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Eating disorders

Spoke to GP

271 replies

BraveButShaking · 17/02/2017 17:46

He is referring me for psychiatric help.
What does this mean? I thought standard was counselling.

It has never been so hard to be honest. I need a hug...anyone?

OP posts:
BraveButShaking · 17/02/2017 20:47

Guess not Sad

OP posts:
InTheKitchenAtParties · 17/02/2017 20:50

Do you want to tell us what led up to the Gp appointment Brave?

einalem1984 · 17/02/2017 21:03

Flowers so he's not referred you for counselling? That was the first thing my GP did when I had my ED x

BraveButShaking · 17/02/2017 22:35

Thank you for replying.

It's been an issue for nearly a year, started during very stressful time in my life. Things have mostly settled down now (ongoing things but nothing too awful), but the ED hasn't improved as I convinced myself it would. It's got worse.

I have been trying to get courage to speak to GP and today the opportunity arose as I was going in for anti-d repeat.

If I don't take action now I don't know when I will stop. I have everything to live for now.

I felt so ashamed answering his questions.

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PacificDogwod · 17/02/2017 22:39

Please don't feel ashamed Thanks

I am a GP and I can assure you I have an inkling how much strength and courage it takes to live with an ED and to come forward and talk about it to somebody else.

It sounds like your GP is suggesting to refer you to specialist ED series (usually comes under the heading of psychiatry) rather than 'standard' counselling and I think that's only right.

I hope you get some useful support and help from them.

BraveButShaking · 17/02/2017 22:51

Thank you dogwood.
My GP has been supporting me this last year or so and has been great. I just feel so foolish - I'm not the together, professional woman I wanted him to think I was.

Do you have any idea how long the referral might take?
GP is taking bloods to check electrolytes.

No one else knows.

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PacificDogwod · 17/02/2017 22:56

No, waiting times vary widely around the country, sorry, can't help there.

Don't feel foolish.
You have done a difficult thing, and that takes strength and guts and smarts Smile

Could you tell anybody else in RL? You know, problem shared and all that?

BraveButShaking · 17/02/2017 23:13

I am not ready to tell anyone in RL, though a fair few would not be at all surprised (in a caring way).

People comment and I hate it, even from friends and family. I don't like people noticing odd behaviours.

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einalem1984 · 18/02/2017 00:30

I'm glad you're on the path to getting help now. The first step is admitting you have a problem so you've been really brave. ❤️
I know you'll feel ashamed and embarrassed talking about your ED but the more you talk about it the better you will be able to clarify your feelings. I found counselling helped me greatly but I remember the shame of talking about it to others and feeling silly. I hope you can get to a point where you get back in control of your feelings and body xx

BraveButShaking · 18/02/2017 03:56

Can't sleep.
In an attempt to restore any electrolyte problems I've barely eaten a thing. Stupid. Not eating better than purging? I don't think so.

I was in an emotionally abusive marriage for many years. It's taken me 2 years to get out of it. He's been gone 4 months now.

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einalem1984 · 18/02/2017 05:55

Bless you, sounds like you've been through a lot. Well done for being brave enough to get out of your relationship, now you can begin to get your confidence back and rebuild your life.
No, not eating is just as bad as purging but I've been there and understand why you don't want to eat. Food is prob the one thing you feel you have control over? Voices in your head telling you you don't deserve food? It's really hard but please try to eat something, you need to get in control of your ED xx

Bluebellevergreen · 18/02/2017 06:29

OP I was referred to a psychiatrist and this was the best thing that happened to me.
You will talk and they will listen, they are experts. This is good you will see Smile

Bluebellevergreen · 18/02/2017 06:31

you need to get in control of your ED not helpful for OPHmm she is taking steps and not so easy

OP try to have a banana, fruit and a little drink with a pinch of sugar and a pinch of salt for electrolites.

If you can

Hugs

BraveButShaking · 18/02/2017 07:13

No, there are no voices in my head telling me I don't deserve food.
I know I deserve good nutrition and I know how important it is.

I am a keen and good runner, which has helped me emotionally, i can't reconcile why I am taking my health and thus not be able to run.

I know a psychiatrist will help, it just feels so...I don't know...serious.

The GP asked whether I was happy. It took me a while to answer. I think I am, but I can't be, can I?

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BraveButShaking · 18/02/2017 07:15

blue that is encouraging.

Would you mind sharing the process, what I can expect?

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picklemepopcorn · 18/02/2017 07:33

Flowersyou've been very brave. You'll get there.

einalem1984 · 18/02/2017 10:31

When I said about getting in control of ED it wasn't meant as a criticism, I just know from personal experience that it can feel as if the ED is in control of you so it's getting a change of mindset to be in control of it instead.
Good you know that you deserve food, I was the opposite.

PacificDogwod · 18/02/2017 10:51

I know a psychiatrist will help, it just feels so...I don't know...serious.

Well, that's because it is and maybe you are just coming round to the realisation of that.

"Happy" is so difficult to define, isn't it? Sounds like you've had a horrific time in your marriage and a headfuck like that can take some time for you to get an appreciation what other people would call 'normal', and then 'happy'.
People with a relaxed approach to food eat when they are hungry/have an appetite and stop when they are full. They do not think about food/eating, they do not calorie count, they do not worry about nutrition and electrolytes and fat and carbs and stuff. They just eat.

A psychiatrist should be able to help you unravel all this complex stuff.

BraveButShaking · 18/02/2017 13:00

1984 I knew what you meant.

It absolutely does control me at the moment. It is all control, but it's tipped from something that I could reconcile as being a way to deal with my divorce into something else.

I have run 10 miles today with friends. Lovely.

And I have my little boy back with me today.

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BraveButShaking · 18/02/2017 19:00

Q. The bloods GP has asked for, will the nurse know the underlying reason ie is electrolyte testing done mainly for ED or other conditions as well? Will she see my records?

Small practice so nurse knows me well.

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PacificDogwod · 18/02/2017 21:11

The bloods typical done for EDs are really very standard - the nurse will not know from the blood tests why you are getting them done. A Full blood count, some iron/vitamin levels, electrolytes, renal/liver/thyroid functions, blood sugar - all done for all sorts of conditions.

Please don't worry what people think of you so much.
Cut yourself some slack.
EDs are common problems, you are not unique in battling with this, and any GP list will have people with EDs amongst them.

BraveButShaking · 18/02/2017 22:14

Thank you dogwood

I had bloods done in the summer (GP wanted to do some when I was in the midst of hard time and has physical symptoms), and then again by a consultant for a DEXA scan (repeat stress fractures). All came out ok so I told myself I wasn't harming my body.
Strange logic I know, but we clutch at straws, don't we.

I am struggling with having come out with it. A big step and it's occupied my mind all day. It's made me look at my behaviours and acknowledge that I'm fucked up really.

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BraveButShaking · 21/02/2017 14:33

Just had a call from Mind to book me in for hosp appt. They said they normally do initial assessment over the phone, but wanted to do a face to face appt for me. It's in less than 2 weeks.

So, either we have very good services around here, or my GP referred me as urgent (can they do that?).

Bloody hell.

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BeachysSnowyWellieBoots · 21/02/2017 14:39

That's great news that it' come through quickly. I know that it's daunting, but the sooner you can see someone then the sooner you can start feeling better. Flowers

PacificDogwod · 21/02/2017 21:48

Hey, don't knock it! That's great Smile

Does it seem strange that others are concerned for you? Does it make you feel more 'ill' than you thought you were?
it can be quite a slap to have it brought home that what you got used to living with is alarming to others.
Hope you are ok Thanks

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