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 Hello, for many years I was bulimic until this time last year. I still think it was the best thing i ever did. I noticed swelling in my cheeks during my recovery. I read online that this can take time to resolve. But its now been a year and over the past couple of months, the swelling seems to be constant rather than it being only every so often as it was in the case when i first stopped. I can't help but feel like all my hard work has been wasted. I feel really awful and I don't tend to go to the doctor anymore because he always passes it off as a bug or something. Its got to the point where i don't want to even eat because it brings up the swelling :(
Is it really possible for it to take this long for things to normalize? anything i can be doing to help with the swelling?
Answer Dear Mandy:
I'm sorry about your suffering. Seems unfair -you suffer through the disorder and then you still have so many issues to suffer through during recovery. I'm no expert on Bulimia but I have read a little about this phenomenon. I don't know how long you were Bulimic or how extreme it was but it appears that you really did some serious damage to your salivary glands. I think given how much time has gone by you may consider consulting another doctor about the glands themselves. Do some research and see what kind of doctor may be best -probably an ear, nose, throat specialist or even an oral surgeon. A blockage of the salivary duct or Sjogrens Syndrome can also cause this and you may want to investigate these possibilities too. In the meantime, try to maintain a lifestyle that may minimize swelling. Please eat! But try to stay away from salt, make sure to eat enough protein and try to eat as healthily as possible. These glands need to heal and it seems yours are taking longer than usual -the right doctor may be able to help you with this. Good luck and keep us updated.
