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What Causes Weight Gain With Headaches,fatigue And Bloating?
Question: For three months now it seems my XXXXXXX is getting worse and worse. I have gained 30 pounds in 4 months and do not know why. I was diagnosed with Hyperprolactinemia and multiple masses in uterus which they say most likely are fibroids. My Prolactin levels keep rising so they have prescribed me with Cabergoline, I have too many symptoms to list but now they are going to do a MRI w/contrast to focus on the Pituitary gland. When I met with an Endocrinologist she said I shouldn't be gaining this much weight just for high Prolactin and so I am wondering what is going one....my legs are so swelled up now they look and feel like they will burst...stretch marks from so much weight gain...never had veins darkened on legs now I do....it feels like I have blood clots, hard to walk hard to stand...my stomach looks like I am 9 months pregnant....I dont know what to do....please help. And NO it is not my thyroids...those were normal...I get alot of headaches, fatigue, bloating, numbness in face and right side...in legs.....alot of pelvic pain when I walk....dizzy alot.....thank you
Brief Answer:
Did your doctor check out on Cushing's disease/?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these disturbing symptoms that you have reported. I have reviewed your symptoms fully from the information you have provided.
I am concerned about a possible excess corticosteroids in your system. This generally presents with Cushing's syndrome. This is a disease state the presents with excess weight gain and fluid retention, rising blood sugars or worsening diabetes, hypertension, etc. I will like you to read through these symptoms and report back to me if this sounds like what you could be experiencing.
In all, concerned about possible Cushing syndrome. Read through this summarized version of clinical presentation and tell me whether it fits your disease state. From there, we would continue the discussion making suggestions and recommendations.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/basics/symptoms/con-0000?p=1
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for ore information and clarifications if need be,
Did your doctor check out on Cushing's disease/?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these disturbing symptoms that you have reported. I have reviewed your symptoms fully from the information you have provided.
I am concerned about a possible excess corticosteroids in your system. This generally presents with Cushing's syndrome. This is a disease state the presents with excess weight gain and fluid retention, rising blood sugars or worsening diabetes, hypertension, etc. I will like you to read through these symptoms and report back to me if this sounds like what you could be experiencing.
In all, concerned about possible Cushing syndrome. Read through this summarized version of clinical presentation and tell me whether it fits your disease state. From there, we would continue the discussion making suggestions and recommendations.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/basics/symptoms/con-0000?p=1
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for ore information and clarifications if need be,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the quick response,
I did some research also regarding "Cushing Syndrome" and no I do not have those symptoms....but I was wondering about "Endometriosis" I don't know if that would cause all my weight gain but if the fibroids really are bigger than they could see on the ultrasound wouldn't that cause my weight gain.
My gma, when she was alive....she had the same symptoms from what my mom tells me. When all of this started for me, three months ago...I had the worse heartburn, bloating, indigestion, constipation....and I would eat only a small amount and feel full. My stomach bloated out so much and would not go down...still hasn't....I look pregnant....I feel like I am pregnant but with no baby to look forward too....so my gma she had gone to the dr. and they told her it was just fatty tissue, or "fibroid" well years later she just thought she was fat the whole time, turned out it was a tumor the size of a 9 month pregnant baby, and she died at 62. I am just afraid they will do the same with me....say it is all normal when in reality there might be a huge tumor growing in my abdomen....
Another thing, I went to the ER in July and have some lab results but do not know how to read them...it shows I have low RBC, Hgb, Hct, Lymph% Auto, AGAP,Calcium,Alb Level, Protein, ALT and Calc Osmo....I have the numbers for how low if you need any...thank you
I did some research also regarding "Cushing Syndrome" and no I do not have those symptoms....but I was wondering about "Endometriosis" I don't know if that would cause all my weight gain but if the fibroids really are bigger than they could see on the ultrasound wouldn't that cause my weight gain.
My gma, when she was alive....she had the same symptoms from what my mom tells me. When all of this started for me, three months ago...I had the worse heartburn, bloating, indigestion, constipation....and I would eat only a small amount and feel full. My stomach bloated out so much and would not go down...still hasn't....I look pregnant....I feel like I am pregnant but with no baby to look forward too....so my gma she had gone to the dr. and they told her it was just fatty tissue, or "fibroid" well years later she just thought she was fat the whole time, turned out it was a tumor the size of a 9 month pregnant baby, and she died at 62. I am just afraid they will do the same with me....say it is all normal when in reality there might be a huge tumor growing in my abdomen....
Another thing, I went to the ER in July and have some lab results but do not know how to read them...it shows I have low RBC, Hgb, Hct, Lymph% Auto, AGAP,Calcium,Alb Level, Protein, ALT and Calc Osmo....I have the numbers for how low if you need any...thank you
Brief Answer:
Please, I strongly recommend surgical excision!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this follow up detailed write up.
I understand your worries. I am happy to learn that your symptoms are not suggestive of cushing's after reading through the recommended pages.
If there is one thing I have retained, it is that the mass is BIG. And being BIG, it is causing discomfort like pain, bloated feeling, constipation, etc. This in itself warrants that the mass be taken out surgically. Even if it were to be a fibroid, it has met the indications for surgical removal. I will strongly recommend this and more so because the sample would then be sent to the pathology laboratory for histology diagnosis which would tell us what the exact problem is. Ask your doctor about this option.
This is unlikely to be endometriosis. Endometriosis would often start in early teen years. It is rarely at this age and what stands out clear are the severity of symptoms during periods and not masses on examination.
I will like to see a copy of your results. With huge uterine masses, I hope you do not have irregular bleeding. If you do, then this is the most likely reason why you are having low blood count numbers, especially the red cells.
In all, this mass need to be removed surgically. If you have no further plans about getting pregnant, I will recommend a total hysterectomy. Pathologist would analyse and tell us what this mass is exactly.
I wish you well. Let me hear from you and remember it is always my pleasure to exchanging with you.
Please, I strongly recommend surgical excision!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this follow up detailed write up.
I understand your worries. I am happy to learn that your symptoms are not suggestive of cushing's after reading through the recommended pages.
If there is one thing I have retained, it is that the mass is BIG. And being BIG, it is causing discomfort like pain, bloated feeling, constipation, etc. This in itself warrants that the mass be taken out surgically. Even if it were to be a fibroid, it has met the indications for surgical removal. I will strongly recommend this and more so because the sample would then be sent to the pathology laboratory for histology diagnosis which would tell us what the exact problem is. Ask your doctor about this option.
This is unlikely to be endometriosis. Endometriosis would often start in early teen years. It is rarely at this age and what stands out clear are the severity of symptoms during periods and not masses on examination.
I will like to see a copy of your results. With huge uterine masses, I hope you do not have irregular bleeding. If you do, then this is the most likely reason why you are having low blood count numbers, especially the red cells.
In all, this mass need to be removed surgically. If you have no further plans about getting pregnant, I will recommend a total hysterectomy. Pathologist would analyse and tell us what this mass is exactly.
I wish you well. Let me hear from you and remember it is always my pleasure to exchanging with you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for your response, this helps me tremendously....I have been wanting them to do the Hysterectomy but they wouldn't because my doctor said he needed to make sure that my liver and kidneys were ok first. That is when the lab work was done and the lab results came back with a result of high prolactin levels which were 86.7. Then the doctor ordered another lab to make sure the high prolactin levels were indeed accurate and the lab work was done again not even two weeks later and came back even higher at 100.2. This is when my Gynocologist referred me to see an Endocronigist and she wasn't very helpful....in fact she made me feel like I was just over weight because she said high prolactin does not cause weight gain. I asked many questions but she didn't really seem to want to answer them...she prescribed me Cabergoline and said to see her in 6 weeks. So the next step now is my MRI w/contrast which I will have tomorrow.....once I get those results hopefully depending on whether or not I have a tumor on the Pituitary Gland, then maybe my doctor will be able to do the hysterectomy....this is what I want most just to eliminate the possibility of something more in my abdomen/uterus that the doctor wasn't able to see with the ultrasound. I'm just looking forward to some answers a diagnosis something so that I can get better already.....this weight is unbearable and I just want to feel normal again. As far as bleeding, I used to bleed alot to the point of almost passing out, alot of blood clots but lately it doesn't really seem as bad as it has been....is this unusual if I have a big fibroid? You were requesting a copy of the results, which ones?
Look forward to hearing from you soon.. Thank you again and have a blessed day!
Look forward to hearing from you soon.. Thank you again and have a blessed day!
Brief Answer:
Thanks for this detaied information!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I will advice that you wait patiently and get all the intended and prescribed tests done. This would provide a clear picture and understanding of the exact ongoing disease. This would then help orient and guide a treatment plan to be established.
Heavy bleeding is typical of huge fibroids. This is the probable reason why your blood tests showed shortage especially of the red blood cells. This may need iron and folic acid to reconstitute the blood red cells levels.
You mentioned that you could provide a copy of the results with low cell counts to me for further appreciation to see how low the numbers were. If that is easy to do, then let me have a copy and if not, you may want to hold on.
In all, keep a cool head. Let us get all the required and requested information. A more rounded opinion would be arrived at and a treatment plan established and followed through.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. If there are any unanswered concerns, please hesitate not to contact more for more information and clarifications.
Thanks for this detaied information!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I will advice that you wait patiently and get all the intended and prescribed tests done. This would provide a clear picture and understanding of the exact ongoing disease. This would then help orient and guide a treatment plan to be established.
Heavy bleeding is typical of huge fibroids. This is the probable reason why your blood tests showed shortage especially of the red blood cells. This may need iron and folic acid to reconstitute the blood red cells levels.
You mentioned that you could provide a copy of the results with low cell counts to me for further appreciation to see how low the numbers were. If that is easy to do, then let me have a copy and if not, you may want to hold on.
In all, keep a cool head. Let us get all the required and requested information. A more rounded opinion would be arrived at and a treatment plan established and followed through.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. If there are any unanswered concerns, please hesitate not to contact more for more information and clarifications.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you,
Yes I understand that makes sense...here is the lab result numbers I don't have a way to scan the paperwork so I will just type them in
RBC - 4.19L
Hgb - 11.2L
Hct - 35.6L
Lymph% Auto - 24.6L
AGAP - 5fL
Calcium - 8.8L
Alb Level - 3.4L
Total Protein - 6.1L
ALT - 8L
Calc Osmo - 273L
Then something I am not real clear about it is pH Urine Dipstick -POC 6.5
Not sure if any of these results will help any....this test was done back when I went to the ER in the beginning of July.
I know it is very late sorry, have a blessed night and I will keep you informed with anything new I find out.
God Bless =)
Yes I understand that makes sense...here is the lab result numbers I don't have a way to scan the paperwork so I will just type them in
RBC - 4.19L
Hgb - 11.2L
Hct - 35.6L
Lymph% Auto - 24.6L
AGAP - 5fL
Calcium - 8.8L
Alb Level - 3.4L
Total Protein - 6.1L
ALT - 8L
Calc Osmo - 273L
Then something I am not real clear about it is pH Urine Dipstick -POC 6.5
Not sure if any of these results will help any....this test was done back when I went to the ER in the beginning of July.
I know it is very late sorry, have a blessed night and I will keep you informed with anything new I find out.
God Bless =)
Brief Answer:
Thanks!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up question.
These results are suggestive of anemia. Profuse and repeated vaginal bleeding can explain this. I will like to see the controlled for us to have an idea where exactly you stand right now and whether we should be addressing this or not.
The urine PH is acceptable. You should not get worried by this. Though typically less than 5, unless there are other urinary symptoms, this is usually not concerning.
I hope this helps. I wish you well.
Thanks!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up question.
These results are suggestive of anemia. Profuse and repeated vaginal bleeding can explain this. I will like to see the controlled for us to have an idea where exactly you stand right now and whether we should be addressing this or not.
The urine PH is acceptable. You should not get worried by this. Though typically less than 5, unless there are other urinary symptoms, this is usually not concerning.
I hope this helps. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Again Dr.,
So Anemia? That makes sense, I do get light headed alot and I was Anemic when I was younger. You said you would like to see the "controlled" I am not sure what you are referring too.....
Another question I do have though....what does it mean if the doctor asked me if I am on blood thinners? When I was given the contrast for the MRI I guess I had alot of blood pour out so he asked if I were on blood thinners....another thing is a cough I have had for a long time it is a deep cough and makes me feel like I have a hard time breathing, sometimes I feel like I am drowning....and lately my ribs feel like I have been punched or something they hurt so bad and I don't know why.
Thank you for all of your help =)
God Bless
So Anemia? That makes sense, I do get light headed alot and I was Anemic when I was younger. You said you would like to see the "controlled" I am not sure what you are referring too.....
Another question I do have though....what does it mean if the doctor asked me if I am on blood thinners? When I was given the contrast for the MRI I guess I had alot of blood pour out so he asked if I were on blood thinners....another thing is a cough I have had for a long time it is a deep cough and makes me feel like I have a hard time breathing, sometimes I feel like I am drowning....and lately my ribs feel like I have been punched or something they hurt so bad and I don't know why.
Thank you for all of your help =)
God Bless
Brief Answer:
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up.
what does it mean if the doctor asked me if I am on blood thinners?
I am sure he had the impression that you were taking longer to clot than most other persons would do. I think he should follow up with coagulation evaluation to see if there is more reason to suggest you do not clot as fast as you should. Blood thinners do cause this and many patients take them.
For the cough, it is difficult to say what the cause is. I will suggest you get your doctors to examine the lungs and maybe get a basic x-ray to explore and see what wrong could be going on. The preliminary findings would be able to orient and shed more light on this.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to keep the discussion going if you have further unanswered concerns.
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up.
what does it mean if the doctor asked me if I am on blood thinners?
I am sure he had the impression that you were taking longer to clot than most other persons would do. I think he should follow up with coagulation evaluation to see if there is more reason to suggest you do not clot as fast as you should. Blood thinners do cause this and many patients take them.
For the cough, it is difficult to say what the cause is. I will suggest you get your doctors to examine the lungs and maybe get a basic x-ray to explore and see what wrong could be going on. The preliminary findings would be able to orient and shed more light on this.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to keep the discussion going if you have further unanswered concerns.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you :)
Brief Answer:
Thanks, too!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for your kind words.
I wish you well and do keep me posted.
Thanks, too!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for your kind words.
I wish you well and do keep me posted.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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