Help with swollen salivary glands and throat glands

[viollette]

(I put this in dental issues because I really didn't know which of the available categories suited it best).
Hi, I need help reducing the swelling in my throat and cheeks.  I'm 16 and was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa a bit over a year ago, and have been hospitalised (for long periods of time) three times since then. For the past few months I've been going through what they say is the binge/purge stage of anorexia - where (obviously) you for some reason can't starve anymore and go nuts on the foods you havent eaten for a long time, but then the mindset regarding calories is still there and thus the purging.  It's gross, but I'm sure you know all about that sort of thing. Anyway I must be getting some nutrients because I'm not back in hospital - but my doctor said i am still malnourished. my BMI has been hovering around either side of 16 and i havent had a period since about early february 07.
For the past few months or so I've had hard lumps in my cheeks and behind my ears, and also under my chin on either side. Looking around the internet it seems like swollen parotid glands - which my doctor has confirmed.  He has said that there is no treatment short of proper nutrition as they swollen are due to malnutrition.  
They're really painful - even when I don't touch them or move my mouth - and make my face look even more horribly fat.
I'd really like to know how to reduce or eliminate the swelling, so help would really be appreciated.
Thanks

[AmoreToAct]

Oh sweetie it hurts me to know you're going through this. I deal with an E.D. myself and i know how awful it is. It's amazing how people say "just eat." Just like it's that simple. i get very sarcastic when they say that, always responding with "oh wow that's such a great idea. i can't believe i never thought of that. Hold on, let me grab a pen and paper to write it down so i dont forget."

Malnourishment is a b!#@%. If you can, get some ensure. Walmart is the cheapest place to get it. (make sure you get the ones that have the lower calories. some of the are "plus" and i can't bring myself to drink those). They tell chemo patients to drink ensure to try to get them nutrients.

I'd also say get some fiber powder. do NOT use it as a laxative. i repeat do NOT use it as a laxative. lol. But my body is so messed up that i know if i didn't drink fiber, i'd never go to the bathroom. It's good to mix it in with skim milk, because then you get a FEW calories. but you shouldn't want to purge it because lets face it, milk is gross to throw up. and you want the fiber to stay in your system.

Watch out for calcium issues. I haven't been diagnosed yet but i'm sure i have osteoperosis. See about getting those yummy calcium chews. They only have like 20 calories and they'd help.

I was bulimic (but i never binged) until my chest started hurting when i purged. instead of risking a heart attack, i just stopped eating. hunger pains suck ***. if you can, take a meal (a salad, macaroni, chicken, chocolate cake, whatever you want). Make up a plate for yourself. Then put the plate on the counter or in the fridge. When you pass by, if you want, grab a bite. no more that two or three though because then you could panic. taking a bite isn't nearly as scary as "eating". It's how i get most of my calories.

If you do decide to have a meal and not purge, it's probably doing to hurt. quite a bit. Take a few tums with the meal. It will neutrolize the acid in your stomach and help with the pain.

Try to find liquid vitimans to take. With vitiman pills, they can upset your stomach when you take them without food. the liquid ones are wayyyy easier to digest and it will help your body sustain SOME strength.

When you purge, rinse your mouth out afterwards with a sip of milk. Swish it around (kinda like you would with mouthwash). The chalk base of the milk will help to neutrolize the acid remaining in your mouth after the purge.  

as far as the swelling, ib profin is an anti-inflamatory. it will help with the pain and should bring the swelling down at least a bit. if you can do that and then ensures or whatever else, you should see a noticable difference.

One last piece of advice. Pick up a book called life without ed. It's by Jenni Schaefer. I dont know if you're at a point now where you want to get help or not (and trust me, some days i dont even know if IM at the point where i want to get help). But the book will make you laugh. make you cry. and help you figure out a few tips and stratagies to at least deal. it's cheap on amazon. it's like 8 bucks on-line. 15ish at borders.

Take care. Try to look on the positive side. And muster up all the strength and courage you have to make the next right choice. Not forever. Not for tomorrow. Dont think about yesterday. just make the NEXT right choice. one choice at a time.

Lots of love baby girl.