Losing my hair again

[ChloeDharma]

Well it's a long term battle i seem to be having with hair loss.
I've been combing out tons of hairs and yesterday when i washed it i had to unclog the drain twice and pulled up handfulls of hair. I did notice my scalp hurt afterwards too.
I think i know what is causing it, which strangely makes it worse. I have an ongoing issue with anorexia, and for a while have found it hard to eat anything at all, often going days with only a nibble on a biscuit or something the thought of eating mainly makes me feel like i'll vomit if i try.
I did go to the doctor a while ago, but he couldn't seem to grasp that it was serious, saying that once i've given up smoking he'll look at my eaing issue. I know how awful that sounds but i rarely can be bothered with doctors anyway and find talking about eating really hard so i just don't have the energy or motivation to have to shout my point accross.

I don't expect any miraculous answers fixing this, but i would welcome any ideas for light but nutrient dense foods that i can eat that wont make me nauseous. I have supplements.....LOADS of supplements! lol but you need to eat to take them.

It's not all bad though, the hair i have feels amazing, my boyfriend even commented on how much softer my hair feels when he was stroking it last night and he's really not the type to notice that sort of thing usually, so it must be good :)
Also i have an interview today to go on a course training as a professional aromatherapist, which will give me a positive focus and hopefully arm me with more tools to fight the eating issue.
Anyway, thanks for reading, i just had to vent a bit and figured this was the best place.

[Katze]

oh goodness how terrible, I hope you find some answers and some help. I am also shedding frightening amounts, and know how terrible it is. :flower:

Now I am going to give you some advice others keep giving me. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Your body is your temple; it is meant to carry you through this life with strength hopefully to a ripe old age. It sounds very much like your poor body is doing a kind of triage, trying to save itself from starving.

IF your doctor won't help you (and I agree you should quit smoking, it is a terrible addiction and bad for those around you too) then try someone else. But you need professional help, including therapy. Hopefully you are seeing someone for that already. :)

It sounds like your BF is a good source of support, which is excellent.

As far as foods what about yoghurt or things like kefir, etc. ? They would be good for your digestion. You can also use them to make nourishing smoothies to get some more good stuff (protein powder, fats, etc)l into you. When I broke my jaw I was given nutritional canned supplements ('ensure') which many people recommend. You NEED to eat - not just your hair but your brain, heart, internal organs etc. need the nourishment. Your body needs to repair itself from this disease.

[Aer]

I think it's so irresponsible and neglectful that your doctor will not address your eating disorder until you quit smoking, he is not doing his job. He needs to address your disorder regardless if you smoke, it's not like your shooting hard narcotics. It is still legal to smoke, it may be a bad habit, it may not help your problem, but that is absolutely no reason to not treat you or at least refer you to a competent or specialist doctor. The reason that I know this is because, when I was between the ages of 12 and 15, I had anorexia. I smoked when I was a teen too, not at 12, more like 14, I still was able to have this addressed my a medical professional. They just told me that smoking wasn't good, but they also realized that my eating disorder was more of a immediate threat to my health than a pack of smokes. Your doctor should take this more serious , and I suggest if he doesn't do something soon, you should try to find a doctor with common sense. I feel for you on losing your hair, i went through it a little too, but was lucky that it wasn't a huge problem, I ended up having physical development problems, like not fully maturing reproductively. I really hope you get better, I know that it can be a long journey, full of some dead ends, and round abouts. I am more angry at your doctor than anything. I am glad that your hair is softer though, and want you to know that I am cheering for you all the way.

[little_acorn]

I'm sorry you are having such a tough time at the moment. I don't have any personal experience to offer you but I agree with whats already been said, maybe consider an alternative doctor. Regardless of whether you smoke or not, if you are asking for help with anorexia then they should help you.
Sending you big hugs {{hug}}

[Toadstool]

I did go to the doctor a while ago, but he couldn't seem to grasp that it was serious, saying that once i've given up smoking he'll look at my eaing issue. I know how awful that sounds but i rarely can be bothered with doctors anyway and find talking about eating really hard so i just don't have the energy or motivation to have to shout my point accross.



PLEASE get another doctor and get referred to a psychiatric service/eating disorders service. I know they are thin on the ground but you are in London so surely there are some.
Did you know Overeaters Anonymous includes people with anorexia because they see all eating-disordered behaviour as part of the same spectrum of behaviour?
There is also an organisation called Anorexics/Bulimics Anonymous
(ABA)
I know you can attend OA meetings online as well as IRL.
These are both self-referral.
There is also the Eating Disorders Association which has forums online.

I promise there is help out there, and also GPs are useless but they are the gateway that can refer you to services that CAN help.
I would also suggest that right now giving up smoking is the least of your worries (unless you have health issues I am unaware of.
I am so sorry you are going through this.
I used to be anorexic but mainly bulimic, and I am pretty much fine now. What helped me most was psychotherapy which I now pay for privately.
Believe me, you CAN recover from this.:grouphug:

[ChloeDharma]

Thankyou so much everyone who has replied!!! :grouphug: :flowers:

I must admit i was pretty shocked at my doctors reaction, especially since i'm also a type 1 diabetic and was telling him i'd not eaten a meal in about or 3 days.
It took alot to tell him what was going on and when i was preparing for my appointment i was stressing thinking i might get sectioned.
So many people are commenting that i'm loosing too much weight and my father told me my boyfriend has told him the worry of me not eating is stressing him out as he doesn't know what to do. Bless him, he nags me to eat and quizzes me on what i've eaten but that isn't really the best way of going about it.
I think i will go back to the surgery but maybe i'll ask for a female doctor instead. It is very irresponsibe of my gp to take that attitude, and what really surprised me was when i told him that my ribs are really visible he was like "so what? My ribs show too"
The yogurt idea is a good one i'll have to get more of that (as opposed to just getting it for hair treatments lol) luckily veg and fruit do still appeal, i've been having smoothies and juices but it's solid food that i struggle with, unfortunately soup rarely appeals to me.
I'm trying to remember to take things like brewers yeast and alfalfa tablets and when i do eat i try to make it really count, like by eating salmon or wholegrain carbs. I don't manage much but i figure some is better than nothing.
The odd thing is, i want to gain some weight, my target is to get to a UK size 8 (i'm 4-6 at the moment) and although i do have a long history of body image issues and get paranoid about looking fat it's more an issue of being unable to eat rather than not wanting too.
I do use my hair that way and for a long time it helped.....focusing on thinking of the benefits various foods do for my hair and skin as opposed to worrying about foods making me gain weight but even that isn't working at the moment.
The protein shakes are a good idea, although i have tried them before and it was VILE! Admittedly i only had one, the soya one from holland and barretts so i should try some different ones i guess.
Anyway, thankyou again to everyone who replied....big HUGE hugs to all of you!!! :grouphug:

[shrimp]

:grouphug:

I don't have much adivce but a lot of sympathy.
(and :hatchet: for that GP!)

The big thing that made me start to eat properly again after a slide a while back was seeing the fear on my o/h's face when I couldn't manage to finish the walk we were doing without having to sit down as I couldn't breath and was utterly exhausted (I think it was a few days since I'd eaten 'normally').

That was at the start of the summer and for the most part I've eaten two or three healthy meals a day since and walk to work and back now and a few weeks ago managed a walk I never thought I could do and finally alayed o/h's fears.

I didn't do it for him but it was a huge reality check that for my own health that he was scared I was going to have a heart attack or collapse.

When I first started trying to eat again (about a year ago now) I ate a lot of flapjacks, digestive buscuits and soup - it took me a long time to finish them. It did take a long time at first but my apetite did eventually come back. In fact it's ten years since I was at my worst and I'm still working on it. I remember my b/f having to remind me what haalthy hunger was when my metabolism kicked back in as I had no idea why I was suddenly feeling this new feeling. :lol:

[pepperminttea]

Definitely try looking for another doctor if you can. There are some good ones out there, they haven't all gone private. I stuck with my family doctor for years, then in my late teens I started getting problems with my wrists, now diagnosed as carpal tunnel. He told me he'd look at them when I'd lost weight, and not before. :rolleyes: So I transferred to a different surgery, and found a doctor who would listen to me and help me before giving me the 'we have to say this'-warning. Please keep trying. They're not all bad! :grouphug:

[ericthegreat]

The first thing you need to concern yourself with Chloe is your overall mental health. I am appalled by the total apathy that your doctor had toward you. I agree with the previous posters, seek help immediately and get a new doctor. Definitely look for a specialist that deals with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, I'm sure whatever kind of healthcare plan you have should be able to refer you to such a doctor.

And on a side note I would never of course tell you to quit smoking unless you yourself are ready to do so. Clearly you already know the damage to your health that smoking(and plus the anorexia) will cause. I think for now what you need is simply social and morale support, and I'm glad the other previous posters have offered that. Go LHC! :cheer: Again look again for another better doctor, someone who will indeed treat your condition. And of course look into and join the support groups set up for anorexia/eating disorders.

Take care and I wish you well toward a lasting recovery. :grouphug::grouphug:

[missfortune9335]

please please please go to another doctor, preferably one who specializes in eating disorders. No matter what that other dr. told you this IS serious and you deserve a happy and healthy life. best wishes to you.

[SimplyLonghair]

ChloeDharma! {{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}} I am with the other posters of find a better Dr.

I think that Toadstool had some very good suggestions of checking out OA and such. They would know good folks to talk to about your issues.

Yogurt is a great idea especially the full fat kind. I love Greek yogurt and homemade yogurt, it is great stuff.

The idea about nutritionally dense food is a great one. There are good tasting protein supplements for smoothies. I like the ones from egg protein. Anytime that you can drink instead of eat it is easier. I always put fruit in mine so that they taste good.

My dd had anorexic issues and we worked through them together. She still occationally deals with issues, but mainly when we don't eat often enough. I think that it throws off the electrolytes and causes issues.

At least you have a bf that is supportive.

Tell your dad to back off. I know that nagging never helps and most often does harm. Please tell him that is the advise of someone who has been there.

Just know that we are here for you. And that we care, deeply.

[embee]

Good luck to you!

I know that quitting smoking can be done, I've done it after 40 years of smoking. Been clean a good while now. :)

There are various visual mental tricks you might try to play with your food - one might be to use a big plate and only put a small amount of food on it, it looks very small on that large surface and you *know* you can eat "that much", it's so little.

The most basic food is best, and it's not necessary to eat much of it because it is better all round. My DS is making smoothies for his breakfast - yogurt, and banana and frozen berries all done up in the blender to make a drink. He can vary the flavor with different berries.

I hope you find a doctor who will work with you. I've heard of other doctors who make those "stop smoking and I'll help you" remarks. So strange.

[Redheaded Raven]

I am sorry for you hair loss issues and dealing with anorexia.
It stinks.

I know that just when I think that I have a handle on things, I will for some reason or other, not eat and I start dealing with issues again.

Folks think that this is just start eating and you will be fine, but it is not that easy. At one point I was eating once or twice a week. And small amounts then. I was at one point down to a 1000 cal a week. I am surprised I survived, but I did.

Do you have a favorite food? Start there, nibble on it and work in more of the things that you can handle. I worked at just nibbling rather than eating meals. It started making my body be able to eat again.

Good luck and find help, someone that doesn't think that it is all mental.

I think that some of it is, but some of it is other food problems. I found out I had food sensitivities.

My body rebelled at eating things that it knew that I could not handle. When I stopped eating foods that I was allergic too in someways it was easier, but in some ways harder, as it became harder to find okay food. So I still have times.

I understand the battle.
:grouphug:

[hippiechick1976]

I am so sorry your going through this. Please do talk to other doctors ASAP. You can buy protein powders that taste alot better than the premade drinks. You can then make your own. I have a smoothie everyday for breakfast. I put in 2 scoops protein powder, handful of frozen strawberries, rasberries, blueberries, some fresh spinach, 1/2 cup unsweetened yogurt, Wheat germ and 1 TBS flax meal. It's sooo good. You can make your own and sometimes I freeze it for a frozen treat! Do you snack? Everytime you open the fridge for a drink etc grab a baby carrot. Every little bit helps and find things you love the taste of and just take a bite here and there and see how it goes?

[Madame J]

I'm so sorry you have such a biased, awful doctor. As someone who has struggled with disordered eating, both body-image driven and control-driven, I sympathize with what you're saying about how you know the cause, but that makes it harder to fix it. The support already offered has shown you that you're not alone, and I wanted to add to that.

I used to go to a therapy group for individuals with disordered eating habits, but I didn't really connect well with most of the group and eventually gave it up, in favor of finding ways to help myself (NOT for everyone!). One thing I found was that I had to find ways to make my body FEEL beautiful, strong, and desirable, because I wasn't SEEING that in the mirror. Until recently I had no full-length mirrors in my apartment, nor in the one before that (the one before that had a mirror that came with it, but it was on the back of a door that I kept open for that reason).

I wish you the best and hope you find someone who can help you. A psychiatrist might be more help than a GP right now, because it's not just that you're lacking nutrients. You don't just need someone to hook you up to IV nutrients; you need someone who can guide you to finding ways to feel beautiful. I wish you good luck and offer support if you need to talk to someone who's been there -- feel free to PM.

[Pegasus Marsters]

Slimfast is your friend... if you can't eat, at least drink some calories and nutrients. You can take all the supplements you want but they won't provide the calories provided to keep you alive. Slimfast tastes really good and is full of vitamins and minerals and about 230 calories a glass.

[metalgypsy85]

Okay, first of all, anorexia far more worrisome than smoking. I suffer from a former med induced anorexia and I have to basically force myself to eat at this point. When I saw my doctor, she couldn't have cared less about the smoking and she's a hardcore anti-smoker, that's how important eating disorders are!
Losing hair is a sure sign that it's becoming a major problem, you also said your scalp hurt a little, it's because your body is getting weaker.

Please, find a different doctor, hell, I'd even go to the ER, because I managed to destroy my stomach within a matter of months from not being able to eat. The ER can get you immediate help if they feel you need it. I'm not trying to scare you, but at the same time, anorexia isn't something to mess around with. Most people wont even admit it to themselves, and you've already crossed that hard step.
Good luck. Keep up updated.

[Feye]

Hi ChloeDharma, I don't have good advice about food, but I wanted to say that I've seen your hair in person and it looks both very soft and shiny, and I so much enjoyed talking to you! I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this.

Please see a new doctor. The one you have doesn't seem understanding. It takes outer support too in order to change the inner thoughts about food and body image, and there are good doctors out there. Hopefully someone can refer you to a local specialist. Or involve a close friend or family member for help? Having someone constantly on your back could be very helpful even if it takes a lot of strength for both of you.

[Tressie]

I'm in total agreement with everyone who said try another doctor! Please, please don't delay getting the help you need. Try to find a support group and focus on the fact that YOU are so very important and special and unique! You MUST take care of yourself, so GET HELP NOW!

I have been where you are, or very nearly, and I ended up having to have gum grafts (twice) because I was bulimic as well as anorexic. Karen Carpenter (The Carpenters), who had the most lovely singing voice, struggled with this and when she finally got started on a more healthy routine she was at her mother's house and just didn't wake up one morning. They said her heart had been weakened by her eating disorder.

I don't mean to frighten you, but PLEASE don't give up on yourself! Find a doctor who is caring and proactive TODAY~~LOVE YOU!!

[LutraLutra]

I'm just nodding and agreeing with what everyone else has said about finding a more responsible doctor. EDs are a b*tch, but you can get through them. :grouphug: and good wishes :flower:

[spidermom]

Oh CD, I'm so sorry. I don't have a lot to offer because I have the opposite problem. The best way I know to gain weight is to go on a weight-reduction diet. That will bring on a binge faster than anything. Can you drink? If so, Pegs' advice sounds good.

[serious]

I'm so sorry to hear this..:grouphug:

I can't believe your doctor wouldn't discuss anorexic issues, you are diabetic and this could be really dangerous!:mad
So, please, please, go to another doctor asap and don't give up!

[enfys]

Chole lots of people gave good advice already so I won't repeat that. I think a therapist might be more useful than your gp, or a dietician. As far as I know you would be reffered to one of them at some point even by the best gp because they are specialists.

A charity called Beat works to help people with eating disorders so they might be able to put you in touch with someone local. http://www.b-eat.co.uk/Home

I really can't offer much on how to gain weight. Could you switch to higher calorie versions of the same things you already do eat? Mixing butter or cream in with mashed potatoes, and using full cream milk, things like that. You'll eat just as much but it will be more beneficial.

So you feel hungry? I know there are ways people stave off hunger pangs by drinking water and things, but after time I expect you kind of adapt to hunger and that stops. If you have tricks to hide your hunger, try and stop them.

The fact you are losing hair shows that it is already critically affecting your health, which you obviously recognise. Until you get the help you need I hope you can carry yourself through.

You have a goal size you want to achieve, would buying clothes that size act as incentive? it works for some people and not for others. Maybe rewarding yourself as you gain weight, with jewellery or something you've been after for ages? Would keeping lots of food in the house help? If you read the labels scribble out the calorie information with marker pen or decant the things you buy into plain tupperware.

Everyone is affected differently by eating disorders so there isn't one cure all. I hope some of our ideas sound like they will work for youl.

[Beatnik Guy]

Ok, we're going to McDonalds next time I see you. :wigtongue

In the meantime, I want to echo what everyone else has said -- and try to see a more sympathetic doctor, particularly in view of your diabetes. :flowers:

[Lamb]

That doctor seems to have a few issues himself. :nono: Please find a new one.
:grouphug:

[mira-chan]

:grouphug: I really hope you feel better soon. Can you go to a different doctor? I found asking a nurse or someone in the health professions for a recommendation usually directs you to better doctors.

I wish you the best on that interview. :flowers:

[feralnature]

Fire that doctor and hire another.

Your hair will keep falling out, you know, until you are nourished. Try Ensure, eggs, deli meat, ice cream. I have the opposite problem and get fat too easy so it is hard for me to offer advice as I like all food too much. I so hope you find an answer and good luck to you. :)

[cocolover]

Everyone has had really good advice on here to find a new dr. Just wanted to send you best wishes. :flowers:

[MermaidGirl]

Ah yes, when I was anorexic, my hair was coming out in handfuls. Not fun at all. You have bigger health issues than I did because of your diabetes ...

Everyone has offered really good advice so far, so I won't repeat what they have said, other than drinking your calories is GREAT idea. You can get all sorts of nutrients that way and you of course can make your own protein smoothies that won't taste ghastly like the pre-made ones do. Ensure and Slimfast will work, but you have to watch the sugar in them due to your diabetes. You'd be better off going to a vitamin store and getting some good tasting protein powder (you can even get the stuff the body builders use) and blending it with your own fruits and vegetables to make smoothies that will be easy to get down. Drinking your calories is actually quite easy.

Also, I don't know if you have New Chapter vitamins in the UK, but they are AWESOME and because they are whole food, you do not have to eat a meal when you take them, in fact you can take them with your smoothie and that will take care of your vitamin intake as far as supplements go. Problem with them is they are expensive (but so worth it), but you can get them for much less at vitacost.com.

No one has mentioned so far that the problem with smoking, other than the obvious VERY long list of health problems cigarettes create in the short and long term, is that nicotene acts as an appetite suppresant. Smoking also can constrict blood flow to the skin and scalp, so that cannot be helping with the health of your hair. Not only that, but smoking robs your body of so many vital nutrients, so smoking is having a triple punch effect on you (suppressing your already non-existant appetite, robbing your body of nutrients that it already is lacking, and the lack of blood flow to the scalp) in addition to the myriad other health issues one gets from smoking. I agree that your first issue is the eating problem, so that needs to get fixed first as well as finding a REAL doctor, not that quack you saw, but please keep in mind that the cigarettes ARE causing problems for your health in general, specifically your diabetes and also your hair, of course. If you can cut back by just one cigarette a day, and ask for help with smoking cessation from your doctor, that will go along way to bolstering your health in all areas. I know you know that already and I am not giving you a news flash!

Please be well Chloe. We are all rooting for you. :)

[Debra83]

Vector make a meal replacement breakfast choc-a-bloc full of good nutrients. They have bars too.

Carnation makes the instant breakfast powders in different flavours that you stir into milk. Chocolate is my favourite. I don't believe I have anorexia, but I do have issues with eating due to busy-ness and stress sometimes.

Make sure you take supplements too.

Breakfast is good for you, and if you do cream of wheat or instant porridge, it'll stick to your ribs until lunch. That's a hard one for me, but the instant porridge has been working for me. I don't have a lot of time in the morning, or a lot of appetite. I smoke again too, and for your doctor to say to quit that and then deal with eating it just plain stupid. I would find another doctor.

Whole milk is better than 2% because it is a complete protein which your body definitely needs. You may need to take digestive enzymes to help digest it well though, and so it won't give you a tummy ache. They are available in health food stores.

I use Nutra Daily Enzymes 100% Plant source 500's. Helps you digest protein, fat, carbs, fiber, and milk sugar. I really notice a difference. I take one right before a meal, and one right after a meal.

I hope you get feeling 100% better. Big hug.

[Tangles]

No advice to offer because I don't know enough about your diabetes and what you can/can't eat, but a ((hug)).

I can't believe some of the terrible doctors I've read about on this board. You simply must find a new one.

[friskybiznus]

So sorry you are going through this, CD. I have nothing to add to the wonderful advice already given here. Just a note of empathy (recovering bulemic, here) and love.

Hope things improve for you soon! (((hugs)))

[ChloeDharma]

You know, next month i'll have been a member here for 5 years and i still find myself overwhelmed by how lovely, kind and just plain beautiful (and i don't just mean superficial beauty though there's that in spades too!) the people here are!
Thankyou so much everybody who replied, i can't do it justice with words but i really do appreciate every single reply in this thread!!! :smooch:
I will see another doctor, there are a few to choose from at the surgery.
I managed to eat yesterday, even finished a salmon dinner off. I will go look at the shakes, i've been trying to drink milk, though the only shake stuff i have for it is nesquik.
I'll re-read the replies to take in the practical advice better but i just want to say again a huge big thankyou :grouphug::grouphug:
On a positive note, the interview went well and i start the course next week :D

[ericthegreat]

That's good to hear Chloe. Change is very difficult. The first and most important step is admitting you have a problem, and I applaud you for having the courage and the trust to tell all of us who are all essentially strangers. I'm glad that you are seeking help, hopefully you will find a MUCH BETTER doctor than that insensitive jerk. Take care of your state of mind and your body first. Your hair will naturally follow suit once you yourself get better.

[Madame J]

I managed to eat yesterday, even finished a salmon dinner off. I will go look at the shakes, i've been trying to drink milk, though the only shake stuff i have for it is nesquik.
I'll re-read the replies to take in the practical advice better but i just want to say again a huge big thankyou :grouphug::grouphug:
On a positive note, the interview went well and i start the course next week :D

Yay! :cheer:

I know when I went through bad periods, I found I would have to just eat whenever I had a craving (wanting food = good). So I tried to always keep my most common cravings in the apartment/house: cheese, peanut butter, ice cream, and chocolate. And if I got to the point where my stomach hurt from not eating in too long, apple sauce, saltine crackers, and pretzels made a good starting point before I added something richer. If you like fish, and have one of those big-box discount stores (I don't know if there's a UK equivalent to Costco or Sam's Club), I get 3 lbs. of individually-wrapped salmon portions there, so I can thaw and have salmon in a matter of an hour or so.

Good luck with your course!

[Shanarana]

I haven't read the replies, so if I am repeating anything, sorry. I would get myself Boost, or Ensure drinks if I was unable to eat. That may be something at least to have nutrition as you get the main problem dealt with.

Please keep seeing anyone that will listen until you get the help you need. That is serious. Please be good to yourself and do what you have to do to get better.

[Monsterkitti]

I dont really have any suggestions to add, everyones given great advice and its great your trying some of them out. I just wanted to say take care of yourself and send :grouphug:

Oh and congrats on the course, thats brilliant! :)

[shrimp]

Congratulations honey!

:grouphug:

[JamieLeigh]

I'm sorry you're going through this! I went through a period of this in high school, and I certainly wasn't able to snap out of it on my own. It took time and patience and courage, and a good support system. It sounds like you have a very supportive boyfriend, I hope he is helping you through your problem and is loving you no matter what you look like. :grouphug:

What a horrible thing for a doctor to say. Yes, smoking is a nasty habit and very unhealthy, but a doctor shouldn't sit by and watch a person die from one problem while waiting for her to kick another. Obviously, the eating situation is the one that is the most dire, and needs the most attention. That statement would make me angry, and search for another, more helpful doctor. Good luck with whatever you decide to do in your life, and congratulations on your course! :flower:

[sorraia]

I am very sorry to hear what you are going through. I hope you are able
to find someone who specializes in eating disorders to assist you on your healing
journey.
In the meantime check out this site ( if you like) http://www.emofree.com/
and in the search box to the left of the page type in anorexia and or quitting smoking.
There are cases listed where people have healed themselves of both conditions and just about anything else under the sun. I have used it myself w great success for all kinds of things. As you probably know if you can manage to quit smoking your appetite will more than likely improve a great deal.
The EFT ( Emotional Freedom Technique) helps people get to the root of the problem ( the emotion behind the ailment or addiction) and heal it. Something occurred at one point in your life that turned you off food. The key is finding that occurrence or unpleasant experience and healing it.
I wish you the very best of health and healing.

[Canarygirl]

I recommend finding a support group to participate in, for people with anorexia and/or eating disorders. Ideally it would be moderated by a psychologist but even an unmoderated one would be helpful. I don't think you have to talk unless you are willing/ready, by the way. Listening to others would be helpful. My good friend was anorexic; she ended up hospitalized for treatment. The program was excellent for her as she is slim, healthy, and eats the foods she enjoys now. She's had all her teeth capped, another side-effect of the eating disorder.

[naomimcc]

Find another doctor. Fast. Get help. Now. Your hair is secondary. Your health and your life is first.

[vindo]

I'm so sorry you are experiencing this much problems.

I can tell you that anorexia or even just eating little food, can have a drastic effect on hair. Some anorexia changes are irreversable. I know a girl that has had weak, different textured and thinner hair ever since.

So what you need to do is make sure you can eat normally again, that would be the only fix. Get help for this, they will teach you how to start again slowly, I'm sure.

When I was sick while my husband was in Iraq I got nauseas too when eating and I found that bread with honey was easily eatable, or crackers. But you have to build up from there, not stick with a few things.

Hair loves rich foods, different meats..you could take iron supplements, zinc, fishoil, multi, biotin to even out a few things but it will not help enough.

I hope you feel better soon!

[ktani]

Find another doctor. Fast. Get help. Now. Your hair is secondary. Your health and your life is first.

I agree with this completely! Your diabetes is something that not eating will definitely not help.

You do not have the best of luck with doctors but there are decent ones out there.

In the meantime, I have always found protein shakes an easy way to get nourishment fast, should not upset your stomach (many are not heavy) and there are brands that not only taste good but you can add things too them like orange juice if your blood sugar needs it or other things. There are also sugar free aspartame free brands that are good.

I hope that you feel and eat better soon! I think that your hair loss is an effect from your overall nutritional deficiency.

Anorexia is a separate and complicated issue but there are probably support groups that you can to look into. I hope that they help you until you can get a decent doctor but one may help point you in that direction.

Hugs!!!

ETA: I buy a good protein powder and make my own shakes. I buy Absolute Whey by Interactive. It is low in sodium, is sweetened with stevia and is a mix of proteins that have digestive enzymes added to the mix. It is light and mixes easily with a spoon. There are similar brands out there (I get the natural vanilla flavour), that should be compatible with your sugarless requirements. I refer to the shakes as my "elixir of life" lol, when I have been too busy to eat properly. I always feel better after drinking one.

[Lyttle Lox]

I just want to hug you… I’m sorry you’re going through such an ordeal. I’m new here and I think it says a lot about this forum that you feel comfortable enough to seek help here, talk about a supporting environment! I think you made a good choice! Good luck with your training :)


Whole Foods (and maybe other health food stores) has a vanilla protein powder that has no sweetener, so you could add your own, or mix with fruit or other sweet things, so you don't have to worry about your sugar restrictions.



No one has mentioned so far that the problem with smoking, other than the obvious VERY long list of health problems cigarettes create in the short and long term, is that nicotene acts as an appetite suppresant ... If you can cut back by just one cigarette a day, and ask for help with smoking cessation from your doctor, that will go along way to bolstering your health in all areas ...


I was wondering why this was not brought up sooner. I questioned the doctor’s reaction, thinking, what does smoking have to do with an eating disorder? But I remembered my friend who is a heavy smoker.. telling me how little she eats throughout the day because she simply doesn’t get very hungry smoking all day.

If quitting is not a priority, I agree that even cutting back will be of huge help, as you should have more of an appetite, but quitting would be ideal. But you shouldn't have to shout your point across, next doctor!

There are stop smoking medications you can from a doctor, as well as antidepressants. My friend takes an antidepressant that also reduces nicotine cravings in the brain.. but I’m not sure of what it’s called.



Breakfast is good for you, and if you do cream of wheat or instant porridge, it'll stick to your ribs until lunch. That's a hard one for me, but the instant porridge has been working for me. I don't have a lot of time in the morning, or a lot of appetite...
You may need to take digestive enzymes to help digest it well though, and so it won't give you a tummy ache. They are available in health food stores.


I would also recommend complex carbs that will keep you satisfied long, like oatmeal or porridge type dishes. Cous cous, rice, potatoes, etc. You can mix in veggies for a good meal.


I agree with trying things with active cultures (good bacteria) like yogurt, it may help if your tummy can handle it. There are other foods with live cultures like some cheeses ( make sure the label says live cultures), and Whole Foods, if you have one, also carries things like raw sauerkraut, pickles, etc with active cultures. This should help if you’re having digestion problems.

You can also buy supplements for this like acidophilus, but if you can keep these foods down I’d recommend foods over supplements, as your body prefers it, and it is a double benefit to you at this time since you are trying to get in the habit of eating regularly. Whatever you can get through food, do, but utilize supplements as well.

[Lyttle Lox]

Here is a little information I found while looking for foods that weak stomachs could handle:


http://www.gicare.com/diseases/Gastroparesis.aspx

Gastroparesis is a weak stomach. This condition is very common. It can be the cause of a number of abdominal complaints. It is usually not a serious problem and there are effective treatments available.


This condition occurs when the rate of the electrical wave slows and the stomach contracts less frequently. Now the food just lays in the stomach relying on acid and digestive enzymes to break down the food and on gravity to empty the stomach. There are a number of causes for this condition:

 Diabetes is the most common known cause. Adrenal and thyroid gland problems can also be a cause although these are infrequent
 Scars and fibrous tissue from ulcers and tumors can block the outlet of the stomach and mimic gastroparesis
 Certain drugs weaken the stomach (tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil, calcium blockers such as Cardizem and Procardia, L-dopa, hyoscyamine, Bentyl, Levsin, narcotics)
 Previous stomach surgery
 Anorexia and bulimia
 Neurologic or brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, strokes and brain injury
 Certain diseases such as lupus erythematosus and scleroderma
 In up to 40% of cases the cause of gastroparesis is not known
It should be noted that not all of these disorders affect the pacemaker of the stomach. Some disorders weaken the stomach muscle itself so it can't respond to the pacemaker. In either case, the result is the same, gastroparesis.

Symptoms
The usual symptoms of gastroparesis are a feeling of fullness after only a few bites of food, bloating, excessive belching, and nausea. At times there will be a vague, nagging ache in the upper abdomen but usually the pain is not sharp or crampy as might occur with ulcers or a gallbladder attack. There may be vomiting, heartburn, or regurgitation of stomach fluid into the mouth. Medications that reduce or eliminate stomach acid usually don't help much.

Treatment
First, if there is an underlying disorder, it needs to be treated effectively. Examples are good blood sugar control in the diabetic patient or thyroid medicine for someone with an underactive thyroid.

Second, there may be a need to address diet and nutrition. When gastroparesis is mild, there are usually few food problems. However, if there is marked delay in stomach emptying, then attention to the diet is necessary. Fats, including vegetable oils, normally cause delay in emptying of the stomach, so foods that are high in fat need to be avoided. High fiber foods such as broccoli and cabbage tend to stay in the stomach, so these foods should be restricted when symptoms are severe. Liquids always leave the stomach faster than solid food so liquid type foods such as low-fat milkshakes should be used. Finally, frequent small feedings, 4-6 times a day, are usually more effective than larger meals, 2 or 3 times a day. A registered dietitian can be very helpful in providing advice in severe cases.

The third treatment is medications.



http://www.eatingdisorderexpert.co.uk/StomachProblemsForAnorexicsAndBulimics.html

Anorexics ... can suffer from the effects of malnutrition including a weakening of the stomach muscles, ulcers, and stomach “shrinking” or distending.

... weight loss leaves them with little body fat, but it can also reduce general muscle mass and tone as well, including a weakening of the stomach muscles and possible damage to the nerves which signal the stomach to digest and pass food. If this occurs there can be delays in how efficiently the stomach empties when food is introduced. This situation is often referred to as delayed stomach emptying or gastroparesis.

If stomach emptying takes too long, food can actually ferment in the stomach and cause bacterial problems. Food can also harden in the stomach, forming solid lumps known as bezoars, which themselves can cause stomach pain and vomiting. In addition to these concerns, anorexia can also lead to ulcers in the stomach when there is no food to protect the stomach walls from stomach acids, and a hard, swollen distended stomach can result from both bacterial infections and ulcers. The lack of food ingested by anorexics can also lead to “shrunk” stomachs that feel fuller faster and can not accommodate normal amounts of food until they are gently “stretched” with slightly larger snacks and meals.

Another good reason to eat good bacteria (live foods such as yogurt) to fight any bad bacteria that may be building in your digestive system. This problem is completely solveable, so do not lose hope, and take it one day at a time. We'll all be here for you!

[embee]

Gastroparesis... Thanks LittleLox, I never heard of this, but every now and then I have an "off" day when food seems to just sit there and I don't feel very well. Now I have a name for it. :)

[lora410]

First let me commend you on KNOWING you have a problem instead of denying it. I used to be 100lbs and barely ate. Like you the thought of food made me ill. Once I quit smoking my gained weight. I am no 123-125. Maybe that is your first step since nicotine suppresses the appetite.

[prittykitty]

You need to check into a rehab center for anorexia and go from there. You will not have healthy hair or anything healthy on your body for that matter until the initial problem is dealt with. Once you have your anorexia under control, then recovery with your body can take place. Healthy hair can be restored again but only after you complete step one.

[Culdayne]

I don't really have anything to add, just wanted to give you a :flower:

[longhairedfairy]

First let me commend you on KNOWING you have a problem instead of denying it. I used to be 100lbs and barely ate. Like you the thought of food made me ill. Once I quit smoking my gained weight. I am no 123-125. Maybe that is your first step since nicotine suppresses the appetite.
Agreed!
I don't have much advice other than to recommend Ensure or Boost (preferably Boost PLUS), but I want to send :grouphug:!

[Lyttle Lox]

Me either embee... I'm thinking the same thing.

[ChloeDharma]

Wow, thankyou again everybody :grouphug:
That information on gastrothingy sounds scary but does seem familiar.
Things have improved a bit for the moment, i've been managing to have something each day, usually salmon or a veg curry. I admit, i do think a small part of it is that i've not been cooking, but am really fussy about food i eat. My b/f has been cooking mostly but he is a bit of a stereotype British rough bloke who likes red meat with everything and doesn't believe in vegetables.
I don't eat red meat and prefer fresh veg and things like wholegrain, beans, lentils with most of my food....i'm also fussy about what kind of fats i have....i only use certain oils to cook with, mostly rice bran or sesame for any frying, or extra virgin olive or virgin coconut for general cooking. I cooked properly for the first time yesterday and found myself really salivating and looking forward to eating the veg and beans. I didn't eat loads but i ate more than i'd expect and at least what i had was nutrient dense with none of that hydrogenated rubbish that gets into most foods.
I do need to buy those shakes though, and speak to a different doctor. The thing is, i was REALLY scared when i last went for help, and getting that reaction which wasn't just dismissive but also felt mocking has just made me feel i can't go and talk to another one. As Ktani mentioned i have very little faith in conventional doctors, their neglect caused my mother to die and my cousin died around new years of pancreas cancer because they fobbed her off so many times refusing to check properly that by the time they did realise she had cancer it had progressed too far and she died not long after.
I know i should get help, but i can't be laughed off again and though i can talk about it on here i don't feel like i can talk about it in real life anymore.
My b/f is trying to be helpfull but unfortunately doesn't understand it at all so being the very practical army type thinks that nagging and being stroppy with me to eat will fix it. He has the best intensions but unfortunately that doesn't give me an appetite.
Cooking yesterday has definately given me more hope that i can do this.

Thanks again for the replies and all the wonderful support you have all given me, this thread really does lift my spirit and remind me again just how wonderful and kind the members here are! :grouphug: :flowers: :smooch:

ETA Those boost things, they were giving them away in victoria station once when i was passing through and i saw they have guarana in so i tried one.....i had to spit it out i found it so vile! I have been eating cereal bars though and things like sesame snaps which are basically sesame seeds in a bar shape. I've also been eating strips of seaweed and black sesame seed snacks.

[SandyStar]

I don't have very good advice either, but I'm sending you good vibes. I've had eating disordered behaviours in the past, but I was able to overcome them. I hope you find a better doctor.

[Lyttle Lox]

Wow... that sounds like great progress, I'm so happy to hear that. That is interesting about the oils, can I ask the reason(s) for your preferences?
It is trial in error with the shakes, I can't stand many either, but have found a couple tasty ones eventually. I'm glad to hear you have a "healthy" appetite, both literally and figuratively. Your body will really appreciate this love.

I can't say I blame you for not being motivated to run to doctors, but if you do one day decide to try again, maybe getting a referral for a specialist would be better.. I'm sure someone who focuses on a particular subject is very serious about what they do, and would take you seriously.
In the meantime perhaps doing your own careful research and continuing to take great care of yourself is the best route.. concentrate on pampering yourself inside and out, I think your body deserves it!

[Themyst]

I've treated myself with 'self help' on an issue or two. It's great you're trying to figure this out. I tend to avoid doctors unless I am dying. I also agree with the protein shakes (like Slim Fast). My brother is a competing body builder and there are days he just lives off of them.

[ChloeDharma]

Lyttle Lox thankyou for replying :flower:
My reason for being fussy about what oils i use is that i try to avoid hydrogenated vegetable oils as much as i can. I'm also a big believer in including good quality oils in the diet. Sesame and rice bran oil i choose for any frying or higher temperature cooking based on their higher tolerance to heat and that they remain stable at higher temperatures unlike some oils like sunflower which become damaged quite easily. It's also based on the oils containing valuable nutrients, vitamins like E, and also essential fatty acids.
If i use an oil i want it to have a beneficial effect on my health not a dentrimental one like the kinds used in many processed foods.
I think this is what usually helps me manage my anorexia, focusing on foods and spices as functional, keeping my focus on the health benefits of the ingredients i use.....that makes me feel good about what i'm eating. I do think there is a bit of a control issue too.....i like cooking my own food as i know it has been done the way i like it then (ie the correct oils being used and not things like marg or that vile lard stuff my b/f is so keen on).
I know i sound mean saying this, my b/f tries to be helpfull and i really do appreciate it, just our ideas of "good food" really don't match, which is fine....i enjoy cooking :).

Themyst maybe i'll try those slimfast ones first, it's just i heard they have ingredients to suppress the appetite in them too, obviously an effect i don't want! lol. Thankyou :flower:

[Themyst]

Themyst maybe i'll try those slimfast ones first, it's just i heard they have ingredients to suppress the appetite in them too, obviously an effect i don't want! lol. Thankyou :flower:

Yes, but I was thinking at least we could get some protein and vitamins in you!

[Lyttle Lox]

Lyttle Lox thankyou for replying :flower:
My reason for being fussy about what oils i use is that i try to avoid hydrogenated vegetable oils as much as i can. I'm also a big believer in including good quality oils in the diet. Sesame and rice bran oil i choose for any frying or higher temperature cooking based on their higher tolerance to heat and that they remain stable at higher temperatures unlike some oils like sunflower which become damaged quite easily. It's also based on the oils containing valuable nutrients, vitamins like E, and also essential fatty acids.
If i use an oil i want it to have a beneficial effect on my health not a dentrimental one like the kinds used in many processed foods.
I think this is what usually helps me manage my anorexia, focusing on foods and spices as functional, keeping my focus on the health benefits of the ingredients i use.....that makes me feel good about what i'm eating. I do think there is a bit of a control issue too.....i like cooking my own food as i know it has been done the way i like it then (ie the correct oils being used and not things like marg or that vile lard stuff my b/f is so keen on).
I know i sound mean saying this, my b/f tries to be helpfull and i really do appreciate it, just our ideas of "good food" really don't match, which is fine....i enjoy cooking :).

Themyst maybe i'll try those slimfast ones first, it's just i heard they have ingredients to suppress the appetite in them too, obviously an effect i don't want! lol. Thankyou :flower:


Thanks for the info I never did that much research on fats, I just tend to stick with unsaturated ones with the occasional use of a non hydrogenated spread when I can't get away with a liquid fat. I would like to learn more about the benefits of specific oils and their uses vs. others.

I have the same relationship with my mother and cooking. I tend to eat as much like a health nut as possible, and when I have occasional cravings, I don't feel the need to deny myself. But as you said this usually requires doing most of my own cooking, as my mom doesn't cook as healthy as I'd like. The benefit of this is that after eating much of my cooking, some of it rubs off on her gradually, like lower dependencies on excess salt, sugar and fat.
I am vegetarian and my mother respects that, so luckily I don't have to worry about lard :p but still I am on alert for ingredients with hidden animal products that she may not even know about, so yes, it is much easier to do most of the cooking, while remembering to appreciate what she cooks for me, as her intentions as good as well.

Shakes like that do curb your appetite, I suspect most protein shakes will, they are indeed used for meal replacements. I am trying to regain protein and use a shake of this nature, but currently won't drink more than 1-2 servings of it a day, so I am not too full for solid balanced meals, I don't want to rely on them as a cure all, but as a nutritional boost. I watch the ingredients, you might want to if you're concerned about sugar and sodium levels, as well as mysterious ingredients. I do recommend a health food store, where you can get either the pure protein powders and sweeten/flavor to taste, or buy a flavored one with a few basic and simple ingredients.

[magpielaura]

I'm so shocked by that doctors attititude. I was even more shocked as I read through this thread and found out you have diabetes too...What were they thinking???

If cooking the food got you more interested in eating make it part of your routine to cook every day, hungry or not. You can always freeze little portions to be ready and waiting for when you want them. I spend much of my time trying to remember to stop eating rather than start... I usually start thinking about what I'm going to cook for dinner that evening as soon as I get up, check the fridge to see what needs eating and what I need to buy to make a meal, look up recipes.... Hmmm, sounding a bit obsessed the way I just wrote it! I just wonder that if enjoying cooking improved you appetite, then getting excited through the day about the new recipe you are going to try/new ingredient will increase your enthusiasm for eating. How about making yourself some fabulous flapjack things with all the seeds and nuts you like, using all the healthy stuff and none of the processed crap you try to avoid? Cooking smells as aromatherapy!

Congratuations on getting onto that course! You know you have a problem and want to change, so you have already jumped a big hurdle. Bit by bit you can get into the habit of eating - and to enjoy and look forward to it (try not to enjoy it as much as I do though!!:D)