Ongoing health issues

[etxgal]

I am a 40 yr old female with a growing medical history.  I feel like my body is falling apart and although under the care of SEVERAL physicians, I am feeling helpless.  I am about 90 lbs overweight and have struggled loosing weight for years.  Nothing I do works and each time I have gone to the doctor in the past their answer has been "loose weight".  

After years of stomach issues, I had my gallbladder removed in 2001 (HIDA scan showed it wasn't working).  I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2003 (due to clotted periods and extreme hair growth on my face, neck and arms).  I have been told I have IBS (but I feel that is a cop out for them not wanting to find the answers to my stomach issues).  I had to have an epigastric hernia repair with mesh in 2007 due to 4 tears in my abdomen wall.   I was told last summer (after years of bladder/kidney infections) that I have Stage 3 bladder prolapse and that it has also made my uterus fall (Stage 2) in which I still need to schedule surgery.

Now recently (2 yrs ago) I have been diagnosed as hypothyroid and have increased my Synthroid does from 88mcg to 125mcg over that time.  I was diagnosed at Type 2 diabetes (A1C at 7) about 6 weeks ago.  Have issues with high cholesterol and elevated liver enzymes.  

I was referred to a new Gastroenterologist about a month ago, which ended up with more bloodwork, an abdominal ultrasound and an EGD/Colonoscopy.  Results -

BLOOD WORK -
Inherited liver disease - NEGATIVE
Ferritin - HIGH @ 272
ANA Direct - POSITIVE ABNORMAL @ <1
AST - HIGH @ 126 (was 100 the month before)
ALT - HIGH @ 101 (was 87 the month before)

ULTRASOUND -
Liver - Diffuse increase echotexture.  Enlarged.  Right hepatic lobe sagittal measures 23 cm.  No liver nodules or masses.
Spleen - Homogeneous echotexture.  Enlarged measuring 13.7 cm.
Otherwise results were "normal" that I can tell.   *Being referred to liver specialist and appt is Aug 23rd.

EGD -
Excess bile in stomach.  Erythema, congestion and erosion in the antrum and pylorus compatible w/ gastritis (biospy).

COLONOSCOPY -
1 polyp in ascending colon (biopsy).  ** Had several polyps in same test 2 years before, benign.  
Grade 2 internal hemorrhoids.
Random biopsies done due to chronic diarrhea including microscopic colitis (biopsy).  

My health issues keep growing and I keep feeling sicker and sicker.  I have no appetite and am having to force myself to eat (barely getting 700-1000 calories if that a day) and still not hungry.  Extreme fatigue to the point that I can barely get out of bed in the morning.  

All of this is making me extremely anxious and obsessing about what is going on.  Need help and support on how to view all of this information.  

[etxgal]

Thanks for the support!  I am doing everything the doctors are saying, its just frustrating to have so many things be wrong and feel horrible all the time.  I am trying to loose weight and have been for a number of years.  Just isn't working.  And your right... trying to exercise when you feel this bad is almost impossible.  :(  

[etxgal]

When I had my last OB/Gyn appt (summer 2009) to check on the PCOS and to look for additional problems to consider a hysterectomy/bladder rehang, they didn't show any cysts on my ovaries at that time.  I need to go back for my annual, but the other issues I am facing (liver, spleen, diabetes) are taking priority right now. I am currently on 500mg daily of the Metformin for the diabetes.  

I have been advised by friends that have thyroid issues that a good endocrinologist might be able to help.  I will try that route next.  

I have tried desperately to loose weight over the last many years with little/no success.  I recently dropped 7-10 lbs with the increase in the thyroid meds, adding the metformin and being very restricted on diet due to the diabetes, stomach and liver issues.  I want to incorporate exercise into the plan as well, but when you have no energy and feel horrible every day... its hard.

[red1961]

It sounds like you are on the right track with doctors.  keep on  listening to your doctors.  When they tell you to lose weight it does make you feel better but when your unable to exercise because of problems that is next to impossible. good luck.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
I am sorry to hear about your health. You need to consult a good endocrine specialist to manage your thyroid better and a good gynecologist to manage the PCOS. Apart from this diabetes and liver problems could also be adding to the weight.  Hence it is very important to catch hold of a good endocrine specialist.
There are various approaches to treat a polycystic ovary. First of all insulin resistance has to be checked and corrected by a dose of metformin. Then regular check ups have to be scheduled and you put on low dose birth control pills to regularize the cycles first. Once this is corrected, regular ultrasounds will be done to assess the status of the ovum and accordingly drugs prescribed. At times laproscopy is done and cysts punctured. Diet and weight control are also important part of therapy and you need to be under a good nutrition expert.
Proper management of PCOS, liver, thyroid and diabetes can make you feel more energetic and help you lose weight. Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!