Anorexia recovery and swollen THIGHS?!

Hey everyone.  I'm about my 12th day in of refeeding.  I was eating about 400 calories a day and over 12 days worked my calories up to 2500.  I am freaking out a little bit because my thighs feel very much like they are swelling.  They feel very firm, are noticeably bigger in size, and when I stand they are sore and almost painful.  It's most apparent when I'm standing up.  It feels like my skin is stretching or something.  I've read about edema in the ankles/feet and bloating in the belly, but nothing about the thighs.  I'm sure it's not in my mind, either.  It's very uncomfortable and my pants are noticeably tighter.

I know there are huge fluid fluctuations when you start to eat again, but I just find it odd that I haven't read about anyone experiencing this.  Of course my digestive system is out of whack and I'm very "backed up" and it seems like I'm drinking a ton of fluid and NOT getting much out...

I'm just hoping someone has experience with this because ED is saying it's pure FAT accumulation and not fluid...Which, yes, I want to gain weight, but not over the course of 2 days.  I've only been at 2500 for two days now.  I told my dietitian (she supposedly specializes in ED) and she hadn't heard of any similar situations, just told me about fluid retention, etc.  I am going to call my doctor tomorrow but just wanted to check to see if anyone experienced this too :/

i totally know what youre talking about. it probably mostly is water. Even now when i get bloated my thighs get bigger. Ugghh its a pain, so i just stick to knee length skirts. its not fat!

YES! i DO know what you are talking about! when you begin to renourish your body again, it panics, and attempts to hold onto every ounce of water it can. also, you were likely extremely dehydrated, and that makes your cells SHRINK. when they re-hydrate, they are able to go back to their normal size. YES, it will get better. however, i have been on a gain plan for quite a while and STILL experience bloating. YES it HORRID. And, NO its NOT all in your head-bloating IS real. It IS probably exadgerated in your mind though, thanks to ED. Everyone else around you in never even going to notice a thing. I think most of us with and ED (or women in general) are overanalyzers of our bodies, and how we "feel". dont let how you feel at the moment affect you! its NOT FAT(though you DO need some), its NOT as noticable as you think, and you are NOT the only one to experience this. Try to remember all that,k :D and hang in there!

Keep us updated on how your doing!

i agree with my valentine it is certainly not fat. you were eating such little then your whole body would of been empty and depleted this is just part of the process of the body functioning again. dont let it drick you into going back . ive experienced bloating to at once point i felt like a butternut squash :) but it does go down the more healthier you become . by all means see your doctor if you are worried. also bare in mind you have a distorted view the slightest change can seen massive when you have an ed but its not rational hugs   xxxx h x

when i increased my calories i felt EXACTLY the same way as you.......you feel as if the fat is growing on you straight away. and the top of your thighs are rubbing together....sometimes i dont even want to leave the house because i feel like the michlin man =(.....

BUTT BUT BUTTT after we get through these crazy thoughts we will be happier....heatlhier.....and enjoy food and life a lot better :)

But i do understand what you are going through.....keep going =) x

i definitely know what you're referring to. i think it's a mixture of reality and ED exaggerations.  when I increase calories, everything feels thicker, my wrists, thighs, even my skin! it's water retention combined with the fact that we scrutinize ourselves waaaay too much.

congrats on the 2500, and keep on going! it WILL get easier :)

Ohhh yess, I can relate. It's no doubt bloating and water retention. As long as you stay consistant with your calories, you'll notice that the bloating will become less pronounced.

Wow sarahbear, I experience that exact same 'thick' feeling!! Ughhhhh I hate it! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who experiences that from time to time.

Wheeeew.  You guys are the best.  It's such a relief to know I'm not alone.  Hopefully the feeling goes away soon or I get use to it.  I'd be pissed if t was super rapid fat gain because I've rediscovered how much I loooove cooking and EATING.  Don't want to be eating "maintenance" calories any time soon!

haha!! i am relived that you posted this post!!! becuase before this i thought i was the only one =)

WOW, thats interesting, because i just got remeasured for a costume for a play im in, and i expected my inches to go up everywhere in my body since i started gaining, but it was really only my thighs...

oh and i gained an inch in the bust.

but i do feel like im retaining water and have been incredibly swollen too. i think it's that our bodies are just so excited that we're actually feeding it that the  body holds onto whatevre it gets for dear life out of fear of starvation!