Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

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nobody000 10/13/2013

hi i am in total shock and really confused my period just came back but my bmi is under 14 i dont understand over the past 4 weeks i have gained twice stayed the same once but skipped meals and lost weight this week before this i was losing most of the time and when i did gain i would ristrict and lose it again i do want to get better from this but im in hospital and feel they are pushing me to much expecting me to gain 0.5-1kg per week which feels way to much way too fast
i am a little confused as to why my period has come back my bmi was higher when it stopped about 17-17.5 that was a long time ago
does it mean i am recovering?
does it mean my body has repaired itself?
does it mean i am healthy at this weight even though the doc considers it dangerously low?
does it mean if i stay on the same diet plan i will gain weight faster because my body has finished repairing and will start to store more fat? does it mean anything?

please help if you can i am so confused and still a little shocked

libbylaz4 10/14/2013

I am not really qualified to respond but I felt like it. Perhaps you need to take a step back and overwhelm yourself. Try to trust your doctors. Remember any step forward is better than a step back. Take things one day at a time. Try to focus on feeling better. You deserve happiness, a stable situation and to recover at your own pace. Use this board for support. Everyone here cares and will support you. Try to focus on just getting through the day in the best way possible. Spend some time reaching out to others in the ward. Everything will unfold daily. If you overwhelm yourself it will only cheat you out of your energy that you need to use for your healing. If what I say sounds dumb, forgive me. It is said with love. My daughter is in your same situation. So i am telling you the things I would tell her. I know you must be filled with emotion. Focus on your feelings and do not let your fears rule you. You are in control. Trust yourself. Xxxxx one day at a time. One bite at a time.

wildflowers44 10/14/2013

I have had a similar experience in my recovery. I got my period back when I was at an extremely low BMI (I am still trying to get to a healthy weight). Like you, I was shocked and started wondering, "Does this mean I'm at a healthy weight/Do I not need to gain anymore?"

I've talked this over with my nutritionist (who is super intelligent and someone I trust very much), and she explained to me that the return of menstruation is not just dependent on weight, but also the nutrition your body is receiving. Since you are in treatment, I am assuming your intake is a lot healthier, and so your body is responding. It means your endocrine system is still functioning well, and this is a GOOD thing.

The return of your period does not necessarily mean you're at a healthy weight, nor does it mean your body is done repairing. But it's a sign that you're headed in the right direction. Keep going, and don't give up. Take things one day at a time...you can do this!

nobody000 10/14/2013

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP

wildflowers44 10/16/2013

You are so very welcome! I can empathize with you...it's like, you're happy to have your period back, but at the same time thinking, "wait, this wasn't supposed to happen YET!"

Everyone's body is different. Actually, in the new DSM, loss of period is no longer one of the criteria for a diagnosis of anorexia. Some people get periods even when they are still at dangerously low weights. So don't let ED trick you into thinking that this means your weight is healthy now.

Hang in there. I was also in the hospital awhile back, and I know it's tough. Try to trust your Drs and have faith that everything will be alright! And you can always message me if you need support.

Take care!

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