Eating disorder- binging-update

You've made a big step forward in admitting it to yourself and booking the doctor's appointment, so well done. If you don't know what to say, why not print out your post and take it with you?

I'm so sorry to hear you're so down. Sounds like you're having a terrible time. I hope the doctor can help you.

So sorry to hear this - but you've taken a good first step in admitting this problem to yourself, and I'm sure that the doctor will be able to help in some way too. Good luck on Friday ?

Hi,

I have (currently under control) Binge eating disorder - I went to my GP absolutely desperate and was refered to an eating disorder clinic and seen by a psychiatrist there. I could have written your post before - and much worse. I was asked to keep honest food diaries and talked thought what may have caused me to have eating issues in the first place. I was recomended counceling and CBT but got pregnant again and kept up the counciling for a few months then dropped out. But I do think It would have got the bottom of the issue eventually. But I gave up and another 18 monthsa down the line got a gastric band and that has sorted it out for me. Although I do not advocate that as the answer AT ALL that is just what I did.

I would reccomend a book called Getting better bit(e) by bit(e) by Ulrike Schmidt & Janet Treasure. And suggest the GP being your first port of call and I'm sure they will refer you on.

Good luck - If you have any questions - I'm happy to help.

Buckley i am so pleased to read your post... i have never heard of anyone else having the same before. how much weight did you lose with the band and did you get it on the NHS?

I am so scared to see the dr on friday but I know I need to. I dont want them to weigh me -Im scared to weigh myself but what if they need to weigh me?

You poor thing - you sound like you're in a right old pickle. Hazel is right - print this post off and take it with you. It's really important that you tell the doctor EVERYTHING you said in your post to us because all those different elements - not sleeping, not wanting sex, feeling guilty, hating yourself - all of that - might seem unimportant but it's not and will help him/her decide how to help you best.

You can get out of this - and you will. But you need help and you've done completely the right thing. And your H sounds as if he's right behind you to support you. You can sort this out. One step at a time OK? Dr's appointment first and take it from there. ?

My friend is on a waiting list for a lap band (he's around 40 stone) but it's not an easy option when you're that overweight due to anaesthetic issues. Often they will put you on a diet of some sort before the operation. He's looked at going private but the cost was just over £5,000.

As for being scared of being weighed, it's highly likely that the doctor (and I hate to say this) everyone else knows what you weigh just by looking at you. The only person who will be shocked is you - I know I was when I stepped on the scales and found out I was at my heaviest. It's nothing to be frightened of and it's a good step in helping you to address your issues.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things. Going to the doctor is a good decision and I'm confident they will be able to help you. There are lots of support networks such as obesity clinics that are available to you and I know from talking to my friend they've helped him control his eating in the short term.

Oh, bless you! It is so, so common, ? If they want to weigh you, ask to stand on the scale backwards and for them not to tell yuo your weight.

Having had an eating disorder and my mum doing exactly the same thing that you have been doing, I think you are incredibly brave to take this first step and admit it.

? for you...nothing to add that hasn't already been said.

I got banded in November and have lost just over 2.5 stone, my Dr is really pleased and says the weight loss is at a fab steady rate, I have 2.5 stone more to loose to be withing 'normal limits' for my weight and that will be good enough for me. I'll never be skinny - I did not get it on the NHS because I was desperate to make a change and could not wait to see if I would or more likely would not get approved. But for me it was a step to take due to failed attempts at all of the pescribed diet pills and yo yo ing for years. I went to Belgium to have it done for financial reasons.

The GP may not want to weigh you - I can not remember what happened when I did but the psychiatrist did every time I met her. It is scary to admit it to a stranger but you will feel better for talking about it. And it can only make things better for you in the long run. Rather than it going on for longer and longer. Be really honest and stress how low you are feeling.

If we can still PM on the scary new forum - feel free to.

x

Buckley, I have pmd you.

And thanks everyone else for your replies.

I'm not very good with advice, but I can really, really recommend a book by Geneen Roth called "Breaking Free from Emotional Eating". It was originally published as Breaking Free from Compulsive Eating and it is the most amazing "self help" book I've ever read. I hope you get support from your doctor. It's a horrible, scary thing to go through but you *will* be ok *hug*

I've replied to your PM x

Thanks but I havnt got it ?

have you checked your junkmail - I know every pm I get from here end's up in junk.

Sorry, just thought, if it goes to my email account then I wont get it as it will go to work, and Im on mat leave.

Can I pm you my hotmail?

Absolutely - but I won't get a chance to reply until tomorow now - as I must go to bed.

Firstly well done for admitting you have a problem- it really is a big and important step- I had (have - as I'm not sure if you're ever totally cured) bulimia. For a long time I couldn't admit I had a problem - it took someone I Iove finally confronting me to make me realise I had a problem - in my own head I could rationalise it - and I guess I was addicted to the emotional release it gave me - look years of therapy later! Anyway ramble over and goodluck with the doctor - I hope that they are helpful - some I have seen have been great and some have been rubbish - but do perserve - likewise with counsellors try and find one that suits you. Good luck and do shout if I can help at all.

There are some barn-door symptoms of (post natal?) depression in your post, too. I wonder what's cause and what's effect (though it doesn't always matter which came first, the eating or the depression). Definitely show it all to your GP - it may be that antidepressants can help - not only are they licenced for depression but also to reduce binging in bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, so they might help.

Let us know how you get on at the Drs.

So I went to the dr today. I gave her this post and sat there whilst she read it. It was so embarrasing. She was very nice about the whole thing though and has referred me for some counselling. And given me some happy pills. I know this sounds really stupid but she thinks Im genuinely addicted to chocolate as its only chocolate I binge on. The pills she has given me apparently have the same thing in them as chocolate so I should start to feel better soon. Fingers crossed.

Im pretty sure Im going to bite the bullet and have some weight loss surgery too. I dont think I can lose this weight on my own... Ive lost weight in the past and always put it back on again and more and I need to keep it off for good for my children. Or else Im going to die, yes I am that fat.

Thanks for all your helpful and thoughtful responses. I really appreciate them.