Okay. I am 22 years old, and have severe problems with eating and my stomach. Ever since I was little, I have had severe stomach aches every night. EVERY night before I go to bed, my stomach just kills me. So my mother took me to doctor after doctor and all they said is that I was stressed out. At 6 years old?!

Anyway, the problems persist, only they are now a bit different. I have no appetite. I eat around 800-1000 calories a day, simply because I would have to force myself to eat more than that - I am never hungry. I can crave a certain food all day, go home and cook a gourmet meal for myself and my husband, and then feel sick to my stomach when I think about eating the food. At random times when I DO force myself to eat, I often throw up afterward. Please do not misunderstand me, this is not intentional - I am not sticking my fingers down my throat or anything, I just feel ill and have to run to the bathroom. The thing is, it is not stress-induced, either. It is quite random as far as what foods affect me or what time of day it happens.

I have now seen 3 different doctors for these issues, and all of them have had the exact same response: "You should feel lucky for having such a small appetite!!" No one seems to understand or care that this is affecting my life, in that I DON'T EAT.

Please offer some kind of advice, someone!!
Thanks!!

viking

You could be suffering from anorexia nervosa or something similar even though you don't feel that you have "issues" with your weight/appearance or with eating food. In which case, you should go see a psychiatrist about medicinal and homeopathic remedies to your small appetite.

If there is a physiological cause to your small appetite it could be your not producing enough thyroid hormone or your hypothalamus is out of whack. In either event, I recommend seeing a shrink and discussing your problems so that you can get your life back on track.

Good luck and good eating!