Anorexia causing severe constipation and problems with diet therapy

Hello all,

It has been some time since I'm on this website. I just have a severe problem with constipation from I believe, caused by anorexia. I have been taking 2 servings of fruits and I eat as much vegetables in a day. I only eat half of my meal (occasional purging) . I'm currently relying on laxatives to have a bowel movement. Without it, I can't. I tried prunes and fibre drink and it's not even helpful. I'm a little concerned because constipation actually makes me gain weight and gaining weight is a big no-no.

Any advice on this? Thanks in advance

I used to have a dietician to help me cope with anorexia and this constipation issue. But after time, he felt that it was time for me to gain some weight by putting me on ensure but I told him I wasn't ready. He told me that for the sake of my low level in potassium and my gastric, I have to do it. I honestly don't feel like health is a priority(I suffer from depression and I don't feel the need to be healthy when I'm experiencing suicidal thoughts daily.) But I still try my best to convince myself that health is important, but everything was a charade and i was lying to myself that eating more is for the sake of my health and I didn't mind the weight gain . After I gained 1 kg, I reached my breaking point. I quit seeing the dietician forever and I started to eat even less in order to lose the weight that I had gained

My doctor asked if I would like to be refered to an eating disorder unit. I'm still ambivalent about this. I'm quite disappointed about how diet therapy turned. To me, diet therapy is all about lying to yourself. But also at the same time, I'm sinking deeper into the complications of anorexia. I have been getting gastric now for about 6 months, almost 7, constipation, unexplained fatigue and giddiness. Gastric comes with nausea and heartburn.

Any advice on this would be a great. Thank you. Much appreciated.

I don't really have any advise to offer you here. But I noticed no one had yet replied to your post. So I thought I would.

You mentioned you're relying on laxatives to have a B.M. My understanding has always been that the regular use of laxatives can cause the body to develop a dependency on them. So perhaps that's what's happening here? You also mentioned your doctor having asked if you would like to be referred to an eating disorder unit. With everything you have going on, it seems to me that would be appropriate.

By the way, you also mentioned struggling with suicidal thoughts. So here are links to 2 articles, from PC's archives, on coping with suicidal thoughts:

How to Survive Suicidal Thoughts

How Suicidal Thoughts Can Become a Coping Mechanism

Best wishes...

Thank you so much for the insight

Hello 😊 I would advise you keep your gastric movement as healthy as possible, as long as possible!!
It sounds like you've been using fiber based methods to get things moving, and you definitely want to stay away from stimulant laxatives, as the body will become dependant on them.
Have you tried water pulling lax such as Miralax? If you're okay with drinking plenty of water, this could work in a different way, and also has less risk of dependence.
An eating disorder inpatient unit would provide much more structure. They can really help, but if you're not open to the change, it won't stick.
If you're open to inpatient, and it's available to you, go for it!