This is personal, I’m sorry mods. But I don’t know where else to turn.
I’m dealing with a lot of health issues at the moment. I’ve developed an eating disorder that I can’t seem to overcome on my own. It’s getting very bad. In specific, it’s ARFID, and a fear of any food I eat causing anaphylaxis.
This was likely brought on because I’ve entered perimenopause and my hormones have gone insane. And my stress has been high since last November because of family health issues (nonvaxxed). Constantly an anxious wreck.
So now I’m at a point where I need intervention. But that’s going to be medicine and I know it. I do not trust hormone pills - when I was on birth control it made me very suicidal. And I don’t trust anxiety medicine either, because…duh lol. Also don’t trust supplements and can’t afford the more trustworthy ones. I need vitamin C.
Frankly I don’t trust doctors, either. Especially with this bullshit second round of Covid.
Im also broke. Can’t afford any kind of treatment except if I were to be sent to the ER and be billed, then I just wouldn’t be able to pay it. I lost Medicaid last month because our Covid mandates ended.
What would you do?
I pray to God constantly about this but it just keeps getting worse.
"No where else to turn". I've come to GAW for that same reason so many times.
Regarding your health situation I am a man but I can tell you that what you're going thru right now is almost identical to a female loved one in my family and what she did (mainly thru research) that 100% worked for her. Everyone's different so no guarantee, but here goes...
First, eating. Try a diet of water, saltine crackers and pretzels. All dry. Anything with limited to no acidity, smell or overwhelming taste. Then gradually go to salads, like romaine, with no acidic type additions like tomatoes. Just plain salad with olive oil. Add unflavored croutons just for the same effect as the saltines/pretzels. Toasted products like that absorb anything that might cause you nausea. Try a diet of just that for a few days til you feel like you're capable of handling more. Avoid greasy/fried foods for as long as possible. Graduate to apples, bananas, carrots, celery. You still need protein so when you're ready, try a grilled chicken breast lightly seasoned, with olive oil.
Next, menopause. Again, I'm a mid-aged man so cannot relate, but this family member drank a lot of water, avoided high stress situations (triggers) and used prescribed dosage of testosterone to combat the estrogen levels. Her mood was pure elation (from grumpy/irritable/feisty/aggressive). Really helped balance things out somehow.
Next, exercise. Walk, play tennis, bike ride, etc. Anything you can outdoors with fresh air, keep yourself moving.
Last, the company you keep. Surround yourself with the best and most relaxing friends and loved ones. My particular family member cut out a lot of people and surrounded herself with healthy, positive people who made her laugh and enjoyed life. Nothing worse than suffering and surrounding yourself with ppl who make you miserable. She also eliminated 90% of her social media usage.
I am in no way a doctor or anything remotely close. But all the above drastically helped someone I care about who went thru exactly what you are going thru.
Best anon!
It’s tough because you guys are the only ones that would understand the reluctance to get help. Everything I’ve read online about people with similar issues, they all go straight to medications and it solves it for them. It makes me feel very alone and like I’m fighting a battle that can’t be won.
Thank you so much for the thorough answer. I’m sorry she had to go through this too. It’s hell.
Almost all of the foods you’ve mentioned are ones that I’m afraid of or struggle with. I’ve been just fighting to get some calories in most days so it’s been mainly heavily buttered and Parmesan’d pasta. It’s not healthy but something needs to be going in. I was also eating a lot of potatoes but that’s now ruined.
Never exercise anymore for feeling so ill but I’ll do my best to go on some walks. It’s an unsafe neighborhood so it’s scary.
Luckily my company is great. It’s just me and my parents and we all take care of each other.
Thank you again. Your message means a lot to me.
You did an excellent job.Well done fren. OP, this advice is far better than what a doctor would recommend, sad to say,but it’s definitely a tried and true template. You are cared for, being prayed for. I desperately wish I could reach out to you.One thing I can tell you, you will get through this and you’ll look back in wonder and amazement at how far you’ve come. Monopause is a bitch. No other way to put it. Women are tough. You will get through it. I did and you will too. God is with you.call out to Him.He promised never to dessert us. May He heal, restore and bless you fren. I truly care