The realization that my daughter had a problem, a serious problem, was slow in coming. Her A1C number certainly told us that her diabetes was out of control. We thought it was just a matter of discipline – a better system, a good incentive – that is all it would take to get her on the right track. We had no idea that Erin had figured out not taking her insulin would cause her to lose weight. By the time we realized Erin was deep in the grip of a full blown eating disorder, her body was ravaged with the side effects of long term high blood sugar, including irreversible neuropathy.
Recovering from an eating disorder takes a large support system, and diabulimia is no different. However, we face a unique challenge as parents of a diabulimic. There are a lot of resources available regarding anorexia, bulimia, diabetes, all of which are useful, but there is very little, practically none in fact, dealing specifically with diabulimia. Diabulimia’s complications are exacerbated because the diabetes and eating disorder are inextricably linked and need to be treated as such. Two doctors have dropped Erin as a “non-compliant diabetic.” In fact, not even Erin’s endocrinologist or diabetes therapist was able to diagnose her. It can be infuriating when all you want is for someone to tell you how to save your loved one.
Which is why you came to this site. There isn’t a silver bullet and I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to give you the benefit of my experience. Whether you are looking for emotional support, a sounding board or advice on how to deal with insurance companies, I am here for you. In fact, it is my hope that through this site we can all be here for each other.
Sincerely,
♡Dawn Lee-Akers
Family and Friends Liaison
Recovering from an eating disorder takes a large support system, and diabulimia is no different. However, we face a unique challenge as parents of a diabulimic. There are a lot of resources available regarding anorexia, bulimia, diabetes, all of which are useful, but there is very little, practically none in fact, dealing specifically with diabulimia. Diabulimia’s complications are exacerbated because the diabetes and eating disorder are inextricably linked and need to be treated as such. Two doctors have dropped Erin as a “non-compliant diabetic.” In fact, not even Erin’s endocrinologist or diabetes therapist was able to diagnose her. It can be infuriating when all you want is for someone to tell you how to save your loved one.
Which is why you came to this site. There isn’t a silver bullet and I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to give you the benefit of my experience. Whether you are looking for emotional support, a sounding board or advice on how to deal with insurance companies, I am here for you. In fact, it is my hope that through this site we can all be here for each other.
Sincerely,
♡Dawn Lee-Akers
Family and Friends Liaison
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