Eating Disorder - Cramps in hands

[Pink_and_Sparkly]

For the past day I've had bad cramps in my hands (mainly fingers and toes). I've heard of leg cramping being caused by eating disorders but not in hands? I've been taking laxatives but not over the recommended amount (though I do take them daily) I've been purging but not every day. I'm still restricting my food intake but I've put on weight and my BMI is now not underweight. I'm wondering if the cramping is likely to be or could be caused by my eating? Any advice?

[Duck]

Quite possibly electrolyte imbalance. Try sports drinks / rehydration drinks (like Dioralyte). You probably need a blood test from your GP too.

[MissAnonymous]

If its to do with your eating it could be electrolytes or poor circulation.

When my eating was messed up I had cramps and numbness in my hands particularly my thumb or little finger, its all better now, so I can only really assume it was related to restricting and poor circulation.

See your GP, but maybe use this as a reason to test the theory that if you eat well for a couple of weeks and not purge or abuse laxatives, this should improve.

[Animad]

I think it may be due to your ED. They can cause cramping in ANY muscles, not just your legs and it is more than likely due to the purging (both via vomiting and laxative abuse (and it is laxative abuse as you don't need it for it's true function even if it's not all the time/ in high quantities that you take them)) as this alters your electrolyte balance causing changes to how the muscles/ nerves work which can lead to cramping. As well as that a lack of food also won't help as though you've gained weight it may be that you're still not eating enough and your body is breaking down some of it's muscle mass at points too which can also be painful, cause you to lose some strength in your muscles and lead them to become tired earlier.

There are also other reasons for cramps however so these do have to get checked out and with this I'd mention your ED habits and so they can take these into account and maybe take blood samples to check your electrolyte levels if they feel that is what's needed.

[Pink_and_Sparkly]

Thank you to you all for your advice.
Have now got blood test next week so hopefully that should tell me something.