Anyone else plagued by frequent infections and weight loss?

[ShannenMarie]

I am 34 year old wife and mother of three boys.  I have been battling health issues for most of my life.  I am interested in taking a proactive approach into resolving my health woes, in addition to the advice of my physicians.

Since I was an infant, I was in and out of the hospital/Dr.'s office and on antibiotics and steroids for multiple and chronic infections and surgeries.  I have been diagnosed with  asthma, high cholesterol, gestational diabetes (during pregnancy #1), Hypertension (During Pregnancy #2) and PCOS as a teen.  My family history isn't perfect but not alarming nor helpful to me either.  I have never been overweight but have been known to be underweight.  I have never had an eating disorder and I LOVE food so my low weight is not deliberate.  I would love to be more curvy.   I’m only a light and casual drinker.  I will have one or two glasses of wine each weekend and my worst habit is that I smoke.  Yes, I KNOW that is ridiculous…it is more so with my history.  I have quit for years and gone back.  I’m about ready to kick the habit again….and this time for good.

So, here I am hoping to find others with answers or similar issues to compare.  I want to educate myself the best way possible and I thought this site would be the perfect tool for the job.  Also, it will be therapeutic to connect with others that have similar issues.  ;o)

My Basic Health History: (Age 0-10) Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Strep, Viruses, Food Poisoning, SEVERE and bleeding Ear infections, enlarged lymph nodes and other apparent nodules that dissipated with antibiotics.  Due to very severe and chronic ear infections and failed tubes, I had surgery in my ears and Adenoids removed.  (Age 11-20)  Chicken Pox, kidney infection, UTI's, Sinus/Ear Infections, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Strep, Viruses, Asthma Diagnosed, Unknown Intestinal Infection that kept me in the hospital for 4 days, Ruptured Appendix and surgery one month later, Collapsed lung as complication from Pneumonia, Gestational Diabetes that was controlled with a strict diet and frequent glucose monitoring, C-section due to baby size and being breach, Menses began at age 12 but were extremely painful, heavy and always lasted 10+ days, Diagnosed with PCOS and stayed on BC forever, Fainting when stretching or standing too quickly, Shaky and dizziness when hungry and sometimes faint. (Age 20-34) Tubal ligation, Gall Bladder removed, frequent sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, pleurisy, Hypertension and bed rest 3 months during 2nd pregnancy, Ruptured tubal preganacy with severe internal bleeding...came SO SO close to death, wisdom teeth removed, still lightheaded and sometimes faint upon standing/stretching, UTI's, Frequent Yeast Problems, Chronic tonsil infections and ear infections, Ablation for irregular, heavy and painful menses and fibroids.  The Ablation failed because the sypmtoms are coming back and I have menses still but for only 3-5...though still irregular.

Within the last year, I have not gone two months without antibiotics and steroids.  I also went through a high level of unusual personal stress.   When it started in November of last year..it was the regular bronchitis I would get after contracting the flu...I didn't get the flu shot just yet.  I also had a sinus infection prior to that and it's seasonal.  I battled getting rid of what became pneumonia and my ears, nose and throat were infected as well.  I also experienced difficult time with pain and irregular menses.  By April, I developed a UTI and Pleurisy,  they had also seen a nodule on my lung.  After an MRI, it was considered benign.  I continued to be treated for UTI's, yeast and all of the other previous lingering ailments...off and on until June.  I went through July and August symptom free.  During that time period, I went from my perfect weight of 123 to my current weight of 102.  I have been eating more food to try and compensate for the loss but I can't seem to regain it and will lose more if I don't maintain these extra calories.  I feel like I am wasting away and I currently have severe fatigue, I'm weak, nauseous, have night sweats but so cold during the day.  Also, I think my infections are back, minus the UTI.  My lower back hurts chronically as well.  It feels like it's in the area of my kidneys but aches so it's vague.  I also have had the worst cysts ever and seeing them more often.  I'm breaking out in acne too.  I also often get cramps in my hips, hands and feet.  Strange I know!  Lastly, my symptom of nearly fainting when standing is much worse.  It's dangerous.  I require ibuprofen...my mircale drug.  Lol

I had a regular physical with my good Dr in August.  All of my blood work came back great and even my cholesterol was in normal ranges.  We chalked up the weight loss to stress and change in my diet when I switched from soft drinks to water during the UTI phase.  All appeared fine.  I had an annual follow up with a breast surgeon for a lump discovered and it was decided benign.  I felt on top of the world...great!

I'm sick again today and it's been about a month now since the last time.  I need antibiotics again.  I went to my favorite OBGYN on Monday for my annual.  He was concerned with my weight loss and my two year old Ablation not working so well for me.  Of course, the familiar topic of hysterectomy came.  Ugghhh...I just don't know.  :o(  He also said he could feel the remnants from my previous cyst that almost sent me to the ER.  It also tilted my uterus so I have to get an ultrasound in a couple of days.  He strongly recommends that I follow up with an Endocrinologist because he's confident I may have an underlying issue we haven't looked at.  He's is getting in touch with my family Dr to compare blood work and to get me a referral.  I go to my primary Dr next week.

Do do you think I'm headed in the right direction to stop this cycle of illness?  Please let me know if you have any advice.   I have looked up issues with the Endocrine system and Addison's seems the most like my symptoms.  Anyone else already go through something similiar?  If so, I would love to hear from you.  Thank you!!!!

[ShannenMarie]

Thank you for responding to my post.  I'm so sorry I haven't checked or reported on here until now.  At least, I have come back with answers that might help someone else.  As it turns out, my Vit. D level was extremely low and I had an overactive thyroid condition as well.  I still haven't gained any weight back and I'm just now starting to build back some muscle from the muscle wasting.  It was actually muscle wasting so I literally was wasting away!  I'm grateful that these issues were discovered and have been treated.  I am now seeing a Neurologist, Cardiologist and an Endocrinologist.  I have also been diagnosed with a neurological condition called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.  There is no doubt that we need healthier diets.  BUT, while there is a lot of good advice, I'm very grateful I didn't just assume my issues were from my eating habits or that I would be cured by holistic medicine, colon cleanser, etc.  I was about ready to live with the guilt that I brought all my symptoms onto myself by not taking better care of myself and chalking the rest up to stress.....as SO many Dr.'s are quick to dismiss people as such.   I will say that I learned a valuable lesson here.  It's important to keep looking for answers if you KNOW something is wrong with your body.  Get a 2nd or 3rd opinion if you have to.  I was nearly on my death bed, after surgery, before I was really taken seriously and I was diagnosed.  Young does NOT equal healthy.  Another bit of advice I can give is that colon cleansers, probiotic replacement, holistic medicine and eating very healthy are a great way to improve health and help to keep a healthy balance to the body by removing toxins etc and just be plain proactive.  BUT, one should NOT depend on these methods for a cure of their symptoms.  It can cost someone their life by doing so.  Treat your body well and trust yourself!

[Setaka]

There are tests I would "insist"! that your doctor does on you.  I say insist because the one is quite expensive and doctors won't do it unless you really push the issue....

Get a full immunoglobulin work up.  Doctors usually only perform an IGG, but there are seven different immunoglobulins in your system and you need to know the results of them all.

Get a blood test for Vitamin D level.

Why?  Because low IGF-I and low Vitamin D will make you very sleepy.  

The other IG's will make your immune system very low and make you susceptible to every virus or illness that comes around.

I think this is where you need to begin.

Just my thoughts...

[sleepyagain]

To begin with frequent infections are often associated with yeast overproduction in your body, and with a history of constant anti-biotics, boy you must be loaded.  Go read endthefatigue.com  website, Jacob Teitlebaum's site and read the entire website.  you should probably start the anti yeast regimen right away.  that is take anti yeast pills and probiotic perls, and cut out sugar, and most sugar substitutes etc.  right away.  it really is magic in cutting out constant infections. then I would recommend that you find a holistic medical (md) doctor and get worked up the holistic way.  that is with saliva tests, blood work, urine analysis and taking your temperature in the morning at the right time in your cycle, because you very much sound like something is off with your thyroid.   in addition, ask them to percribe something to help build your immunities, and please for the sake of everyone, STOP SMOKING!!!!.  
you are already a mess. don't look for more trouble, and that is probably why you are losing weight.
also you can find a doctor that can help you either on jacob teitlebaums' websit or Brodo Barnes foundation.  they'll help you locate a holistic MD.
your numbers might be conventionally normal, but if you have symptoms, they're not normal for you....
good luck.