Diabetes

[anonymous]

Hi... I was just wondering if anybody wcf has ever experienced an eating disorder such as bullimia or other related problems. I know most cf's are really thin and would love to gain weight. However, despite being pancreatic insufficient (i.e. i need enzymes otherwise my digestive system goes haywire), my weight has always been on the heavier-side of the "healthy" weight range, sometimes even overweight. Lately i've been wanting to lose weight... but despite all my efforts i'm always binging anyway. Do cf's naturally just have larger appetites than normal? i am ALWAYS hungry. Could CFRD be a possibility? i don't really have many of the other symptoms of cfrd. Sometiems i do get extreme bouts of thirst, but thats usually because i've been purging in desperation to rid my body of all the food previously consumed. I don't feel comfortable discussing eating disorders with my doc, because quite frankly i know how luck i am to be a little overweight rather than underweight (as the cf team constantly reminds me). i never have much energy... so dietting is really hard. I have also tried to stop enzymes altogether but even this didn't work. I lasted a few months without enzymes and lost no weight at all (and believe me, the side-effects weren't pretty <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">). Oh, and for the record i am 17 f, wfc... , alright lung function, GERD etc. ANY replies would be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[kybert]

cf'ers do have larger than normal appetites when they arent very ill. if you keep purging you will damage your eosophagus. i vomit unintentionally with coughing fits and even doing that can make my throat VERY sore, like someone has punched me in the neck. if you really are overweight i suggest exercise. i guarantee you it will help and it will do your lungs the world of good. but if you keep up what you are already doing, expect to run into trouble. i too am far from underweight. it bothers me sometimes but i know i might need that extra weight down the track. besides, id rather have a bit of meat on me than be stick thin.

 

[anonymous]

Yes, I am a 28 female with CF. I am always hungry and can out eat my husband who weights 240 and is 6"4. I too don't need to gain weight. If anything I want to lose about 10 pounds. I have tried everything and even decided to stop taking my enzymes. I know what you mean when you say that it isn't pretty. I suffer with horrible stomach aches. I do feel skinner thought when I don't take them. Don't you? I always gain weight in my stomach. My stomach feels really strecteched out. I feel like I should be a canidate for surgery because my stomach looks so swollen.

 

[anonymous]

I'm 28 and suffered anorexia and bullemia for about 15 years - it started when I was put on steroids for 1 year when I was in 5th grade - I put on so much water weight that I looked obese and was not treated nicely. I never had pancreatic problems and so needing to gain weight was never an issue. I got really bad during high school - ate very little, made myself puke (which was no easy task - bullemia is not easy as it's hard to make yourself throw up and it doesn't make you lose weight and it's terribly disgusing and unhealthy). Anyway - when I get married about 3 years ago, I quickly put on 25 pounds and was at my ideal weight level for my height (remember, I always forced myself to be very thin) - well I went without infection, cold, or anything for 2 years - I felt great but also disgusted with myself because I felt so fat - especially around my middle (the reason CFers bloat out in the middle is not because of fat - it is because we tend to swell in our abdominal areas because we swallow mucus which causes gas, and also because even if we aren't pancreatic insufficient - we get constipated because we don't transfer water between our cells properly so we dry out - hence, swelling around the middle).Anyway - starting last summer, I decided to lose 10 pounds, exercised and ate really healthy and went down, then I kept losing even though I wasn't trying, then I landed myself with a terrible flu and two hospitalizations and I've been the sickest I've ever been since - because I didn't have any extra weight on me for my body to use while I was ill. I also noticed that once I started to lose weight, I didn't feel as healthy as when I was heavier. So - was it worth it? No. I'm still vain about my weight - but I can't put it on now because I'm so sick. DON'T DIET. Just eat reasonably - if you eat healthy, with lots of fruits and veggies and whole grains - that's all you need AND exercise. Keep in mind - your body tends to keep you at a weight it is most comfortable with. So listen to your body. CFers do have big appetites because our bodies burn a heck of a lot more calories than no CFers - our poor bodies constantly fight infection, burns calories up the whazoo while we cough, while we struggle a little more to breathe. Feed your bodies. Also, not taking your enzymes is not smart either - as my nutritionist once said - they simply allow your body to digest vitamins better. I wish I could make all of you understand that you need to see your bodies as machines. You want to take the best darn care of those machines because that's what keeps you alive. I hated the way I felt when I was a little heavier but I REALLY hate the way I feel now being sick all the time.If you want to talk more - please email me at pmcp@comcast.net. I know a lot about nutrition and am happy to help you with healthy eating habits and things like that.Piper

 

[anonymous]

Hello all,Its me again (the person who posted the original meesage). thanks a bunch for replying to my message. Just when you think you know alot about your own cf- turns out u can always learn more. YES!!!!- i always just thought i had a pudgy tummy.... and i just thought pwcf tended to put on weight arounf our tummys, well boy do i feel better now that i know theres are reason behind it.I know i have problems with my body image... and whilst i don't exactly plan to seek "professional help" about it, its good to know i can chat to people on this website, about a broad range of topics. After numerous hospital admissions over the years requiring me to live with numerous teen girls (and even guys) with eating disorders, i definitly know that that isn't another problem i need in my life. And it's also good to know my appetite is normal... i think i've just been more contious of it lately. Anyhoo.. thanks a bunch for you replies.. and Piper... i think i will be getting in touch with u soon.Thanks again....