Admitted Hypochondriac..but this is different.

[Matt82374]

Hi everyone...longtime sporadic lurker, first time sharing..

A little background: 39 yr old male. Considered by medical professional to be "anxious" as far back as 1993 when I always felt I couldn't catch my breath. Grew out of that...in 2008, found that my father needed triple bypass and became fixated on heart issues...convinced that I was due for a heart attack and obsessed over any chest pain, palpitation. Around this time, I also started having what I guess would be panic attacks. They would always follow the same pattern...I'd wake up in the middle of the night and my heart would just kick into overdrive and beat hard for 10-15 minutes. This played into my cardiac fears and I was given a stress test, blood work. Diagnosed with generalized anxiety and given Celexa. In retrospect, I guess celexa may have mellowed me out somewhat..I still had heart fear but generally stayed out of "the danger zone" Trouble is,  I convinced myself that maybe the Celexa was not doing anything either way and discontinued it roughly 5-6 months ago. Unfortunately, my health/anxiety woes appear to have not significantly inspired me to get healthy. In September, I was diagnosed with a fatty liver, enlarged spleen and metabolic syndrome.

And that's how things were 2 weeks ago, when I scheduled a drs visit for epigastric pain. During the work up, I was shocked to find I had lost nearly 20 lbs. I have not exercised and my diet is frankly embarrassing. Concerned, my doc had me do an Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy which only showed gastritis. Blood work (CMP, CBC WITH DIFF & LIPASE AMYLASE) was deemed fine by both my Dr and the GI. At this point, my doctor is pointing toward anxiety.

I am ABSOLUTELY committed to working through the mental issues that I should have addressed years ago. However, I truly do not feel this weight loss is (mainly) mentally based:
-I know my body. Most likely, I have had anxiety/depression issues for years yet weight has NEVER poured off me like this. Nor has my appetite EVER been affected by day to day stress in my life. Indeed, food is a huge solace in my life..to completely lose interest in food is most definitely new.
-Googling: Guilty as charged but a good tool if a patient is truly their own best advocate. Unexplained Weight Loss/Appetite Loss/Depression are all symptoms of various cancers, thyroid issues. In addition, that blood work I mentioned...I was out of range for Lymphocytes and apparently, a fast is required prior go Lipase/Amylase testing. I was not told to fast.

So...I'm scared and sad and a bit at a loss. The weight continues to drop (indicated more by clothes fit than scale) and it seems to my eyes to be more muscle than fat. I continue to have nearly no interest in food and at this point, 2 drs are going to blame a nearly 30 lb weight loss on anxiety. Again...I own the anxiety...at this point, I'd have to. But can it really be ALL that?

I would welcome any advice, comments, suggestions, criticism...and if you read all this, thank you. I appreciate it. I'm blessed with wonderful family and friends...who are utterly convinced I'm out of my head
Its lonely out here! ( ;

Take care,
Matt

[michigan07]

For myself Matt if I go through a couple rough days of anxiety I can easily shave 10lbs or more off. Presuming all blood work etc.. Is fine it's very likely stress/anxiety is causing the drop in weight.

[Matt82374]

Hmmm....that's interesting, Jena, thank you. I'd be very happy with that scenario! ( :

[Jena906]

Wow! That is a lot. I would like to think dr's know what they are doing.....but I also know with my own health problems I had to fight to get answers. Just a thought. You had said you stopped taking celexa. I know with some prescriptions they put the weight on. My daughter was on Zoloft for social anxiety during college and put on some pounds. After graduation her dr thought it would be ok to stop the Zoloft. The excess pounds she had gain melted right off. I am not a health professional, it is just a thought.