Wow and I always thought she looked emaciated on TV. That really puts things in perspective. Thanks for sharing!

Isn't most of her weight muscle? I know she has a personal trainer. She has said that. Muscle weighs more than fat. Not really true. Interesting site:

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/a...id=8311&sc=128

Do you have a small frame? If so, then @ 5'2", 92 lbs would not seem to be bad.

FWIW, checking a few Height/Weight Charts, a small-framed woman should avergage around ~110 to ~120 ±2 lbs.

I know there's a lot of controversy about these charts, hence FWIW.

Doc

Yes, there is a lot of controversy concerning weight charts. Wonder how much of her weight is muscle as well. It depends a lot on the person as well. Everyone is different.

Yes Kitt, I do have a small frame...

Hi Cat,
I am the same height as you and the weight you are at is not a healthy weight for you. There was a time in my life when I went down to 102 and people kept coming to ask me if I was ill.

I have an extensive background dealing with anorexia. I spent 15 years working in a high school. I also took several classes and conferences on this subject. I even wrote a research paper on the subject. I don't mean to be intrusive and don't know if you want to post your answers but the following are all things for you to think of.

If you are of age, do you still get a menstral period?
Do you have a thin layer of hair on your face?
Do you use laxatives?
When you have them drawn are your electrolytes normal?
Are you a calorie counter and if so how many a day?
Is your hair very dry and damaged?
Do you have purging tendencies?
How are your teeth?

Again, you don't have to answers me just think about this. Most the symptoms your having could be caused by anorexia.

I have seen a lot of people, especially woman, diet and then it gets away from them. They live in fear of gaining back any weight and normally end up losing more. Society tells us we need to look a certain way and some of us oblige.

I'm sure you can guess many years ago, I started on this track. I was doing some modeling and I was down to 100 and had people asking if I was sick. I thought I looked great. I knew it was becoming a problem for me and sought help. I consider myself lucky, I caught it before it caught me. I also shared what was going on with my husband and he kept an eye on me.

I know you probably don't want to hear this but a normal weight for a person at your height with a small frame should be 108-121. Now not everyone is in that range but you can see how significantly lower you are.

I do think it is great that your vitamin levels come back normal. What you are eating must be healthy. Has your doctor ever spoke with you about your weight?

If you want to gain some weight back do it slowly. Your stomach must be very small at this point and can't hold too much food at once. I would suggest small meals at least 4 times a day. It sounds like you already know how to eat healthy so I won't go into that.

I hope this helps and doesn't sound harsh or intrusive. I really do have a soft spot in my heart for people who suffer from this. Not saying you do. That is not for me to determine.
Hopeful

Thank you for the response Hopeful. Yes, pretty much all of my doctors have said at some point that I was on the thin side and could gain some weight. But nobody seemed overly concerned so I continued on my "merry" dieting way.

To answer your questions:

If you are of age, do you still get a menstral period? I am 40 and have not had a period in 21 years.

Do you have a thin layer of hair on your face? I guess so?

Do you use laxatives? No but I do use lizness for constipation which tends to give me diarrhea at times.

When you have them drawn are your electrolytes normal? Nothing has been tagged as abnormal.

Are you a calorie counter and if so how many a day? Yes, until the past few weeks I kept it between 1,000 and 1,200 calories a day.

Is your hair very dry and damaged? Yes but I also process a lot

Do you have purging tendencies? No

How are your teeth? Aside from cavities, appear to be fine?

I feel awful everytime I eat now. And I am more tired and more dizzy with this new eating regime. I tend to overdo the calories in my morning smoothie and then pay for it all day. It just seems like the easiest way to get the extra calories in. We just got back from dinner and I forced myself to eat despite a complete lack of appetite especially since we were with friends. My stomach is so swollen the past few days I look pregnant! And the constipation is just awful. It makes me irritable and not fun to be around. I would think the extra calories would HELP with the neuropathy and energy if it was anorexia causing it but it is the opposite. I am not sure what to do....so frustrated.

You are not being intrusive at all-I am the one that put all this out there and really appreciate your time. Can anorexia be a major contributor to neuropathy? If so, why is the extra nourishment making me feel worse? I am attempting to take in close to 2,000 calories a day which is scary but almost liberating as well. BUT if it continues to make my condition worsen what is the point?

Hi Cat,
I did some research for you. However, I'm not good at adding the web sites here. When you get a chance type in neuropathy and anorexia. There is a wealth of information out there stating that yes there is a substantial connection between them. It is not always connected to vitamin levels etc. One of the issues is tissue lose from chronic malnutrition.

The calories you are taking in every day are not enough for someone as active as you stated. You should be taking in between 2000 and 2200 for an extreme exerciser. How much do you exercise each day?

As far as the irritability, your brain needs a proper amount of nutrition. Also, it sounds like your hormone levels must be really out of sync.

Do you see a GYN for Pap test each year? If so, what are they giving you as a reason for not having a menses in 21 years? There definitely should have been a discussion on this.

I hope your GP has spoken to about this a lot. Unfortunately, I find doctors are really reluctant to discuss weight with patients. I can't figure that out. They should be the first to pick it up.

I really hate to say this but please consider the fact that the symptoms you are having when you eat May be psychological. Being in your situation for so long psychologically this is not going to easy for you.

Again begin by SLOWLY introducing more food.

Another thing I want to suggest, if you can find a eating disorder clinic in your state that you call them. You don't have to tell them who you are if you don't want. Just say you r wondering if you may have anorexia and want to speak to someone who can talk to you about why you suspecting anorexia.

Please read the articles. I think you may understand things better.

Hopeful

Okay so maybe I tried to introduce too much food too quickly? I will try smaller snack size meals and see how that works. Right now I am so ill came home from my kids practice at 5:30 and crawled into bed. I contacted an ED therapist today but she charges over $200 a visit. After all we have spent on my medical bills so far it's just not something we can budget for right now. I will look into the state clinic next.

I have googled a million different eating disorder terms and there is just so much information out there-mostly repetitive. I am not finding anything quite as supportive nor as helpful as this forum. Mostly because I do not low if this is the problem or not.

My exercise has been curtailed the past few weeks as I am weakening. Usually I do either 30-45 mins of TRX training (like Crossfit without the barbells) or 60 minutes hot power yoga. And moderate walks with the dog. It sounds impressive for someone who says they are this sick but two years ago that would be just be one of my workouts for the day. Now it is painful to push though 10 mins of either and leaves me drained but it gives me an endorphin rush that temporarily takes away the pain.

I do see an obgyn. She is the only doctor who said I needed to gain weight. My paper come back normal but my hormone levels came back too low to be measured. Everyone is stumped on the menses issue. There is nothing left to be tested I guess??

The thing is I want to be hungry and enjoy eating when I am- but my appetite is rarely there this last week. The weird part is when I first started to try and eat without restricting a week ago I was really hungry and wanted to eat. Then it all reversed. And the neuropathy pain increased. Oh this is maddening!!!!! I just want to know if this is the cause or not before I waste more energy on another dead end.

Btw I had previously read most of your recovery thread and you are a true inspiration. I think one of possibilities of my issues may not only be malnutrition but "drinking my calories" for a few years. So I have found your posts helpful.... Just not sure if that is it either since I have not had more than one or drinks in the past year and a half and have not improved