Can't eat. I have messed up! what to do?

[Cardiaga]

Hi
Looking for some advice and have name changed as this is embarrassing. For reasons that I'd rather not go into, I've not been able to eat anything for a few days, or so I thought. I wasn't too worried as I was drinking water and tea. I looked back on my fitness tracker a couple of days ago and realised it'd actually been three weeks since I ate anything. I realise this is stupid! The thing is I don't have any appetite at all but over the weekend I tried to make myself eat small portions of bland food- some rice, cooked vegetables. It all came straight back up and provoked horrible diarrhoea. I'm sure there's not an underlying problem and it will take weeks to get a Dr appointment. Does anyone have any ideas? I totally get this my own stupid fault.

I'd go days, weeks without eating as was so pumped up & busy working & running around after parents. Due to being busy & lack of sleep I just didn't feel hungry so didn't eat.

Can you get some ensure milkshake powder and give those a go (mixed with milk)? Drinking a meal might be easier than actually eating. When my crohns flares up I have meal replacement shakes to let my gut settle.

I agree with everyone else that you need to speak to your gp asap. Good luck.

You need to ring 111 OP for an urgent assessment.

I would seriously notice if I missed more than one meal. To stop eating for a few days at a time isn't normal, to go for weeks and not even realise is extremely disturbing. This sounds like quite a serious eating disorder OP, it's really, really bad for you just to not eat for weeks. Do you binge at other times? What is your eating like normally? You definitely need to speak to a doctor.

I wake up hungry. Have to wait until about 9 otherwise I’d be hungry before lunch. Can’t imagine not eating for three weeks.

Humans can survive approximately 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. So I don't believe that no food at all has passed the OP's lips in three weeks.

How anyone can not feel hungry after a day without food baffles me unless they are ill.

Not a medic but one reason it is so harmful to go without food for prolonged periods (like 3 weeks) is the loss of muscle. The heart is a muscle. You are at the risk of making yourself very ill indeed and please get help as soon as possible.

Have you overdosed on Ozempic?
If so, go and see a doctor immediately. Not eating for several weeks is a medical emergency, regardless of how much weight you think you need to lose. No food for 3 weeks can cause organ dysfunction - don't hang around on mumsnet, get to A&E.

There’s something really unnerving about this thread. If it is actually true, I think you’re very unwell OP. As many PP have said, no-one just forgets to eat for longer than a meal or two without there being something worryingly wrong (physically or mentally)

@Rickeeeeeeeeee I agree. ‘Oh ha ha I’m a bit scatty!’

probably needs reporting tbh

I have a little while back…

I think the excuse of being on hold to 111 is a bit silly. Phone, put it on loud speaker and go about your normal evening until the call handler picks up.

Forgetting the odd meal is fair enough, people are busy and it happens but forgetting for 3 weeks is a much bigger issue that you need to realise people are feeling concerned for you here.

Trying to deal with this at home isn’t really enough, you need to speak to a medical professional and I would stop putting it off and do it soon.

Sorry to have offended you both. It wasn't my intention. I was asking for advice on how to manage the situation which has got out of hand without making it worse. I'm also sorry if people are unnerved. I do often go a few days without eating and I've never worried as long as I'm drinking water. I don't have an eating disorder, in fact I'm on the larger side, especially since I went into peri-M.

Don’t let scepticism stop you getting advice, OP.

Don’t let this linger.

@Cardiaga do you actually understand how ill you could be becoming?

I'm afraid I also have doubts. Noone goes "a few days without eating" on any sort of regular basis without disordered eating. They just don't and I also doubt that you are objectively "on the larger side", whatever you're saying.

Please get some proper medical help quickly.

I reported it too.

I reported because im actually way more concerned that the OP is seriously ill, rather than it being a troll post!!

I also don't understand how a fitness tracker would tell you when you last ate. Unless you log what you eat on there you know, on purpose.

So how would that help her?

I'm not sure what to think of this thread

I do often go a few days without eating and I've never worried as long as I'm drinking water. I don't have an eating disorder

The second sentence contradicts the first one.

Why have you not sought medical advice?

Because MN is not the place for medical
advice if you’re that unwell

Thank you… that virtual hug was what I needed! Yes, my appearance/weight is very much indicative of my MH.. that’s why I asked the OP because often we don’t notice it.

Have you got help yet, OP? Have you managed to get anything down?

You absolutely DO have an eating disorder op, I’m sorry. Your size is irrelevant, you have disordered eating if you regularly go days without food, and then I’m assuming over eat to compensate. None of that is normal, and the fact you have now gone weeks without eating, and aren’t grasping the urgency of the matter is again an indicator of denial of an eating disorder.

Have you made an appointment yet? Or even called? Please call your gp surgery or 111 today and get yourself some help.

I don't understand how anyone can think they've only gone 3 days without food when it's actually 3 weeks. You need serious medical intervention @Cardiaga Ask for an appointment with your GP. Tell them it's urgent. You're going to make yourself very ill.

A quick google search brought up this.

Going three weeks without food can lead to significant health issues, including muscle wasting, weakened immune system, and potentially life-threatening complications. While the body can technically survive for a while without food, the prolonged lack of nutrients can lead to severe health consequences.

Here's a more detailed look at what could happen:

Muscle Loss:
The body will start using muscle tissue for energy when it runs out of stored fat.
Weakened Immune System:
Starvation can compromise the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.
Brain Function Impairment:
Brain function can be affected, leading to difficulties with concentration, memory, and even potential psychotic episodes.
Gastrointestinal Issues:
The digestive system can be disrupted, leading to nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Other Complications:
You might experience hair loss, lower sex drive, and cold intolerance, among other things.
Refeeding Syndrome:
If food is reintroduced too quickly after a long period of starvation, it can cause a dangerous and potentially life-threatening complication called refeeding syndrome. This involves a rapid shift in electrolytes and can lead to breathing difficulties, seizures, and even cardiac arrest,