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Colitis, Eating disorder?


Fri, May 22, 2009 3:11 PM

Has anyone ever had to deal with both? I got diagnosed with colitis back in March after I was sent to the emergency room from an eating disorder hospitalization. I spent a week in the medical hospital for the colitis. It seemed to get better and seemed to start to improve and then things went really downhill within the last 3 weeks or so. My eating disorder specialist has tried to get me a close appointment with a GI doctor, but the closest he can get me is 3 weeks away and meanwhile I am really extremely sick. He sees me weekly, but honestly there is nothing he is doing, as they can prescribe nothing, no meds at all, nothing for nausea/vomitting, nothing for diarrhea nothing for pain. Because it all effects my other medications. I can't even take ibuprofen because I'm on lithium (not for bipolar reasons though). So I have to be really careful. But as far as how it's effecting my eating disorder. I have a dietician and basically I feel like EVERYTHING that's healthy and that I feel okay with eating disorder wise. Is out of the question colitis wise. Before this flare up 3 weeks ago I was doing really well. 3 meals a day, no binging, no restricting, no purging. Nothing. But now she wants me to eat all white starches and a lot of fruits and vegetables are out. So basically I drink soy milk all day, except for when i have meals with them. I have no appetite whatsoever, because I'm nauseous all the time. I refuse to let them take my weights, but they know that I've dropped weight they just don't know how much. I don't even know how much. My therapist was saying about supplements but I can't even do lactaid at this point, so ensure would kill me. I've done Enlive while I was inpatient in the past, but it's so expensive. And I can't afford it. I basically feel like I'm walking in circles here. Does anyone else relate and what can I do?

FPO cdarlynn
Joined May 22, 2009

Fri, July 31, 2009 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for CDarLynn.

oops. i didn't read the response below before typing that. sorry for being redundant. 


i have the same issues, and i drink and cook with rice milk, eat rice products, as well as bananas, hard boiled eggs, no yolk, freeze pops, i make my own jello, and drink iced decaf tea for sweet drinks and otter pops and jolly ranchers for sweet treats. 

FPO svought
Joined Jul 27, 2009

Fri, July 31, 2009 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for CDarLynn.

just so you know, soy milk is VERY hard to digest. I suggest rice milk.

FPO svought
Joined Jul 27, 2009

Sat, June 13, 2009 6:20 PM

 Reply posted for CEOMomdotnet.

Wow thanks! That helps a ton! I will email you in a little bit I'm running out the door. But I have my GI appointment on Tuesday.

FPO cdarlynn
Joined May 22, 2009

Fri, May 29, 2009 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for CDarLynn.

I suffered through eating disorders in my teens.  It's what led me into Massage Therapy.  To say I damaged my body is an understatement.  It took me years to begin to heal.  The good news is is that it's never too late to turn over a new leaf.

Again, I am NOT a doctor.  I can only offer my own experience.  The first thing I did was get on a pharmaceutical grade vitamin regimen.  Our bodies work differently than "normal" people's so we're not able to absorb the nutrients that we need to stay healthy which, in turn, affects our immune system.....IBD can be like a snowball effect on the rest of your body.  I'd be happy to share my experience with different supplements with you if you wish.  You can email me at ceomom.net@live.com.  


Exercise is a key component to physical balance.  Not working out until you pass out kind of exercise, but something like Yoga can help you physically as well as emotionally.  It's a WONDERFUL balancing tool and helps you get in touch with your body!!!  I cannot go without it.  My two year old son is learning too :).


Diet wise I found Soy
very hard to digest.  I avoid it usually.  Rice products are about the only thing that I know will not have an adverse affect on my condition.  Try trading your Soy Milk for Rice Milk.  You can always use a Rice Protein Powder found at a health food store for extra sustenance.  It tastes good and it is filling (I found some for about $13 for a large can.).  I'll add a banana if I'm needing a little fruit.  I do avoid all other fruits though.  Everything else sends me into a tailspin.  Veggies are good for you, but often hard to digest.  I found that cucumbers are great for me as long as I remove all of the seeds. If you need a crunchy fix, Rice crackers or Rice chips are very low in calories and are easy on the belly.

Hope this helps!

FPO ceomomdotnet
Joined May 29, 2009

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