Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 9/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jeanne.  

I'm 31, suffered from A from 12-20.  Was put in 28 day program at 87lbs, "graduated" at 95.  Maintained 112 for a year, and relapsed into B a year after.  From 20-28 weight stayed normal- 125-132ish (I'm 5-3).  B is more habit for me than anything psychological (i dealt with those issues in the program and they are well behind me).

Now I have a very routine pattern of eating- same things every day.  From 28-30 w/o B (mini-relapses time to time) I still maintained 125-132lbs.  The day I hit 30, I started gaining about 2lbs a week.  I'm 165 today, a year later, and FREAKING OUT.  

Saw a homeopath and found I had an extreme vitamin deficiency due to an intestinal parasite, so I thought that was doing it.  I am on a regime of supplements now and feel much better, but still gain about 2lbs a week.  I went from a size 4 to a 12 in about 4 months.  In this time, I hired a personal trainer and got a 2nd job waitressing, which keeps me active.  I also walk to work and pretty much everywhere else I go, so my activity is high.  

I can't even look at carbs without gaining weight.  I gained 5 pounds just YESTERDAY watching football and eating chips and salsa!  Ijust don't see how eating 800-1300cals a day of salad, fruit juice, and tuna is making me gain all this weight!

My doc says "my levels are fine" via a postcard in the mail when she checks for blood sugar, thyroid, or cortisol.  So it's nothing detectable in the blood.  I cannot make an appt with an endocrine specialist because I need a diagnoses from my internist first.... which she will not give me-just the 450$ postcard.

I'm at wit's end.  I want to stop eating entirely! Again!  Any direction you can give is welcome.

ANSWER: Dear Beth,

I can really understand why you're so unhappy right now!  

It would be a great idea if you went to see a naturopathic physician who does functional medicine testing.  These kinds of doctors can do all sorts of testing that regular docs have never heard of.  They're really wonderful!  Functional medicine assessments are so much more precise than just regular blood work.

Go to Google and look up functional medicine and naturopaths in your state to fine someone!

Please let me know what you find out -- I guarantee you you'll find something -- it could be a food intolerance or a thousand other things -- but definitely discoverable!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply, Jeannie, but I stated I had alread seen a naturopath ND.  He found, through bloodwork and urinalysis, that I'm vitamin deficient and intolerant to wheat and rice.  I have since avoided these foods entirely, started on vitamin supplements, and am still gaining 2lbs/wk.  Any other causes you can think of or suggest?  

Again, I'm completely bewildered and no health professional is providing any help.  Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi again!

I said to find a naturopath who does functional medicine -- that is a whole other area that provide a completely new set of information for you!!

Warmly,
Jeannie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Again, as stated, I have already seen a Naturopath who does functional medicene, an ND.  I found out a lot from him, and am taking all of his advice and supplements, detox, etc.  However, I'm still gaining weight at a very rapid pace.

After getting no satisfaction from an Internist, OR ND, I'm reaching out on this forum.  Is there anything else, anyone else, any other kind of ANYTHING you can suggest and point me towards?  I'm desparate.  Thanks!

Answer
Hi!

Sorry -- in your first note you mentioned a homeopath and I didn't see anything about functional medicine.  The only thing left is for you to see the endocrinologist -- if you can't get the referral go back to your doctor and say you absolutely have to see the endocrinologist.  Your doctor should notice your weight gain and that should be proof enough that you need to see a specialist!!

Keep in touch and I'll keep thinking.

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com