Please bear with the following lengthy information. I'm at my wit's end and crying out for help. I posted this in the Tri Forum, but, thought a women's only forum would be helpful, too.
I've seen multiple specialists over the last two years. Been tested for:
I've had other tests, but can't remember them now. All of them, though, came back normal. The physicians had nothing to report that would explain what I'm about to share.
I'm 42, male, 5'8" and 165. I've been active my entire life (except for periodic lay offs for a broken foot and sprained ankle and shoulder). I got into triathlons in 2002. Laid off for several years, then, finished the Branson 70.3 event in 2010 and 2012. Had to pull the plug on 2011 because of plantar fasciitis in my left foot.
Six months after turning 40, I noticed a gradual unsettled feeling in my gut. I also noticed that I wasn't getting as lean with the same amount of exercise. Recovery took a lot longer despite a vegan diet since 1995 (with supplements, such as, B12, multi-vitamin, probiotic, enzymes and green superfoods) and getting quality sleep.
During the last year, my gut issues have gradually worsened. Even the last two months has been worse still. No matter what I eat or drink, my belly bloats like a woman that is six months pregnant. Even when my last meal is 4 or 5 p.m., and go to bed between 9 and 10 p.m., I go to sleep with a pot belly and wake up that way. Although, my rest isn't as restful compared to three years ago. I wake up every morning with overall body stiffness (mainly legs and back) that feels like I've played tackle football all night.
I have to constantly hawk up this white phlegm during exercise and sometimes at rest. When I eat, I feel like I'm suffocating. I have regular bowel movements, but, after them, my belly swells up like I'm pregnant. I've also experienced issues with plantar fasciitis in my left foot that caused tightness in my left hip. This year, I'm having sharp tightness in my right heel and both hamstrings.
Exercise efforts, in swim, bike and run, are very difficult. Even when I'm doing an hour at conversational effort, I struggle a lot compared to three years ago. My bloated belly gets in the way of breathing. I get a constricted feeling in the left part of my chest that travels up the side of my neck and the back of my head. Sometimes it's there during exercise, sometimes it's not there at all. But, then I would get a terrible side stitch on my right side during a run. The left side constriction is sometimes present when I'm at rest and trying to eat. Thirty minutes after eating, I feel my pulse racing, but, my heart rate isn't high.
I've had a history of an binge eating disorder for many years, on again, off again. I would only put on 10 or 15 pounds at the most, but, when I would get back on a regular schedule and exercise program, I would drop that weight gradually and lean out at 150-155. After IM Branson 2010, I dropped to 145. Three years ago, I would hover around 150-155 with minimal effort. Even when I wasn't training for triathlon events (just rode the bike and lifted weights), my weight and body mass would remain low. When I changed to a vegan diet in 1995, I dropped to 145 with minimal exercise (cycled three times a week, circuit routine with free weights twice a week). But, lately, I remain at 165 and have to really be diligent about the exercise, sleep and diet. I dropped to 155 after IM Branson last year, but, I noticed I was a lot thicker and had less raw power compared to 2010 (even though I was 12 minutes faster overall last year compared to 2010).
I wonder if long distance exercise can cause gut issues, weight gain and some of the other symptoms I described above. It feels like I have IBS, but, I don't know. Like I said, all the tests I've had so far have been normal. I have no strength or endurance like I did three years ago. Along with that is the swollen belly and colon and extra fat around my midsection that won't go away despite my efforts with exercise and nutrition. I've tried eliminating "offending foods," but, I have gurgling and periodic pain in my intestinal area no matter what I eat or drink (I don't drink with my meals).
Tonight, after cycling home from swimming in the lap pool at my local gym, my belly was severely pregnant (could it be an allergic reaction to chlorine?). Some parts were painful when I would suck in my gut. I have a lot of gas that I need to expel from the colon, but, when that's gone, I still have a bloated belly. The rest of my body is relatively thin. I think I look like one of those malnourished kids in Africa you might have seen in photos.
If anyone has anything to offer, I'm all ears. I'm at a loss as to where to go for help because I've been to many physicians and had many tests with no success. Thanks. :)
I've seen multiple specialists over the last two years. Been tested for:
- Crohn's
- Celiac
- Wheat & gluten allergies
- B12 deficiency
- Thyroid
- Testosterone
- Diabetes
I've had other tests, but can't remember them now. All of them, though, came back normal. The physicians had nothing to report that would explain what I'm about to share.
I'm 42, male, 5'8" and 165. I've been active my entire life (except for periodic lay offs for a broken foot and sprained ankle and shoulder). I got into triathlons in 2002. Laid off for several years, then, finished the Branson 70.3 event in 2010 and 2012. Had to pull the plug on 2011 because of plantar fasciitis in my left foot.
Six months after turning 40, I noticed a gradual unsettled feeling in my gut. I also noticed that I wasn't getting as lean with the same amount of exercise. Recovery took a lot longer despite a vegan diet since 1995 (with supplements, such as, B12, multi-vitamin, probiotic, enzymes and green superfoods) and getting quality sleep.
During the last year, my gut issues have gradually worsened. Even the last two months has been worse still. No matter what I eat or drink, my belly bloats like a woman that is six months pregnant. Even when my last meal is 4 or 5 p.m., and go to bed between 9 and 10 p.m., I go to sleep with a pot belly and wake up that way. Although, my rest isn't as restful compared to three years ago. I wake up every morning with overall body stiffness (mainly legs and back) that feels like I've played tackle football all night.
I have to constantly hawk up this white phlegm during exercise and sometimes at rest. When I eat, I feel like I'm suffocating. I have regular bowel movements, but, after them, my belly swells up like I'm pregnant. I've also experienced issues with plantar fasciitis in my left foot that caused tightness in my left hip. This year, I'm having sharp tightness in my right heel and both hamstrings.
Exercise efforts, in swim, bike and run, are very difficult. Even when I'm doing an hour at conversational effort, I struggle a lot compared to three years ago. My bloated belly gets in the way of breathing. I get a constricted feeling in the left part of my chest that travels up the side of my neck and the back of my head. Sometimes it's there during exercise, sometimes it's not there at all. But, then I would get a terrible side stitch on my right side during a run. The left side constriction is sometimes present when I'm at rest and trying to eat. Thirty minutes after eating, I feel my pulse racing, but, my heart rate isn't high.
I've had a history of an binge eating disorder for many years, on again, off again. I would only put on 10 or 15 pounds at the most, but, when I would get back on a regular schedule and exercise program, I would drop that weight gradually and lean out at 150-155. After IM Branson 2010, I dropped to 145. Three years ago, I would hover around 150-155 with minimal effort. Even when I wasn't training for triathlon events (just rode the bike and lifted weights), my weight and body mass would remain low. When I changed to a vegan diet in 1995, I dropped to 145 with minimal exercise (cycled three times a week, circuit routine with free weights twice a week). But, lately, I remain at 165 and have to really be diligent about the exercise, sleep and diet. I dropped to 155 after IM Branson last year, but, I noticed I was a lot thicker and had less raw power compared to 2010 (even though I was 12 minutes faster overall last year compared to 2010).
I wonder if long distance exercise can cause gut issues, weight gain and some of the other symptoms I described above. It feels like I have IBS, but, I don't know. Like I said, all the tests I've had so far have been normal. I have no strength or endurance like I did three years ago. Along with that is the swollen belly and colon and extra fat around my midsection that won't go away despite my efforts with exercise and nutrition. I've tried eliminating "offending foods," but, I have gurgling and periodic pain in my intestinal area no matter what I eat or drink (I don't drink with my meals).
Tonight, after cycling home from swimming in the lap pool at my local gym, my belly was severely pregnant (could it be an allergic reaction to chlorine?). Some parts were painful when I would suck in my gut. I have a lot of gas that I need to expel from the colon, but, when that's gone, I still have a bloated belly. The rest of my body is relatively thin. I think I look like one of those malnourished kids in Africa you might have seen in photos.
If anyone has anything to offer, I'm all ears. I'm at a loss as to where to go for help because I've been to many physicians and had many tests with no success. Thanks. :)