To worry about my husband?

[Frettingwife]

Actually, I don't think I'm BU but I need a hand hold and some positive vibes. My husband (mid 60s) has long standing, early onset Type 2 Diabetes and CFS/ME which manifests with IBS amongst, other things. He is proactive in controlling his Diabetes and has a good relationship with his GP and Consultant but has never managed to get into a prediabetic condition/remission over the 25 years he's been diagnosed. However, the professionals have been fairly happy with his control and his weight has been stable at the overweight/obese threshold for years. He/we have just realised he has lost 10 kg in 3 weeks over Christmas without trying. No other symptoms apart from a bit of what he assumed to be IBS flare up (alternating loose stools and constipation, increased odour). Obviously, we realise it could be bad news...or not; he will be straight off to the doctor to get it investigated on Monday. I am a terrible worrier and don't need help envisaging the worst. I realise this will be completely anecdotal but please tell me your stories of sudden, unexplained weight loss that turned out to be something benign or at least manageable.

This has happened to me twice, OP. First time was about 3 years ago and the 2nd time very recently.

I never lose weight without trying and when the weight loss happened, my anxiety went into overdrive. I was an absolute mess. I took myself to A&E because I just couldn't cope, even though I was seeing my GP about it at the same time. I had blood tests, & xrays at A&E and they found nothing wrong apart from a little gastro problem. My GP gave me antidepressants for anxiety and something for digestion issues. He also ran blood tests and they came back all clear. I couldn't believe that I was experiencing this, as I'm generally well and although I know I have a touch of anxiety, I never expected it to manifest itself in such a way.

I'm experiencing it again now and feeling it in my throat. I'm seeing a different GP, and she's examined me and told me it's anxiety. I'm going back to see her this week, as she asked me to, so that she can catch up with me. I also need to see her for reassurance.

FYI, the first time, I lost 3kg over 2 weeks without trying and this time, I lost 2kg within a week. All due to stress.

I know your mind automatically goes to the worst place, but there are so many reasons why unintended weight loss can occur. It's difficult to believe that, but it's very true. We are complicated creatures.

Take care 🙂

Excellent post and I really hope you can get the appropriate treatment you need to be fully well again soon. 🤗

SIL early 60s lost 10kg last year and was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid. It is an autoimmune disease ( as is thought likely in ME and diabetes) so certainly worth considering.

She was silly and ignored it for too long and has permanently damaged her eyesight.

All the best to you both.

Thank you. Your very kind 🙂

There's lots of annoying but not-terrible reasons to lose a lot of weight very quickly, including a bug that someone's picked up and is lurking, or in the case of two of my relatives, late-onset coeliac disease. Please don't panic OP, it's a great idea to get checked by the GP and have any necessary tests, but it might very well be nothing, or something that is easily sortable.

Thanks, everyone, your posts have definitely helped. DH had made appt before I was up. It's for tomorrow afternoon but worth waiting 24 hours as is with the GP who knows him inside out. Receptionist was great and he had no trouble being taken seriously. Will keep you in the loop but might be a few days before I get back whilst they run the initial tests.

Well done to your DH for grasping the nettle (too many men ignore their own health) and best of luck to both of you. 🤗 xx

Hope all goes ok OP x

GP was great but there is a discrepancy between his records and the surgery's. They reckon only 5 kg loss, not 11 kg. However, she is not dismissing the issue and he is booked for blood tests and repeat appt in 2 weeks. No stool sample required at present as there is no change in his bowel habits. Can't decide if I'm more reassured or just puzzled that the weight record is different. Am just going to try to put it out of my mind for the next fortnight.

That sounds good. Have a lovely evening with DH.

It was coeliac disease for my husband too but it took a long time to diagnose it, although it's a fairly simple test. Sudden substantial weight loss out of the blue.

Thanks for the update OP. At least your DH is "in the system" now and investigations can continue in fairly swift order with, hopefully, a benign outcome. Take care. 🤗

I lost a lot of weight without trying when I had IBS. Especially around flare ups. And Christmas is a time when I would have been especially careful of my diet, and not been able to overeat.

My IBS has pretty much gone away now (lot of stress removed) and I'm putting all the weight back on.