Edema in refeeding

Hi, yes it is me again and I need help.

I've posted before about some problems w/ anorexia recovery but now I have an issue that hurts. I have been consistent on my intake of 2500 cals a day for a week now and my body swelled up literally. I know it is Edema, also exaggerated by my naturally low blood pressure. the problem is it is getting worse.

The swelling is all over me: arms, bust, stomach (and not bloating), hips, thighs, calves, back, just everywhere (sorry for TMI). It is also very painful to touch and my clothes that fit me when I was over 160 lbs don't now. I don't know how much I've gained since I am scared to go on the scales but I say over 10 lbs b/c once I gained around 5 lbs from a binge and I looked no where near what I look like now. Also I have no underactive thyroid but I do have hormonal imbalances since I was on BC and got off it. I look HUGE. 

I read about weight gain in refeeding but this is getting out of hand. I had this for a week now (since the 1st day of refeeding) and I am coping but my question is how long should I wait for it to go away? Yesterday I was better and feeling that the weight has fallen off a bit but today after I woke up I have the worst headache ever (I asked my mum and she told me it is water retention in my head..) and I am retaining far worse than any other day. I look fatter than I did pre-ED! This is scary.

sorry for all the information, but any opinions, experiences, anything?

Well at one time in my recovery I had severe edema. I had to where support hose and was on meds from it. It took awhile to go down and I would say a month of the severe but I still had times where I was puffy. I know it is scary but can be a part of recovery. I hope you are under care of a gp. I encourage you to stay off the scale. Also to remind yourself being consistent in healthy behaviors willhelp your body adjust.

thanks abbi. I usually don't sound as moany but it does hurt!

Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate! Give your body a few weeks to absorb the fluid and nourish the parts that have been dehydrated. I suffered from edema, too, and it does fade - you have to stick with it. Trust me, starving or exercising will ONLY AGGRAVATE edema. So drink up!

I was once hospitalized for severe dehydration and was given 2 bags of IV fluid. My body (I was pregnant at the time) experienced SEVERE - 27 pounds in 2 weeks - edema. I had to get over it quick because it was there to stay until I delivered - 6 weeks later. The fluid retention got worse temporarily, then subsided. Your body will straighten itself out, it just takes a little bit of time. Hang in there and use this time to let go a little bit - that's what I did when it happened and let me tell you those were some of the best weeks of my life, just ... letting go.

bsh-I am letting go, I swear. I just say, I already look puffy, why not eat? It sometimes gets too much, you know, the feelings and pain and all. My mum is taking my to my gyno to check for hormonal imbalances too, whether they contribute in this or not..since they cause water retenion, you know. Thanks and I will drink up!=]

I had to take Clomid to get pregnant with that very same baby because I never got a period after #1. Even after breastfeeding and weight restoration (with NO activity save for the occasional 30 minute walk) I needed drugs to ovulate. So when I DID get pregnant - all of the brand new hormones in my body - made me shoot up 10 pounds virtually overnight.

And it was worth it. (and eventually went away)

Of course it was worth it! Thx for sharing and I just wish we recover totally from whatever food issues we have. I've just read ur journal, I jus hope u r better now.

Thanks. I'm 26 and have had all kinds of food/body issues since I was 5. Thoughts get crammed into my head a lot and sometimes I lose sight of what's really important here, ultimate health. I just use the journal to vent it out sometimes so that I'm not saddling my husband with it. I am still eating more and doing less, and I know its a struggle for everyone, but it just has to be done - for all of us. Hang in there!!!

Yeah I vent too much too in mine..it is okay to do so, sometimes we need to talk. I, too, am doing nothing except going to college  every  day where I walk a bit and then go home, sit in my bed and eat eat eat till I am sick of eating but I think really that is the only way to recover although I am not underweight..or maybe I am, under all the retention? I don't know but all I do know is that I should keep gaining and sort out my issues with food and improve my -ve body image..eventually. I will do it, and so will you. You are strong enough, we all are.