anorexic

I must go see a psychologist as I'm once again dealing with being anorexic. I'm so beside myself I was anorexic in my early 20's but figured it would NEVER come back. My husband thinks if I get a job it will all go away. Anyone else dealing with this issue?? Donna

Hi Donna - Since I am a man, I am sure you will find this hard to believe, but I was diagnosed with Anorexia late last year. I just kept on losing, and didn't want to stop. I got down to 158, which for a man my size, was horribly thin - but I didn't care. And I have about 15 pounds of skin to come off still, so I looked like a skeleton with extra skin - it was gross! I had to go through a LOT of therapy to get comfortable in my own skin again. Today, I maintain 168 and I am very happy to stay here. I no longer obsess (at least not as MUCH as I used to) about food. I use fitday.com religiously to track my progress, and I always make sure to get my minimum nutrients and protein in each day. I know it's hard, and that folks think that you are just blowing smoke - - but I really do understand what you are going through. This will only get better. It never really goes away (I still deal with it today), but it does get easier. For a while the doctors had me on LexaPro to help with the Anorexia, but after a while I was able to stop taking it. I hate taking medications! The therapy helped a lot more than any medicine ever could. I try and stay around 1000 calories a day. At my worse, when I was really bad, I was doing around 200. At one point, I even started to restrict my LIQUID intake, because I was convinced that drinking fluids added weight! And I felt SO fat! But now that I look back at photos from that time, I can see that I was just fooling myself. Please stay comforted in knowing that you are not alone in this. I was really shocked when I was diagnosed - I mean, I always thought that Anorexia was a Woman's disease - and that men didn't get it. I was surprised to find out how many men, AFTER Gastric Bypass, actually get this problem! Anyway, if you ever want to talk just drop me a line! Take care, Michael

OH NO, I have been doing a lot of reading about this and I know men can be effected by this also. I really need a friend right now as I'm so depressed. My husband and even my best friend don't understand me. They think I over eat. If you want to talk let's. [email protected] I'm at a point of killing myself and I know that's not good Donna

Hi Michael, How come they dont' have a message board for just Anorexia/Bulimia? I'm finding there are lots of people dealing with this issue and some people have NOBODY to turn to and talk with, like myself. People don't understand. They say stop purging and start eating. This board is fine for people that are struggling with just over eating or gaining weight but the pain we deal with on a daily bases is deep. I'm not saying that other people don't struggle with pain on gaining and eating problems but I think you understand where I'm coming from Michael. It's only a thought. Donna

I am six months out. I have gone from 257 to 168. My BMI is 24.8, which according to OH is in normal ranges. I have a goal of 145 to 150. But I am afraid to eat. Afraid I won't lose the rest or even worse, gain. I really wonder what is going to happen when I finally reach goal. I worry about being anorexic. I have had eating disorders all my adult life. Rangeing from one extreme to the other. I do worry. Hazel

I can relate. It's awful. Go see my PCP tomorrow. Donna

Hazel - I feel the same way that you do. I worry that I won't ever make the goal that I have set or that the Dr has set. I worry with each and every bite that I take. I don't want to eat, cuz I know that each bite that I do means that I will not be losing weight. I had my surgery 1-16-2006 and on my 6 month date, had lost 88 pounds. So you and I are both about the same in loss. Today I am 90 pounds lost and I have another 51 to go. I am so scared that I won't make it. I have never been anorexic, but I can see myself turning into one. I just worry that in the future that I DON'T forget and start eating to the point that I gain weight again! That would be so awful and I have heard of people that stretch their pouch and gain weight back. I don't want to go there! No food for me. Tracy.

How about all of us with this particular issue set up a support live chat in a private chat room, so we can really hash-out these problems and try and find some solutions?? I am here for you guys, let me know if this sounds good to you! Talk to you soon, Mike Michael A. Campellone OH Support Group Leader SABariatrics WLS Support Group (334) 718-4518

How about all of us with this particular issue set up a support live chat in a private chat room, so we can really hash-out these problems and try and find some solutions?? I am here for you guys, let me know if this sounds good to you! Talk to you soon, Mike Michael A. Campellone OH Support Group Leader SABariatrics WLS Support Group (334) 718-4518

Hello, Everyone! OK - so here is the update... Many of you have expressed interest in having our own Virtual Support Group in a private chat room, so that we can discuss our food issues in a "live, real-time" environment and in private. This is a special group just for post-ops who are now having various troubles with Hunger and Food Issues. I will set up a special chat website which I will tell everyone how to join - you just need to be approved as you join through me (so I can make sure that you are from this group)... BUT - I would like to know - what would be good times for these meetings? Any ideas? Please e-mail me privately to be set-up for our private Food Issues Support Group, just click the "email me" button at the bottom of this message! I will respond to you right away. Love you guys! Michael ------------------------------------------ Michael A. Campellone OH Support Group Leader SABariatrics WLS Support Group (334) 718-4518 ------------------------------------------