Crohn's and eating disorders

[lily3308]

Hi all,

Does anyone else here suffer from an eating disorder? I have struggled with anorexia/bulimia/binge eating for most of my life, and it's cropped up again recently. Right now I have a lot of anxiety in my life and an accompanying flare (finally starting to clear up, I hope). With the flare, my nutritionist has me on a special diet (no dairy, eggs, grains, beans, nuts, coconut, raw fruits/veg). It's been hard, but I've done okay for the most part-- up until last week. Something set me off, and I've been eating junk non-stop. My gut has actually been functioning well (except stomach pain after stuffing myself, which is to be expected). I know it doesn't help my Crohn's and feel so embarrassed and guilty about it. I have a therapist/psychiatrist to talk with about it, but is there anyone on here who can relate or offer support?

 

[FrozenGirl]

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are suffering from an eating disorder as well as Crohns. One is hard enough let alone both. I don't have an eating disorder but I do have what I believe is disordered eating. Certain foods frighten me immensely and I only eat certain foods at certain times. I also have specified rules for my food consumption, like I only eat 2 hours before or after doing an activity or leaving my house. Like I said not an eating disorder but not exactly normal eating patterns.

Hopefully someone else on here will chime in with something more helpful.

 

[lily3308]

FrozenGirl, I definitely know what you mean about food frightening you and controlling timing of eating around when you have to leave the house. When I'm flaring with a lot of diarrhea, I just don't want to take a chance of setting my stomach off before I head out.

 

[buttER]

lily3308
You are doing really well with the flare diet by the sounds of it. I'm going to assume you are female. I try to be so careful with what I eat to keep the inflammation minimal, but come the second half of my menstrual cycle that all goes out of the window and I eat all the things I shouldnt because I crave them. So I can sympathise a little bit. Please don't feel guilty or embarrassed about it, things are tough enough anyway so don't be hard on yourself.

 

[Lady Organic]

Hi Lily I sympathy with you. I know that starting a new diet is a known risk factor/ trigger for anorexia/boulimia. Its a first step that can lead to more dramatic turn in susceptible individuals. a lot of people have a first onset of these disorders right after a random diet, just wanting to lose a few pounds as first intention. For that, Im wondering if fallowing a restrictive diet for CD and your history of eating disorders can be compatible so that you feel in peace? Only you will know with time I guess. Im hoping you will find your solution.
I have a friend who was a long time sufferer of anorexia. She is manic-depressive as well and when she started a medication, anti-depressant, for this disorder 6 years ago, the anorexia completely stopped to her great surprise. anti-depressant can now be prescribed for anorexia alone if Im correct. maybe this could help you fallowing the CD diet without feeling anxious around foods?

I fallow a very rigid food diet for crohns since 4 years and I am doing it so perfectly (I never cheat) that sometimes people think I have a eating disorder (othorexia, obsession of eating healthy foods)). I often have to reassure people that the diet is not stressing me, making me anxious or having a bad impact on my social life.

 

[PiratePrincess]

Hi all,

Does anyone else here suffer from an eating disorder? I have struggled with anorexia/bulimia/binge eating for most of my life, and it's cropped up again recently. Right now I have a lot of anxiety in my life and an accompanying flare (finally starting to clear up, I hope). With the flare, my nutritionist has me on a special diet (no dairy, eggs, grains, beans, nuts, coconut, raw fruits/veg). It's been hard, but I've done okay for the most part-- up until last week. Something set me off, and I've been eating junk non-stop. My gut has actually been functioning well (except stomach pain after stuffing myself, which is to be expected). I know it doesn't help my Crohn's and feel so embarrassed and guilty about it. I have a therapist/psychiatrist to talk with about it, but is there anyone on here who can relate or offer support?

I was linked by another. Possibly we can connect in ways as well as our ibd. I'm very open and kind hearted. Its late my time and I'm not up to par. But my goal other than getting better soon is to connect and hopefully help one another. Read my story as I will reread yours. May you sleep comfortably and feel better soon. A new crohnie forum friend with a open heart. Be blessed and may we connect soon. Take care and remember that I like yourself have two things in common. Hopefully that's a god given heartfelt act of hopefulness and we can see each other through. Be well as you can. And thanks to the lady who kindly shared your link to mine. Prayers going up. [emoji27] [emoji27]

 

[lily3308]

King of Orange, I definitely get strong cravings before my period. I got my period a few days ago, earlier than usual, so maybe that played a role. It's so frustrating to get off track when you're making a good effort at an anti-inflammatory diet. It feels like I'm sabotaging myself.

Lady Organic, the strict diet has definitely been triggering for me. I am going to talk with my nutritionist about whether the restriction is really compatible with my history of eating disorders at this point. I wonder what medication your friend took. I'm so glad it helped her! And so glad that your diet works for you

PiratePrincess, I'm so glad you found this thread. I read yours, and it sounds like you're going through a lot right now. I'm sorry to see that you're suffering so. I hope you were able to get some rest!

 

[Lady Organic]

my friend takes Wellbutrin

 

[PiratePrincess]

I apologize that I'm in excruciating pain and doubled over. I've wanted to reply to each of you for hours. But I was reminded during what ailes each of us, it's peace day. So while I'm trying to feel better, I'm only reminding that each of us staying focused on our joys than pains. Trust me, I feel like I'm having quadruple prego pains right now. So I understand fully we're all different yet much alike. Just needed to regroup our thought process and pray or whatever brings that one solid peace to your mind that overcomes our "gut" Lord knows it's more than a process, but we can be there for one another also in inspiration and also in our questions of support. I'll be back soon and hope to insure each of you, as you have me so quickly in responses. Sorry I'm a mess and not able to contribute thoughts and such. Its rough, but we must remind ourselves we can rise above even if you are feeling as I am or worse right now. Hope and faith will see us through. So sorry I can't be of help or even ask for any.. It's been a blessed day but a tough one. I'll be back. May all be filled with a since of peace and remission sooner than later. Thank you all and ttys. Very sick. My apologies. I'll connect asa I possibly can. PS. Whatever keeps you strongest, family, children, or even a furbaby, etc.. Hug them close and give thanks. Bc even on our darkest of days, we can find a little light of hope, stay strong.

 

[summersun001]

I know it's been a few days since anyone has commented on this thread, but the topic caught my eye because I can definitely relate. I was diagnosed with CD in March 2013 and at the time I was seriously struggling with an eating disorder. My body weight was so low that I was at risk of having a heart attack. I was fixated on eating the "healthy" foods, raw vegetables, fiberous food etc, that a person with CD should be avoiding. This made my symptoms significantly worse so some days I wouldn't eat at all. I knew restoring weight would help me feel better faster, but I was terrified of gaining weight because I was convinced any weight I would put on would be bad weight. I was stick thin and I couldn't bring myself to change that. My GI had to start me off with remicade because my condition was so bad and I needed something that would work quickly. May 2013 I was admitted to an inpatient eating disorder clinic at the Children's hospital because there was no way I could get better without clinical treatment. I learned so much during my time there and met other girls and boys who I really connected with and felt supported by. The counseling team at the hospital were especially helpful with making accomodations for my CD, and as I continued on the remicade I was finally able to get in remission. Breaking away from my eating disorder was extremely difficult at times. I often found myself crying and hating myself for eating again, but I knew that what I was doing was giving me a future. I stayed hopeful and looked to God for guidance during my struggles. Eventually I was able to find peace of mind and to accept and love my body. After many months at the clinic, I was finally released- happy, healthy, and in remission. Recently I've been dealing with an extremely bad flare-up that seems to be no where near clearing up. The past 5 months I've been in and out of the hospital, on and off all sorts of medications, and constantly in and out of the bathroom. At times it's difficult to eat because I know I'll be in pain for a long time afterwards. I've dropped back down to a low weight, not like before, but just under my healthy weight range. I've gotten so used to my body that I find it difficult, and honestly a little unsettling, to imagine myself at a higher weight. However, I refuse to go back to my eating disorder habits because I know it won't end well. I'm remaining hopeful that remission is close and I'm remaining positive for what the future holds for me. I am stronger than my Crohn's and my eating disorder, and you are too. Please stay hopeful and don't be afraid to reach out to your friends and family for support. People love you for who you are, not what you look like. Don't listen to your eating disorder. Only you know what's best for your body, your mind, and your health.