Expert: Ryan Hale - 7/18/2011

Question
My daughter is an athlete, and has developed anorexia.  She lifts weights every day.  She has been experiencing numbness in her right thigh and the numbness is spreading.  She is at 15.9 bmi.   Is this type of symptom normal, and do you have any suggestions to offer?  Also, at what bmi would you consider the need for inpatient care? We've been trying outpatient, ad have yo-yoed up ad down during the last 3 mos.  Thank you.

Answer
I'm unable to give you a certain number fora BMI that would indicate inpatient care.  First, I don't know what height or weight your daughter's BMI is based on, and second, your daughter's individual condition would dictate the severity.  Outpatient care should be very comprehensive and intensive to expect results if she has had the condition for a while or it is very severe.  As for the numbness, it's hard to say, however, people in the midst of an eating disorder almost certainly have electrolyte imbalance.  Those are the chemicals that conduct electricity for muscles to work.  Often, it's the heart complications from an electrolyte imbalance that end up being the cause of death for someone with an ED.  If she is doing weight training, it's conceivable that her large muscle groups are not functioning optimally due to her food restriction.  The affect of the ED on her nervous system could be causing the numbness.  Best to talk to your Dr.