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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Can't eat much fat or protein- no docs have helped
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Can't eat much fat or protein- no docs have helped
by Zen123, Jun 21, 2009 07:00PM
Ever since taking acutane in my late teens and early 20s (I'm 41 now), I have a hard time maintaining and gaining weight. I also got sick from cryptosperidium in the water in Milwaukee, and lost weight. I'm 5'11" and 142 lbs. I also suspect that being a premie/twin may be part of the problem.
Can't eat more than 10g of fat a day or about 20g of protein, and only every other meal. I also can't take supplements. Even homeopathic supplements do this. I get v. tired, depressed, have trouble falling asleep, and then wake up exhausted. It also feels like my lower right gut area is pulsing/pounding. It's worse from oil or fried foods.
I eat a healthy diet: no dairy, wheat, sugar, coffee, don't smoke and don't drink much. I've done juice and herbal fasts, parasite and liver cleanses, raw food (lost even more weight), homeopathic, probiotics, etc. I exercise 4 days a week, but don't have much strength for weights. I can't "just eat more" because if I don't wait until I'm hungry to eat, I have the same problems. Gorging on carbs doesn't help you gain muscle mass. I've tried.
I've had general tests done and they found nothing abnormal. I may have some form of IBS (though BMs are normal). I thought maybe liver, but I did searches on liver problems and I don't have the symptoms (rarely have diarreah, no yellowish skin or pain, etc.).
5 doctors over the last 15 years. No help. The last one was a gastro doc. I hoped to discuss my symptoms before spending big $, but he was rushed and just wanted a colonoscopy, for about $3000, which I cannot afford.
A doc told me 13 years ago that I had leaky gut and candida. I've eaten a clean diet since.
It gets worse when I'm stressed. How can Accutane damage some people's bodies? If that's not the problem, I need someone who will look at the symptoms and help me find the cause before I have to spend 1000s more on tests that show nothing or just say "well, avoid fat." I'm tired of looking ill and tired. Thank you. Stephen
Can't eat more than 10g of fat a day or about 20g of protein, and only every other meal. I also can't take supplements. Even homeopathic supplements do this. I get v. tired, depressed, have trouble falling asleep, and then wake up exhausted. It also feels like my lower right gut area is pulsing/pounding. It's worse from oil or fried foods.
I eat a healthy diet: no dairy, wheat, sugar, coffee, don't smoke and don't drink much. I've done juice and herbal fasts, parasite and liver cleanses, raw food (lost even more weight), homeopathic, probiotics, etc. I exercise 4 days a week, but don't have much strength for weights. I can't "just eat more" because if I don't wait until I'm hungry to eat, I have the same problems. Gorging on carbs doesn't help you gain muscle mass. I've tried.
I've had general tests done and they found nothing abnormal. I may have some form of IBS (though BMs are normal). I thought maybe liver, but I did searches on liver problems and I don't have the symptoms (rarely have diarreah, no yellowish skin or pain, etc.).
5 doctors over the last 15 years. No help. The last one was a gastro doc. I hoped to discuss my symptoms before spending big $, but he was rushed and just wanted a colonoscopy, for about $3000, which I cannot afford.
A doc told me 13 years ago that I had leaky gut and candida. I've eaten a clean diet since.
It gets worse when I'm stressed. How can Accutane damage some people's bodies? If that's not the problem, I need someone who will look at the symptoms and help me find the cause before I have to spend 1000s more on tests that show nothing or just say "well, avoid fat." I'm tired of looking ill and tired. Thank you. Stephen
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jun 21, 2009 07:34PM
, Jun 21, 2009 07:34PM
Although certainly possible, I am not aware of Accutane leading to the symptoms you describe.
I do agree with the colonoscopy, as this can exclude inflammatory bowel disease which may lead to your symptoms. Another consideration would be malabsorption, which can be evaluated via stool tests, and celiac disease, which can be looked at with blood antibody tests.
There is little data supporting so-called leaky gut syndrome or Candida overgrowth. I would pursue the other possible causes first before considering these options.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin Pho, M.D.
KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd
I do agree with the colonoscopy, as this can exclude inflammatory bowel disease which may lead to your symptoms. Another consideration would be malabsorption, which can be evaluated via stool tests, and celiac disease, which can be looked at with blood antibody tests.
There is little data supporting so-called leaky gut syndrome or Candida overgrowth. I would pursue the other possible causes first before considering these options.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin Pho, M.D.
KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd
