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How long will it take to recover from Anorexia and being mensturating again?

By Anonymous September 8, 2011 - 4:42pm
 
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I have suffered anorexia for about 9 years and have not menstruated for about 8. I am about 45-46kg currently, up from about 40kg usual weight ( I am approx 5'1 or 155cm in height). I eat a healthy diet but fairly low in calories (between 1,500 and 1,900 on most days) and I do exercise quite alot (average of 1 hour cycling and 1.5 hrs daily-sometimes less). I was on the pill for about 5-6 years but have been off it for nearly a year. I am feeling good about being healthier but am struggling to love my new body and am depressed about the extra weight. I feel huge but want to fall pregnant after 3 years of marriage. I get 'period-like' pains and get alot of white discharge.

my questions are:
1. Do I need to increase my weight to fall pregnant ( i have a BMI of approx 19.7 currently) and by how much?
2. How do I reduce my exercise without putting on too much weight ( i have heard alot of recovered anorexics store fat more eaisliy and sometimes end up overweight due to slower metabolism)
3. How do I stop hating how I look even though I know that I am not fat I feel it and am very depressed about how I look.
I Dont have alot of money to go to dieticians and psychologists
Please help!!

Add a Comment3 Comments

Hi anon,
I've suffered from anorexia since I was 8, my BMI is 14.59, and I am on the same boat as you. I've been to inpatient treatment, am 5'4'' weight 85 lbs. Unfortunately lost a lot more than when i went into treatment. I think you need to talk to your doctors and consider treatment if you are still struggling. I have the same question about how much weight I need to gain to become pregnant. Personally, when I recovered, I never put on too much weight, so I think that's a myth, though it could be true. Definitely talk to your doctors, and do as much research as you can. Good luck, and stay strong <3

Sy

September 8, 2011 - 6:47pm
Guide

Hi,
You have serious issues that need to be addressed by a physician and not with internet advice. I understand that you have limited financial resources. However, if you want to become pregnant, you will need to be under the care of an obstetrician and this will cost money. Secondly, I am not qualified to advise you on how much weight you should gain or how you should modify your exercising. It would be unethical for anyone to give this advice via the internet. Most importantly you need professional psychological counseling to deal with your depression and eating disorder. You need to address this issue before taking on the responsibility and stresses that come with being a mother.

Maryann

September 8, 2011 - 5:48pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Maryann Gromisch RN)

Maryann,

Thank you for your comment however I wanted to clear some things up. I have had ongoing support from qualified doctors, have been to dieticians and psychologists in the past so I am not just asking the internet for advice. I have tried to search extensivley for answers to my questions from numerous resources and thought that this could supplement my knowlegde. I know it is a serious illness. I also put this up for a bit of support and to see what other sufferers who are in the same situation as me (anorexic for a similar time period etc). So thank you for your comment and I hope that this clarifies my situation.

September 8, 2011 - 7:27pm
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