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Have you ever been accused of having an eating disorder?

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Posted 9/13/2010 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I've had UC for 3 years now and since then, I've lost about 10 pounds. I'm 5'8 and weight between 127 and 130 lbs. My doctor tells me I'm thin, but not "unhealthy thin" and that people with UC are typically on the skinny side. Well, last night, my brother, who is a physician, accused me of having an eating disorder because he says I'm too thin, I've lost too much weight, and I don't eat enough. I'll admit food is not my friend and I'm not a big eater, but I make sure to eat healthy and I make sure I don't lose too much weight. It is a struggle to keep weight on, but, believe me, if I could eat with abandon all the foods I wanted to, I definitely would. Has anyone had a similiar experience?

Mags

Diagnosed with UC 2007

Started on Imuran 8/27/10 75 mg

Taking Lialda 4.8 mg.

Posted 9/13/2010 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, frequently! Not so much anymore, because I've put some weight on. But according to the doctors, I'm on the thin side- I'm 5'5" & I weigh about 115lbs. My lowest weight was 97, which was definitely horribly skinny. At the time, my PCP (who I'd been seeing for other complications of a serious flare) used to joke around about my "anorexia". Does your brother know about your UC? Being a doctor, I can't imagine he would not reazlize that you're thinness is due to your UC. Tell him to mind his own business.

Posted 9/13/2010 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have been thin all my life, even before Uc. I'm 5'6" and when I was in my 20's I was lucky to be 100lbs soaking wet. Not because of any eating disorder but because of a fast metabolism. I've had doctors poking me left right and center to be sure there was nothing wrong with my thyroid. But yes, I've had a lot of comments from people thinking that I'm anorexic. Not much now because I managed to put weight back on, I'm now at 135lbs so I look much healthier. I don't know how many times I've heard people tell me to eat! Just eat! I do, trust me! lol I probably can eat more then my husband.
Posted 9/13/2010 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. Your response was reassuring. Yes, of course, my brother knows I have UC. Coincidentally, he administers anesthesia to IBD patients during colonoscopies, but he still insists I have an eating disorder! I will tell him to mind his own business.
Posted 9/13/2010 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
No, never, and I was always thin until middle age..then I got a bit "thicker"..lol.

I love to eat and many of my social connections are going out to eat.

Definitely eat foods that will have substance to them. Once your UC gets under control, you'll start to put the weight back on.

Are you an exerciser? If so, make sure you're taking in enough carbs to burn.

I need to stress rectal meds....you should consider them.

q
Posted 9/13/2010 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. A neighbor's friend spotted me working in the yard in shorts and asked her if I was anorexic. This was BEFORE I was diagnosed with UC. Thankfully, it hasn't been a problem since I learned to manage my UC, am eating a much healthier diet and am weight training.
Posted 9/13/2010 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
How funny! My sister (who eventually had her colon removed due to UC), said that when she was first diagnosed and VERY THIN, that she went to a new GI. He sent her out of the room and told our mother that nothing is wrong with her, except that she's anorexic! That was the very last time that dr saw her as a patient! My brothers have hinted that she might have an eating disorder too. I guess they'll change their minds if they ever get plagued with this horrible disease!
Posted 9/13/2010 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
I do have an eating disorder. I binge eat. I can get away with it though, because I'll make up for my binges by under eating and exercising. So I am a case in which I have an eating disorder, but nobody thinks I have one.

Or perhaps I can get away with it, because I have IBD ?? Hmm.... I never thought of that before.
Posted 9/14/2010 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure ppl have thought that I have one, especially ppl that don't know my actual situation, eating disorder or even a drug problem..as I'm sure it looks "bad" when I've gone running into a bathroom and then I finally come out with red eyes (from crying not from doing drugs)...honestly I don't give a crap what ppl think, especially those that don't know me or my situation...as they say, never judge a book by it's cover....it's just like when ppl say to me, "oh, you don't look sick" well I usually reply with, "thanks, I wish I felt half as good as I "look" then I'd be a happier person." Don't let ppl judge you, it's their issue, not yours.
Posted 9/14/2010 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
I have by a classmate. I had a thing with my teachers in high school that if I had to use the bathroom I could just go without saying anything. I was in an english class and I had already been to the bathroom a couple times in that class and the last time I went someone goes "Well there she goes, off to puke again". I didn't hear it but my friend had told me what they had said while I was in the bathroom.
It amazes me how narrow minded people are. Yes, I was skinny back then but its because all I could eat was crackers without getting sick. Now days I would love to be that thin. Remission has made me fat!
Posted 9/15/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
yes, when i was initially ill and they were doing tests to find out what was wrong (turned out to be UC) i had just finished the test where you drink the nasty barium and they watch it go down through your insides.  just after that test, i was led down the hallway by an x-ray technician to take some other kinds of x-rays, and she asked me: "so, do you eat and then throw up afterwards a lot?"  i was so appalled.  here i was with bloody D going a zillion times a day with pain and cramping, anemic and nauseous, and she has the nerve to say that?!  how unprofessional.  and really, if someone has an eating disorder (which i don't) they probably wouldn't admit it to a healthcare professional!!! seriously, what an idiot!  she was probably jealous that i was thinner than her!
Posted 9/15/2010 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Ohhhh it's a joke at my job 'cuz I am in and out of the bathroom all of the time especially if I eat so the ongoing joke is that I am regurgitating my meals but of course everyone really knows I have UC. Though they think it's funny, I don't share the joke. nono
Posted 9/15/2010 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
I guess we have to realize that it's easy for ppl to make the wrong assumption, especially since there are still sooooo many ppl that don't even know what IBD is, so it's easy for them to relate what we have to having an eating disorder or assumption of something else...knowledge is power and unfortunately it's something too many ppl lack.
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