Weight Gain/Loss

[JDArsenal]

Hello

I don't quite know where to begin and will probably waffle slightly but I need someone to talk to who may understand what I'm feeling.

I had my daughter in July 2001 - was a very quick birth and everything went well, I went home within 24 hours.

For the weeks following I repeatedly went to see my doctor with contraction like pains - he told me it was IBS prescribed me peppermint tablets and told me to go away and return in 4-6 weeks as this was how long it would take to see any benefit. During this time my symptoms got worse and when my daughter was 12 weeks old I was told I had 48 hours to live unless I had emegency operation as I had septecaemia because placenta had remained within my womb and gone septic.....

From that point on I have not felt well and had tests after test after test......until finally in September 2003 I was diagnosed severe Lactose Intolerant ie., even a lick of an ice-cream was too much.

I gave up dairy there and then - lost nearly 1 stone very very quickly and felt better-ish. My consultant prescribed several different anti-depressants as he felt I needed them to boost me up again...I cry most days and lie awake at night.

Then after Xmas I noticed I was gaining weight and like a vicious circle got depressed......I asked my consultant could I come off the anti-depressants as he said that would be the reason I was gaining weight.

I have been anti-depressant free for 14 days, feel very poorly with stomach cramps, nausea, migraines and my doctor has said he has no idea what it can be.

I want to steady my weight - less than what I am now - gain my confidence and get on with my life but I don't quite know what direction to go......

Please can anyone understand what I'm going through and help ??

I truly am at my wits end.

Thank you all so much.

[Pam]

Hello there

You sound to have had a very traumatic time and its no wonder that your body is reacting so badly. Only last night I read an article in 'A' magazine (Allergy UK's mag) about many allergies being triggered by some sort of stress in our lives. Having your body poisoned by a retained placenta is bound to have put your immune system on its guard.

Is it possible that your current stomach cramps and nausea are due to withdrawal from the AD's? I think some AD's act as a relaxant to some extent so may mask problems in some cases.

From what you say, I wouldn't be surprised if you are sensitive to more foods and Lan, the site owner, can probably identify with this as she has had lots of problems with various foods in the past. I think I would ask the doctor for further testing or maybe even arrange it yourself (York labs seems to be the only private test that has a good write up but I've never tried them myself). You could also try an exclusion diet and go right back to basics to see which foods affect you as they are introduced. Either way, you should speak to your doctor first - maybe a different doctor might come up with fresh ideas.

I lost quite a bit of weight when I first went dairy free (mostly due to me not liking the new products very much) but as I got used to the diet and found more tempting offerings it has crept back on again to the point where I am now on a diet.

I hope you manage to find some answers, it can't be easy struggling with all this and coping with a 2 year old as well. Keep visiting the site and let us know if you get to the bottom of it.

[JDArsenal]

Thank you so much for your kind response - I think you are right - allergy testing needs to be my next step. I have personally lost faith in most doctors and if I can 'go it alone' I think I would be happier.

I will keep visiting the site and let you know how I am - as just reading other people's mails helps me - especially knowing I'm not alone.

Kindest Regards

Susan

[Copper]

Hi Susan

What can I say?! You have had a bad experience and you have my sympathy.

I agree with Pam about the ADs ie stopping them making you feel ill. Did you slowly cut down or just cut them out suddenly?

I am lactose intolerant amongst other things and lactose is in soooo many things. In a posting once Lan said that lactose was even in her contraceptive pill! I double check that any medication I need to take does not contain lactose.

It normally takes about a year for our bodies to fully recover from giving birth. Added complications in your case don't help. I used to suffer from erratic periods and spent years feeling sick, I then discovered that the symptoms I had were caused by the erratic periods. Hormones are a problem :(

If you decide to embark on an elimination diet I am sure that Lan would be able help you, as she is coming to the end of her elimination diet. I have never been on one. Many years ago I was very ill and thought I had an allergy to eggs. I proved this by cutting out eggs for a fortnight - wow did I feel so much better, then I tried an egg and I felt really sick. Tea has the same effect too :(

One way or another you need to find out what if anything you are allergic to. Good Luck and let us know how you are getting on.

Copper

[Lan]

Hi Susan,

I am so sorry to hear that you have been through as traumatic experience as described.

I know what it is like to put on weight as I am now the heaviest I have ever been. I also know that most dietary meals, soups etcetera contain some sort of milk products, which really makes life harder. I am on a diet at the minute and finding it hard, but I know you can do it as if I can, anyone can.

I also saw the mention in later postings about an elimination diet and if that needs to be done, please do not heistate to contact me as I know all about them. I would definitely contact your doctor and ask to be submitted to the care of a dietician, who will help with food elimination and re-introduction.

I myself am intolerant to milk products and allergic to caffeine and citrus, so I totally understand what cutting foods out of your diet is like. When I first learnt about my problems I felt like I had been hit by a brick wall, but it truely does get better.

If you have any questions, require information or just need to talk to someone, please do not hesitate to contact me through the forums or by personal message.

Lan. :hug:

[JDArsenal]

Thank you again for your kind responses.

I have spoken to Allergy UK who have put me in touch with York Tests - the lady at Allergy UK was wonderful, I wanted her to come and look after me !!!!

BUT in the meantime my husband has spoken to someone and I have an appointment on Monday to see a specialist who is over 2.5 hours drive away - with a 4 and 2 year old !! - who recognises my symptoms and hopes he can help me.....

I will continue to check the site as it does keep me going.....and will let you know how things go....

Thanks once again for your support.......

[Pam]

I hope you get some good advice from the specialist next week, let us know how the appointment goes (I hope your children don't make it too difficult).

York tests are apparently quite expensive but they seem to be the ones that most people recommend. Don't be tempted to pay for the ones that cost about £30 in the local chemists (they put a sensor on your finger and measure the current) as these are not rated at all by professionals.

[Lan]

Hi Susan,

Hope the appointment goes well and good luck. Keep us informed.

Take care,

Lan.

:hug:

[JDArsenal]

Hi
Sorry I haven't replied for so long but although I have visited the site have been so low I decided not to type anything.....
The 'specialist' turned out to be a 'Witch Doctor' - I ended up performing allsorts of things in just my underwear which I was so uncomfortable with - that is how they work apparantly. He said that it was obvious I had allergies and food intolerances but wanted to rid my body of all evils before he began to work on them....I came away feeling totally deflated and cried all the way....I think I had put too much hope into this sorting me out.
Anyway I'm back to the doctors in the morning....so I'll see what happens......
Regards
Susan

[matt]

i know where you're coming from. i've been to all the witch doctors trying to make sense of the situation. most of them seem to be just there to make money from desperate people. i too should be on anti depressants but due to a phobia on vomitting cannot take them. my doctor puts all my problems down to depression and therefore pyschosomatic reactions to milk, wheat etc. i'm trying to convince myself to sit back and try to relax. accept that for now i can't eat dairy or wheat and just let things wash over me, stop trying so hard to find a reason or solution. it might help you aswell. don't worry about a weight change it wont be permenent. find a diet you can live with for a little while even if it's dull and just try to relax and recharge your batteries. easier said than done i know but worth a try. see how you are in a few weeks. i've also been taking st johns wort to try and combat depression in a more natural way. just an idea. hang in there.