Expert: Ryan Hale - 12/24/2010

Question
So I engaged in ED behavior for a long time, and have done significant metabolic damage. I am trying to recover, and though I have some energy and clarity and weight, I have HORRIBLE symptoms. I have been refeeding myself and am up to near 140 from 100 at 5'9" but I have the worst insomnia and night sweats. Night time visits to the loo. My blood glucose is a mess, and typically high. I do know of people who have reversed this but mine seems to have gotten worse with refeeding. I don't spike as high after a meal, and don't have the sleepiness or headaches associated with high bg, but do occasionally still get diabetic thirst and burning symptoms.

I guess my question is, is this normal? The doctors won't discuss symptoms and just chalk it up to mental, but I have studied the physiologic effects of starvation. Def causes hell. How long does this last and will the insulin resistance dissipate with good nutrition?

Thanks

Answer
Erika- I am not sure of your age, but the insulin resistence is made more serious with age certainly.  Often, the refeeding we do, either under a doctors care or by ourselves, contains foods that are high in carbohydrate value, or the meals are lacking protein because sometimes it can cause a bloated feeling. Make sure your meals have a good balance of both.  The protein will help the carbs burn slower and not spike the blood sugar.  Also, make sure your protein sources are complex proteins or "harder" for your body to digest.  That is, make sure the carbs are coming from whole grains and not processed foods.  Carbs can also come from fruit and veggies and it's good to get them from these sources (try to shy away from high sugar fruits like pineapple and watermelon) and try to get them in whole food form and not juices.  How long it takes for the body to "get back to normal" differs for each person.

As for the mental aspect, often eating disorders are associated with other underlying problems.  In fact, usually it is the case.  This is usually in the form of depression or anxiety.  It sounds like some of the symptoms you are having may not be high blood sugar but from anxiety.  Just to normalize this for you, anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions and you'd be amazed at how many people are dealing with this.  Talk to your doctor about the possibility of anxiety, he/she may be more receptive to treating it.