Hello,
I've been dealing with a "bout" of IBS for around 4 months now. During the first week I had NO appetite, meaning I choked down bites of food here and there. I dropped around 8 pounds. In the weeks that followed, I lost additional weight and,all told, I went from around 195 to 169 at my lowest point. Since my IBS diagnosis I've gained back a modest 6 or 7 pounds, but I at least seem to be holding.
I went through the gauntlet of tests including an abdominal ultrasound, small bowel follow-through, colonoscopy, EGD, stool fat tests/cultures, blood tests, 2 CT scans (one with a close look at the pancreas) and 2 ER visits. All tests came back normal (did I mention I'm only 31??). In addition to the lack of appetite initially and weight loss, I experienced BM's multiple times per day that were often loose, soft, and floated, and abdominal pain and cramping.
My GI said that after all of the tests, IBS was the culprit, and that the weight loss was due to a change in eating habits related to the IBS symptoms. Does this seem like a viable explanation?
I know I ate less and changed my diet, but has anyone else experienced this? I think my appetite came back at times, but it's hard for me to remember at this point how much I actually was eating.
I'm just concerned because the symptoms don't seem to be controlled yet and I'm on my third type of med. Additionally, I was put on Celexa for depression/anxiety by my GP during this whole ordeal. A common side effect of Celexa is weight gain...so I'm wondering if I'd be losing more weight (instead of holding) if I wasn't on it??? Probably a question for the Doctor...
Thanks.