Expert: Nafeesah - 5/19/2009

Question
hello, I have been dealing with an eating disorder since I was in my early 20's. I got sick and after that I was afraid to eat anything for fear I would get Heart disease, diabetes etc. I weighed 260 lb. at that time and in approx. 7 months I went down to 99 lbs. I did not put my finger down my throat like the typical signs of anorexia I just starved myself and exercised constantly. Eventually I was serving basically on a small piece of chicken and water. This was all when the term Eating Disorder was not common therefore I had no professional help to understand what was happening to me.
The day came when my legs just gave out from underneath me and I couldn't walk. I found out at that time that I had Ketoses and it was very dangerous. Since then I have read books and asked questions that all the help I have had my whole body shut down, no periods, trouble going to the bathroom very low blood pressure etc. After I got on track a little I was able to eat but the disease has never left my mind I struggle with it everyday. I am now 55 years old and I amazingly have 3 adult children. I have gained some weight back but my problem is I do not eat protein or meat I should say and the other sources like beans, legumes I can't eat because of stomach problems. I now have Fibromyalgia and I am soooo tired and fatigued, my last trip to the Dr. I was told my Folic Acid and B12 levels were very very low and to pick up some vitamins. I tried the vitamins for B12 for over a year before and they did not help. Does anyone know what type of vitamins I would take to feel a little stronger? Sometimes I feel so weak I would rather sleep than eat. I don't get much help from my Dr. for this because we have about 10 min. for a visit and I never get the chance to just talk to her about it.
My legs, arms and back feel like I have the flu all the time but I know that comes with Fibro. I used to work out at a gym before all this happened for 2 hours a day, then walk my dog, do house work and go to work?? Now sometimes it's a chore to just take a shower and get dressed if anyone can help me please get back to me. I try to eat properly but I know I don't my mind is so distorted about food that when it comes to eating I have to know I can exercise it off, or I have to walk around all day to deserve it? I know it sounds weird but I don't know how any of this ever happened to me.
Please help with anything, I don't even have a proper eating meal plan to give myself energy.
Thank you for letting me post this question.
Joanne

Answer
Self-induced vomiting is associated with bulimia nervosa and self-imposed starvation is anorexia nervosa. I would talk to a specialist for eating disorders to discuss any issues with getting on a structured eating program. When you're dealing with fibromyalgia that's something you really need to take care of yourself. If the doctor said your folic acid level was down you need to get that up. You need to find something that gets protein and other nutrients in since you're at the age many women go into menopause and that can put you at risk for osteoporosis from the lack of calcium and nutrients and you already have fibromyalgia which you're taking medication for and you could be on meds for osteoporosis. The vitamins is not just for low folic acid and B12 it's to put the nutrients back in your body since you're not eating much or at all. Have you considered an outpatient treatment facility for eating disorders? I would look into that so you can get on a set structure and also counseling on your issues with food and begin to get back on track.