The situation I’m in:

I have multiple chronic health conditions that I’ve tried to heal over the years. I want so badly to be healthy and well. I’ve been embracing this whole crunchy, alternative, holistic health approach to healing. Incorporating conventional med as needed, but really trying to get to the root causes.

Here’s the problem: I have an eating disorder. I’ve had one for 10 years, since I was 12 and experienced ongoing SA (ages 11-12). I’ve been to treatment multiple times. Inpatient. Outpatient. I’ve been in therapy the whole time. I’ve done trauma work. I’m currently in EMDR. I’ve tried all the behavioral approaches.

I just don’t expect that it’s going to stop any time soon.

I have improved, and am more medically stable. I no longer eat a starvation diet, purge multiple times a week, abuse laxatives, etc. I’ve come a long way. But I have a long long way to go.

Unfortunately, it’s common for some people with EDs to not substantially improve, experience chronic symptoms, even with help and treatment. My providers are trying to help me take a harm reduction approach. This means minimizing damage as much as possible while I’m in this state.

My health right now

Basically, I’m in a functional medicine program trying to treat the root causes of my illnesses.

I have:
* interstitial cystitis
* histamine, oxalate, and FODMAP and other food intolerances that exasperate symptoms
* IBS and bowel issues
* past gastroparesis with some residual symptoms
* pelvic floor disorder
* PCOS (no insulin resistance)
* adult onset celiac disease
* past hypothyroidism (now on low end of ‘normal’)
Plus:
* autism
* ADHD
* mood disorders
* and obviously, a raging eating disorder

According to testing, my root causes:
* H Pylori
* low stomach acid
* gut bacteria imbalance and slight overgrowth
* unsure about parasites
* Candida
* Mold (which is apparently a huge driver of my symptoms)
* adrenal fatigue
* leaky gut
* nutrient and mineral deficiencies
* slow gut motility
* hormonal imbalance (low estrogen and progesterone, high testosterone)
* poor liver detox
* poor digestive capacity, low stomach acid, impaired fat digestion
* high oxalates (despite low oxalate diet)
* copper imbalance
* mild heavy metal exposure
* nervous system dysregulation
* pelvic floor dysfunction

Stressors on my body/what ED looks like:

* binge purge cycles. I have a cycle once a week where I binge and throw up a few times in a row. I try to keep it to once a week but occasional I also throw up 1-2 times more throughout the week
* eating around 1700 calories a day for a months now. This is an improvement from 1500, which was an improvement from 1000-1200.
* Trying to gradually increase food intake and metabolism through reverse dieting. Not going so well. I gain when I increase.
* running a few times a week for 20-50 minutes. I love running and don’t want stop completely.
* I used to fast until 5 pm once a week, but stopped doing that recently
* I am completely, utterly opposed to (and dread) gaining any weight or body fat. I am not underweight and already significantly struggle psychologically with maintaining my weight.
* I am on several medications, including psych meds. I have horrible reactions every time I try to get off of them, and believe me I’ve tried.

* restrictive diet due to illnesses: low histamine, low oxalate, low in digestive irritants, no meat, little dairy, no gluten, no soy or legumes except pea protein, limited grains, limited nuts and seeds, etc
* my diet looks like: a lot of specific fruit, some specific vegetables, pea protein, occasional seafood, raw kefir, low calorie semi processed foods, starches like potatoes and rice products, coconut products and dairy alternatives
* can go into more detail about my diet or medications or symptoms if asked

Efforts I’m already making:

* keeping my ED at bay enough to be medically stable (1700 calories, reducing purging, etc)
* taking multiple supplements, including temporary ones to directly treat my root causes (on H Pylori protocol as of now)
* making dietary and lifestyle changes
* nervous system regulation, stress reduction
* eating carbs before runs and carbs and protein after
* eating every few hours
* considering eating a more substantial breakfast, right now it’s just fruit
* increasing strength training
* taking things to soothe my gut lining, stomach lining, esophagus and digestive tract: DGL licorice, slippery elm, marshmallow root, l glutamine, etc
* taking nutrients such as a B complex, cod liver oil for vitamin A and D, lactoferrin to increase iron absorption (I have low ferritin), etc
* taking bovine thyroid
* taking chaste tree to increase period regularity

I need to get my body out of this fight or flight state, and reduce the damage I’m doing to my gut, immune system, hormones, etc.

The basic question:

How do I minimize the stress my body is going through, and achieve the most healing possible while in this state? How do I reduce damage done? How do I physically heal while I’m struggling?

And how much healing of my conditions can I realistically expect? Even after treating the root causes, if my ED continues, will I be able to get better?

I know it’s going to probably still affect my gut symptoms. I can’t heal my gut when I keep destroying it. What about my interstitial cystitis and food intolerances? Can those get better?

This is not me giving up progress. This is me recognizing what has been my reality: that’s it’s going to be slow, non-linear, and a long term struggle before I get there. I just want to do the best I can to heal my body meanwhile. I don’t want to be chronically ill until I finally get my ED under control.

The situation I’m in:

I have multiple chronic health conditions that I’ve tried to heal over the years. I want so badly to be healthy and well. I’ve been embracing this whole crunchy, alternative, holistic health approach to healing. Incorporating conventional med as needed, but really trying to get to the root causes.

Here’s the problem: I have an eating disorder. I’ve had one for 10 years, since I was 12 and experienced ongoing SA (ages 11-12). I’ve been to treatment multiple times. Inpatient. Outpatient. I’ve been in therapy the whole time. I’ve done trauma work. I’m currently in EMDR. I’ve tried all the behavioral approaches.

I just don’t expect that it’s going to stop any time soon.

I have improved, and am more medically stable. I no longer eat a starvation diet, purge multiple times a week, abuse laxatives, etc. I’ve come a long way. But I have a long long way to go.

Unfortunately, it’s common for some people with EDs to not substantially improve, experience chronic symptoms, even with help and treatment. My providers are trying to help me take a harm reduction approach. This means minimizing damage as much as possible while I’m in this state.

My health right now

Basically, I’m in a functional medicine program trying to treat the root causes of my illnesses.

I have:
* interstitial cystitis
* histamine, oxalate, and FODMAP and other food intolerances that exasperate symptoms
* IBS and bowel issues
* past gastroparesis with some residual symptoms
* pelvic floor disorder
* PCOS (no insulin resistance)
* adult onset celiac disease
* past hypothyroidism (now on low end of ‘normal’)
Plus:
* autism
* ADHD
* mood disorders
* and obviously, a raging eating disorder

According to testing, my root causes:
* H Pylori
* low stomach acid
* gut bacteria imbalance and slight overgrowth
* unsure about parasites
* Candida
* Mold (which is apparently a huge driver of my symptoms)
* adrenal fatigue
* leaky gut
* nutrient and mineral deficiencies
* slow gut motility
* hormonal imbalance (low estrogen and progesterone, high testosterone)
* poor liver detox
* poor digestive capacity, low stomach acid, impaired fat digestion
* high oxalates (despite low oxalate diet)
* copper imbalance
* mild heavy metal exposure
* nervous system dysregulation
* pelvic floor dysfunction

Stressors on my body/what ED looks like:

* binge purge cycles. I have a cycle once a week where I binge and throw up a few times in a row. I try to keep it to once a week but occasional I also throw up 1-2 times more throughout the week
* eating around 1700 calories a day for a months now. This is an improvement from 1500, which was an improvement from 1000-1200.
* Trying to gradually increase food intake and metabolism through reverse dieting. Not going so well. I gain when I increase.
* running a few times a week for 20-50 minutes. I love running and don’t want stop completely.
* I used to fast until 5 pm once a week, but stopped doing that recently
* I am completely, utterly opposed to (and dread) gaining any weight or body fat. I am not underweight and already significantly struggle psychologically with maintaining my weight.
* I am on several medications, including psych meds. I have horrible reactions every time I try to get off of them, and believe me I’ve tried.

* restrictive diet due to illnesses: low histamine, low oxalate, low in digestive irritants, no meat, little dairy, no gluten, no soy or legumes except pea protein, limited grains, limited nuts and seeds, etc
* my diet looks like: a lot of specific fruit, some specific vegetables, pea protein, occasional seafood, raw kefir, low calorie semi processed foods, starches like potatoes and rice products, coconut products and dairy alternatives
* can go into more detail about my diet or medications or symptoms if asked

Efforts I’m already making:

* keeping my ED at bay enough to be medically stable (1700 calories, reducing purging, etc)
* taking multiple supplements, including temporary ones to directly treat my root causes (on H Pylori protocol as of now)
* making dietary and lifestyle changes
* nervous system regulation, stress reduction
* eating carbs before runs and carbs and protein after
* eating every few hours
* considering eating a more substantial breakfast, right now it’s just fruit
* increasing strength training
* taking things to soothe my gut lining, stomach lining, esophagus and digestive tract: DGL licorice, slippery elm, marshmallow root, l glutamine, etc
* taking nutrients such as a B complex, cod liver oil for vitamin A and D, lactoferrin to increase iron absorption (I have low ferritin), etc
* taking bovine thyroid
* taking chaste tree to increase period regularity

I need to get my body out of this fight or flight state, and reduce the damage I’m doing to my gut, immune system, hormones, etc.

The basic question:

How do I minimize the stress my body is going through, and achieve the most healing possible while in this state? How do I reduce damage done? How do I physically heal while I’m struggling?

And how much healing of my conditions can I realistically expect? Even after treating the root causes, if my ED continues, will I be able to get better?

I know it’s going to probably still affect my gut symptoms. I can’t heal my gut when I keep destroying it. What about my interstitial cystitis and food intolerances? Can those get better?

This is not me giving up progress. This is me recognizing what has been my reality: that’s it’s going to be slow, non-linear, and a long term struggle before I get there. I just want to do the best I can to heal my body meanwhile. I don’t want to be chronically ill until I finally get my ED under control.

The situation I’m in:

I have multiple chronic health conditions that I’ve tried to heal over the years. I want so badly to be healthy and well. I’ve been embracing this whole crunchy, alternative, holistic health approach to healing. Incorporating conventional med as needed, but really trying to get to the root causes.

Here’s the problem: I have an eating disorder. I’ve had one for 10 years, since I was 12 and experienced ongoing SA (ages 11-12). I’ve been to treatment multiple times. Inpatient. Outpatient. I’ve been in therapy the whole time. I’ve done trauma work. I’m currently in EMDR. I’ve tried all the behavioral approaches.

I just don’t expect that it’s going to stop any time soon.

I have improved, and am more medically stable. I no longer eat a starvation diet, purge multiple times a week, abuse laxatives, etc. I’ve come a long way. But I have a long long way to go.

Unfortunately, it’s common for some people with EDs to not substantially improve, experience chronic symptoms, even with help and treatment. My providers are trying to help me take a harm reduction approach. This means minimizing damage as much as possible while I’m in this state.

My health right now

Basically, I’m in a functional medicine program trying to treat the root causes of my illnesses.

I have:
* interstitial cystitis
* histamine, oxalate, and FODMAP and other food intolerances that exasperate symptoms
* IBS and bowel issues
* past gastroparesis with some residual symptoms
* pelvic floor disorder
* PCOS (no insulin resistance)
* adult onset celiac disease
* past hypothyroidism (now on low end of ‘normal’)
Plus:
* autism
* ADHD
* mood disorders
* and obviously, a raging eating disorder

According to testing, my root causes:
* H Pylori
* low stomach acid
* gut bacteria imbalance and slight overgrowth
* unsure about parasites
* Candida
* Mold (which is apparently a huge driver of my symptoms)
* adrenal fatigue
* leaky gut
* nutrient and mineral deficiencies
* slow gut motility
* hormonal imbalance (low estrogen and progesterone, high testosterone)
* poor liver detox
* poor digestive capacity, low stomach acid, impaired fat digestion
* high oxalates (despite low oxalate diet)
* copper imbalance
* mild heavy metal exposure
* nervous system dysregulation
* pelvic floor dysfunction

Stressors on my body/what ED looks like:

* binge purge cycles. I have a cycle once a week where I binge and throw up a few times in a row. I try to keep it to once a week but occasional I also throw up 1-2 times more throughout the week
* eating around 1700 calories a day for a months now. This is an improvement from 1500, which was an improvement from 1000-1200.
* Trying to gradually increase food intake and metabolism through reverse dieting. Not going so well. I gain when I increase.
* running a few times a week for 20-50 minutes. I love running and don’t want stop completely.
* I used to fast until 5 pm once a week, but stopped doing that recently
* I am completely, utterly opposed to (and dread) gaining any weight or body fat. I am not underweight and already significantly struggle psychologically with maintaining my weight.
* I am on several medications, including psych meds. I have horrible reactions every time I try to get off of them, and believe me I’ve tried.

* restrictive diet due to illnesses: low histamine, low oxalate, low in digestive irritants, no meat, little dairy, no gluten, no soy or legumes except pea protein, limited grains, limited nuts and seeds, etc
* my diet looks like: a lot of specific fruit, some specific vegetables, pea protein, occasional seafood, raw kefir, low calorie semi processed foods, starches like potatoes and rice products, coconut products and dairy alternatives
* can go into more detail about my diet or medications or symptoms if asked

Efforts I’m already making:

* keeping my ED at bay enough to be medically stable (1700 calories, reducing purging, etc)
* taking multiple supplements, including temporary ones to directly treat my root causes (on H Pylori protocol as of now)
* making dietary and lifestyle changes
* nervous system regulation, stress reduction
* eating carbs before runs and carbs and protein after
* eating every few hours
* considering eating a more substantial breakfast, right now it’s just fruit
* increasing strength training
* taking things to soothe my gut lining, stomach lining, esophagus and digestive tract: DGL licorice, slippery elm, marshmallow root, l glutamine, etc
* taking nutrients such as a B complex, cod liver oil for vitamin A and D, lactoferrin to increase iron absorption (I have low ferritin), etc
* taking bovine thyroid
* taking chaste tree to increase period regularity

I need to get my body out of this fight or flight state, and reduce the damage I’m doing to my gut, immune system, hormones, etc.

The basic question:

How do I minimize the stress my body is going through, and achieve the most healing possible while in this state? How do I reduce damage done? How do I physically heal while I’m struggling?

And how much healing of my conditions can I realistically expect? Even after treating the root causes, if my ED continues, will I be able to get better?

I know it’s going to probably still affect my gut symptoms. I can’t heal my gut when I keep destroying it. What about my interstitial cystitis and food intolerances? Can those get better?

This is not me giving up progress. This is me recognizing what has been my reality: that’s it’s going to be slow, non-linear, and a long term struggle before I get there. I just want to do the best I can to heal my body meanwhile. I don’t want to be chronically ill until I finally get my ED under control.

The situation I’m in:

I have multiple chronic health conditions that I’ve tried to heal over the years. I want so badly to be healthy and well. I’ve been embracing this whole crunchy, alternative, holistic health approach to healing. Incorporating conventional med as needed, but really trying to get to the root causes.

Here’s the problem: I have an eating disorder. I’ve had one for 10 years, since I was 12 and experienced ongoing SA (ages 11-12). I’ve been to treatment multiple times. Inpatient. Outpatient. I’ve been in therapy the whole time. I’ve done trauma work. I’m currently in EMDR. I’ve tried all the behavioral approaches.

I just don’t expect that it’s going to stop any time soon.

I have improved, and am more medically stable. I no longer eat a starvation diet, purge multiple times a week, abuse laxatives, etc. I’ve come a long way. But I have a long long way to go.

Unfortunately, it’s common for some people with EDs to not substantially improve, experience chronic symptoms, even with help and treatment. My providers are trying to help me take a harm reduction approach. This means minimizing damage as much as possible while I’m in this state.

My health right now

Basically, I’m in a functional medicine program trying to treat the root causes of my illnesses.

I have:
* interstitial cystitis
* histamine, oxalate, and FODMAP and other food intolerances that exasperate symptoms
* IBS and bowel issues
* past gastroparesis with some residual symptoms
* pelvic floor disorder
* PCOS (no insulin resistance)
* adult onset celiac disease
* past hypothyroidism (now on low end of ‘normal’)
Plus:
* autism
* ADHD
* mood disorders
* and obviously, a raging eating disorder

According to testing, my root causes:
* H Pylori
* low stomach acid
* gut bacteria imbalance and slight overgrowth
* unsure about parasites
* Candida
* Mold (which is apparently a huge driver of my symptoms)
* adrenal fatigue
* leaky gut
* nutrient and mineral deficiencies
* slow gut motility
* hormonal imbalance (low estrogen and progesterone, high testosterone)
* poor liver detox
* poor digestive capacity, low stomach acid, impaired fat digestion
* high oxalates (despite low oxalate diet)
* copper imbalance
* mild heavy metal exposure
* nervous system dysregulation
* pelvic floor dysfunction

Stressors on my body/what ED looks like:
* binge purge cycles. I have a cycle once a week where I binge and throw up a few times in a row. I try to keep it to once a week but occasional I also throw up 1-2 times more throughout the week
* eating around 1700 calories a day for a months now. This is an improvement from 1500, which was an improvement from 1000-1200.
* Trying to gradually increase food intake and metabolism through reverse dieting. Not going so well. I gain when I increase.
* running a few times a week for 20-50 minutes. I love running and don’t want stop completely.
* I used to fast until 5 pm once a week, but stopped doing that recently
* I am completely, utterly opposed to (and dread) gaining any weight or body fat. I am not underweight and already significantly struggle psychologically with maintaining my weight.
* I am on several medications, including psych meds. I have horrible reactions every time I try to get off of them, and believe me I’ve tried.

* restrictive diet due to illnesses: low histamine, low oxalate, low in digestive irritants, no meat, little dairy, no gluten, no soy or legumes except pea protein, limited grains, limited nuts and seeds, etc
* my diet looks like: a lot of specific fruit, some specific vegetables, pea protein, occasional seafood, raw kefir, low calorie semi processed foods, starches like potatoes and rice products, coconut products and dairy alternatives
* can go into more detail about my diet or medications or symptoms if asked

Efforts I’m already making:

* keeping my ED at bay enough to be medically stable (1700 calories, reducing purging, etc)
* taking multiple supplements, including temporary ones to directly treat my root causes (on H Pylori protocol as of now)
* making dietary and lifestyle changes
* nervous system regulation, stress reduction
* eating carbs before runs and carbs and protein after
* eating every few hours
* considering eating a more substantial breakfast, right now it’s just fruit
* increasing strength training
* taking things to soothe my gut lining, stomach lining, esophagus and digestive tract: DGL licorice, slippery elm, marshmallow root, l glutamine, etc
* taking nutrients such as a B complex, cod liver oil for vitamin A and D, lactoferrin to increase iron absorption (I have low ferritin), etc
* taking bovine thyroid
* taking chaste tree to increase period regularity

I need to get my body out of this fight or flight state, and reduce the damage I’m doing to my gut, immune system, hormones, etc.

The basic question:

How do I minimize the stress my body is going through, and achieve the most healing possible while in this state? How do I reduce damage done? How do I physically heal while I’m struggling?

And how much healing of my conditions can I realistically expect? Even after treating the root causes, if my ED continues, will I be able to get better?

I know it’s going to probably still affect my gut symptoms. I can’t heal my gut when I keep destroying it. What about my interstitial cystitis and food intolerances? Can those get better?

This is not me giving up progress. This is me recognizing what has been my reality: that’s it’s going to be slow, non-linear, and a long term struggle before I get there. I just want to do the best I can to heal my body meanwhile. I don’t want to be chronically ill until I finally get my ED under control.

Hey guys so I don’t feel comfortable putting up photos exposing my whole body on a post, so if anyone could direct message me so we can individually chat about what you guess my body fat percentage is, that would be great.

I got an InBody scan and Evolt scan in the same day. The InBody said 21% and Evolt 18%. A couple weeks later I got an Evolt today that said 15.8% which I know for a fact is not accurate, I just do not look that athletic or lean.

So also if anyone could show me pictures of what they look like at body fat percentages, ranging from 15-24% (and be specific about which percent you are in that picture), that would also be great.

Thanks for your help.

I feel like I’ve done everything, and this is getting in the way of my life so much, that I can’t do it anymore. I’m scared of starting yet another medication and damaging my health and yet I don’t know what else to do.

What I’ve done to treat my ADHD

I didn’t realize I had ADHD until I was an adult. I had significant executive dysfunction that only worsened over time. But this was assumed to be my significant mental health issues, eating disorder, and autism. But as a young adult, it’s been a huge barrier.

I’ve done most things I could think of:
* strict gluten free diet for 6 years
* strict dairy free diet for almost 6 years, now some high quality dairy
* no artificial food dyes, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, preservatives
* generally a clean ingredients diet with the exception of natural flavors
* I eat more regularly to avoid blood sugar dips
* decreasing screen time, significantly but not as much as I should
* I go running, walking, do strength exercises, I’m moderately active
* I’ve tried nervous system regulation, I’m trying to get back into that
* emotion regulation, limiting overwhelm and overstimulation
* reading more
* I tried at home Neurofeedback, but I haven’t stuck to it regularly enough
* caffeine before tasks or assignments
* regularly meeting with the disability services office at my college
* therapy with a neurodivergence specialist

And every behavioral strategy too. You would not believe how many alarms, reminders, calendar events, alarms to check my calendar, hundreds of notes, visual reminders. An automations app I downloaded to automatically open my notes and calendar at certain times. Checklists, timers, breaks, everything. To do lists on an urgency/importance level chart.

Supplements I’ve tried:
All at the same time. Only mild improvement with regular use.
* Bacopa
* Citlocholine
* Coffee fruit extract
* L theanine
* L tyrosine
* Omega 3 fish oil + vitamin D
* Cordyceps
* Ginseng
* Rhodalia
* Licorice root extract
* HPA Adapt (an adaptogen complex)
* GABA

And didn’t get much results from Gingko

How it’s affecting my adult life

Where do I even start? When I was 18, 19, 20, it was really bad. I got fired from my first job in part due to being late all the time and not finishing tasks. I almost didn’t graduate high school. I missed appointments. I got lost when taking the bus. I had no money management skills. I didn’t remember to do anything.

I had a constant sense of urgency, constant sense of being too far behind, and yet I could never catch up. I still sometimes feel that way.

It’s not that I haven’t significantly improved. I have, but it’s just not enough to get me to even the minimum of functioning.

I’m 22 now. I’m trying to get a job and I’m terrified of losing it or not performing well. I’m taking only 2 college classes and I’m failing one of them. I can only pass classes where I can turn in late work, because at least half of my work is late, and the other half is last minute. I miss doses of meds and supplements. I have like 12 alarms a day for various things. I wear the same clothes because I put off doing laundry until I can’t anymore. I leave dishes in the sink and can’t force myself to do them. My hygiene is literally bad because of my ADHD. I don’t shower often enough, I hardly brush my teeth, I neglect my hair. I don’t even change my clothes every day. I’ve spent years trying to get an AA degree.

I don’t have many responsibilities. I’m a part time community college student. My health takes up a lot of my time and day. But I manage everything very poorly. I’m so stressed and overwhelmed even with doing the bare minimum of what’s expected of me.

Yesterday, my parents sat down with me and said they can’t keep supporting me as much as they have.

Having ADHD is spending your whole life putting in twice the effort to get half the results. It’s like everyone has a barrier to doing things, but ADHD is a barrier on top of a barrier. It’s looking like you don’t even try when it takes so much out of you to do even half of what you are supposed to. It’s looking lazy while white knuckling through everything.

My other conditions and health

I have a pretty significant health load that has only gotten worse over time. Outside of significant ADHD I have:
* autism
* mood disorders (mental health issues used to be significant, now moderate)
* long term eating disorder
* gastroparesis (now mild)
* significant IBS
* adult onset celiac disease
* interstitial cystitis
* PCOS
* pelvic floor disorder
* past hypothyroidism (not active)

I’m in a functional medicine program and got lab tests (GI MAP, HTMA, DUTCH, OAT). I’m already on 8 medications (including long term psych meds) and at least 20 supplements. I follow a restrictive diet to manage my IC and IBS. Multiple food intolerances.

Everything with executive functioning just got worse when my IC was so severe that it disabled me for about a year. I couldn’t work or do school or anything. My whole days were just managing pain and medical appointments. I fell out of what habits and momentum I had built up by that time. I’m now much less debilitated but still can’t get back on track.

I’m just at a loss, I don’t know what to do and I can’t keep living with such a significant barrier.

My partner also wants to try ADHD medicine. I’ve been holding him back from taking daily stimulants, asking him instead to try it 1-2 times a week as needed. He hasn’t tried as much as I have but it’s really getting in the way of his life too.

This is my last ditch effort. I want to know:

* if there’s anything I haven’t tried before trying medication
* the harms and long term effects of medication I may not know of that I should consider
* what else I can do
* and how to minimize harm if it’s the only option

I’m looking for a dietitian that is familiar with the pro metabolic approach, (and a functional/integrative lens would be a big bonus).

The reason I want it to be a dietitian is because I want to see if it’s possible to go through insurance or get reimbursed.

Does anyone have any recommendations or personal experiences with nutrition professionals they would recommend?

**TW**: calorie numbers, specific detailed behaviors, self-invalidation of ED

So I’m really confused about what’s going on and I was hoping someone could explain to me, physiologically, how this could happen.

Basically, I’ve been taking a harm-reduction approach to recovery, meaning rather than full recovery, I reduce the harm of my behaviors as much as possible.

I have been losing weight (slowly) for some time now, but am not underweight. Recently, I had a 3-4 week “break” where I ate almost a normal amount of calories, like >!almost 2000 ish!<.

After not losing weight, and actually gaining >!a couple pounds,!< I’ve gone back to my usual semi-restriction: >!1600-1700 calories!<. This excludes once a week when I have a large >!binge purge episode!<, and once a week when I >!fast until 5 pm!<.

I know I’m not supposed to feel good while losing weight. I know. But lately it’s been pretty bad. I haven’t felt this bad since eating >!1200 calories!< for a long period of time and losing >!a ton of weight!<. I feel dizzy, out of it, hard to concentrate, lightheaded, and when I go walk or go on runs, I feel even worse. It’s getting harder and harder to finish my runs, I get out of breath, dizzy, and need to take breaks (and no, they’re not *super* long runs, they’re usually about >!20-50 min!<, >!a few times a week!<.)

The thing is, I recently got my labs back and they were all normal, electrolytes and everything, except vitamin D. My weight loss has been slow and I’m not underweight and don’t have low body fat. I get a period despite PCOS and my ED. I have slightly low blood pressure.

This might be my invalidation towards myself, but it just doesn’t medically make sense to me. It’s not even *my* normal to feel this bad on this many calories (based on experience), and in my mind, most women my size could eat >!1600 calories!< and not feel this bad. Tired? Sure. Irritable? Yeah. Dizzy and weak? No, not really.

I know many people with EDs have fast metabolism but I’ve gotten my BMR and muscle mass tested multiple times and I actually have a slow metabolism, as in my body burns less calories than expected for my size.

# TLDR:

Harm reduction approach to behaviors. Losing weight slowly. Recent refeed for a few weeks, almost >!2000 calories!<. Back to >!1600 average!<. Feel dizzy, lightheaded, out of it, bad. Exercise intolerance. Normal labs, not underweight, normal body fat, get period. Slow metabolism, not fast.

Why do I feel *this* bad, and not just a little tired or irritable like most people on this amount?

TW: calorie numbers, specific detailed behaviors, self-invalidation of ED

So I’m really confused about what’s going on and I was hoping someone could explain to me, physiologically, how this could happen.

Basically, I’ve been taking a harm-reduction approach to recovery, meaning rather than full recovery, I reduce the harm of my behaviors as much as possible.

I have been losing weight (slowly) for some time now, but am not underweight. Recently, I had a 3-4 week “break” where I ate almost a normal amount of calories, like >!almost 2000 ish!<.

After not losing weight, and actually gaining >!a couple pounds,!< I’ve gone back to my usual semi-restriction: >!1600-1700 calories!<. This excludes once a week when I have a large >!binge purge episode!<, and once a week when I >!fast until 5 pm!<.

I know I’m not supposed to feel good while losing weight. I know. But lately it’s been pretty bad. I haven’t felt this bad since eating >!1200 calories!< for a long period of time and losing >!a ton of weight!<. I feel dizzy, out of it, hard to concentrate, lightheaded, and when I go walk or go on runs, I feel even worse. It’s getting harder and harder to finish my runs, I get out of breath, dizzy, and need to take breaks (and no, they’re not super long runs, they’re usually about >!20-50 min!<, >!a few times a week!<.)

The thing is, I recently got my labs back and they were all normal, electrolytes and everything, except vitamin D. My weight loss has been slow and I’m not underweight and don’t have low body fat. I get a period despite PCOS and my ED. I have slightly low blood pressure.

This might be my invalidation towards myself, but it just doesn’t medically make sense to me. It’s not even my normal to feel this bad on this many calories (based on experience), and in my mind, most women my size could eat >!1600 calories!< and not feel this bad. Tired? Sure. Irritable? Yeah. Dizzy and weak? No, not really.

I know many people with EDs have fast metabolism but I’ve gotten my BMR and muscle mass tested multiple times and I actually have a slow metabolism, as in my body burns less calories than expected for my size.

TLDR:

Harm reduction approach to behaviors. Losing weight slowly. Recent refeed for a few weeks, almost >!2000 calories!<. Back to >!1600 average!<. Feel dizzy, lightheaded, out of it, bad. Exercise intolerance. Normal labs, not underweight, normal body fat, get period. Slow metabolism, not fast.

Why do I feel this bad, and not just a little tired or irritable like most people on this amount?