No idea what is wrong with me (weight gain, exhaustion)...

[one sad guy]

34 years olf, 5'11, 205 lbs. 2 kids, one 8, one 3. I work 50 hours a week and am going to school (UoP).

My issue: I am exhausted all the time. ALL the time. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea almost 2 years ago and I have been 100% compliant with it. I have upped my pressure all the way up to 12 and all I got for it was exTREMELY painful gas, so I backed it back down to 9 (my prescribed pressure). I joined a gym in 06' and went 3-4 times a week and worked out like a maniac. HARD. For a year. Usually 90 minutes a visit before work, with lots of cardio. I never lost a pound. I never had any more energy like I was told I would. I watched what I ate for 6 months along with going to the gym and lost 5 lbs.

My doctor has tested my blood, he says everything is normal. No hypoglycemia, no thyroid issues... everything is normal. But I know its not. I am exhausted all the time. No energy at all. I am HUNGRY all the time. And not normal hunger, its like when you see a ******* in a movie and they can't control the blood lust... I am like that, but with food. Awful hedaches, blurred vision, mood changes, can't concentrate. Not only that, but when I eat, I can't eat a little, I have to eat like I am never going to eat again.

I have big bags under my eyes. I've always had circles but they are getting deeper and my eyes more sunken. I am getting weird splotches of dry skin on my face. I am just getting uglier it seems.

I am starting to believe I am going crazy and getting more and more depressed. I just feel useless and worthless and I am at my wits end.

Does anyone have any ideas/advice/help they can offer?

[Lymekicker]

Hello there! Sorry to hear that you're feeling so lousy. Have you been tested for Lyme Disease? There's a Lyme thread on this board as well. Hope you get better! M.

[ticker]

Hi one sad guy. I am sorry you are feeling so bad.

In my non-medical opinion, it sounds like you could have adrenal fatigue and/or hormone problems. Hormones (including Cortisol for adrenal function) affect many things in the body including energy levels and metabolism.

I suggest doing saliva testing for adrenal fatigue and all hormone levels. Many doctors do not believe in this testing, but from what I understand it is more reliable than blood testing. One lab that does this is ZRT Laboratory. To find a doctor who uses saliva testing, try calling compounding pharmacies in your area. They may be able to tell you which doctors order these kind of meds. Compounding pharmacies are often the ones who dispense adrenal and hormone medication.

I have recently gone through this testing myself and have been diagnosed with severe adrenal fatigue. I have had many of the symptoms you have. There is an Addison's board on this site, which is also for adrenal fatigue.

Do not give up. You will find out what is wrong. Keep us posted on your progress okay?

[one sad guy]

Sir (ma'am?),

Can you explain tome what adrenal fatigue is and how common it is? I am sure my doctor thinks I am making stuff up by now.... but I know there is something wrong with me.

[SentenceDoing]

I would say it sounds like Thyroid problems (hypothyroidism). You said your tests came out "normal", buit I was having what I thought were Thyroid problems a few months ago, and in my research, I found out that sometimes "normal" is normal for 80% of the population, but not necessarily for you. You should find out where in the range your numbers were. If they were in the lower part of the range, I'd definitely suggest more tests. I think besides the TSH, you should ask to have your T4 levels checked (I belive it's T4... there's a lot of info on this on the Thyroid board). Also you might ask your doctor to send you for more tests like a Thyroid Uptake test, where they give you an iodine pill, and have you come back the next day and scan to see how much your Thyroid actually processed. And also, they can do a scan to see the size and shape of your thyroid to see if it's functioning correctly. They may also do an ultrasound of your thyroid to see if you have any nodules on it. All of this can help them to determine whether you may have hypothyroidism even if your numbers are in the "normal" range.
Good luck with everything.