Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 11/9/2009

Question
I have to say I am thrilled that I found this site! I am extremely desperate to get help. I am a recovering anorexic. Just over two years ago I returned from three months intense treatment. I gained 30lbs and had an NG tube for two months. Upon returning home I gained muscle and lost weight again. I ended up dropping about 15 lbs and gained most of my symptoms of anorexia-lanugo, sore 24/7 etc. I came to college and gained about 10 lbs, and then beginning in February of this year I stopped counting calories completely. I gained a lot of weight. In May I swelled up immensely and could hardly walk. I was away at the time so we we got an emergency appt. and the doctor xrayed my ankles (they were enormous) and took blood. Everything came back fine. I should mention my weight at this time got to an all time high of 136lbs. I am 5' 4" and even at this extremely high weight I wear size zero jeans/pants. It is quite odd. if people were to guess they would say I am about 115 lbs. The swelling decreased as I increased my sleep and watched salt, but not enough to satisfy me. Then I worked at camp all summer and struggled hard with salty foods and swelling. I feel I have an extremely large appetite and I always eat a lot. When I exercise this is regulated to some extent.  Exercise also aggravates the swelling.After I got home I  was careful and got my weight back to 127lbs. I never gained a regular period, and actually just got a period at all in March. I thought perhaps a hormone imbalance could be the problem, and also had crazy periods so I went on birth control (Yasmin) to regulate it. When I went on it the swelling decreased slightly but this could have also coincided with the weather getting colder (heat aggravates it). I reduced exercise as it aggravates the swelling but lost tone (I am naturally a very muscular person and like to keep it that way as much as possible) so I purchased an elliptical and have been exercising every day for about a half hour. I make an effort to limit salt and eat about 2000 calories a day. Since the exercise began the swelling has went up immensely and I have gone up to 134lbs. I should be losing weight yet  am swelling up and gaining weight. I am absolutely devastated and at my wits end. I have only been on the birth control for a month and just started taking the weeks worth of placebos yesterday. I have not gotten a period yet (I realize it hasn't been long). I will also mention that the swelling is generally bad in my ankles but also occurs everywhere else on my body. Thanks and I am praying you can help!

Answer
Dear Jean,

I'm so glad that you wrote!  One big question I have for you -- are you seeing a therapist or psychologist that specializes in eating disorders and are you seeing a nutritionist?  These two elements are crucial to recovery.  You spent a lot of time in treatment -- and this is when you needed to stabilize and have a meal plan that you could follow.

When was the last time you saw a doctor?  If your regular doctor isn't helping, then it's time for you to see a specialist like an endocrinologist.  Again, this would be critical.  It's so important to rule out anything that is organic or physically wrong.  The next thing would be for you to work very closely with the nutritionist.  He/she will work with you on a meal plan that is right just for you -- with foods you like and helping you with correct amounts.

Recovering from an eating disorder is so hard!  It's easier to become a brain surgeon!  I'm hoping that you don't have any permanent damage since you've been going through this for so long.

Let's get some answers -- I'll keep helping you -- let me know what you find out!!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol Recovery Centers
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700