About Saffron Expertise I can answer most questions related to Anorexia and other eating disordered behaviors. I am not a medical professional but have read a tremendous amount of medical and other information related to eating disorders out of curiosity.
Experience My eating disorder started when I was 15. I was anorexic until the age of 27. I went through periods of being less and more anorexic but I did not have a period for 10 years. I was a very high-functioning anorexic. When I hit about 70 pounds I knew I was at a point where I couldn't continue living a normal life (going to work etc.). I did not want to be hospitalized and I knew I was on a downward spiral. I struggled with severe depression and was given a prescription for an anti-depressant. It was not long after that I was really able to think more clearly and did not have the same level of anxiety and believe it or not, I made a choice. I could die or I could live and let go of my need for such control and not care so much how people perceived me and admit that I did not have to be emaciated to look normal as I had convinced myself. My recover started when I was 27 and I've not been "anorexic" since but I don't think one ever becomes totally free in the food and body area as one was before it all started. But I am very healthy now, not underweight and not overweight and eat healthily.
Education/Credentials I have a BA from an Ivy League college but no professional credentials.
Question I have a 23 year old sister that battled aneroxia and bulemia for a few years on and off. Now she is suffering from muscle wasting and muscle weakness and the doctors thought she had lupus and myositis. They are treating her with chemo. I keep telling her that she needs to tell her doctors about her eating disorder but she refuses and has been rather violent towards me on several occasions. I am at a loss. I tried sending her doctor a private letter but I do not think she received it or if she did she disregarded it because she cannot speak to me due to privacy laws. I think the chemo and other meds are actually making my sister worse because she is not being truthful to her doctors about her eating and the real reason behind her muscle disease. What should I do?
Answer Dear Camelia:
What you describe is really disturbing and appalling. I've heard of chemo being used to treat Lupus because it is an autoimmune disease but you indicate that the doctors don't have definitive diagnosis. When an emaciated 23 year old girl comes into the doctor's office the first assumption frankly should be that she may have an eating disorder. Have they looked at other factors? Is her hair falling out or very stringy? Does she have fine hair (lunago) anywhere on her body? Does her skin have an orange tinge to it? Does she menstruate? Have they done blood tests? She's would have low counts of vitamins and minerals. She would probably have high cholesterol but low blood pressure. Many anorexics will do anything and go to great lengths to hid their behavior because they are so scared people will force feed them. If she is extreme she may even like getting these drugs because they may take away her appetite and she may feel they are helping her get even skinnier. This is really serious stuff. If this is indeed the situation, these doctors should be sued for malpractice. I'm not kidding. Have they even questioned her about her eating habits. I honestly don't know if "privacy" laws come into play here. Mental illness is mental illness. A schizophrenic person doesn't go into the the doctor and say "Hey, I'm schizophrenic, their family or friends usually bring them there." But seriously if these doctors are treating her with serious medications without an official diagnosis and without investigating all the possibilities of what is causing her wasting then this is really serious. Fill me in a little more. Is there anything to indicate that your sister might really be ill? You know one of my closest friends has Lupus and she's plump! I've never heard of muscle wasting being part of the symptoms of lupus. What height and weight is your sister by the way? Tell me more.
