I've had anorexia for nearly 10 years but it went completely unrecognized by my doctors. I only began acknowledging that I had a problem after by chance coming across an article about a recovering anorexic. I wasn't actively dieting, but I never had an appetite. I would only eat when someone reminded me to. I always assumed I was small because I come from a family of athletes and my mom is a tiny Asian woman- but that's only half the cause.

I'm 5'5 and I've been about 100 lbs since middle school (with a frame that would support an ideal weight of 110-115 lbs.) When I fell to about 96 lbs at the age of 20 I started feeling sick and tired all the time. After months of hard work, I've pulled myself up to about 107 lbs and my health has improved drastically as a result.

I've started having a problem that I'm not used to, though:

Before recovery, I could go an entire day or two without eating and still run a mile without batting an eyelash. Ever since I adjusted to eating 3x as much as I used to and developed a healthy appetite, I get very sick if I even go most of the day without eating. If I have a light dinner and skip breakfast (hectic schedule), by lunchtime I feel like throwing up and sometimes I can't even stand.

What on Earth is going on? I'm reluctant to consult a doctor who didn't even recognize sunken breasts and a prominent ribcage as an unhealthy weight. :rolleyes:

Hun that sounds totally normal...
it happens to me anyways!

I hit 96lbs myself in 2006 and that's when I realized how serious things were. A year an a half later I'm up to a healthy weight again.
I even quit smoking! I never even realized what I was doing...

I find I have to have at least a cup of yogurt or a piece of fruit in the morning to make sure I don't feel sick. Granola bars are great to toss in your purse just in case you rush out the door in the morning.
Just try and plan ahead and have small meals through out the day.
It will take some time, but I think you'll be ok.

You should really see about getting a different doctor too, I'm appalled that they didn't notice you were so underweight!
Especially because a history of anorexia can cause other health issues down the road.


Thank you for sharing your story doll.
There's a few of us here that have struggled with the same thing in the past.

Maybe some of the other ladies have tips as well.

Oh my goodness I'm going through the same thing (though by BMI Im a little worse-off). It's AMAZING how ignorant drs are (or pretend to be). It took me 3 years to find a Dr. who really understands EDs & their consequences. I have been "refeeding" for about a month now & while the weight gain isn't so significant yet, I'm hungry seemingly all the time (every 2-3 hrs). I get full so quickly at meals, but get hungry very soon after. It's just your body using those cals to repair itself of any damage done. Please, please PM me if you need to talk/have any questions. It's taken me 10 years to face this full-on, & I'm so glad I finally did!

*hugs for the girlies*

I'm here too if anyone needs to PM me.

I'm hungry seemingly all the time (every 2-3 hrs). I get full so quickly at meals, but get hungry very soon after.

I'm still going through that phase, even severals months in. I've been told by some girls that it won't always be this way. I find that protein powder supplement mixed in with my Carnation Instant Breakfast in the morning has helped greatly. When I have time to eat in the morning, I have a bowl of cereal and use the leftover milk to brew up the Carnation-protein concoction.

I've never suffered from anorexia, so first of all I want to say how proud I am of all of you ladies for recognizing that you had a problem and working hard to recover from it. That being said, I think that what you're experiencing now that you're eating in a healthy manner is normal, Christine. I know that if I skip breakfast I definitely feel nauseous to the point where I want to throw up. If I skip a meal, I definitely feel weak and I get a migraine. Like Katie said, your body is using the food that you are putting into it to repair itself. Carry a couple of snacks with you to fill you up in-between meals and keep you going.

Thanks for all of your support, ladies. :) Prior to this post, I'd actually felt pretty alone. I had support from friends, but none of them could really understand because they haven't been through this.

It's always nice to hear that you're normal!

It's totally normal to feel sick if you don't eat! Breakfast really and truly is the most important meal of the day, so by skipping it you're actually setting your body up to feel HUNGRIER later (and most people tend to binge-eat and consume more calories than if they had a sensible breakfast and lunch). Grabbing something like a banana, granola bar, or protein shake is the best thing you can do. Good luck!

That being said, I think that what you're experiencing now that you're eating in a healthy manner is normal, Christine. I know that if I skip breakfast I definitely feel nauseous to the point where I want to throw up. If I skip a meal, I definitely feel weak and I get a migraine.

ITA. I think your body is adjusting to taking in more calories each day versus living off your own body.

I agree with others that this is your body learning to live on a healthy amount of food and encouraging you to feed it. It will be hard at first, but do your best to listen to your body when it is hungry and nourish it.

I have been through struggles with ED, too. I have been symptom-free for 11 years, and I still feel sick if I go too long without eating. You are welcome to PM me if you would like. Best of luck with your recovery.