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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sonya on October 6, 2005, at 13:47:35
I'm wondering if this is because I'm restricting too much. I'm REALLY tired all the time. I'm sleeping too much. My legs feel shaky, like they won't support me yet I still manage to get on my treadmill to walk 3-4 miles a day. I've developed a tremor over the last couple of days. But my weight hasn't gone down anymore the last 2 weeks. I know I should eat more but I'm so afraid of gaining again. I just don't know what to do. I'll discuss with my therapist in two weeks but I don't think it's going to do any good.
Posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2005, at 18:06:35
In reply to Uh Oh, posted by Sonya on October 6, 2005, at 13:47:35
Sonya Your metablism has gone down. You need to eat a lot of salads and protein. And some carbs. Without carbs you will feel weak. And you probably have a low potassium and other electrolytes. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on October 6, 2005, at 19:26:58
In reply to Uh Oh, posted by Sonya on October 6, 2005, at 13:47:35
Increase you intake and drink something Gatorade. If things feel really funny go to the ER and get your electrolytes tested. Really, it can be dangerous.
Maxie
> I'm wondering if this is because I'm restricting too much. I'm REALLY tired all the time. I'm sleeping too much. My legs feel shaky, like they won't support me yet I still manage to get on my treadmill to walk 3-4 miles a day. I've developed a tremor over the last couple of days. But my weight hasn't gone down anymore the last 2 weeks. I know I should eat more but I'm so afraid of gaining again. I just don't know what to do. I'll discuss with my therapist in two weeks but I don't think it's going to do any good.
Posted by Sonya on October 7, 2005, at 7:21:12
In reply to Re: Uh Oh, posted by Maxime on October 6, 2005, at 19:26:58
Thanks, guys. Today I'll have oatmeal and a salad with a little chicken. Does Gatorade come in sugar-free?
Funny...I thought once I lost alot of weight I'd be happy and feel great but that's not happening.
Posted by Racer on October 7, 2005, at 12:21:55
In reply to Re: Uh Oh, posted by Sonya on October 7, 2005, at 7:21:12
Gatorade does not come sugar free -- that would kinda defeat the purpose, since glucose is part of what it replaces. Keeping in mind that this is coming from an anorexic, it's still very, very low calorie, and it really does make a difference. It's very dangerous to get your electrolytes out of balance -- not only in the sense that it's dangerous for your health, but take it from me: it's very, very frightening to get into that state. I collapsed about a year ago from just that, and couldn't move. I was conscious, and terrified, but could not control my body or move my muscles for several hours. I cannot tell you how scary it was.
Posted by Sonya on October 7, 2005, at 12:22:23
In reply to Uh Oh, posted by Sonya on October 6, 2005, at 13:47:35
So I saw pdoc today and told him about my issue with eating. After his lengthy lecture, I left his office more scared than before. He told me I'm getting so tired mid-day because of lack of calories and protein, not because of the Wellbutrin (I was blaming the med). He also said what you, Racer & Maxime, have already told me. He said I may gain a little more weight if I eat 1,200 (minimum) cal/day but then should level out. He wants me to see a nutritionist. The thought of consuming so many calories is overwhelming.
Anway, I had a very healthy meal for lunch (Thai - tofu w/ veggies). But it's freaking me out that I have no idea how many calories I consumed.
I've got to stop this obsession with calories and weight.
Posted by Maxime on October 7, 2005, at 14:06:38
In reply to Re: Uh Oh, posted by Sonya on October 7, 2005, at 12:22:23
That is really brave of you for telling your PDOC. You should be proud. :-) I think a T would be more helpful though. They don't lecture, they work with you. That has been my experience anyway.
Yeah, what Racer said about Gatorade is true. Is is relatively low in calories. You can also just sip at it during the day. You don't have drink the whole bottle at once. Have you ever had an IV? Well it's usually a low drip IV. They don't shock your system all once. It's the potassium that is really important ... well they all are. I went into cardiac arrest in the hospital because my potassium was so low. Oh did that ever burn!
It's hard not to think of the calories. But you are doing a great job so far. Keep it up. Maybe I can learn from you.
Hugs,
MAxime> So I saw pdoc today and told him about my issue with eating. After his lengthy lecture, I left his office more scared than before. He told me I'm getting so tired mid-day because of lack of calories and protein, not because of the Wellbutrin (I was blaming the med). He also said what you, Racer & Maxime, have already told me. He said I may gain a little more weight if I eat 1,200 (minimum) cal/day but then should level out. He wants me to see a nutritionist. The thought of consuming so many calories is overwhelming.
>
> Anway, I had a very healthy meal for lunch (Thai - tofu w/ veggies). But it's freaking me out that I have no idea how many calories I consumed.
>
> I've got to stop this obsession with calories and weight.
Posted by Sonya on October 7, 2005, at 14:42:54
In reply to Re: Uh Oh » Sonya, posted by Maxime on October 7, 2005, at 14:06:38
OMG - cardiac arrest? As a direct result of your ED? Easy for me to say, "that wouldn't happen to me".
May I ask, Maxime, how old are you? I'm 51. I think I've had food issues my whole life, and am just now recognizing that I do indeed have an ED. With me it's always been all or none; eating too much, skipping meals, obsessive exercising or restricting too much. What a waste of time and energy to be so focused on what one does or doesn't put in one's mouth.
Posted by Sonya on October 7, 2005, at 15:03:27
In reply to Re: Uh Oh » Sonya, posted by Racer on October 7, 2005, at 12:21:55
> Gatorade does not come sugar free -- that would kinda defeat the purpose, since glucose is part of what it replaces. Keeping in mind that this is coming from an anorexic, it's still very, very low calorie, and it really does make a difference. It's very dangerous to get your electrolytes out of balance -- not only in the sense that it's dangerous for your health, but take it from me: it's very, very frightening to get into that state. I collapsed about a year ago from just that, and couldn't move. I was conscious, and terrified, but could not control my body or move my muscles for several hours. I cannot tell you how scary it was.
I can't even imagine what that must have felt like for you. It sounds awful. But that wouldn't happen to me (voice of denial, right?).
I'm going to take your advise & pick up some Gatorade if I'm restricting too much. But pdoc gave me a stern lecture today and provoked me into eating a healthy, protein-filled lunch. Of course, now I feel gross.
Posted by Racer on October 7, 2005, at 17:16:02
In reply to Re: Uh Oh » Racer, posted by Sonya on October 7, 2005, at 15:03:27
We're not the same plenty nine, though... I'm in my 40s, she's 30s, as I recall. We're both grown ups, though, if that's what you're concerned about. Maxime can tell you her story, but I've had this problem since the late 70s, and only started treatment for it this year. Over the years, I've tried to talk to doctors, but none of them ever quite got it -- one telling me that I didn't *look* too thin to her, another saying that anorexics don't have enough insight to recognize that they have a problem, etc. Last year, though, I managed to tell my pdoc. It was wonderful, finally to have it out there -- such a relief!
When you see a nutritionist, try to make sure it's someone with experience in eating disorders, not just a general dietitian. And you want to make sure you see an RD -- Registered Dietitian. Mine has been great, even though I've spent most of my time resisting her suggestions, and crying my eyes out in her office because I've gained weight. I feel very fortunate to have found such a good one first try. Just like a T, though, if your N isn't the right fit for you, you can find one who is.
And find a T, too. It's not just about the food, but about your body image and self image. And it's not at all unusual to have an eating disorder into your middle years. A lot of us fall through the cracks because we don't "look" anorexic. In my case, even my husband missed just how thin I was for a long, long time. Our marriage counselor saw a picture he had taken of me in my underwear, taken for a variety of reasons, and was shocked -- she hadn't realized that I was that far gone. (Of course, when she spent so long looking at it, I was ashamed -- sure that she was staring at my fat belly.) With my clothes on, I didn't necessarily look all that thin.
Anyway, congratulations on telling your P. I know how hard it was for me, so imagine it must have been that hard for you, too.
For what it's worth, the literature I've read says that many anorexics LOSE weight quite soon after starting a 1200 calorie per day diet. At that point, they may have to go up as high as 4000 calories per day to put on ANY weight. I certainly don't think you should try anything like that on your own, but your N should be able to help you minimize your distress with eating more. And if you don't trust your N enough to work with her, find another...
Good luck.
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