[lapetitemoi]

Hi, I'm a 22-year-old female who has suffered with an eating disorder for 14 years. Well, I've been in and out of treatment, therapy, and hospitals for the last three years (as the ED has gotten medically worse), and yet, I'm still struggling. I had an NG tube placed for weight restoration while at Remuda Ranch- I had it for two months. When I was admitted I was considered "medically emaciated" and had nearly died according to doctors in the hospital I was at before Remuda. I gained 30 pounds at the Ranch with the tube, then another six while at Remuda Life (despite frequently refusing the oral supplements Ensure/Boost).

Now, eight months later, I have lost twenty of the thirty-six pounds I had to gain to reach the low end of my "ideal weight range" that RR calculated for me, and I'm struggling deeply to maintain my weight. I really want recovery, as I can see how much I have in life (loving family, husband, friends, many possibilities, etc). I am not at the emaciated weight that I was before I went to Remuda, though.

I went into the doctor, embarrassed and disappointed in myself, and got up the courage to ask for the option of an NG tube in order to maintain/restore weight. My main doctor seemed like he would consider it, but then he went to talk to the head GP in the clinic, who told him that the NG tube is not an option for me because I'm not "emaciated." All I want is to be able to get my brain back, along with my physical health, and I really do want recovery. The head GP even asked my doctor if I could "drink Ensures" to get my weight up. I mean, what makes him think that I could drink supplements like Ensure and Boost if I can hardly eat/keep down food? For me the NG tube = medicine, and purging is not an option due to the fear of aspirating the tube into my lungs (which can be fatal).

I guess my question is: How do I get doctors to take me seriously? I already feel like such a huge disappointment, and like a complete let-down to my family and husband and friends. I know I'm not severely underweight, but I don't want to get to that point again! What if this time, I were to die?! I don't want that at all, but I feel helpless at the hands of ignorant doctors! Is there some sort of specialist that you believe I could talk to that would actually listen to my concerns (besides ED specialists, as there are none in my city)? What sort of things should I talk to my doctor about so that he may consider this option before it's too late?!

[luckyyouxx]

Well, I do not know anything about NG tubes, or the "criteria" one must fit in order to have them. However I would just talk to your doctor about your main concerns that you fear about dying and the habits you have gone through in the past...and that you need this support, if they cannot take you seriously then I would suggest another doctor, or go somewhere, even if it is expensive...because you are worth it. go somewhere that has a proper ED specialist... ED specialists will always take you seriously, as doctors arent trained in this area, most I don't think understand just what an ED entails.
Just remember that everyone has relapses, and its okay to relapse, as long as you get your feet back on the ground and stay strong after that. 30 pounds is a lot lose but its never too late to start again... i hope the best for you. be healthy! eat! and live!
good luck and stay stong!!

[darkrunner]

Originally Posted by luckyyouxx

Well, I do not know anything about NG tubes, or the "criteria" one must fit in order to have them. However I would just talk to your doctor about your main concerns that you fear about dying and the habits you have gone through in the past...and that you need this support, if they cannot take you seriously then I would suggest another doctor, or go somewhere, even if it is expensive...because you are worth it. go somewhere that has a proper ED specialist... ED specialists will always take you seriously, as doctors arent trained in this area, most I don't think understand just what an ED entails.
Just remember that everyone has relapses, and its okay to relapse, as long as you get your feet back on the ground and stay strong after that. 30 pounds is a lot lose but its never too late to start again... i hope the best for you. be healthy! eat! and live!
good luck and stay stong!!

well said, lucky



((((((((((((((((((((lapetitemoi))))))))))))))))))))))))

keep trying....you are worth it.

[cantstopcrying]

Unfortunately, at least in the US, physicians are ruled more by criteria set from CMS than by common sense medicine. So most likely that is the reasoning behind not giving you the NG tube until you are "medically emaciated." All I can offer are hugs and prayers, and I have a lot of those.

[lapetitemoi]

Thanks for the replies guys. At least someone cares!

One of the things that bugs is that I have multiple friends that have home NGs despite not being underweight- in fact, they are "NORMAL" weight, and yet they have had one placed. I feel like throwing my hands up and wasting away until it gets serious again. But I know I can't do that, and my body can't handle another near-death experience.

[iamtwilight]

(((la petite moi)))

can you go to another doctor? or contact the facility, remuda, you were in about this issue?

pour toi,
twilight

[MINIME]

Keep advocating for youself. Keep trying to get what you need.

[lapetitemoi]

Originally Posted by lapetitemoi

Hi, I'm a 22-year-old female who has suffered with an eating disorder for 14 years. Well, I've been in and out of treatment, therapy, and hospitals for the last three years (as the ED has gotten medically worse), and yet, I'm still struggling. I had an NG tube placed for weight restoration while at Remuda Ranch- I had it for two months. When I was admitted I was considered "medically emaciated" and had nearly died according to doctors in the hospital I was at before Remuda. I gained 30 pounds at the Ranch with the tube, then another six while at Remuda Life (despite frequently refusing the oral supplements Ensure/Boost).

Now, eight months later, I have lost twenty of the thirty-six pounds I had to gain to reach the low end of my "ideal weight range" that RR calculated for me, and I'm struggling deeply to maintain my weight. I really want recovery, as I can see how much I have in life (loving family, husband, friends, many possibilities, etc). I am not at the emaciated weight that I was before I went to Remuda, though.

I went into the doctor, embarrassed and disappointed in myself, and got up the courage to ask for the option of an NG tube in order to maintain/restore weight. My main doctor seemed like he would consider it, but then he went to talk to the head GP in the clinic, who told him that the NG tube is not an option for me because I'm not "emaciated." All I want is to be able to get my brain back, along with my physical health, and I really do want recovery. The head GP even asked my doctor if I could "drink Ensures" to get my weight up. I mean, what makes him think that I could drink supplements like Ensure and Boost if I can hardly eat/keep down food? For me the NG tube = medicine, and purging is not an option due to the fear of aspirating the tube into my lungs (which can be fatal).

I guess my question is: How do I get doctors to take me seriously? I already feel like such a huge disappointment, and like a complete let-down to my family and husband and friends. I know I'm not severely underweight, but I don't want to get to that point again! What if this time, I were to die?! I don't want that at all, but I feel helpless at the hands of ignorant doctors! Is there some sort of specialist that you believe I could talk to that would actually listen to my concerns (besides ED specialists, as there are none in my city)? What sort of things should I talk to my doctor about so that he may consider this option before it's too late?!

Okay, update: I'm seeing a new doctor now, but it is only my second visit on Tuesday (in two days)...if anyone ANYONE could give me some advice on how to talk to them about this, I would be sooooo thankful. My husband is going to come with me this time and help back me up on the decision. I've lost more weight and I'm scared about this. :\

[silver_queen]

Maybe print out your post?

[Twilit]

So you can't keep down food at all? None?
I agree with the previous posters, talk to your doctor person or go to a new one if you're not taken seriously.
But my other advice (that I've been doing recently) is to eat an amount of food about the size of your fist, once every three waking hours. For women, that's about five of such meals a day. It's supposed to boost metabolism and help build muscle.
If you can't keep down that much food (the size of your fist) at one time, then eat half of that (or as much is sensible for you) for each of those five meals a day. The reason that this should work is that a meal typically takes around two to three hours to digest. I cannot post links yet (due to post count) but it should be easy to find information on this on a search engine like Ask or Google.
I will be praying for you and I hope everything works out

Hi Petitmoi,

I hear your fear and your call for help. I can't add any more suggestions for what you should or should not eat . Or how or why or i what amounts.

For me it was about the food certainly. I really never thought I'd ever beable to control my out of control eating so I used what ever method I could find . Not eating at all to throwing up everything that I placed in my mouth. I had to do a few things. I had to become willing and I had to surrender on various levels Petit. Ask your self what is it your willing to do to recover from this beast. But first and formost what is it that you want . For me I wanted freedom and I got it . And you can too. you can find your parameters with food that are yours and little by little gain your own control . You may just gain a bit of weight with it but its your descsion Petit. you can have it all. It was and is complex . My circumstance which may vary from your a bit I don't know Petit. It was and is about my boundraries.

hope I'm reaching you.

Aurora