more "maintain" than "recovery"

[shortstack]

I would like to eat enough to maintain my current weight but I am having a lot of difficulty with bloating/constipation. It is causing me to relapse every time I try to start eating normally (1200 cal) again. I can't even stand to eat apples without instantly growing a huge bell! What is causing this problem? :confused:

Help please!

[emilynervosa]

Eating disorders can cause digestive problems, or digestive problems can just develop for other reasons. Some people do have problems eating fruit - fructose intolerance.

Also, protein deficiency can cause a bloated stomach, but... it's probably not that? I'm not sure, but I'd like to help if I can :)

The best thing would be to see a doctor, but that might be difficult.
Another idea is where you eliminate certain foods for a while, see if the problems go away. (And then usually have it on an empty stomach after two weeks or something and see if the problem happens - there's more information online.) But this is dangerous- restricting too many food types could be triggering.

[shortstack]

I've never had a problem with fruit before though. But suddenly my stomach can't handle it. Could it be the acidity?

I thought maybe that could be it too. I actually tried to figure out my recommended protein amount and managed to meet it today. I felt quite a bit better actually. I will try this for a week, then stop and see if maybe that is my problem.

I've been doing the food eliminating thing for months now. Nothing I've eliminated so far has helped. =/ I have an appointment in eight days for a doctor. Hopefully I won't just get "You're anorexic! Just eat more and gain weight!" and I will actually get some good advice. And fingers crossed it isn't some disease.


Thank you so much for taking time to give me advice. :)

[silver_elf]

Try building up more gradually so your system adjusts?
experiment with foods you like, drink lots of water too.
try foods that are easy to digest, like yogurt, smoothies, soups, etc.

let me know how it goes :)

[shortstack]

I shall. I am very hopeful about this.
It seems that if protein is not my problem then I could have some sort or serious illness/disease. Which I really do not want because that could lead to surgery. And I've been told that if I need surgery doctors would most likely not perform it unless I gain weight. So of course I am dreading that.

Also, is it possible to be lactose intolerant but not allergic to dairy? I've been tested for allergies and I wasn't allergic to it. I'm confused on the difference. I think I may be lactose intolerant since milk was one of the first things I noticed giving me grief. But now that basically anything sets me off now I cannot be sure. Guess I'll have to test it, eh? It's horrifying to eat things that I fear may cause me bloating. >_<

[silver_elf]

Lactose intolerance and milk allergy are VERY different.

lactose is the type of sugar found in milk.
if you are lactose intolerant, you lack the enzyme "lactase" that breaks down lactose. Therefore, the lactose will remain intact and cause much pain will travelling down your intestines because it is up to the bacteria naturally found in your gut to break it down... and they make a big gassy runny mess of it all.

if you are allergic to milk, your immune system is deluded into thinking that one of the PROTEINS is a dangerous foreign substance and will attack it. This attack causes mild to severe symptoms like hives, anaphylactic shock, vomiting, etc. while your body tries to get rid of the "foreign substance."

You might be lactose intolerant- the best way to find out is to eliminate dairy completely from your diet for 2-3 weeks and then slowly re-introduce it while monitoring symptoms. (don't change ANY thing else in your diet in the mean time.)

Good luck!

[shortstack]

Oh. Well, I have eliminated dairy from my diet already. I may re-introduce it next week and see if it gives me problem. I bought some Lactaid which was supposed to help digest the lactase. But I still had the symptoms of lactose intolerance. So. I most likely am I guess. Damn, I love dairy. =[

[shortstack]

So, this is day four of adding protein to my diet, and so far I really haven't seen any improvement.
I googled some home rememdies for constipation and found a few things. One trick I am going to try is adding pear to my diet. Also apparently grapes work well too, but I have no idea how to measure 350 grams of grapes (the amount recommended), so until that day comes I guess I'll stick to pears. I had one yesterday and this morning all went well -my stomach was nice and flat, and it made me so wonderfully happy- until I ate some cereal. My stomach seemed a little bigger (but that could have been just because I was full/my imagination) and by noon, after an apple, pear and another small bowl of cereal I was bloated with slight discomfort bellow the belly button. So, now I really don't know what to do. I guess I will stick with the protien and pear diet for this week, and if I still do not see improvement I guess I will have to find something else. *sigh* Any ideas?

[shortstack]

Update: Day 5 or Protein and Pears Diet:

Today started just like yesterday. I woke up, used the rest room and everything went fine. My abdomen flattened out for the most part, though it still maintained a slight bulge below the belly button, and I felt better. Until, again, I had breakfast; a small bowl of cereal with soy-milk and half a slice of banana bread. So far I have had that plus 1/2 cup of beans, a pear, two cups of soy-milk, 3 1/2 oz of chicken, and 1 1/2 cups of orange juice (a total of a little under 1100 calories) and I look like I am pregnant! (honestly not an exaggeration) This is crazy! Not only is it unsightly, but it is rather uncomfortable too. It is killing my resolve of not wanting to be anorexic and making me want to lose about ten more pounds! But I know that is a horrible idea because I'm sure it will simply only cause me more health problems and basically not get me anywhere in the long run.

So, I have no idea what to do.. >_< Help?