[neillsong]

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 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!