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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by runner01girl on June 26, 2006, at 19:32:57
Let me elaborate on my last post. I have just binged again today and was looking for some help on the internet when I stumbled across this site. I am a high school runner who was been injured in August. I won state my freshman year, but due to my injury, I couldn't much for almost six months and as a result am not very good compared to my previos feats. I don't really know why I got injured and am so afraid that it will happen again. Because I'm afraid and worried I 've been binge eating for almost half a year now. My once ultra thin body is now fat in my opinion. I feel out of control, fat, and disgusted. When I try to lose weight, I end up eating the very foods that I've been trying to avoid, feel guilty, and eat more. I just want to talk to someone who understands. Can someone help me?
Posted by Racer on June 26, 2006, at 22:17:05
In reply to explanation of my situation, posted by runner01girl on June 26, 2006, at 19:32:57
Posted by Racer on June 28, 2006, at 0:45:30
In reply to binge eating, posted by runner01girl on June 26, 2006, at 19:17:33
Yeah -- go find a good therapist now, try to find an ANAD support group in your area, and see if you can get in to see a dietitian and a physical therapist.
The reason I'm jumping on this is that you are describing a great set up for a serious eating disorder. The restrictive eating leads to binging, which leads to more restrictive eating, and can easily lead to purging behaviors. If that happens, well -- life gets to be hellish pretty darned fast. The sooner you fix this, the better your entire life will be.
The physical therapist is probably the best thing you can do for yourself right now, though. Find out as well as you can how to avoid another injury. And see if you can at least talk to your doctor about what a reasonable eating pattern would be.
Also, there is an eating board here, which deals in eating disorders. Binge eating counts.
Oh! And welcome to Babble!
Posted by llrrrpp on June 28, 2006, at 0:45:30
In reply to Re: binge eating, posted by Racer on June 26, 2006, at 20:12:05
Welcome to Babble, runnergirl!
I'm sorry you're feeling lousy. It's awful to have body image issues, because it can be very isolating. And it sounds like the injury may have also affected your self-esteem, since running is something that you take pride in.
Racer's a smart one. She has good advice. It sounds like you have a pretty good idea about what the problem is and where it comes from. But you might not have the tools to make yourself better. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your parents love you, and they don't want you to hurt. If you're nt comfortable asking your parents for help, is there a coach or a physical therapist you can talk to? Perhaps you can get a recommendation for a dietician from you doctor? Also if you're thinking about going to therapy, you should know that the things you tell your therapist won't be repeated to your parents, unless you are disclosing intent to harm yourself or others. [OTHER BABBLERS- PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong]
You've made a big step by telling us about this on psycho-babble. I think it's great that you're reaching out for help. I think with some help and support you can make running something that you enjoy again.
best,
-ll
Posted by Phillipa on June 28, 2006, at 0:45:30
In reply to binge eating, posted by runner01girl on June 26, 2006, at 19:17:33
Have you found out why your legs don't feel right? Are they painful or weak? If they are weak only join a gym and start training again. Being in top physical shape will help your self esteem. Love Phillipa
Posted by Michael83 on June 28, 2006, at 0:45:30
In reply to binge eating, posted by runner01girl on June 26, 2006, at 19:17:33
Hi runner01girl!
I don't have anythign to add that wasn't already said except that you shouldn't be afraid to ask someone for help. Whether it be a therapist or parents or whatever. It happens to the best of us. No shame in it. Just got to go out and try to fix it and go back to enjoying life.
Posted by runner01girl on June 28, 2006, at 0:45:31
In reply to Re: binge eating, posted by Racer on June 26, 2006, at 20:12:05
Thanks for your advice. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow and I'll try to get the nerve up to discuss my problem(that is if my mom is not in the room). Actually she knows that I have a problem, but she doesn't really know how bad it is. She once caught me binging on marshmallows and I thought she was going to faint. Now, she's removed most sweets from our house. However, sometimes when I really want sugar, I get a headache. Then, I find a recipe for cookie dough or cake batter and make me some to eat(when no one's around, of course).I feel lousy afterwards, and tell my mom that I ate to much. I'm too embarassed to tell her what I really ate so, although she loves me, she sometimes get frustrated because she doesn't really understand. I usually binge some every day, wheter it be small or large scale. However, I have gone a few days, almost a week, where I did very well. I keep thinking that I can beat this on my own. I think that I have trigger foods that I crave. When I eat these, I want more and more and can't stop eating. Do you all think this is possible?
Posted by fca on June 28, 2006, at 0:45:31
In reply to Re: binge eating, posted by runner01girl on June 27, 2006, at 6:59:03
My daughter was a US class competitive swimmer when she started binging--during college it got worse including full blown bulimia. I do not want to scare you, but I do want to raise your sensitivity to the fact that this can be a serious problem and you should seek absolutely the best help you can. Please be completely candid with your DR (your mom does not need to be with you) but they will no doubt need to be involved in helping you secure treatment if it is indicated. The earlier you intervene with experienced professional help the better. I am sure your condition is quite manageable but you will probably need some help. There are a variety of theories and treatments for binging/purging. The important thing now is to see some one skilled with eating disorders and stick to the program. You can always try other strategies is the first does not work, If anyone (parents or Dr.)just says "well, don't do it or stop" they do not understand and need some education. Let us know what develops fca
Posted by Racer on June 28, 2006, at 1:49:37
In reply to Re: binge eating, posted by fca on June 27, 2006, at 19:07:55
FCA offered great advice there. I can't improve on it.
I can say, though, that if you run into any trouble getting help, or the doctors don't take you seriously, or your mother tries to stay in the room with you during your exam, feel free to come here for advice about how to handle it. Also, you can use the Babblemail feature by clicking on the underlined names. If you're not comfortable disclosing your experience on the board publicly, feel free to contact me via Babblemail, and I can offer you advice, if I've got it, or help you find names of eating disorder specialists in your area. (That's part of what I do -- local ED resource person. Same things I do to find resources around here can be applied anywhere, so I can probably help if anyone needs it.)
And Runnergirl? Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.
Posted by Poet on June 28, 2006, at 9:44:56
In reply to Re: binge eating, posted by runner01girl on June 27, 2006, at 6:59:03
Hi runner01girl,
I hope things go/went well with your doctor. I'm bulimic and I know what it's like to feel the need to binge. I understand your marshmallow binge- I've been there many times. I also get trigger foods: I have many that I avoid. That helps me not binge, but doesn't stop me from bingeing on other things when I feel that urge.
I've been bulimic for over 28 years and can tell you that I have gone for long periods without bingeing/purging. I didn't start seeing a therapist until four years ago and I didn't even tell her I was bulimic until I'd been seeing her a few months. So, can someone stay in control without therapy/medical help- for me the answer is yes. Do I still binge/purge- yes, but not daily. Now it's stress triggered. When I have major anxiety I eat. Better yet I post something here and take some anti anxiety meds rather than try to feed the anxiety. That doesn't work, even thought I'll try to make myself believe it will. It won't.
If I ever reach the point where I'm back to daily or more than once a day than I will get help from an expert. Therapy is helping with my anxiety. Meds help, too. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you think you need it. I don't recommend waiting 24 years before you tell anyone.
Please let us know how it went.
Poet
Posted by runner01girl on June 28, 2006, at 16:03:27
In reply to Re: binge eating » runner01girl, posted by Poet on June 28, 2006, at 9:44:56
I went to my appointment today, but it turns out that I saw the nurse practitioner instead of the doctor. I didn't feel comfortable talking to her about this so I guess that I'm on my own. I'll just overcome my weakness and get better. I've got no choice.
Posted by fca on June 28, 2006, at 16:21:16
In reply to Re: binge eating, posted by runner01girl on June 28, 2006, at 16:03:27
AN unfortunate choice of words--binging is not a weakness and thinking of it this way is only going to heighten your feelings of failure if (when) you do binge. It is a response to your internal brain chemistry and life stress--while you do have significant behavioral control over binging the brain that controls the actions you need to take to stop is the same brain whose chemistry may be a bit out of sorts. This can make it very hard to just decide to "stop it". Depending on you and your life circumstances you may well be able to control it--if you can not you really need to get expert professional help. I know it is very difficult to be open and candid anout this with those you love and with professionals but that truly is the best route. I wish you the best--but you might be surprised how just a bit of professional help might relieve your feelings of failure--and some simple behavioral modification techniques and perhaps just a bit more serotonin might also help. Please keep on posting and reading this board. There are those much more knowledgeable about this tham I am. I can assure you it would have been a blessing if my daughter had let us know what was happening when she was 17-18 rather than mid twenties. Denial and shame is so much a part of the problem and prevents the appropriate solution. My Fondest wishes for you
Posted by Racer on June 28, 2006, at 22:22:59
In reply to Re: binge eating, posted by runner01girl on June 28, 2006, at 16:03:27
> I'll just overcome my weakness and get better. I've got no choice.
Yeah, OK. And I'll just overcome my weakness and get better, too. And so will Poet. The fact that more than a quarter century into our disorders, we haven't yet, makes no never mind. After all, it's just a question of being stronger, isn't it? Working a bit harder?
You do have a choice. It will be hard to get over the shame of admitting to someone that you've got a problem, but you know what? It's still a darned sight easier than looking back at 40 years old and having to say, "If I'd gotten help then..." Trust me -- I've lost a lot that I valued because of this. Often, my life doesn't seem as though it's worth living because of this.
I think a lot about killing myself, and this ED has an awful lot to do with that.
It's true that you're the only one who can do the work that will get you over this. But that certainly doesn't mean that you have the tools to do it yourself, without help. Honestly? I think there's more chance my cat will run for president than that you actually can fix this yourself. I say that not knowing you, personally, but knowing an awful lot of other young women with EDs.
I hope you stick around here, and I hope very much that you get help. Your mother already knows something's going on, if she caught you binging. Here's another bit of advice: your mother's reaction can make this much, much worse for you. The best way to avoid that, is to get help now, so that you can learn to identify when someone else's reaction is damaging to you, when someone else's beliefs are unhealthy for you. And if you get the help now, maybe you can help both of you.
Good luck.
Posted by Poet on June 29, 2006, at 13:10:20
In reply to Re: binge eating, posted by runner01girl on June 28, 2006, at 16:03:27
Hi runner01girl,
You don't have to be alone with this. I understand not wanting to talk to the nurse practitioner because you may not feel as comfortable with her as you would your doctor, but you could get another appointment and this time make sure it'll be with the doctor. You said your mother knows what you've been doing, so she might not even ask you why you want another appointment.
We can help you, here, as much as we can, too. At least moral support. Binge eating is hard to stop, as I said in my earlier post, I have it under control most of the time, but still have lapses. Maybe if I had gotten help when it first started it would have been easier and I wouldn't still have issues with it now, but to be honest, it wasn't an official diagnosis back then. I didn't hear the term bulimia until at least 10 years after I started bingeing/purging.Now, therapists and pdocs know how to treat it. They have a better understanding of it which could help you if you decide not to go it alone.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
Poet
Posted by puravida on July 6, 2006, at 19:11:50
In reply to Re: binge eating » runner01girl, posted by Poet on June 29, 2006, at 13:10:20
Hey runnergirl -
Racer and Poet wrote what I was thinking while I read through this thread. I was thinking - good for her for seeing this and doing something now. I'm 40 too and my binging started in high school. Even if my mom did see me binge, back then it was just "eating a lot". There is a lot that I am still struggling with about how it all ties in with my depression - what chemical things mught be going on (such as actual addiction to using certain foods as a drug) etc etc.
If I find any one "key" I will let you know, but I don't think one particular key exists. Maybe that is why I feel so confused and helpless a lot of the time. I'm not much help, sorry.
Oh - L-Glutamine and Biotin both help with cravings, if that is a problem.
Posted by runner01girl on July 19, 2006, at 21:42:31
In reply to Re: binge eating, posted by puravida on July 6, 2006, at 19:11:50
Puravida,
For some reason I just read your post for the first time-I didn't see it earlier. I'm sorry that you too have been struggling with binging. However, I am glad that I have someone to talk to about it that has actually been in my shoes. For me, I usually eat well during the first part of the day, but begin to feel very hungry later on. I crave something sweet or fatty-especially when I have anxiety about certain things, like my leg hurting and not being able to run or about where I'm going to college. I know that eating doesn't really help anything, even though it is a temporary fix. In the long run, it actually makes me feel worse by causing weight gain and then low self-esteem. I think that the first step to conquering my problem is dealing with the underlying issues that I'm so worried about and cause me to binge in the first place. Thanks for listening to me and understanding.
Runner01girl
This is the end of the thread.
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