DontCareIfItHurts
06-14-2009, 01:36 PM
Hi guys - I see a lot of people posting here about side effects of ED, and since I researched this a lot for a Psych project, I just thought I could maybe share some of the stuff I found out?
Some of the common side effects people with Ana notice include
- poor circulation/discolouration/numbness of hands and feet
- unusual coldness/shivering
- dizzy spells/weakness
- constant tiredness/lack of energy
- irritability/moodswings
- amenhorrea (no period)
- dull, thin hair and brittle nails
- soft, downy hair on the body (lanugo)
If you notice stuff like this, or any other unusual symptom, please be careful. If you're fasting, move back to restricting. If you're restricting, consider allowing yourself a few hundred more calories, at least for a while. Maybe move to maintainance calories so you aren't gaining or losing, just to give your body a break.
If you really don't wanna do that, at least use the calories you're allowing yourself to eat foods with plenty of protein and iron: pulses, like lentils and chickpeas, chicken soup or portions of white fish (surprisingly low calories) and plenty of dark green vegetables like spinach, broccoli or parsley. A portion of fish often has only 200 or less calories, and it could give your body more of what it needs than a whole bag of salad.
If you feel dizzy, eat some fruit straight away, like an apple or some berries - that'll give your body the natural sugars it's lacking.
If you don't already, I would definitely recommend taking a multivitamin and iron supplement, easily available at any drugstore. That'll help keep your hair and nails in good condition too.
Massage your hands and feet a few times a day to improve circulation, and remember to dress warmer than you normally would - wear an extra pair of socks!
If you lose your period or get lanugo (soft, colourless "fuzz" on your body) it's probable that you're significantly underweight and you really need to be careful of your health at that point.
If you experience chest pains, or if you pass out, SEE A DOCTOR. If you're over eighteen, you have doctor-patient confidentiality privileges and the doctor can't tell anyone about your ED - they'll recommend treatment but they can't force you into anything. Check the law in your state or country - often, even under-eighteens get doctor-patient privileges, and you can tell your family the visit was for a check up or for "girl troubles" or something.
I don't know so much about Mia - the health problems associated with that are quite different. When you purge, DON'T brush your teeth cos the acid weakens the enamel and you'll brush it off - but DO put some toothpaste in your mouth and swish it around cos toothpaste is basic and it'll help neutalise the acid. And please, never NEVER use Syrup of Ipecac - it damages your heart significantly from the very first use and if you keep using it YOU WILL DIE. No foolin.
Just remember everyone, if ED has started to ruin your health, you aren't in control anymore - ED is controlling YOU. Taking care of your body and listening to what it tells you is vital. There's no point being beautiful if you get so sick you can't enjoy it. There's no point looking fantastic if you're to weak to go outside and show everyone! Take care of yourselves - you're worth it.
I hope this helps someone! :o
Some of the common side effects people with Ana notice include
- poor circulation/discolouration/numbness of hands and feet
- unusual coldness/shivering
- dizzy spells/weakness
- constant tiredness/lack of energy
- irritability/moodswings
- amenhorrea (no period)
- dull, thin hair and brittle nails
- soft, downy hair on the body (lanugo)
If you notice stuff like this, or any other unusual symptom, please be careful. If you're fasting, move back to restricting. If you're restricting, consider allowing yourself a few hundred more calories, at least for a while. Maybe move to maintainance calories so you aren't gaining or losing, just to give your body a break.
If you really don't wanna do that, at least use the calories you're allowing yourself to eat foods with plenty of protein and iron: pulses, like lentils and chickpeas, chicken soup or portions of white fish (surprisingly low calories) and plenty of dark green vegetables like spinach, broccoli or parsley. A portion of fish often has only 200 or less calories, and it could give your body more of what it needs than a whole bag of salad.
If you feel dizzy, eat some fruit straight away, like an apple or some berries - that'll give your body the natural sugars it's lacking.
If you don't already, I would definitely recommend taking a multivitamin and iron supplement, easily available at any drugstore. That'll help keep your hair and nails in good condition too.
Massage your hands and feet a few times a day to improve circulation, and remember to dress warmer than you normally would - wear an extra pair of socks!
If you lose your period or get lanugo (soft, colourless "fuzz" on your body) it's probable that you're significantly underweight and you really need to be careful of your health at that point.
If you experience chest pains, or if you pass out, SEE A DOCTOR. If you're over eighteen, you have doctor-patient confidentiality privileges and the doctor can't tell anyone about your ED - they'll recommend treatment but they can't force you into anything. Check the law in your state or country - often, even under-eighteens get doctor-patient privileges, and you can tell your family the visit was for a check up or for "girl troubles" or something.
I don't know so much about Mia - the health problems associated with that are quite different. When you purge, DON'T brush your teeth cos the acid weakens the enamel and you'll brush it off - but DO put some toothpaste in your mouth and swish it around cos toothpaste is basic and it'll help neutalise the acid. And please, never NEVER use Syrup of Ipecac - it damages your heart significantly from the very first use and if you keep using it YOU WILL DIE. No foolin.
Just remember everyone, if ED has started to ruin your health, you aren't in control anymore - ED is controlling YOU. Taking care of your body and listening to what it tells you is vital. There's no point being beautiful if you get so sick you can't enjoy it. There's no point looking fantastic if you're to weak to go outside and show everyone! Take care of yourselves - you're worth it.
I hope this helps someone! :o