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What Causes Weight Loss, Frequent Urination And Disturbed Sleep?

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Posted on Tue, 13 Jan 2015
Question: Hello Dr. Rynne,
I already received an excellent response to the same issue. I merely am seeking a second opinion and re-phrasing my problem. For the last year I have lost considerable weight after going through changes in my diet to lower glucose since I was diagnosed pre diab. In did intentionally lose 10 lbs through diet and exercise. Then it seems despite regular caloric intake I lost much more weight---25-30 lbs...I cant remember my highest weight exactly.
I have also experienced frequent urination...sometimes every twenty minutes that does not seem to be improved by the flomax that my urologist prescribed. I have had BHP even since I was in my 30s...the urologist assured me that it is not serious. The third complaint is that the past month I have had disturbed sleep---waking uo intermittently....my sleep feels like a series of power naps.
These things are concerting because at a young age my mother (when she was 41) showed signs of what would now be diagnosed as Lewy Body Dementia. I remember that she also had frequent trips to the rest room and her sleep was disrupted with violent night mares ( which I also have occasionally) before she demonstrated hallucinations...which was really the indicator to us. She was for two years treated with psych disorder---depression, melancholia, etc. This was in 1978-1979.
I am just wondering if the body systems (autonomic nervous system?) can affect weight loss and urination frequency before the hallmark symptom ---hallucinations, dementia arise...sort of the cart before the horse.
These things obviously run through my mind so it could be ( as the previous on line MD suggested) Gen anxiety disorder which I was diagnosed with in the past. I am seeing a top specialist in Lewy Body March 21, but I am afraid that I should not wait that long. Thank you! XXXX

The previous MD I consulted on line was a neurologist...he was very helpful...just seeking another opinion. Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It could be an anxiety disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Your borderline blood sugar levels dont make your Diabetes type 1 and hence your weight loss and frequent urination cannot be attributed to the blood sugar levels. Further with a diagnosed BPH, the urinary frequency can be explained.
Further when we are looking at the diagnostic criteria for the lewy body disease except for a disturbed sleep schedule, nothing is present in you to qualify it as a lewy body dementia. Moreover you have some anxiety traits that can lead to sleep disturbances, urinary frequency and weight loss as well. I guess proper treatment of your anxiety disorder alone can help you deal with these problems.
it occurs cause of imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. especially serotonin, nor adrenaline, and dopamine to some extent. Medicines are the best options to take care of these symptoms. Paroxetine is the the most popular medicine and my drug of choice. I generally prescribe my patients 12.5 mg per day at night which takes care of anxiety symptoms.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (23 minutes later)
Thank you Dr. I am just wondering....is it possible for a pathological, degenerative neurological disease such as Lewy Body (or Parkinsons) ---for examples---manifest in physiological damages such as weight loss and frequent urination before acting on hallmark symptoms....I guess anything is possible...just wondering. I say this because the Flomax my urologist prescribed and my weight gain is challenging to achieve for me....not that I am under weight.
Also, is anxiety disorder possible to present weight loss problems ( actually 10 years ago I also lost considerable weight before taking Zoloft and visiting a chiropractor which was somewhat helpful) as I am taking in regular caloric amounts and introduced some more carbs into my diet.

From your response you say neurotransmitters are into play---that can affect symptoms such as weight loss?
If you could respond to these queries, I would appreciate it. I will then submit an excellent review. Thanks for your excellent response.

Hello Dr. XXXXXXX

Just wondering if you can clarify my last query....Or, should I contact you on your other site. If you feel that you already answered my questions that is fine; please let me know if you can Thank you.

Dr. XXXXXXX
I tried your other site---did not go through....Perhaps you can answer my last query. Thanks!
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (38 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Considering that you have anxiety symptoms, the sleep disturbance and weight loss can be attributed to the anxiety disorder. And yes, neurotransmitters are involved in anxiety disorders as well as weight loss. Anxiety does cause weight loss and the weight generally improves ones the anxiety symptoms come down. Lewy body dementia can occur with some non-specific symptoms initially but it is very very unlikely to be lewy body dementia.To give you an example sleep disturbance and weighloss can be symptoms of lot many illnesses like HIV and AIDS, brain tumors etc,,but we cannot keep bothering about them and keep ruling out all of them unless there are strong symptoms. You do not have any strong symptoms suggestive of lewy body dementia.
Hope this helps,
Sorry for the delay as I had been out of my workplace for some time.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2770 Questions

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What Causes Weight Loss, Frequent Urination And Disturbed Sleep?

Brief Answer: It could be an anxiety disorder Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. Your borderline blood sugar levels dont make your Diabetes type 1 and hence your weight loss and frequent urination cannot be attributed to the blood sugar levels. Further with a diagnosed BPH, the urinary frequency can be explained. Further when we are looking at the diagnostic criteria for the lewy body disease except for a disturbed sleep schedule, nothing is present in you to qualify it as a lewy body dementia. Moreover you have some anxiety traits that can lead to sleep disturbances, urinary frequency and weight loss as well. I guess proper treatment of your anxiety disorder alone can help you deal with these problems. it occurs cause of imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. especially serotonin, nor adrenaline, and dopamine to some extent. Medicines are the best options to take care of these symptoms. Paroxetine is the the most popular medicine and my drug of choice. I generally prescribe my patients 12.5 mg per day at night which takes care of anxiety symptoms. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.