, I am only 24 years old, and have been constantly gaining weight since I was a senior in high school. 100 pounds 3 months before prom and hast stopped since, I went from a size 9-24 in 5 years, Ive seen doctors, nutritionists, worked out, had gym membership, and worked my butt off even tho I was so tired I would just cry sometimes all with no effect on my weight.at one point I just stopped eating, even that failed. I am now 385 pounds, I spent my life up till sr year very thin, I had a child when I was 15, I took of the baby weight in a few months no problem so I know I know how to do it.

I just got an idea, something they have never checked. My bf is a pre med student, we were talking about it and he thinks the symptoms are all pointing to a pituitary tumor, or cyst. I looked it up and a lot of people go undiagnosed with such things. I am making an app. and demanding a skan of my brain I hope its not but you should read up on it and see if your symptoms fit.

Ashley,
I too suffer from these symptoms. I started my period when I was 14. I have been right as rain up until April of 2009. Even after I had my son in 2007 I seemed fine and then everything changed at once! I gained 30 pounds within weeks, I had four periods last year, the hair on my face grows out of control, and I sweat constantly. Ive had some many hormone tests done I cant count them anymore and I cant get answers. By text book it seems like Polycystic Ovarian Disorder but my labs cant confirm that. I've had a dye test done on my uterus and thats clear as well. I'm so frustrated and I'm tired of getting no answers. Not to mention we've been going on a year and a half of trying to get pregnant and cant! :-(

Hi hopefully this will help,

It sounds like you have a couple sets of issues. First, I believe half of your issues may be from low femal hormones. You can ask your doctor to do a simple blood test and they will know. If this is the case they will prescribe you birth control to help. They use it as a hormone replacement therapy. The best type that I found was the Nuva Ring. For women who are going through menopause I believe that there is a different type of hormone that they will prescribe to you. I began having these symptoms when I was 28, and even more severely after I had my duaghter. This should take care of the mood swings, sex drive and any issues with periods. I know people have already mentioned Polycystic Ovarian Issues, and the doctors were not able to find the cysts....it is possible to have the symptoms but not have the cysts found. The symptoms are fixed with hormones.

The second issue sounds like you may have hypoglycemia, low vitamin B issues, as well as possibly, hypothyroidism. The hypoglycemia can be cured with regular intervals of protien throughout the day. When you eat it, eat healthy carbs as well and this should help stabilize you.

I also agreed with the lady who had all of the levels of the thyroid test done. I know of two other women who were continually misdiagnosed until they asked for the additional test. I thought I had it as well, however when they did the tests they found nothing, but my fatigue was fixed with protein at regular intervals and two doses of vitamin B50 throughout the day. I also take a very good Shaklee multivitamin.

The vitamins, or supplements give us the trace minerals our body needs that we don't get through diet and excercise. It is well known that the average American diet is not able to supply the body with the average amount of minerals, and vitamins that our bodies need. Unless you eat a diet of natural everything loaded with fruits and vegetables you are not going to get what you need out of your diet, you must use supplements. The most basic vitamins and minerals that your body needs for mind function, stress and energy often wash out through your urine daily, so they must be replenished each day.

The vitamins and minerals in the two supplements I took, fixed my fatigue, gave me clearer thought processes, and give me a ton of energy throughout the day. However I do have two warnings to issue: Make sure you don't take the supplements on an empty stomach as this will cause stomach pain and possible nausea. Another thing you want to avoid is don't take your supplements after 4-4:30 everyday. The vitamin B's will keep you up later, and keep your mind awake when you want to go to sleep. They are not a stimulant, but they are an element your body needs for good brain, and heart health, and they will keep you up at night with your brain wide awake even if your body is tired.

When I started my journey I tried everything, but in the end I found out that it was only three simple things I needed. Hormones, vitamin B50, and a good vitamin supplement.

I hope these things help you,
God bless

Hi,

I suffer from all f these symptoms as well. It's changing everything in my life. I gave been to countless dr's. Dis anyone find out what it is?

Thank you!

Melissa

Get check for celiac or read up on it at least - celiacs dont always loss weight.