Hello all. Since I have become ill, I have gained a great deal of
weight. I've had my thyroid tested and re-tested, but it always
comes out fine. I have an article about something called Wilson's
Thyroid Syndrome which I guess does not get ruled out by the normal
thyroid tests. I asked my rheumatologist about it, but she didn't
seem to have ever heard of it or read the article. I told her how
further tests were needed to rule this out, but she seemed to ignore
me. I have had this experience any time I bring in an article or
tell the doctors about something. They just flat out ignore me.
Perhaps you can Google "Wilson's Thyroid Syndrome" and read more
about it? Here's a good site to check out:
http://www.cfs-recovery.org/wilson's_syndrome.htm

Also, the methadone that I take has been a factor in my weight gain.
My doctor does not concur with this, but I have talked to thousands
of people who are on methadone, either for pain or for maintenance
for opiate addiction, and everyone agrees it has made them gain
weight and that it also makes you crave sweets. Since I've been on
it, I've gained about 20 lbs. This is in addition to the already 40
lbs. I had put on from hardly ever getting out of bed because of
pain. I went from being a rather slim person who was a size 9 to a
very chubby/fat person who is now a size 14-16 and 200 lbs. I am
only 5'2, so the weight gain is very noticeable. When I first became
ill with the fibromyalgia, I had lost a little over 60 lbs. in less
than 4 months. I had been throwing up all the time and had no
appetite. Come to find out, I have 2 ulcers, both a duodenal and a
peptic, which were causing the nausea and vomiting. I was tested for
H.Pylori, the bacteria that causes ulcers, and use of NSAIDS was
ruled out as I cannot take them due to my aspirin sensitive asthma.
The ulcers were from the stress of being in so much pain all the
time and not getting any treatment. Now, here I am about a year and
a ½ later and I'm a little over 60 lbs. heavier. It is causing me
terrible depression. I try to exercise as much as I can, but I just
CAN'T do it some days. I get told to "just push myself" and things
like that, but I just can't make my body do what it won't. I am at
the point of trying drastic measures to lose this weight. I hardly
ever leave my apartment except for maybe once or twice a month so
thankfully I don't have to constantly see how none of my clothes fit.

I know there are millions of diet pills out there promising to melt
fat away, etc. Most of them are complete rip-offs. Since we can
purchase virtually any prescription diet pill online without a
prescription, I thought of asking my doctor to script me one. It
doesn't mean she will, but it would be a heck of a lot cheaper. I've
ordered prescription phentermine in the past, but it didn't seem to
be all that great. I just ordered a bottle of 5-HTP, which I
mentioned in another message. I've had positive results with it in
the past so I thought I'd give it a shot and see if it helps with
the pain of fibro.

What scares me is the things I think of to lose weight. I even
thought of trying Ipecac until I looked it up and learned it can
cause some serious heart problems or even death. I'd STILL rather be
fat than dead. I don't want to get an eating disorder out of wanting
to lose weight so badly but I have been trying SO HARD to lose
weight with no results. I know all about the sensible diet and
exercise route, which is the best way to do it. What I would like to
know, do any of you have any secrets or have you tried any of these
diet pills/supplements with any luck? I pretty much eat oatmeal,
cereal, yogurt and popsicles, and that's mostly it. I have little
appetite. So why can't I lose? Instead, I gain. I flat out refuse to
go on the Atkins Diet and think people who are on it are nuts. I
don't eat meat. I couldn't live without eating cereal and bread and
carbs, My mom is on Atkins and has lost a lot of weight, but she's
miserable and the stuff she eats turns my stomach.

I feel like I am at death's door most of the time, yet I gained all
this weight? People tell me how sick I look, how I look grey and so
tired all the time, but then they HAVE to point out how fat I got
and how I must at least still have a good appetite. It really makes
me angry cause I have many mirrors in my home so I do not need
someone to TELL me I have gained weight, especially since I barely
eat. Any clues? Hints? Help? Just please don't tell me to eat a
balanced diet and exercise regularly cause I know that already. I
guess I'm like most Americans and want a "quick fix" or a magic pill.

Has anyone else gained since they became ill? I know it can't ALL be
the meds I am on, which are many. I'm seriously considering that
gastric bypass surgery if there's any way I can get it. Any
responses are welcome. It actually made me feel better to write this
all out and vent it all. Gaining all this weight is one of the main
reasons I don't really leave my home more than once or twice a
month. But now I'm sick of that and ready to make some new friends
and get out as much as possible. If only I could just wake up
tomorrow morning and find myself thin.......

Take care everyone-

Kerrie