Quasi-recovery and refeeding disorder
Sorry for yet another topic guys but going at anorexia recovery alone without doctor or nutritionist help is proving to be more of a hassle than I thought.
So, I'm officially on day 8 of recovery (yay!) and surprisingly feeling pretty good!
But, I'm scared I'm only going to end up in quasi-recovery. As of now, I am not counting calories because that was one of my biggest obsessions with ana, I'd count everything down to the very last calorie and I know if I were to start counting again I would probably fall back into my old ways because the number of calories I'm eating scares me and I'd want to relapse.
I'm reallyyy trying to get up to 2,000 calories but I'm just sort of guesstimating what something is in calories for a general range of what I'm eating, but I don't think I'm eating 2,000. But I'm worried that even 2,000 is only going to stick me quasi-recovery. Again, I'm 15, 5'8", anorexic for 5 months, lowest weight was 123, I think I'm up to about 125 now. So I'm not looking to gain, but if I do need to gain a few more pounds in order to repair my metabolism and get my period back then I'll do that.
But yeah, just basically wondering if eating 2,000 calories while in recovery (or probably more like 1,500-1,800, maybe even less on some days) is just going to cause me to gain weight and not repair everything needed to be repaired?
Also, what are the symptoms of refeeding disorder?
Thanks, guys.
If trying to recover without the help of professionals is proving to be a hassle, why don't you consider seeing someone who can help you? A nutritionist can help you adjust your meal plan as needed and can set caloric targets for you. A doctor can monitor your weight, vitals, labs, etc... There is no need to try to do this on your own!
If you are concerned about refeeding syndrome, please contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms include weakness, seizures, white blood cell dysfunction, low blood pressure, respiratory failure, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and sudden death.
Original Post by thelettinggo:
If trying to recover without the help of professionals is proving to be a hassle, why don't you consider seeing someone who can help you? A nutritionist can help you adjust your meal plan as needed and can set caloric targets for you. A doctor can monitor your weight, vitals, labs, etc... There is no need to try to do this on your own!
If you are concerned about refeeding syndrome, please contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms include weakness, seizures, white blood cell dysfunction, low blood pressure, respiratory failure, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and sudden death.
I can't get help from a doctor and nutritionist because I can't tell my parents about this, and even if I did tell them there is no way in hell we could afford it :/
1) A great article about refeeding and how to avoid it:
http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_articl e.asp?tid=789442
You will see the affects within 24-72 hours with refeeding. If your heart starts skipping or you are dizzy or get swelling in your lower extremities - contact your doctor immediately.
If you're scared of getting it, they recommend starting at 1000 calories and upping by 100-200 daily until you get to your needed calories.
2) You NEED more than 1500-1800 calories. In fact, I believe you need 2500 to start to recover. Otherwise your body is just going to hold onto all of the calories and you'll continue to gain. You cannot re-establish your metabolism with under 2000 calories. And when you do re-establish your metabolism, you should never eat under 1500 until you're over 20 because your body needs that many calories to survive.
Congrats on working towards recovery - it is a hard and long battle. I really think you should reach out to someone to someone - maybe the therapist at your school? I know I got free sessions in middle school and high school and they never told my parents (although the second time they were supposed to sign something and I forged it - don't recommend doing that).
Please take care of yourself. And feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
