SashaMaja, I, also, have chronic pain from osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, two hernitated discs that press on a nerve in my back, and seven operations on my legs since my husband passed away eight months ago. When the pain meds wear off, what are we left with? Whatever we can grab to make us feel better. Why not chocolate, Cheetos, ice cream, or anything else that's easy to grab? When I'm in pain, the last thing I want to do is stand at the stove and make something "good" for me. And then have to stand at the sink to wash the dishes.

I'm a recent widow, and after the initial shock wore off (after about six months), I started eating again, definitely emotionally. I started making the foods Al (my husband) and I used to enjoy together, but nothing tasted right. I then ate more junk, trying to find something that tasted good. Nothing did, and it still doesn't (two months later). Then I noticed my weight was climbing rapidly, as was my blood sugar. I gained 18 pounds in the last 3 weeks; even the doctor told me that's alarming. So, here I am.

I've tried cleaning when I want to eat, playing with the cats when I want to eat, reading when I want to eat... but no luck yet. I'll eat first and then clean, play with the cats, or read.

Some articles I've read said to keep an emotional-eating journal. That sounds like a good idea, but what if I pop-off (as my mother used to phrase it) and whoever cleans out my apartment sees my journal? I'd be horribly embarrassed; and with my luck, that would be the last thought on my mind. Oh... that's just too morbid, isn't it. 'Sorry about that.

Yesterday, after I got home from the doctor's office and signed in here, I went through my desk drawers and took out all the bad stuff... Chocolate! I put it in the kitchen so I'd have to walk there to get it and make a conscious choice. When I'm in pain, the last thing I want to do is get up and walk.

SashaMaja wrote: »

I've been struggling with chronic pain for awhile and gained a bunch of weight snacking to make myself feel better. It wasn't really a conscious decision to put a food band-aid over my pain, I just felt like I HAD to eat. I started here on MFP last month and really had everything going well. But this week has been rough emotionally and physically. I just felt really blah all week and my back went out on Wednesday. I got next to no activity in this week and I'm so discouraged by that and so in pain with my back that I am munching away again. I get really frustrated with myself over this lack of self-control.

I understand. Have severe pain with my osteoarthritis. most days since I started MFP are good. Sometimes I just don't want to log my food. But if you do eat it, write it down, so you can see it and see if it was worth it. Sometimes, if I am home, and I feel like eating but am not hungry, I take a little nap, or make a nice little drink with lemon and stevia.. Or a big pot of tea. I tell myself that if I am still "hungry" when I finish the tea, I can have a snack (except yesterday. I knew I was going to a party and gave myself permission to binge) but the tea usually helps....it's warm and comforting, or a bowl or cup of broth.