Expert: Meg - 3/17/2004

Question
Hi,
I am 25 and have had bulimia/anorexia for 10 years, i don't know what to do anymore! I have seen art therapsists, psychotherapists, hypnotherapsits, support groups...I was seeing a therapsit/nutritionist (recovered herself) for two years, but that has come to an end now..she can't do anything for me anymore. I just need some hope, or something, a friend, i don't know. anyway, i have one question. Are calcium supplements good enough to keep me from developing more osteoperosis? i already have bone loss, my doctor tells me i have bones like a 70 year old. this nutritionist tells me i'm going to end up in a wheelchair in 5 years.

thanks

Answer
Hey Laura-

I'm glad that you wrote and can totally sympathize as I'm around your age and know how frusterating it is to have struggled for so long with this.  Feel free to email me, if you'd like.

There definitely *is* hope as long as you keep trying.  Even when it feels like you're not getting anywhere.  My own recovery has been so much slower and up and down than I ever expected, but it does get easier as you keep going on.  And, if nothing else, having dealt with all this, I feel that a person learns so much about herself and life through all of this.  So, hang in there...and you'll come out that much stronger and wiser.

As for the calcuim, I think that supplements do help...however, my understanding is that supplements are not really effective if you're not getting at least a minimal amount of calories so that you can metabolize them.  So, I'd keep taking the supplements but also try to work on getting the vital nutrients that you need.  I also know that if you get a calcium pill that also has Vitamin D, that is supposed to be the easiest for your body to utilize.

Let me know if there is anything else I can do, and please keep figthing.

My email is Lotusbloom90005@yahoo.com if you need anything.

Best,
Meg