Unexplained weight gain, digestive problems and constant tiredness.

Please let me apologise beforehand for the length of this posting.  Since about December 06, I have suffered very bad flatulence.  My bowels movements have also changed from 2 or 3 times a week to 3-4 times a day.  I often have a bowel movement within an hour of eating a meal and I have noticed undigested food in my stools.  I am famous for always being the last person to finish eating so I know that I am chewing my food properly.  My stools are also very light in colour and very soft.  I get watery diahorrea at least once a week lasting for a day.  My diet consists of mainly protein (fish, occasionally red meat, chicken), fruit and vegetables, some carbs (rice, pasta).  I also get severe abdominal pain in the upper mid section of the abdomin (abdomen) (just beow where the rib cage).

Despite eating a reasonably healthy diet and drinking at least 2 liters of water a day, I have put on 154 pounds in the last eighteen months.  My activity levels haven't changed and I either steam or grill my food so I can't explain the weight gain and nor can my doctor.  Blood tests have ruled out problems with my thyroid, liver and kidney function.

I was diagnosed with B12 deficiency and low follate levels last year and have regular B12 injections and take 5mg folic acid daily.  I am, however, still extremely tired most of the time which has resulted in me missing days at work - I have slept through the whole day (sometimes for 15 hours!)    My doctor can't give me any explanations and just keeps sending me for more blood tests and telling me to do some exercise! I know I'm now morbidly obese and need to lose weight (I am the one carrying the weight around after all!) but despite how quickly the weight has gone on, the assumption is that I just sit and eat all day and nothing could be further from the truth - my friends and co-workers could testify to that fact.

I have constant migraines, my skin and hair have become excessively dry and my fingernails have become very thin, dry, split all the time and have deep ridges.  I have started taking multi vitamins, evening primrose oil, coenzyme Q10 and omega 3 fish oils daily but this hasn't helped. Does anyone have any suggestions?  Thanks

[pasdechat]

I have had the symptoms you describe for over 25 years now. I was diagnosed in 1983 with chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia (I believe in Britain the term used is myalgic encephalomyelitis. I would advise you to see a rheumatologist who specializes in this area. There are now many drugs to control the symptoms though no cure to date. I feel very much better since being prescribed medication for various symptoms.
Should you wish any more specific information please email me at: ***@****.
I have quite a bit of medical information as I owned and managed a group for individuals suffering from CFS/fibro ME.
Good Luck,
Pas de Chat

[Helpinpa017]

I just searched digestive problems with weight gain and found this post.  I too attribute this to digestive problems not CFS or Fibro. It bothers me also that my food appears very undigested as thought I am not getting nutrients and it is being absorbed directly into my system hence the weight.  i recently just had Laprsopic surgery to remove some abdominal adhesions from a previous surgery years ago.  The surgeon found very heavy dense adhesions covering my small bowel.  Since he was pelvis specialist he didn't touch, just took pictures and referred me another surgeon, said it was severely entwined.  I also have very bad bloating immediatly after eating in the same region you explain.  I am not sure whether this is the cause of my problems, i would like to hear how you are doing?