BED and swelling

When i have really bad binges of very high calorie content i have major swelling in my legs and feet. almost to the point where you cannot distinguish a difference among the different parts of my leg. does anyone know how harmful this is? also when i binge really badly i get a racing heart and sweat alot and get very hot. i am scared that i am killing myself but i cannot stop. i have a very weak heart from years of anorexia and i am worried what this food overload is doing tome.

Usually, swelling is caused by fluid retention (but only a doctor can tell you this for sure).  When you binge, you may be eating large amounts of sodium. You should have your blood pressure checked, because fluid retention causes high blood pressure to get worse.

Definitely, see a doctor.

i have BED and my doctor said i was healthy! what the?

my hair falls out and i dont have my monthly! i always thought that the shaking and fast heart beats was from the high sugar rush!?

What your doctor means is, he can't find anything wrong.  If your blood pressure is ok, your pulse when he took it was ok, and any blood tests check out ok, then he figures there is nothing major wrong and that means you're healthy, in his eyes.  You need to see an different doctor, and make sure you list every single symptom - the hair loss, the missing periods, the shaking and rapid heart rate, etc.

Thanks Claire!

Mustloose,

Eating so much can overwhelm the digestive system and cause these problems.... it is not something all people will notice, but you mention you have a weak heart.  It is not in your imagination.

The swelling (edema) most often will be in the feet, ankles and legs for a number of reasons, but it can be a sign of heart trouble; especially when accompanied by the racing heart and sweating.  Yes, this can be very dangerous, and you really should be evauluated by a doctor.  Here are a couple of links on edema (general and pulmonary)

Overview of Edema with lots of information

Pulmonary Edema signs, symptoms and more!

Back in the 1980s, tests were done that showed you could affect the heart and cause heart attacks in susceptible people by eating very large meals and/or drinking a lot of cream milk like cream or 1/2 and 1/2. 

So, in addition to seeing the doctor to get a current check on your heart.... it will be important to stop bingeing.  

You climbed out of anorexia, you will be able to climb out of bingeing too!  It might be a good idea to start working with a counselor again to help you stay focused and develop strategies to quit bingeing and to start coping with life without bingeing.

I also am a binger... so I understand what you are going through.  We really can change this.  It is hard but you aren't alone and there are a lot of people here going through the same thing.  Don't give up, k?

Also, here are some of my favorite links on bingeing....

• click here for my fav article about Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
• click here for article on strategies to quit bingeing
• click here for my anti-bingeing & other snack attak strategy ~ easy making Soup tips & low calorie dense foods (popcorn, veggies)! 
• click here for support group here on calorie-count for binge eating ~ bingers anonymous  ~ everyone welcome :)