Lost Hunger and Fullness Cues in Recovery: Will They Ever Return?

I am wondering the same thing. 3 years ago, I went into starvation, and then the oh so great hospital doc put me in refeeding syndrome. I have been working so incredibly hard to eat something everyday, like multiple times a day! I still have a lot of trouble with solids. Like you, I never feel hungry. I can tell now when I am empty, but by the time I notice I have to have my usual nutritional shake immediately. Just a few days ago, in 45 mins, my vision went from just fine and normal to double vision, I was not dizzy but I kept just falling, etc... I have no doc who is working with me, Healthcare in CO makes me wish I could just go to a vet! At this point I would trust a vet any day over Colorado Springs hospitals! Anyway, to answer your question, I'm 3 years in to working on recovery with 100% of me, it is still just as difficult as always, and I still just watch the clock for my eating. I think I completely reprogrammed my body to avoid and reject food. It will be a fight for the rest of my days. Good luck, I hope you turn out better than I did. +💛+

thank you I've been trying to stay strong during this. I went from 129lbs to 174lbs in the time being.

it takes a long time sometimes, i’ve been in recovery for 3 years and i still struggle with my hunger/fullness cues. they’ve returned in small ways though! you might have to listen more closely to ur body, but they will be there eventually! just keep following whatever recovery plan you’ve worked out with ur treatment team. proud of you!

It usually takes a while for hunger and fullness cues to come back! Your body doesn’t really trust you yet, so it’s not gonna give you any cues when it comes to food. It sounds weird, but that’s basically what’s going on. It gets better! My hunger cues didn’t come back for almost a year after I started my recovery. I’ve been in recovery for 4 years now, and sometimes I have to be a little more mindful of my body and listen closer for those cues. But they’ll come back, it’s just gonna take time and patience! Your body will learn to trust you again 🤍