From malnutrition? My veins aren't what they used to be - they're really small and people have a heck of a lot of trouble getting blood. Anybody know if there is a connection?

i know a lot of the memoir's that i've read about people with eating disorders say something about doctor's having a hard time finding veins because they've all collapsed, so i think there is, but i dont know much about it.

All I know is that my veins have almost gotten BIGGER as I've gotten thinner. They stick out of my arms and legs, especially when I'm hot. It seems like mine are doing the opposite. Which one is more common?

My veins have gotten much bigger too, like LS. They stick out the worst in my arms. But, I exercise a lot. I wonder if that makes a difference also.

I used to exercise a lot, but now I don't do anything, really. How much do you exercise, dawgfan? I wish I could still exercise a lot...grrrrr

My therapist has actually told me not to exercise at all, but I tried that and just felt way, way too guilty--so much so that I can't even put it into words. That's one of the reasons I felt so guilty when we went to Cancun, I only got to work out 2 out of the 5 days we were there, and since my husband was with me, I didn't get to work out near as long as I would have liked (he doesn't know how long I normally work out b/c he would freak out on me). Anyway, I did promise my therapist I would cut down on how long I work out each day. And I did do that. The week before our vacation, I had actually cut my workout completely in half!! I used to work out 5 days a week for 1 hr 45 min each day. My goal is to try for just 30 minutes a day, although if I can get further on the road to recovery in my mind, I am really going to try not to exercise at all. My therapist was not happy about just cutting the time down, so I'm really trying to do what she said.

hey ladies, the vein sticking out in the arms thing (especially when hot) REALLY used to happen to me at my lowest weights. so yeah, it's pretty common i think (plus i think i may have read about that as an indicator of low weight). however, i don't think it has ANYTHING to do with the veins actually increasing in size or anything. i really think that it's just because you don't have enough fat left on your arms to cover them up the way they're supposed to be covered. you'll notice it in people who are naturally stick-thin also. anyway, it always really grossed me out, because i felt like it was this glaring sign stating: "She has an ED ... look how sickly skinny her arms look!" anyway, it always bothered me a lot ... hopefully, my arms won't do it again this summer, i just feel like it's so obviously unnatural-looking you know? so yeah, it's common, but i really think it has to do with being underweight, not having "growing" veins.