At high risk for refeeding syndrome. Don’t know what to do. Please help.
For the past 2-3 months, I’ve been the most depressed and anxious I’ve ever been in my entire life. All this stress has made me have absolutely no appetite at all, and I’ve been eating maybe a maximum of 500 calories and less. Sometimes more, depending on if I order a quick meal. I’ve had an eating disorder since I was 13, but this is all unintentional due to stress. It’s also super hard for me to lose weight because of hormonal issues that we’re trying to figure out (possible Cushing’s, PCOS, etc.), so I’ve maybe only lost about 12 lbs since not eating.
Well, I’ve had a few big meals recently. I’ve maybe had around 1400 calories of all carby stuff (Subway) 2 days ago; now I’m terrified I’m going to go into refeeding syndrome.
I had my electrolytes tested a few times for other reasons, and sometimes my potassium and sodium were low, my chloride was raised, etc., but not dangerously low, at least at the time of testing. I’ve also been in what appears to be some sort of acidosis a few times, but no one ever mentioned anything being dangerous. Maybe it’s because I didn’t tell them I haven’t been eating? Anyway, they were all normal this morning, including my phosphate, but I do have slight ketones in my urine. My kidneys, heart, and liver are all functioning normally, but my heartbeat does feel irregular at times.
I’m just worried because it can happen within 4-5 days, and I already suffer from things like chest pain (I’m being monitored by a cardiologist), a high heart rate because of my dysautonomia, low blood pressure, etc., so I have no idea how to tell the difference between dangerous symptoms.
I have no energy at all. I sleep all day and wake up tired. I have a headache, feel foggy, my muscles hurt, etc.
I also keep peeing all my water out…
I don’t know what to do. I’m terrified to start eating again. I don’t know where to start, WHAT to eat (I don’t cook), etc.
I just wish I could be admitted for a few days to be monitored or something. I’m so scared.
I’m so sick of this; between my heart problems, possible Cushing’s, and now this… I genuinely feel like a lost cause.
What should I do?
I see my family doctor tomorrow; do you think he’d suggest admitting me?
I remember telling him a month or so ago that I’ve been eating very little, and he was super concerned.
What would you do in this situation?
I don’t want to die from something that’s my fault!
Posted Mar 24, 2025, 4:38 AM UTC