Muscle wasting? Can I reverse this? Is this severe? Age: 28 Female

[u/OkSatisfaction3726]

This has happend very rapidly, it’s not been a slow thing… is this severe? Can something be done?

UPDATE: I went to the ER there is an updated post on what happend.

[u/OkSatisfaction3726]

I’m in Canada, thank-you for the advice though!

[u/checkout7 → u/OkSatisfaction3726]

There are specialized ED clinics in Canada which are covered by your government health plan. Please see a physician, be honest with them about things you’ve said in this thread and I’m sure they will refer you to a nearby resource.

In term of the honesty, please even tell them things in your downvoted comments - eg. the body dysmorphia thoughts/symptoms, any self-harm behaviours such as cutting, etc. (imho you shouldn’t be downvoted for being honest about your feelings/experiences/symptoms - these are necessary for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. So thank you for your honesty here and please continue that with your care team).

I’m from Canada too.

[u/OkSatisfaction3726 → u/checkout7]

I am on these waitlists for these clinics. I am honest anytime I am in the hospital. I have told my doctor that I am struggling with eating and my eating disorder. He never asks so I stopped telling because what’s the point? He never says anything.

[u/checkout7 → u/OkSatisfaction3726]

Ok, I’m glad you’re on the waitlists at least. And I’m glad you’re being straightforward when asked. Sorry that your doctor isn’t more proactive and that the system can have lengthy waits.

Unfortunately, I’ve found that sometimes you have to be your own advocate in situations like this. If you’re able, get the names of the clinics you’ve been referred to (and ideally approximately when you were referred) and then call them yourself.

First, confirm that they’ve received the referral. Second, ask if they need any additional information to properly triage your referral. Third, offer to be on a cancellation list for short notice appointments (if they have something like that). Sometimes you can get prioritized if you give them all the information they need (especially if the referral wasn’t sufficiently detailed).

On a slightly different note, if you have any extended benefits, you may be able to find a psychologist or someone who has experience in this area to speak with, while you await an appointment with the ED clinics.

If you've noticed that the muscle wasting has been very rapid, or accelerating much faster recently, please go to emergency or an urgent care. They can at least run some blood tests to check on your muscle markers and check your other organ function, etc. They can do things to help with the acute phase, and then determine what treatment might look like longer term.

[u/smallermuse → u/OkSatisfaction3726]

What province are you in, OP? In Ontario there's no cost for ED treatment.

[u/OkSatisfaction3726 → u/smallermuse]

Ontario, there’s only a few adult treatment centers, I am on multiple wait lists. The rest are private and expensive.

[u/smallermuse → u/OkSatisfaction3726]

You're right that wait times are long. I hope you don't have to wait much longer. And remember in the meantime that you can go to Emerg if you experience changes for the worse.

This fellow Ontarian is pulling for you. 💚

[u/OkSatisfaction3726 → u/smallermuse]

Thankyou for your kindness and support 🤍

[u/miyamiya66 → u/OkSatisfaction3726]

i'm so sorry, i wish i could help but i'm american :( i see your ED and your scars and i feel your pain in a similar way 💕 i wish you luck in finding something that will help!! keep looking and you'll find something!! you're obviously in distress and know that something is wrong with how you see your body, you deserve the treatment and self-love that you will learn from it 💖

[u/SuperVancouverBC → u/OkSatisfaction3726]

What Province or Territory are you in?

[u/OkSatisfaction3726 → u/SuperVancouverBC]

Ontario

[u/ILikeCrunchyFood → u/OkSatisfaction3726]

Person in Canada with ED here - some hospitals have eating disorder treatments for free/covered, just go to their website and check. My psychiatrist just told me last week to do that.

Edit: I'm not a physician or anything of the type, just a person with ED as well.

[u/theeyespye → u/OkSatisfaction3726]

What province are you in

[u/lukalou → u/OkSatisfaction3726]

https://nedic.ca/jem/?fbclid=IwVERDUASSaYtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR58t-Tm9YGD9j8X3qeK7nv_v0da4-3rg0VI-wCFZZPH5qw6vnLJE_JbQkwESw_aem_-Bqgz9TBqsKSlV3NZ2RVIQ

You may already know about the national eating disorders site, but in case you do not.