Can't eat

[DramaticGoose]

That's it. I can't eat. I haven't eaten properly for 6 weeks or so. I've lost just under half a stone in the last week alone (bought scales the other day, because I was worried, never owned scales before, i don't know what i weighed before).

I've also had pain in my ovary / pelvis, constipation, bloating and have been tired all the time for what seems like forever.

I had a blood test last week, results are all normal. Dr thought maybe coeliac as my mum has it but I've had blood tests for that several times in my life and always told I don't have that.

What could be wrong with me? I want to eat, I really really do. I love food and I miss it!

When you say you can’t eat, are you nauseous? Or feeling too full/bloated to eat?

Like I'm full. I ate half a sandwich at lunch yesterday, and just couldn't eat any more. That's all I ate, all day.

What bloods have you had done? Ask for a ca125

Do you have anxiety, or anxiety symptoms ?

Have you had any internal investigations? Like an ultrasound or any kind of imaging? I'd push the GP hard for this, it's not ok to not be able to eat as you say! I'm surprised your GP has not been more proactive.

I have had this and it came back normal.

Sorry realised I didn't say, it was the c125 test I had, which came back normal.

when I had similar symptoms the gp referred me for an ultra sound scan and a colonoscopy.
I slso had to send in a stool sample.
some more blood tests (the one for ovarian cancer).

go back to the gp!

the blood test for coeliacs is nof alway reliable, gold standard is to take a biopsy during colonoscopy.

good luck!

The ca125 is not always an accurate test either
You need to push for an internal scan as quick as possible.

I think I do have anxiety, yes. I've never had anything diagnosed on that front but I am very anxious at the moment and do have a lot of stress going on (twin has lymphoma, other sister not talking to me because I stopped mum selling her house for a million pounds less than she'd been offered to sister instead, grandfather is being bullied by his landlord - I mean who bullies a 100 year old man!?)

Maybe it's all in my head and a reaction to the stress I'm under? Not sure how to relieve the stress though? I can't help my twin (she starts chemo next week though, so hopefully that'll zap the fucker out of her), I have no interest in making up with my other sister (apparently I owe her an apology!), and we're trying to sort my grandfather issues out but it's not simple or easy....

anxiety could be a cause.
but the physical possibilities need to be ruled out.

I went to a nurse practitioner there a few years ago, with changes to my breast and she laughed at me. I hate going to the Dr's in case they'll just laugh at me and make me feel stupid.

I keep thinking it must be all in my head, but then they said that to my dad, and 6 months later he was dead from pancreatic cancer which spread to his liver. I don't want to waste their time though either.

But not eating is getting me down.

The reason I asked about anxiety is because my DH couldn’t eat, and in the end that was the cause. He denied it was mental, lost so much weight and energy that I thought he was dying of undiagnosed cancer. But in the end it was anxiety and antidepressants were the cure for him.

I am under stress at the moment. Maybe I just ask for antidepressants and hope that does it?

I’d certainly be having that discussion with your GP.

How old are you ? Are you peri menopause age ?

I am 41.

I think a chat from the stress/anxiety angle would be good then. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed about taking antidepressants, they are literally a life saver for many people.

tbh I would only mention mental health after additional tests/scans have been done.

all too often gp stop looking for physical causes once you mention anxiety.

I wasn't feeling hungry and felt bloated after a few mouthfuls. GP sent me for colonoscopy and endoscopy and it turns out I have a hiatus hernia. Could be a possibility?
However, when I am really stressed I feel sick and can't eat either.

So sorry you are going through all this OP. Can’t believe a nurse laughed at you! Did you complain? I would have changed practices or at least made sure I never saw that practioner again! 💐💐

I didn't change practices because they had one GP who was really excellent for my son's allergy diagnosis (her own kids have similar allergies and it's something she has a special interest in) so stayed for him. But I think I will switch practices soon because little one is in the system with a consultant now so we don't need that one good GP anymore.

I've refused to see the same nurse practitioner every time she's beeb offered though! And I never made a complaint.

I had the same. Go ran blood tests and two types of stool samples. These came back fine but problems persisted. Sent on the 2 week pathway for endoscopy and colonoscopy on the same day and diagnosed there and then with diverticuloses. Changed diet which helped but still waiting to see the gastro consultant one year on.

Definitely push for stool sample tests and other procedures.

It sounds like you are under huge stress. In a similar situation I couldn't eat last year. Sertraline made a huge difference to me, plus my ill relative starting treatment.

I have a phone appointment tomorrow. Thanks for the advice and kind words. I am oscillating between thinking it's all in my head/stress related and terrified I must have cancer.