Expert: Joanne - 6/23/2007

Question
QUESTION: I had anorexia for two years and now I have BED. I gained 25 lbs with BED in a short amount of time. I went from 90 to 115 pounds in like four months or so. My back started to hurt too. Now I noticed that my stomach bulges out especially at the lower end of my tummy. It is as if I was pregnant but I know I aint cos I never had sex. What can I do to get rid of that. Everything else in my body is lean because I used to work out daily during my BED. Please help. I look like I am 4 months pregnant that my parents asked if I was pregnant.

ANSWER: Without trying to be crude - are you constipated at all?

You may be having problems with your digestion, and that combined with the BED may result in overwhelming your intestines, and bloating.  Your body maybe retaining too much water and not getting rid of it with your faeces as it should!

I think that you should go and get this checked out just to make sure that there is nothing else wrong, and your Dr may also be able to give you something that may help if they feel it is necessary.

I don't think that it will be anything serious, and will probably sort itself out in time if you were to recover from your eating disorders, but I wouldn't want you to dismiss this and recommend seeking further advice.

I would also maybe mention to your Dr that you have moved from anorexia to BED if you are not already getting treatment for eating disorders, as there will be underlying issues there that will need to be dealt with in order for you to move on with your life!

All the best
Holly

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No, I am not contsipated since I have bowels every other day. My bulging stomach is more like a pouch. it sticks out not at the belly button but settles below the belly button so it is tear-drop shaped. If I am retaining water, is there anything I can do to relieve it. i canniot get to a doctor for various reasons I cannot list here.

Answer
You could try going to a health food shop and try to get a herbal supplement that will help with the bloating, but other than that, I'm not sure what else you can do!  All I can recommend is that you maybe try this, and try to keep yourself well-hydrated so as not to dehydrate yourself, making water retention worse when you do drink, and eat well!

I don't want to sound pushy either, but I do think that you need to see a health professional of some sort.

Holly