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AIBU?

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Original poster

Overeating and age

30 replies

Oldbutnotout · 10/04/2023 22:19

I have eaten a lot recently including a massive roast yesterday, an evening meal of snacky bits that filled the plate. And a whole large chocolate egg. Went to bed felt bloated and woke up in the night and was sick several times and then had diarrhoea. Immediately felt better and feel 100% fine today. This has happened a few times in the last couple of years, it's like my body can't cope with the same (too big) portions anymore and I'm having trouble regulating myself. Obviously that's a whole other thread and is very psychological and something I need to really work on. But as a summary is this fairly normal? I'm 39 now and have no other health issues.

YABU age has nothing to do with digestion
YANBU this is normal, we need to eat less with age.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oldbutnotout · 11/04/2023 18:56

No one? Maybe it's just me 🤣

OP posts:
Stripycatz · 11/04/2023 18:59

I don't think that's normal at all.

midgemadgemodge · 11/04/2023 19:01

It's not age
I've always been like that
Too much rich food - sick

Crikeyalmightey · 11/04/2023 19:02

Not just you, I can't eat large amounts of food anymore, without similar effects.
You're going to have to adjust your portion sizes. ☹️
I've had to pretty much stop the wine, also, as terrible headaches. Not worth the pain.

JoeLovesGina · 11/04/2023 19:02

I'm a fair bit older than you and have known this happen to anyone.

MrsDoylesDoily · 11/04/2023 19:05

I mean we do need to eat less as we age, but not as young as 39.

My dad is 90 and his appetite decreased massively in his early 80s because he was less mobile. Having said that, it didn't cause him any digestion problems because he just ate less.

The sickness and diarrhea was probably caused by the large Easter egg.

ReliantRobyn · 11/04/2023 19:06

That's not normal and with a change in bowel habit that is sustained I would see your gp

bellac11 · 11/04/2023 19:08

Yes completely normal. For many years I was a massively volume eater, enjoyed being overfull

But as I approached peri menopause I got more and more bilious with big portions, couldnt finish them, was put off by massive plates of food etc.

I managed to lose some weight and was surprised at just how small the portions could be to keep me satisifed, not like years ago, then Ive had weight loss surgery so cant really compare to 'normal times' but certainly I noticed that theres no way I could eat like I did in my 20s and 30s as I got older.

It never made me sick but did give an upset tummy from time to time. However my partner is regularly sick after eating too much, usually moaning that this or that meal has given him food poisoning when its nothing of the sort, its because he stuffed his face and hes getting older so cant do that anymore.

UsingChangeofName · 11/04/2023 20:27

I agree, that as a generalisation, humans tend to eat less as they get older.
I'm in my 50s and eat less than I did 20 years ago. As a generalisation, retired folk eat less than working age people.
However, 39 seems young for that to kick in.

Throwing up and having diarrhoea doesn't sound 'normal' to me though.

Original poster
Oldbutnotout · 11/04/2023 23:21

I've just realised this has happened twice in the last 3 months and both times have coincided with the start of my period. Is this something I should be concerned about or investigate further?

OP posts:
Original poster
Oldbutnotout · 12/04/2023 09:15

Could this be peri menopause?

OP posts:
User0610139736 · 12/04/2023 09:19

That has started happening to me (similar age to you), haven’t noticed if it’s timed with my periods but for me is definitely that I try to eat low carb and quite wel but sometimes fall off the wagon in a massive way then obviously my body can’t handle it (or maybe there’s some level of gluten intolerance there or something for me)

User0610139736 · 12/04/2023 09:19

Also have a massively more sensitive stomach with alcohol and much more prone to vomiting than I used to be. But again I think not having many carbs means alcohol goes to my head much more.

ThanksForYourHelp · 12/04/2023 09:21

Can be an early sign of gallbladder issues.

Saracen · 12/04/2023 09:29

Interesting. That hasn't happened to me as I got older.

I am in my 50s and I am capable of overeating just as badly as I did when I was younger. My body doesn't rebel like yours does. Unsurprisingly, I am obese.

Each of my kids has gone through a phase lasting several years when they couldn't tolerate much sugar and would feel queasy and sometimes vomit if they ate more than, say, one normal-size chocolate bar in a sitting. I don't remember exactly when those phases were - definitely before the age of 20. Come to think of it, my late MIL used to complain of feeling ill after eating more than one or two chocolates.

Are your problems always related to sugar, OP, or do you also react to overeating when sugar isn't involved?

Skybluepinky · 12/04/2023 09:40

Go to yr GP symptoms sound like your liver mayb struggling.

Darkernights · 12/04/2023 09:51

Why don’t you just stop eating so much? That’s an enormous amount of food to eat in one day. Unless you completed an Iron Man the day before, you don’t need that large volume of food!

SallyWD · 12/04/2023 10:03

I always had a HUGE appetite since childhood. Could eat any man or woman under the table, never felt too full. Now I'm 48 and my appetite has definitely reduced in recent years. I feel physically unable to overeat now. I get very uncomfortable and prefer smaller portions.
I see this as a positive thing as I'm quite slim at a time when I was told most women start putting on weight.

VonWeasel · 12/04/2023 10:35

This has happened a few times to me but only if I over indulge like crazy so think Christmas time or other times when there is loads of food, nibbles, desserts, cheese boards etc along with copious amounts of different alcohol, on the go all day and you end up grazing on top of usual meals. I have woken up feeling sick and then been sick only to feel loads better! I guess eat a bit less?!

GBoucher · 12/04/2023 10:41

Um, eating so much that you end up vomiting is definitely not normal. I think you have an eating disorder. Or something. I would see a doctor.

FrownedUpon · 12/04/2023 10:52

Sorry but I can’t imagine eating so much that I’m physically sick. That amount of food is huge. Surely most adults don’t eat all that in one sitting?

GettingThereCharleyBear · 12/04/2023 10:55

I would get checked out - especially as the timing coincides with your period. Could be something going on internally that is causing issues. Mine was fibroids.

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/04/2023 10:55

Why did you eat until you were bloated and uncomfortable? . Anyone of any age would be sick in those circumstances.

MorrisZapp · 12/04/2023 11:00

I overate chocolate on Sunday and Monday was an interesting bathroom day! I wouldn't worry if it's just a one off. I get 'food hangovers' now and as for actual hangovers, they're hell.

Welcome to middle age, where your sins finally catch up with you.

1930toEdinburgh · 12/04/2023 11:04

A huge roast is v rich. Was there also a dessert?

I'd imagine the snacks were not raw veg and fruit! So probably high fat and rich.

Plus a large egg- that's a massive amount of chocolate!

The issue here is the over eating rich foods rather than anything else imo.

Try smaller portions and less rich food in one day.