GD and binge eating disorder

[cat_reversing]

I was diagnosed with GD at about 18 weeks and have been struggling with it since then. I have had a problem with food and binge eating for a number of years and had some therapy for it which helped but i still have the feelings of needing to eat certain foods when i feel down, upset, frustrated etc. The last few years i had been concentrating on eating without feeling guilty, i put on some weight but felt better about food and hardly ever needed to binge eat.
But now with GD i'm back to having to control everything i eat and whilst i can still eat some of my 'bad' foods like cheese, i finding it hard to stay away from other foods. I get really wound up then binge, although not as bad as before, then feel bad because i binged- luckily i haven't got as far as the purge stage. I have spoken to diabetic midwife and dietician about it but there is little they can do.
I know some people will say 'just think of your baby' but it's not as easy as that. I've suffered with depression half my life and just get to the 'what;s the point' part.

 

[xvmomovx]

Have you spoken with a psychologist about this issue? Maybe some behavioral therapies might help you find ways to cope with these compulsions. I know that it makes it even harder when people don't understand it's more complicated than making a conscious choice. Let me know if you need to talk.

 

[Rosie2806]

Hi, its not totally the same because I am Type I diabetic and I wouldn't really say that I have a binge eating issue, I just can't control eating all the wrong foods, I do think of the baby but still have a major issue with just wanting all the wrong things. I crave chocolate and sweets and crisps constantly and have always been the same, I have been diabetic 18 years and its not gotten any easier, you'd think I'd be used to it by now but I just can't help but have a treat. I guess I am lucky in that I can control it with insulin to a point, but the diabetic specialists at the hospital would have me just snacking on 'a couple of digestive biscuits and a cup of tea' or toast!!!! Jeez I'm pregnant and am going to want to eat, I wanted advise on how to control my sugars with insulin but haven't had any!!!
I do try and keep my snacking until at night and can't help but have a pudding, but most of the time spend all night monitoring my sugars because of this, (having extra doses of insulin) and feeling so bad because of the baby growing too fast : (

I too have suffered from depression for many years, so I really can sympathise, I am still suffering even though I am pregnant and of course can be on no medication. I hope things get easier for you, I'm just counting down the months until baby is here and healthy, thats the most important thing, and then until I can snack without the major guilt feeling or going without alltogether. Its not all about food, but thats how it feels majority of the time! I am nearly 18 weeks, so just over 5 months to go.

 

[Stressbucket]

First, be very, very good to yourself. This is NOT easy, and it's NOT as simple as "Oh, think of the baby." You have real health issues that you need to take care of, and they're going to impact your pregnancy.

Get yourself a support team if you can, and if your present people can't help, see if you can get a hold of someone who can. A therapist can help, as can a nutritionist. Getting treatment for the depression will help. Try to find people who specialize in eating disorders, or have experience there. If you have friends or a partner who can help you out, recruit them as well. Treat yourself to things that are low carb, even if they're not something you'd let yourself eat a lot of normally. (I have also found that cheese is an enormous help.)

Be really good to yourself. You have the GD--that's one complication. The eating issues are another one. Remember that this won't just go away by you waving your hand, no matter who suggests it should. And be really, really good to yourself.

 

[minties]

I feel ya. I haven't been diagnosed with GD...yet...I avoided doing the second test for weeks. I failed the 1 hour one. I had a growth scan yesterday and my baby is huge. I did the 2 hour test today so should find out tomorrow.

I don't binge but I have food addictions, so this is a struggle for me.

 

[cat_reversing]

Thanks for the replies. I'm finding it harder to eat well this past week or so and have been eating things i know i shouldn't, i eat badly when i'm stressed or frustrated and have been feeling both those quite abit lately. My bs sugar readings are higher than i'd like and i feel bad about it. As i said i suffer from depression and have struggled a long time with looking after myself, i manage to shower everyday but often can't be bothered to wash my hair etc or dress well so this is really hard. If it was just me that'd be one thing but now i'm growing this new life that's half my husband's. I'm not willing to go back on meds for depression- i'd started to feel numb and was just as miserable but with an artificial feeling, like i wasn't myself.I've only got 2 months to go and hopefully the gd will go and life will be a bit more sorted.

 

[Stressbucket]

Big hug. Let us know how it goes.