Posts by crazybones07

The worst thing you can do is to restrict at all, especially the day after a "binge". In recovery it's not truly a binge, it's your body screaming for the nutrients it's been deprived of. 11lbs in three days is just water weight and that isn't uncommon especially when your weight is so low. Eventually the water weight will even out but you should not be eating less than 2500cals a day to recover no matter what you've had the day before. It sounds to me like you may have re-feeding syndrome.. it is very natural for the body to retain water but if you're severely sweating and the swelling is painful then you may want to see a doctor about it. It could mean your electrolytes are messed up or just needs help with circulation. Your set point may not be 7.5 stone, that is still very low for 5'4. The general ideal weight for someone who is 5'4 is around 8.6 stone or BMI 20-21. Your body may be a little higher or lower but you will not know until it settles. I would definitely recommend going to www.gwynetholwyn.com ... it has been very inspiring to me and has made me want to start recovery too (I am 23 and have been suffering from anorexia-binge/purge type for 5yrs). Also remember that while you're re-feeding you're going to feel terrible for a while but if you start to feel really bad it doesn't hurt to go to the doctor and make sure your vitals/labs are normal. I wish you luck!

I'm eating 1200 calories/day temporarily to start off with, I just started it last week... I was eating about 600-800cals/day with exercise a few days a week. Most days I do go a little over though and eat around 1400 calories but I still do about 60min of cardio 3days/wk. I'm also adjusting to handling more than 1,000 calories, usually if I hit that high I purge or have meltdowns to the point that I have to take anxiety medication to calm down. It also doesn't help that my insurance won't cover a nutritionist because, according to them, it would be a "lifestyle modification" and is not a medical necessity since I'm not in the hospital.

I've taken a look at her forum and just signed up. I don't know how I feel about it... when I was in treatment they had me eating 3500 at the highest but I had 20lbs to gain. I don't understand how it could be ok for anyone to eat 2500+ after hitting their target weight. I know rationally that she knows what she's talking about but ED distorts things and makes it very hard to trust someone saying it's reasonable to eat that much. There was a point in November when I got my BMI up to 21 but I have never been so miserable in my entire life. I just don't know if I can handle that again... I have a history of suicide attempts and until I started restricting again nothing sounded better. At the same time it would be unrealistic for me to believe I could maintain being underweight. I just don't know what to do... I frustrate myself so much sometimes.

Hello,

There can be health complications can at any weight once you start engaging in ED behaviors but generally they say below 17 is IP because if you're that low you're most likely having some physical or mental problems as a result of the low weight but it does differ from person to person. Generally though, if you're below 17 then you're extremely malnourished and the re-feeding process can be dangerous when you're that low because it can actually mess up your electrolytes. When I went through the process the first time I was in a partial program and my phosphorus dropped so low I had to be IP for a few days and I wasn't below the 17's.

I've struggled for years... I've been hospitalized a couple times and relapsed a few. The physical problems didn't really hit me that much the first few years. My last hospitalization I was very low and the only problems I really had were lots of bruising and feeling dizzy and tired all of the time. My depression was also extremely bad because of lack of nutrition. Now I have aches and pains constantly, I'm always so cold it's painful, my hair is getting brittle, and I'm constantly fatigued but my BMI is not below 17.

It can also depend on your diagnosis. Sometimes BN or especially AN binge/purge type can cause more physical symptoms at a higher BMI than simply restrictive AN.

I wish you luck and give you props for being brave enough to get treatment. ED is definitely not worth the consequences it can have on your life.