AboutNafeesah Expertise I can answer just about all questions pertaining to eating disorders, but I can't give medical advice due to legal reasons. If you need medical advice please consult with a physician.
Experience I had an eating disorder from the age of 12 to 25 which was compulsive and binge eating disorder. I can help those who are battling eating disorders.
Education/Credentials Associates degree, bachelors degree, and certified nursing assistant
First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
Nafeesah my problem with eating started when I was around 16, it hit its peak when I was about 19 when I lost around 40 lbs in under two months and my periods stopped.
I have never mensturated on my own since then. I had developed simple ovarian cycsts for which I was prescribed estrogen/progesterone by doctors, those pills gave me periods.
My cycsts were removed, but my periods did not come back. I kept taking the pills on and off (on doctors' advice) but my periods did not start.
I have recently done a bone density scan (I am now 27) and it shows reduced bone density throughout my body. An endocrinologist has told me that my estrogen levels are below 40, whereas at my age they should be around 400, my levels are lower than that of a post menopausal woman and I need to put on weight, that might kick start my pituitary and gradually, my estrogen levels will rise and my periods will restart.
One question I have is that, when my system restarts, will it reverse my osteopenia? will my bones become strong ever? Or it is just a downhill ride from here on? I do take Calcium and Vit D supplements, but that hasn't been helping much so far.
Secondly.. I have this extremely bitter and painful feeling in my heart, for the time I have lost in my life. The BEST years of my life have been ruined due to my eating disorder and associated problems, depression, suicide attempts, ventricular fibrillation, humiliation.. An age when girls are discovering life, I was barely alive. My father is a psychiatrist, and I believe he is the cause behind my entire problem. As a child I felt rejected by him, I remember so many things but I can't talk about them all in this letter, but just to give you an idea, he led me to believe I was mentally retarted and I was actually apologizing to my mom for being born this way, he made me feel stupid, was ALWAYS disappointed in everything I ever did, made me feel ugly, and I was just never good enough for him, and he would threaten to either "stop being my dad", or throw me out of the house whenever I did something that upset him or didn't reach up to his expectations.
While I was struggling with my ED, even then his attitude was causing more stress than comfort, he would redicule me, or show disgust, or just make me feel like a pain otherwise, even when he tried to help, it would be for me so stressful because I felt that if I failed again, he would be more disappointed.. and that is how it used to be.
I just wanted to let it out really, so thank you for listening.. I wish I could say this to him, tell him how he has ruined my entire life, how he could have helped me, but because of HIM, my life and my health have been compromised. There's a feeling of loss and emptiness that is eating me inside..
Anyway, I hope you can answer me regarding my bones..
Thank you again, ever so much for listening,
Kindest Regards,
Sarah
Answer Have you consulted with a gynecologist pertaining to your periods? I think that having a parent who works in the field of psychiatry is hard they tend to parent in their field instead of stepping out of the role and not acting like a therapist. I would speak your mind and not hold it back.
