Expert: Joanne - 10/26/2008

Question
I was bulimic for 8 years, I've been in recovery with bulimia for just over three months now, i never thought i would get this far, but i'm here. And i'm staying here. I'm experiencing alot of changes such as mood swings, spotty back...? weight gain, and swollen glands (constantly).. Is all this normal?? The swollen glands really get me down but if its not permanant i have something to look forward to. Please help

Answer
David

I am so sorry that I have taken so long to reply to your question.  A health crisis of my own has meant that I have not had access to a computer or internet for over a week!  Again I apologise profusely.


I would hazard a guess and say that a lot of what you are describing could be hormonal.  This could be your body beginning to recover and is producing a lot more hormone than it did previously due to the fact that the body wasn't getting the nutrition that it should.  It could also just be your body adjusting to a change in diet!

If it is getting you down, it might be worth visiting your GP to find out if there is anything underlying that could be causing these problems, and be reassured that it is just your body adjusting.  He/she may also be able to help you with things such as the spots!  If it is bad, or enough to be affecting you, they may be able to suggest some antibiotics or creams that may help clear it

The swollen glands are basically part of bulimia.  They have to be overactive, and risk infection,etc, but once you stop purging, this should go down, but it can take time - like you say, its been 3 months or so.  This is likely to sort itself out sometime in the future, unfortunately no time scale on it, but if they are painful, red or very hot to touch, then I would get them checked out by a doctor to make sure that there isn't any infection there that needs to be treated before they can return to normal.

I hope that things resolve for you soon!

Please get back in touch if you have absolutely anything else you want to ask, and I promise to get back to you in a much quicker time!

Joanne