Anorexia recovery

Question
I was never officially diagnosed with anorexia but did lose almost 30 pounds by starving myself. Most of my adult life I weighed around 130 lbs. I have a medium build and am 5'4''. At my lowest I was 108 lbs and I am now up to 116. I stopped having menstrual periods and my estrogen levels are extremely low. I have been examined by several DRs and they have found no other cause for my missed menses.  My periods were regular until last November, at which point they became irregular and then stopped.  However, my periods didn't stop until I actually started GAINING the weight back. Since I have recognized my problem, I have tried to correct it but am still having a problem with purging. I will eat a normal amount of food and then throw up (this happens 2-3 times/week). Could this be preventing the return of my menses? I also can't figure out how to eat normally. I am a stay at home mom and once I start eating, I end up going on what I think is a binge.

I have one child and want to have another but can't at this point (with my lack of periods). How can I reverse this?

Answer
It's excellent that you've noticed a problem and are in the process of fixing it. I wish you could tell a medical professional, but I also understand that you might not trust one to have the right amount of concern because you may not 'look the part'.  It's often thought that anorexics are all 80 lbs and skeletal, but the truth is, anorexics can weigh 300 lbs, 150 lbs or 116 lbs. It's just that it's often not paid attention to until the symptoms are extreme and the damage is often extensive.

Though you may not be anorexic at this time, you admit to bulimia (which, by the way, does NOT work). What these e.d.'s do is damage your heart, liver/kidneys, cause hair loss (that may be permanent).  

It's highly unsual for the loss of menses to occur as you describe (on an upswing), so I'd suspect a problem that may be associated with the bulimia.  Not only do you have to tell your doctor, but you have to be able to trust him/her to treat this seriously.

Find out more about bulimia AND how to start eating right on your own, at my site.  Feel free to print out anything you need and take it with you - and do NOT leave the doctor's office until you're positive your concerns have been addressed fully.  Do not be ushered out. Stay there. Sit there. Wait for answer.

 www.GetTheReal.info  

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