Crippling Fatigue and more, could it be Adrenal related?

Hormones
1

About 3 years ago I started having some issues with pain in my abdonimal area (left side, by stomach) which goes straight to my back, lots of belching, with occasional diarrhea. I saw my doctor and they ran tests and gave me prilosec 40mg to take twice a day. This didnt help so the dr gave me ranitidine 300mg to take in between. This still didnt help so I was referred to a specialist who decided to do a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This is the real start of my issues. I had chronic diarrhea after this, and my job as a salesperson went to hell. I was under so much stress that I started having panic attacks any time my stomach grumbled, which made it worse. I started only having a coke in the morning for breakfast and then would eat at night when I got home. I started getting extreme fatigue, and developed hypoglycemia. fast forward to today, and I now take cholestyramine for the diarrhea which has solved that, but I am constantly tired, I still have the pain in my abdominal area which is in my back now and bends me over from time to time, I CANNOT tolerate anything kind of stimulants (caffiene, ginseng etc) or I will crash hard. I get extremely tired during the day, my body aches all the time, I get headaches and neck aches, I have lost over 60 pounds since the surgery and I am nauseated most of the day, especially after eating. My dr has checked for diabetes twice and both times my A1C was low. Also twice since this surgery, when I was sick with the flu, my blood pressure bottomed out and I passed out, once my wife heard me go down in the bathroom, and I had hit my head on the bathtub and bit threw my lip, had no idea what had happened when I woke up. I am just confused and recently heard of Addison's Disease and it seems like I have a lot of the symptoms, (minues the dark skin areas). I have a lot of anxiety and stress, and it seems when these are worse, I feel worse. Anyone have any ideas? I am at a loss and feel like life is hopeless sometimes dealing with this, because I never am able to do things with my family, due to being tired and hurting.

Thanks

2

Hi, really feel for you, you sound to be going through a tough time. I assume you've been tested for Gluten intolerance / Coeliac disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome - also have similar symptoms to those you describe.

All the best, Maggie

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I have been tested for Gluten issues, Celiac, Thyroid and IBS. I was negative for gluten, celiac and Thyroid. They said I may have IBS, but according to the Dr. it is a catch all when nothing else can be found. The only thing I have ever been diagnoses with was, his words, "mild acid reflux. The Dr. who have me the cholestyramine said after the gallblader removal a lot of patients get post cholecystectomy dumping syndrome. But after your body adjusts that you will be okay. He said most dumping syndrome is rectified once the cause is eliminated. I just feel like everything changed after my surgery, and There has to be SOMETHING I can do to get back to normal!

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I had my gallbladder removed too. Later on i developed massive burning bile in abdomen. Took every over the counter and prescription including nexium 40mg 2× day. Then was Put on Welchol and that really helped for a bit. GI DOCTOR'S told me to keep taking it but i still could get control over this burning in stomach. I finally read somewhere to go off all PPI's and eat small amounts of bread and crackers throughout the day. Wasn't easy but it worked. I have been off everything. Srill doing well in that department for over a year. It was hard to do...slept sitting up in a recliner for about a month. The body can heal itself....patience and no caffine. As to the ADRENAL insufficiency i was just diagnosed with i am really struggling like you. Best wishes. Janelle

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Also, avoid fried food at all costs. If i eat fried food or really spicy...i run to the bathroom. Please get your liver function test done.