My Body is Doing Weird Things

I've been able to keep my weight at the lower end of what is considered healthy (based on my BMI)  for about 6 months now.  Recently, I've been having problems controlling my caloric intake late at night, just before I go to bed.  It's definitely binge-like behavior and it's horrifying.  As soon as I put something in my mouth I simply cannot stop.  I've never had this problem before.  At first, I thought it might have something to do with menstruation (I usually get bloated and want to stuff my face just before that time), but my period never came.  I haven't had a period in over 6 weeks.  I've taken four pregnancy tests and all are negetive.  What the heck is going on?  Has anyone experienced anything like this before?  

Yes, I have experienced this. Once I got myself up to a BMI of 17.8, and even higher. How low exactly is your BMI? It sounds to me like you aren't eating no where near enough throughout the day, and your body is fighting back. How much do you eat in a day, calorie wise? Do you exercise? Your period loss could likely be because your weight is simply too low.

My BMI is 18.6.  I aim to consume no more than 1600 calories a day, but lately it's been almost twice as high due to the binging.  I never had this problem when my BMI was lower (18.5 would be the borderline of normal/underweight).  I try to excercise a few times a week by going on a light jog for about 30 minutes.  I live in a big city, so I also do a fair amount of walking. 

The low end of the 'normal healthy weight' range is a BMI of 20.  Below a BMI of 19 and periods are statistically much more likely to stop happening.  Below BMI of 18.5 you're classed as 'clinically underweight' and therefore 'sick'. 

Between BMI 18.5 and BMI 20 is a very grey area... whether you're healthy or unhealthy depends on how your body is behaving, not on the number. 

If your BMI is 18.6, your periods have stopped and you're only maintaining your weight by undereating then that doesn't make you healthy... you're  almost certainly too thin and the malnutrition being caused by chronic undereating means your body is forcing you to eat more because it needs the energy and nutrition.

Do see your doctor about your periods if you skip more than three in a row.  In the meantime, try to get your calorie intake up to a more normal amount for a healthy, active young woman i.e. between 1900 and 2100 a day.  Regular meals, nutritious foods....    You'll probably gain a little weight but, to be honest, it sounds like you need to.

Based on my height and weight my BMI is fine, but you do make a point that it's not really about the number, it's about how you feel.  I have had a feeling of decreased energy lately, so upping my calorie count is probably not a bad idea.  It's so strange, I never had any of these symptoms before (even when my weight was lower, much lower).  It really feels like it just came out of nowhere. 

Young bodies are very resilient, very strong and can cope with all kinds of medical stress.  As time progresses if these stresses continue the body will eventually start to break down and suffer.  You've been chronically in the 'below normal' weight-range, either clinically underweight or just above for what sounds like quite a long time.  To stay there your diet has almost certainly been less than adequate both in terms of energy and nutrition.   You've managed to exist this way for some time without ill effect because you were younger and stronger, but now your body is physically struggling  - stopping periods, lacking energy and so forth. 

Exactly the same thing applies to other poor lifestyle choices.... smoking, being overweight, inactivity, heavy drinking..... People can do all of these things for years without any immediate negative impact on their health, but at some point the behaviour catches up on them and they start to feel the effects. 

Thanks for the advice and information, GI Jane, but at this point I think it's best to leave my diagnosis for a medical professional. 

Original Post by kflash6:

Thanks for the advice and information, GI Jane, but at this point I think it's best to leave my diagnosis for a medical professional. 

 Then why did you post on here in the first place?  You asked for advice and GI Jane gave you VERY good advice and info.  You may not like to hear it but you obviously are aware that something is wrong.  You've taken that first step - don't shut down now.

Instead of listening to what your body is SCREAMING at you, you're focusing on a number.  You are technically only 0.1 BMI away from clinically underweight.  That does NOT mean you are fine.

I'm not saying that a BMI of 18.6 is bad for everyone, but your body has forced you to start binging, and you stopped getting your period.  How much more of a red flashing light do you need??

You want a medical professional to diagnosis it?  Fine, then GO TO A DOCTOR!  I have a feeling by your attitude that you won't though.

I posted because I was interested in connecting with others who may have been in the same boat.  I was hoping they could share some personal insight. 

I never said GI Jane didn't give me good advice and if you read my first response to her initial reply you would have seen that I did take it to heart.

I think your comments are entirely inappropriate.   I thought I was posting to a web forum, not a boxing ring. 

This is always the problem with a web forum, sometimes things can come across in a way that's different to how they were meant to. The way I read kflash's post was that she was thankful for GI Jane's advise, but [as is always advised] thought that she should visit her doctor before starting/getting a new plan to deal with her weight issues.

Correct me if I'm wrong - it's how I read it.

Thanks, Kiltias,

That's exactly how I meant it.  I appologize if anyone got the wrong impression from my post. 

I'm tense because I do strive to be healthy and this seems unusual.  I just want to be open about some things I am experiencing physically and I am hoping some good discussion comes out of it. 

I didn't give you a 'diagnosis' btw... that would be irresponsible of me.  I've simply pointed out that if you keep your body in a state of stress (at a very low weight) for a long time, something's likely to give..... 

I was slightly overweight but not worried about it for years and gradually started noticing more and more little niggly, minor problems with my health.  It took a doctor to make what, looking back, was a pretty obvious connection.

I'm not sure a continued discussion is going to be any more revealing.  Seeing a doctor would resolve your concerns.