Can my throwing up everyday cause me problems in my digestive system and stomache? I've had problems for almost a year now with my intestines and stomache. I've been bleeding when using the bathroom (sorry - I know it's gross) and I have such bad pains in my chest area. Like a burning feeling. It almost feels like something is lodged in my chest. I can't exactly tell my family I've been hiding my ED from them for years - they'd kill me and I can't just tell a Dr I make myself throw up everyday. So I'm asking you guys for help - your advice. Thank you....

Hi Blueyes678,

Throwing up every day can cause SERIOUS problems! You can wear away the lining of your esophagus and cause a tear, and you can RUIN you teeth, along with many other things!!! When I was younger, I used to purge every day after I ate dinner (I ate dinner so my mom would think I was eating normal). Only a short time after I started, I was getting cavities- and I've had 2 root canals since (I'm only 20!!). My stomach was a mess, and when I ate, I would get painful cramps and heart burn. Your burning chest pain could be from heart burn as well. If you restrict a lot, then the bleeding could be from constipation- just a guess :rolleyes: . Anyway, I know what it's like not to be able to tell your parents or go to a Dr. If you truly feel that you can't, then you should try to stop on your own. It's up to you to get better!!! :)

~Nova

o hunny, yes, its true. vomiting daily can do that to you. o man, i am scared for u! thats why i am in recovery. health purposes. never did nothin for 3 days and i have been eating SO good. i want u to do the same. its hard tho....but yes, id go check with the doc. i mean, bleeding? ouch! do ur rents know about ur prob? if not, id tell them. honesty is a BIG step to recovery. my mom watches me like a hawk, but i am getting better. did u consider seeing a counsellor? they help tons!:)

please, do what u can, only U can cure this...not dr, phil. haha

take care hun!

SammYx0x0x:wave:

Oh i know exactly how you feel. This stuff DEFINATELY does mess up quite a few things. I'll go over a week without going to the bathroom and I'll end up using a laxitive to flush it out. I dont take laxitive normally, only when these cases arive.
B/p'ing can also make your tongue, throat and chest all hurt. The pain in your chest sounds like something I went through when I first started my ED. The only thing I can tell you is that getting better or telling a doctor is the only way this will be gone. There is no easy way to fix this all unfortunatly. For the chest pain though, you may want to try something like Mylanta or a heartburn med.
If you are apprehensive about telling a doctor, just think, they see 1,000's of people a year. You definately won't be the first case he/she has had, and no professional will ever think you are a weirdo! They see this kind of thing all of the time. This is what they are here for! These people are getting paid to hear about their problems, so please do consider seeing a doctor, it may be hard, but in the end it will be worth it.
take care love!

I can't exactly tell my family I've been hiding my ED from them for years - they'd kill me and I can't just tell a Dr I make myself throw up everyday. So I'm asking you guys for help - your advice. Thank you....
FYI- Bulimia can kill you too. PS- your parents may be upset and hurt, but will be relieved that you want to change.

I've had eating disorders for about 20 years, after about 16 I developed intestinal pain and diahrea. After having blood tests, barium meal and a colonoscopy (where they put a tube/camera up your bum), they diagnosed Crohns disease. Its not nice, I wish I could have stopped years ago. I havn't always been binging/throwing up throughout that time. There has been months/years (eg when I was pregnant/had young babies) when it took a back seat. But over time the damage has been done. Basically, its inflammation of the small intestines, and causes you to feel wrecked. I've heard of others developing celiac disease, where they can't digest gluten.

The worst pain I ever had, was when I was taking iron tablets. It just made the inflammation worse.

Rosnor...
Did the doctors tell you if you developed Crohns disease as a result of your e.d? I always thought Crohn's was a heredititary or genetic disease. Can celiac disease also result from b/p ing?
Now that you have been diagnosed with such an awful disease...has it been enough of a deterrent to make you stop b/p ing?

I have terrible trouble with my stomach and intestines. I have been experiencing increasingly worse symptoms over the past couple of years. I do experience pain and ALOT of discomfort, diarrhea and difficulty having b/m's ...but I've never had blood in my stool.
My doctor diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome and prescribed Dicetel...but I've never had a colonoscopy or barium test. Do you think I should ask my doctor about having tests done? :confused:

Hi Goldilocks,
The doctor wasn't sure about the crohns being a result of the ed. I know others that have developed intestinal problems after having eating disorders though, and it is mentioned on quite a few sites, and in books. The thing is, you're also getting rid of stomach acid, needed to digest the food you do keep down. This can encourage things like candida and leaky gut. At times I've been so ill with it that I have had to eat very carefully, other times I'm ok, and sometimes the b, creeps back, until I get ill again. The trouble is, I have to watch what I eat carefully, and once in a while I rebel. I never had blood in my stool. When I went to the drs, my husband was worried about the diarrhea and pain, I had a blood test to start with. This showed that I had a high ESR level. It shows the level of inflammation in your body. Mine was over 100, and its supposed to be about 14. This is what made them think it was serious, and got me to see a specialist. If you carry on having a lot of problems, it might be worth you having a blood test. If its ok, then you wont need to go have the other tests, and probably is IBS (which I know can still be dreadful).

I still go through periods of b/v, I know its stupid. I went for 6 wks without, Dec and part of Jan. I just can't seem to make it permanent. I try to restrict the damage, eg, by eating really good healthy foods that I can digest easily most of the time, and limit the no. of times it happens.

I've developed IBS also from bulimia and laxative abuse. The strange thing is that it hasn't stopped me from abusing laxatives. I did stop for awhile but then had a relapse. :nono:

Hi. It's not easy is it? I managed to eat fairly normally when I was pregnant, prob. was at my healthiest then. 3 pregnancies do take it out of you though, and b/feeding! Then, started to slip a bit. Been very up and down since then. Sometimes I feel like I've really got it sorted, others like I'll never be totally free from it. It really messes up my digestion though, because things DO get digested very quickly, and they're things I shouldn't be having (make the inflammation worse). I think I need to have a good close look at the way I'm living right now, and make a few changes.
bbybyrd - How long has your relapse been?

Thanks for the info and advice Rosnor!
I think i will ask my doctor about a blood test.
I know what you mean about stopping the bad habits...even when my stomach is a complete mess...i don't seem to learn. Anything can seem to push me over the edge and the next thing i know...I'm b/p ing again.
It's just so hard to stop...especailly when it's gone on for so long.
I started off anorexic...but then became bullemic and it's gotten progressively worse ever since. It has been 12 years since it all started now.
I'm hoping to have a family as well in a few years...but I haven't had a regular menstrual cycle in years. I'm also worried that I wouldn't be able to stop the b/p ing if I were ot get pregnant...it's a terrifying thought.
I'm glad you were able to control it during your pregnancy.
Have you found that since having kids things have change with your e.d. at all? Or is it more difficult?

BTW
Just wondering...do you happen to know if more acid in the stomach helps digestion...or does less acid speed up the digestion process.
I have often found 'sitting' with food after i eat is really uncomfortable...and I have a hard time resisting the urge to purge even when I have eaten a non-binge healthy meal. It seems like it takes forever for me to digest food...I absolutely hate feeling full and bloated. Should i be taking antacids? Or does more acid in the stomach help food to digest quicker?

take care everyone!
goldilocks

Rosnor, I relapsed last month. I haven't taken any laxatives in the past couple of weeks so I'm slowly getting back on track. :nono:

Hi Goldilocks, I started off with anorexia too. By the time I had children, it had been bulimia for a few years, but I had been to counselling, and through many help books, and more or less had it under control. I wish I could forget about it all, and eat like normal all of the time. Its always in the background though. Dealing with cooking meals for everyone is the hardest part. In some ways it helps to have regular meal times, but coping with left overs has always been a problem for me. My mum used to force us to eat all our food up, even if we were gagging on it. I try to make meal times more relaxed, and don't force my kids to eat stuff they dont like. Throwing away their leftovers is something I've had to force myself to do. It does get easier though. My girls are more aware now, so I have to be sure to eat normally around them, they're used to my strange eating habbits (ultra healthy), ie I dont eat much wheat because of the crohns, so when they're having sandwiches, I'm eating home made soup. If I hadn't have had children, I dread to think what I'd be like. Well, I'd still be working (if I were alive that is). I'd have a totally different life. I dont know if my ed would be better or worse. Sometimes I think I really have it sussed. Its something that is happening less and less now, hopefully one day it will all be a distant memory.

When we eat a meal we do need adequate stomach acid to digest it properly. Antacides wont help, but something like probiotics will, or a tsp apple cider vinegar in a glass of water (yuk I know), or even a vit c tablet, will help. I find that when I've not b/p for a week or so, digestion gets a lot easier, as I suppose your stomach gets more used to the fact that the food is stopping in! And of course, the stomach acid hasn't been purged.

Tale care too.

bbybyrd, That's good! How are you managing with your diet and everything? I always find that it's the first few days that are the hardest. After that it gets easier (for me anyway). Do you find this? Then, its keeping going, finding other ways of dealing with things. When I'm not b/p for long stretches, I get more emotional, and if anything happens, I can't deal with it as well. I think when I'm b/p regularly, it stops me feeling as much, without it I feel more raw. In the summer I go outside and dig the garden, when I want to vent. But mostly, its a sort of sadness that creeps up on me. Nothing serious though, and I know its natural to feel that way at times, and its not natural to binge and purge to deal with life. I'll get there yet, and so will you.
Good luck.

Thanks again for the info Rosnor!
Speaking of probiotics...i had actually just bought some acidophillus. I've heard good things about it, so I thought I would give it a try. I've been told that it is supposed to balance out the enzymes in your stomach and is supposed to help with IBS symptoms...but for some reason...it had never occurred to me that it might also help the digestion process.
I hope all the hype about it is true!!

Thanks for sharing the peek into your family life!
Just curious...do you worry that your girls might face the same problems as you have experienced?
I often wonder how having kids would change my life (not that i want to have children just to 'fix' my problems!) I do wonder how having something in my life that was bigger and more important than my own obsessions would affect me. I often feel so selfish...as though my e.d. has completely consumed my life so that i haven't been able to give back to others - whether it's friends and family (including kids!) OR those who have it so much worse off than i do. There are so many people in the world that don't have enough to eat...and here i am 'wasting it' on a pretty regular basis.
Sorry...didn't mean to get so morose.

I do know what you mean about the leftover issue!
When i do eat...it seems as though i am never satisfied by what i have eaten...i just can't seem to stop thinking about eating more...i can't concentrate on ANYTHING until i have binged (often on leftovers) or gotten rid of everything.
I have such a fine line between eating something that i am 'ok' with...and a binge. Oftentimes just one more bite, one more cracker, one more glass of juice...and i've crossed the line into binge territory...then i can't stop.
I seem to be either in aonorexic mode...or bullemic mode and i can't seem to find a normal middleground.
It's so frustrating.
Oops...i seem to be going on and on ...again!
SORRY! :rolleyes:

Hi bbybyrd!

Congrats to you for getting back on track again!
I used to take laxatives...A LONG time ago...but then after doing the research on the damage they can cause...and moreover that they don't help you lose weight...i stopped.
You probably already know...but just in case you aren't aware...
Laxatives don't prevent your body from absorbing the caloreis from food (that happens in your intestines i believe). The only thing it will do is rid your body of liquids...which is misleading on the scales because you lose water weight...but not actual body weight.
Laxatives are SO hard on your kidneys and bowel functions...they will probably agravate you IBS if you are abusing them! If you become too dehydrated as a result of using them...they can have a severe impact on your eloectrolyte levels (which regulate your heart fuctions)
PLEASE BECAREFUL!
You seem to have been doing well these last couple of weeks...that's amazing...you're stronger than you think!!

BTW...I was just discussing this with Rosnor...regarding the IBS...Probiotics are supposed to help (it's a 'good' bacteria that is oftne found in yogurt)
It's supposed to help normalize the chemical balance in your stomach. I'm going to give it a try anyway...thought you might be interested as well.
I'm using on called 'Acidophillus'.
I'll let you know the verdict after a few days!

Take care...and stay strong!
Goldilocks

Hi goldilocks, the probiotics are good. I find they make a big difference. Sometimes if I've eaten a bit later, I wouldn't be able to sleep well. I'd be restless, and itchy. Recently, since taking probiotics, this doesn't happen. I think, digesting protein was the iffy one for me. Also, I've found eating fruit after a dinner doesn't work. Wind, gripes etc.

My children have a pretty healthy attitutde to food. I think with me being more 'aware' than most, I know the pitfalls. I'd never dream of saying some of the things that my mum said to me. ('if you eat that, you'll get fat' sort of things). Yes, they like chocolate, and crisps, but they also eat most of the dinners I put in front of them. I don't really worry about it any more than the thought of them taking to drugs, although I do think I'd pick up on any problems fairly early on as we have a very close relationship, and I'm with them a lot. I don't remember my Mum being around much, and I'm sure she had her suspicions, but her way of dealing with it, was to ignore it, like she did about most things. I dont really blame her (now anyway), she's had her own worries, but because of the way we were brought up, it has shown me how NOT to be with my children.

That 'one bite too many' is a sly one isn't it? I know it doesn't make any sense, one bite, but at the time its major, opening up the floodgates to major binge. I don't have anorexic modes any more, just 'ultra healthy' or bulimic. These days I'm alright mostly. It's after our dinner (evening) that I have trouble with. I eat an ok dinner, then get confronted with leftovers (of stuff I havn't had). You know the rest. When I have things planned afterwards, I find it ok. Its harder when I'm tired. Sometimes its a state of mind thing.

bbybyrd, That's good! How are you managing with your diet and everything? I always find that it's the first few days that are the hardest. After that it gets easier (for me anyway). Do you find this? Then, its keeping going, finding other ways of dealing with things. When I'm not b/p for long stretches, I get more emotional, and if anything happens, I can't deal with it as well. I think when I'm b/p regularly, it stops me feeling as much, without it I feel more raw. In the summer I go outside and dig the garden, when I want to vent. But mostly, its a sort of sadness that creeps up on me. Nothing serious though, and I know its natural to feel that way at times, and its not natural to binge and purge to deal with life. I'll get there yet, and so will you.
Good luck.

I've been eating regularly...trust me my sister is making sure of that. Yes, it gets easier for me also after making it through the first few days. My main problem is that I'm not good at dealing with my emotions. I try everything I possibly can to numb myself so I don't feel anything. That's something that i need to work harder on stopping. It drive my therapist crazy that after three years I'm still trying to stop my emotions. My eating schedule has been thrown off these past few days though. I'm in the process of moving in with my sister so I've been pretty busy this week. Hopefully by the weekend we should be all moved in and I can get back on a regular sleep and eating schedule. :nono:

Hi bbybyrd!

Congrats to you for getting back on track again!
I used to take laxatives...A LONG time ago...but then after doing the research on the damage they can cause...and moreover that they don't help you lose weight...i stopped. You probably already know...but just in case you aren't aware...Laxatives don't prevent your body from absorbing the caloreis from food (that happens in your intestines i believe). The only thing it will do is rid your body of liquids...which is misleading on the scales because you lose water weight...but not actual body weight. Laxatives are SO hard on your kidneys and bowel functions...they will probably agravate you IBS if you are abusing them! If you become too dehydrated as a result of using them...they can have a severe impact on your eloectrolyte levels (which regulate your heart fuctions)
PLEASE BECAREFUL!
You seem to have been doing well these last couple of weeks...that's amazing...you're stronger than you think!!
Take care...and stay strong!
Goldilocks

Thanks for the encouragement. My IBS is definitely affected by the laxative abuse. I know that it doesn't help with weight loss...it's more like a release thing with me. I just need that feeling of something leaving my body...like a cleansing. I hope that makes sense. :nono:

Hi bbybyrd!

It makes perfect sense...i do know what you mean.
I always feel so much better after that 'heavy' and bloated feeling is gone. Like you said...its sort of a release.
Its like starting over fresh again.
As much as i hate to admit it...i often weigh myself after a bm even though i KNOW perfectly well that body weight DOES fluctuate naturally. I always feel physically better (from the discomfort) and psychologically better after seeing the numbers on the scale are a bit lower (sometimes). It's crazy isn't it!! It really shouldn't matter AT ALL! I guess its a control thing. I'm trying to break that habit...but I haven't built up the courage to toss my scales just yet.

I kind of have a strange 'cleansing' routine after b/p ing too...I have a tendency to take hour long showers afterwards..Its a bit like I'm washing all my problems and disgust with myself away and getting a fresh start....i seem to have ALOT of 'fresh starts' though!

Do you think moving in with your sister will help you at all?
Is she supportive?

take care.
goldilocks

Moving in with my sister will help me financially because I'm on disability so we can split the rent. She always encourages me also to eat right (I'm also diabetic) and keep my appearance up. She decided that she wants to be a foster mom/adopt so I'm moving in with her (we got a three bedroom apartment) to help with the child. It's going to take 6 months and we went to our first class last night. So it will be beneficial for me living with her because I love kids. :nono:

Hi guys!
I don't know if this is wishful thinking...but I THINK that after only having been on probiotics (acidophillus) for just over a day or so...that it is ALREADY starting to help!

Rosnor...is it supposed to work that quickly...or am I being overly optomistic?
I guess i'm just worried that i'm getting my hopes up too high!
I just get so drained from having stomach problems all the time...it interferes with everything. I'm either feeling bloated, gassy and backed up, in pain...or running to the washroom. I've missed exams, been late for classes and work...and often have to back out of plans just because I can't seen to get my stomach under control. It gets 100 x worse when I'm stressed out. It's so frustrating dealing with this on top of preoccupations with food AND feeling so tired and energyless all of the time.

Bbybyrd...Good luck with the big move and your foster niece/nephew!
It sounds like you have alot to look forward to! It's alot of responsibility but I have always thought that if I had someone more important in my life whom I was responsible for...that i might see the bigger picture and be less preoccupied with my own 'issues'.
I hope all goes well!

Here's hoping for a better day ahead!
Goldilocks

Hi! Yes, they can work quick, they'll help digest the food easier. If you have them in the evening they can help your sleep too, as your body wont have to work so hard with digestion. I used to have the same trouble, food sitting around in the stomach for too long. Sometimes water does this too. I can hear it sloshing around for ages, I dont think I absorb it well, and if its got something else in it (like tea,:)) , it is absorbed better.

bbybyrd, Good luck on the move and everything. Sometimes changes in our life help us to see things differently, and can help us to set ourselves new ways of doing things. On the emotions thing, can you maybe set yourself say 5 mins, to think about what is bothering you (or one of the things that sometimes does). You could even set an alarm clock. Do it regularly when you have the time, once a day? or so.
You could write it down, then at the end of the 5 mins, maybe rip it up. Get up and go do something else, don't dwell on it. Give yourself this time to really consider things you normally wouldn't, in the knowledge that you can let it go when the time is up. Sound mad? Just an idea. Good luck. :) :)

I do keep a journal on a regular basis but these past two months have been so hectic that I haven't had much time to write in it. It's packed up now but I'm definitely going to get back into that because it helped me a lot. :nono:

Try to do all you can to stop otherwise the stomach problems will get much worse. I was bulimic for almost two years. In the beginning I did it up to 5 or six times a day. Sometimes to the point of passing out. I lived alone so noone knew what was happening until my mom figured it out. It took a while for my stomach to recouperate. I still have stomach and intestinal problems. I don't know if they will ever go away.

Hi latinlovely! I notice this is your first post, so welcome.
Can I ask, how long ago since you've been ok? And are you truly ok now?
Well done. I've been up and down so many times, but ok-ish at the moment.
I have been diagnosed with Crohns. I think the bulimia was partly to blame for this. I may have developed it anyway, who knows, but it sure doesn't help. Because of this, I can't absorb iron, so have to have injections.