lapetitemoi
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NG tube for eating disorders
Posted: 09-04-08 00:53am
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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?!
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illustriously fickle
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
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Posted: 09-04-08 05:00am
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Have you tried the 12 steps of EDA? Eating Disorders
Anonymous can help you recover from an
eating disorder if you're committed to
doing everything it takes to get better.
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lapetitemoi
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Posted: 09-04-08 11:43am
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| illustriously fickle
wrote: | | Have you tried the 12 steps
of EDA? Eating Disorders
Anonymous can help you recover from an
eating disorder if you're committed to
doing everything it takes to get
better. |
I guess I should have mentioned that I
have been in school counselling, therapy
with a psychologist and psychiatrist, been
to OA (when it's the only food addiction
group they had), been to an eating
disorders group that just started about
six months ago, hospitalised multiple
times, to two different residential
facilities, to one acute IP facility
(http://www.remudaranch.com), and seen
multiple dietitians (including my
mother-in-law who is the clinical
dietitian at the hospital I was last at).
I have had the NG tube before, as I think
I mentioned, for two months while at
Remuda Ranch (acute IP). So really,
12-step isn't enough right now. I am
literally taken over by these thoughts.
I think pretty much, I just want to know
if anyone could give me advice on showing
doctors I'm serious, and getting them to
listen to me, the patient. I know more
about my history and disorder than anyone,
especially the doctors in my town, as no
one specialises in eating disorders here.
Thank you for the suggestion though!!! At
least someone cares enough to post!!!
<3
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rooted
Supporter
Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1853
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Posted: 09-05-08 03:43am
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Are you talking about recovery from an ED
or about getting treatment on your terms?
If you're not ready for the 12-steps, then
I don't believe that you're ready to stop
an eating disorder addiction. You need to
be willing to do whatever it takes to
recover. It seems that you still want to
run the show...and control people around
you in the meantime.
What do you want the doctors to do?
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lapetitemoi
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Posted: 09-07-08 00:03am
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Ahhhh! Yes, I meant getting treatment on
my own terms. I've been through all sorts
of therapy and treatment facilities, so I
can't afford much anymore. Right now, I
am working with my MIL who is the chief
clinical RD at the hospital I was last at,
and we are developing a meal plan to help
me at least get something in me, but I
need maintenance and weight restoration
sometime soon. It's not that I'm not
"ready" for a 12-step...it's that I've
done it, and right now, I need nourishment
to even be able to think!
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illustriously fickle
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
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Posted: 09-09-08 14:05pm
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Please update! I hope that you get back
to a healthy weight soon!
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lapetitemoi
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Posted: 09-10-08 21:42pm
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Definitely. So far, still no tube. I
gave the hospital my mother-in-law works
at today, as they have home care with
enternal feeding, and the lady was
actually totally helpful. However, I
still have to get a flipping referral from
a doctor in order to have it placed, or I
have to come into the hospital.
Sigh...and it's all so expensive. I can't
get health insurance due to the
preexisting medical issues I have due to
the ED.
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nightangel73
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Posted: 09-11-08 20:32pm
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I think you shouldn't rely on the tube. I
mean you can get the tube again, gain some
weight to then get the tube out and go
back to your cycle. I don't think the tube
is a long term solution.
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lapetitemoi
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Posted: 09-13-08 00:49am
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Oh, no, not at all. That's not what I'm
saying I would do. Lord, I would hate to
have the spaghetti noodle in my nose
longer than I would need it. Had one for
2 months in treatment, and it sucked!!!
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nightangel73
Extremely EHEALTHy
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Posted: 09-13-08 22:14pm
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I think the only thing that could work for
you is if ask God to cure you. You have
tried all treatments possible without
success so it is clear men can't do
anything for you so why not give a try to
God who has higher power than men. If you
have enough faith he can cure you really.
I have seeing many people cured of
alignments that way. Go to praying circles
and ask that they pray for you and stick
with them. Trust me that it will work.
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lapetitemoi
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Posted: 09-13-08 23:29pm
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God is an amazing thing, I agree, but
mental illnesses and terminal illnesses
are a physical thing. God created us for
a purpose, and He asks us to struggle with
these "flaws" for a reason. And I've been
on the prayer list at my church for almost
2 years, as well as been in care group
prayers, and was given a prayer quilt
during my last treatment in 2007.
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nightangel73
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Posted: 09-14-08 11:01am
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| lapetitemoi
wrote: | | God is an amazing thing, I
agree, but mental illnesses and terminal
illnesses are a physical thing. God
created us for a purpose, and He asks us
to struggle with these "flaws" for a
reason. And I've been on the prayer list
at my church for almost 2 years, as well
as been in care group prayers, and was
given a prayer quilt during my last
treatment in
2007. |
God can cure mental illness and terminal
illness. Known on my church of God curing
even Alzheimer. Keep going to the praying
circles and keep having faith. If you are
not cured your faith is still not strong
enough because there is nothing impossible
to God trust me. And no God doesn't want
you to live struggling like that. I will
be praying for you.
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lapetitemoi
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Bakersfield, CA USA
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Posted: 09-14-08 17:07pm
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| nightangel73
wrote: | | lapetitemoi
wrote: | | God is an amazing thing, I
agree, but mental illnesses and terminal
illnesses are a physical thing. God
created us for a purpose, and He asks us
to struggle with these "flaws" for a
reason. And I've been on the prayer list
at my church for almost 2 years, as well
as been in care group prayers, and was
given a prayer quilt during my last
treatment in
2007. |
God can cure mental illness and terminal
illness. Known on my church of God curing
even Alzheimer. Keep going to the praying
circles and keep having faith. If you are
not cured your faith is still not strong
enough because there is nothing impossible
to God trust me. And no God doesn't want
you to live struggling like that. I will
be praying for
you. |
2 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New International
Version)
4For to be sure, he was crucified in
weakness, yet he lives by God's power.
Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's
power we will live with him to serve you.
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lapetitemoi
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
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Posted: 09-14-08 17:47pm
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2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "But he said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my
power is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses, so that Christ's
power may rest on me. That is why, for
Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in
insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in
difficulties. For when I am weak, then I
am strong."
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nightangel73
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Posted: 09-15-08 20:52pm
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Girl let me tell you like this. God wants
you to eat so you don't die and are able
to speak of his Glory. And you are
disobeying God for not eating. Now you
have to fight the evil force that makes
not to eat okay. So now when it's time to
eat you will say "in the name of God I'm
going to eat this food". And after you eat
the food you go and pray (or read the
bible), go for a walk, put gospel music in
your room until at least 2 hours for the
food to digest.
And read this bible verse continuosly (put
it in every mirror of your house)
I can do everything through him who gives
me strength. (Phil. 4:13 NIV).
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lapetitemoi
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Posted: 09-15-08 21:51pm
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That's one of my very favourite verses
that I use when I am feeling low. God
cannot cure anorexia, but He can
definitely get you through hard times.

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nightangel73
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Posted: 09-16-08 06:25am
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| lapetitemoi
wrote: | That's one of my very
favourite verses that I use when I am
feeling low. God cannot cure anorexia,
but He can definitely get you through hard
times.  |
Alright girl there is nothing no one can
do to help. You have said it, you believe
god can't cure your anorexia so if god
can't do it much less a powerless doctor
will do. So just try to enjoy your time
left on earth as you know well anorexia is
fatal. A friend of mine when she was told
to going to die she went on trip for the
whole world and enjoyed it very much. So
concentrate in doing as much of the things
you dreamed while you still can okay. And
be nice to your mom too. I will have you
and your family in my prayers.
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lapetitemoi
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
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Posted: 10-01-08 21:27pm
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Still no update on the tube. I see a
doctor tomorrow so please keep me in your
prayers.
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CrazyHaired
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 4
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Posted: 10-03-08 12:57pm
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How did it go? I hope well.
I might not have read your first post the
right way, but I'm a little confused
though as to why you think the tube is the
only way. But if you're as determined as
you are to get the tube to help you gain
weight, why can't you put that energy into
adding a few ensure along with your meals
and snacks?
Whatever ends up happening, I wish you the
best of luck! (and I'm relieved to read
that you've got God to lean on, it does
help doesn't it?)
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