Pica

[Wakk]

Does anyone else on here have this? I can't stop eating chalk and although I'm trying to cut down (I'm worried about my teeth) I just can't seem to.

I'm definitely not pregnant (100% not) although I did have this same craving during all my pregnancies.

In my 20s I had strange cravings to lick cold metal and this also coincided with needing to eat 2-3 bags of iceberg lettuce per day. It was like I couldn’t get enough of it. Eventually, a blood test showed I was very anaemic and after a few weeks of taking iron supplements, the cravings completely subsided.

Maybe you’re deficient in something?

I think you quite possibly have a serious dietary deficiency. Time to see a doctor.

There's usually a dietary deficiency.
I had it when I was pregnant with DC1 (highly anaemic)

Chalk sounds like it might be a calcium deficiency? Iron deficiency is also a common cause.

I hadn't thought of a deficiency, I'll make an appointment with the nurse I think.

It just tastes so nice but DH thinks it's getting a bit much!

Definitely a deficiency of some sort. My DD used to eat soil and peel paint off the walls and I thought it was just her investigating but someone said to get some blood test done and turned out she was severely anaemic.

So go to your gp and ask for blood tests.

Pica can also be a symptom of schizophrenia. How old are you? Do you have any risk factors?

I'm 45, I don't have any risk factors for schizophrenia.

A part of me thinks if it's not doing any harm does it matter if I just keep doing it? I honestly love the crunch and taste.

I had it when I was anaemic (iron) - don't suppose you're very tired and/losing more hair than usual as well?

Just to say could also be coeliac disease, I had pica as a child, eating earth and paper! Diagnosed coeliac much later so I think probably anaemic then.

That's good. It might not be doing you any harm but if its masking a deficiency that needs fixing. Cant imagine it's good for your teeth though.

I'm not more tired than usual although my hair is weak and falling out lots, but it always has to be honest.

I had it for sponges when I was younger, I was obsessed with the texture.

I think I had this when pregnant, I was obsessed with chewing old, tasteless gum. The harder the better. I never got it checked out, and I've never had it since.

It sounds like yours is getting worse over time? Best see a gp.

This sort of odd food obsession can be linked to iron deficiency (as mentioned above)

I'm going for a blood test next week, thanks everyone.