What's going on??

[funshine]

Right firstly apologies if this turns into a long rambling post,I just don't know who I can turn to next.

For the last 6 months or so I have been steadily gaining weight,gaining nearly 1 1/2 stone now for to my mind is no reason at all.I had severe anorexia a while ago but was keeping my BMI steady at 17 until this started to happen and I'm finding it extremely distressing that I am continuously getting bigger and I can't stop it.I eat a fairly healthy diet and only have 800-1000 calories max each day.I know the amount of calories in food and write down what I eat and drink religiously so I know no extras are sneaking in.I exercise and have an active job.

I have been to my the 3 GP's at my local surgery who treat me as a hypochondriac and that I "obviously am in denial about how much i eat". I have had my thyroid tested which apparantely was fine.I have tried eating more in an attempt to speed up my metabolism and then eating less to starve myself but both to no effect.

Also for the last 2 weeks I have been getting severe stomach pains,sometimes so bad that I can't walk and when it first happened my mum was convinced I had appendicitis the pain was that acute.The pain is really low on my right side and only goes away when I lie down on my side for a long time.When I have the pain I feel sick and dizzy.I really am at my wits end as to what is happening and am really scared that this weight gain won't stop.

Does anyone have ANY idea at all what might be going on or who else I could consult??Thanks in advance for any replies!

[Hellyon]

Funshine - you don't say if you are male or female but I'm asssuming female, secondly how old are you?
I'm no medical expert and I do think you need to persist with the doctor.
Weight gain is not always to do with eating, changing hormone levels can cause weight gain in women which is why women tend to gain weight in their 30's and 40's.
Your metabolism changes as you get older too it may be although you eat the same amount you are not burning up the same calories as you used to, or your are not as active as you were.
Is it possible you are pregnant? that too could cause weight gain and the possible explaination for the stomach pain - you MUST go to a Doctor.

[DONNA1458]

This is something you need to address and take control of now and if you are not getting the help from the nhs you should concider other avenues i would recommend the following link it may not be near you but if you go there as an in patient and you will have a much better chance to turn things around, it wont be cheap but you get what you pay for so if you have to beg or borrow in the long run it will be worth it. its just a pity the nhs havent worked for you. good luck

http://www.prioryhealthcare.com/highbank

[mountainboo]

Hi funshine, I'm sorry to hear about your struggles with annorexia. I really think you ought to seek a second opinion. Your current symptoms sound very similar to what I experienced a few years ago and ended up going to hospital. It was a kidney infection. They suspected appendicitis for 24 hours and I was nil by mouth for that period of time until they discovered it was a kidney infection. Perhaps you should contact NHS direct as they will go through your symptoms and give you advice. Good luck funshine

[funshine]

Thanks for those answers guys....sorry for not mentioning in the original post,I am 21 and female.No,I'm definitely not pregnant.

I just really don't know who to consult next...can I see someone at another GP surgery??I feel guilty continuosly giong back to my doctor when it is so obvious he doesn't believe me and I come away feeling a lot worse because of it.I am considering going down the private route,as I mentioned I had anorexia and the NHS have been no help to me at all throughout the 5 years since my diagnosis.

I'm just really sick of feeling terrible and uncomfortable with myself.

[daffy654]

You don't say what your actual weight is in your post funshine, if you have gained 1 1/2 stones but were underweight to start with then there may be no problem.Can you please tell us your weight and height. A BMI of 17 is very low....for example I am 5'4" and weigh 8.5 stones,my BMI is 20.5.

[Scarlett]

It could also be that because you have been over and under eating, your metabolism is a bit screwed up, and your body has gone into "starvation mode" which happens when you yo-yo diet. You eat not enough, and so your body thinks you are fasting, or that there is no food, so it slows your metabolism down and then when you DO eat normally, or more than you did, the weight goes on far quicker than normal.
However this doesn't explain the pain. Your Doc is clearly a waste of time- you should phone your surgery and ask to see a different doctor as you would like a second opinion. If the Doc is as unhelpful to all his patients, the surgery will be used to patients complaining about him.
If they query this, say that you are not happy with him and can't afford to go private. You are paying your NI so are entitled to health care. At the moment you are receiving no care whatsoever.
You have to stamp your feet. If they can't find anything wrong with your stomach, insist to be referred to a gastroenterologist at the hospital. Rather than wait 3 months for an appointment you can tell the Doc that you want a private appointment. He will then write a letter requesting one on your behalf, to the specialist. This will cost you maybe �100-�250 but it does mean you can queue jump. THEN when you see the specialist, tell him that for any further treatment/appointments, you want to go back to NHS, so it won't cost you any more. I have done this a number of times just to get stuff sorted.
Good luck- let us know how you get on.

[Carakeel]

funshine, if your doctor is not willing to help you can either see someone else at that surgery or simply change surgeries and doctors. All of the above have give you good advice and I can only add that you should persist until you get answers. If all else fails, when you have pain the next time, go to your local Hospital A&E. You should also call NHS direct and tell them how you are feeling and that nobody seems to be listening to you. They should be able to help get this sorted. Their number is 0845 46 47. Good luch. I wish you all the best. :o)

[Panic Button]

BMI of 17 is underweight.

You should be between 20 and 25 to be healthy.