Dear Doctors, I have a sistet-in-law who was very stressed and started not being ableto eat. She was over 200lbs. and now weighs 90lbs. at 5’4″. She has been to many doctors and they have told her that her stomach has stopped working and her heart is weakened. She swears she is not anorexic but I’m sure this situation is similiar to what happens in that disease. They also told her there was an experimental drug from Canada to jump start her digestive system but now say she isn’t a candidate because of her heart. They sent her to New Orleans for a consult to have some sort of pump inserted but they say that is a 2 month wait. Please is there any special doctors or hospital where we can bring her, we are afraid she is going to die!

From your description, it appears your sister-in-law is having symptoms associated with an eating disorder that has caused her to experience gastrointestinal problems as well as heart failure. Her condition should first be accurately diagnosed and any malignancy should be ruled out before proceeding with any treatment.

There area number of hospitals around the Gulf states that are excellent at treating gastrointestinal and cardiac disorders. These include:

- St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (Texas Heart Institute) in Houston, TX
- Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX
- Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX
- Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA
- Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA
- University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL

While these hospitals are regarded as some of the most advanced in the USA for treatment of cardiac or gastrointestinal disorders, it is the individual doctor and not the institution that has the greatest impact in your sister-in-law’s care. Most specialists require referrals from a primary care physician. Therefore, one of the best ways to get an appointment with a specialist is with a referral from your sister-in-law’s primary care physician.