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Author Topic: ED history and perimeno  (Read 2493 times)

K45

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ED history and perimeno
« on: June 12, 2024, 04:18:24 PM »

Is anyone else feeling as if perimenopause is pressing old ED buttons? From 14- mid 30s anorexia pretty much ruled my life. I haven't relapsed for nearly a decade but since peri symptoms esp brain fog kicked in and starting HRT it has felt like some of the old thoughts/behaviours have started to attempt to resurface. I think that feeling of a lack of control over my body at this point is really uncomfortable.
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CLKD

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2024, 05:37:57 PM »

Have a  :bighug:

Did your hormones impact the eating disorder at all?  I still have a difficult relationship with food - especially if my body lacks energy = intense nausea.  This means that I can't eat then the 'what if's ' start  >:(

I was advised to eat little and often, 24/7 to ease any sudden drop in energy levels.  Even in the night!  So I stick to that as much as possible as well as having safe foods.

B4 a bleed began I would feel suddenly sick and light headed, even if a period wasn't due.  Which could act as a trigger.

What do U think would work for you?  Eating little and often ?  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress etc..
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K45

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2024, 06:46:01 PM »

Thanks so much for the hug and helpful response:) I know what you mean about the nausea especially when you're stressed and too busy. Eating little and often sounds like a good plan - I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks but probably could add an evening snack in like I did in treatment. I'm seeing my GP for an HRT review in a few weeks so I'm going to just be honest and say where I'm at. My head goes when my weight drops so I need to bite the bullet and increase my cals. The hardest part is as soon as I get a certain amount below my healthy weight I feel and look bigger as body distortion kicks in  :( 
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CLKD

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2024, 09:05:18 PM »

It's hard work sometimes.  It is in recent years that I can recognise hunger .  I have a weak point below my belly button on the R which is my sudden anxiety trigger.  Irritable bowel with slow transit  >:(  ::).

I've never worried about how I look, too busy playing, learning music, ballet ....... hated cross country though  :D.  Do U have hobbies?  When well as a teen/young adult I could eat everything  ::) but in the last 18 months my body has become sensitive to processed foods so we have been cutting out on most.  [long story short].
 
My safe foods are: bananas - slow release; a good muesli mix; chocolate  ;); dried fruits and nuts; toast.  When unable to eat I have to force Bovril in a mug of hot water; eventually I can add ready boiled rice.  Rice pudding.  It was hard work during the 1990s  :'( but with eating B4 my energy levels dip, most days I can feel OK.

Little and often.  Our bodies use natural fats and sugars differently to those in shop bought cake for example.   DH has waded through Dr Van Tullekan's book about how we have become addicted to 'fast' foods - it was too involved for me  ;D but as a Research Scientist, he was able to explain Chris' research and findings. 

Have to hand foods that you can munch B4 that hunger dip.  What triggers bother U the most?
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K45

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2024, 02:33:36 PM »

I really feel for you as a few of the other women in treatment had IBS combined with an ED which is a tough combination.

My main hobbies are sea swimming which helps to just be in the moment and hiking. Anything in nature away from crowds and noise really!

Food wise I try to keep it simple and pretty much stick to a routine. That's good that you have some foods you feel safe eating as  sometimes it's hard to find anything that feels ok. Lately I've been trying to eat more magnesium rich snacks like pumpkin seeds & nuts to try and get more energy.   I'm fortunate my husband loves to cook so we eat pretty healthy most of the time.  Have you found cutting out processed food has helped a lot? I'm always a bit uneasy about making changes to my diet as it old obsessive patterns can move in fast.

The main triggers I'd say are getting too stressed at work and losing weight from physical illness.  Also if I have to eat late for any reason it can throw things out of whack and feels uncomfortable. As you say, it's important to get something before that hunger dip so it doesn't spiral.

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CLKD

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2024, 06:33:38 PM »

R U my cousin?  I've been where you are.  From age 3 I had anxiety [long story short] which causes nausea.  During my teens it wasn't too bad in that I had hollow legs ......  ;D and Mum/family cooked from scratch.

DH is a chemist = chef ;-).  There are times when I am unable to go into the kitchen even to wash up.   :-\.

Certainly cutting out processed foods has made a huge difference and two mornings ago I stopped adding pumpkin seeds to my muesli.  Something is making me bloated by 2.00 - well this morning I was on the loo for 25 mins, have felt really comfy all day  ::).  I began to think that the seeds were slowing up my digestive tract .  When we cut out processed foods last year, I was given some cakes for the festive season: by New Years' Eve I was quite ill.  Wind wouldn't go up nor down, which proved that cutting out hidden fats and sugars at this time of Life : 70 : is the way for me to go.

I think we need to slowly add or remove foods that might be causing trouble through the digestive system.  Over the years I've swapped and changed to see what might be causing problems. 

What does your husband think?  Mine has to remind me to eat: I will be busy in the garden and time goes by  ::)
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K45

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2024, 05:42:43 PM »

Lol, I know what that's like being shut out the kitchen...DH's domain!  ;D

It's good that you are able to identify what needs to be avoided and that cutting out processed food has made such a huge difference to your health. My mother in law often makes those packet job cakes and it definitely doesn't work for me either!

Like yours, my husband regularly reminds me you don't have to be hungry to eat. Especially at the moment I've even less appetite than normal as picked up a bug. Gardening is certainly a whole lot more appealing than trying to eat when you feel rubbish!

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CLKD

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2024, 06:22:55 PM »

I DREAD bugs  >:(. which I visualise as the bubbles in the Ribena adverts ....... keep hydrated if possible!
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CLKD

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2024, 01:50:50 PM »

How's things today?

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K45

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2024, 03:49:13 PM »

Feeling quite a bit better thanks  :) Got out for a decent walk this afternoon which definitely helped. How's your day going?
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CLKD

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Re: ED history and perimeno
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2024, 04:53:05 PM »

OK tnx.  Out and about B4 a light lunch at home, watched the weather  >:( ...... laundry done.  Birds fed.

Evening meal eaten, feet up now. 
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