23 years of anorexia & bulimia taking is toll on my body

[WiganLass1984]

I'm Nearly 35 & had a couple of years of anorexia at 12/13 which somehow developed into bulimia which is taking its toll on my body, for the last week I've been getting severe pains in my chest at night which don't go for hours - I know you should never google but I have & I think I have acid reflux maybe a hernia caused by all the wretching making myself sick. I did end up telling my husband a few years ago but I think he thinks I haven't done it since cos he's never mentioned it! I can't remember what my life was like without it does anyone else think that?

[WiganLass1984]

Gosh not been on here for so long, what I thought was acid reflux was actually gallstones/gallbladder attacks which I was eventually rushed to a&e for early Sept last year & had my gallbladder removed almost a year ago!

[suziejac]

I had bulimia for 2-3 years...I eventually saw a therapist who specialised in eating disorders and it was the light at the end of the tunnel...I had similar pains that you are describing and never felt particularly well due to all the vomiting . Bulimia made me secretive and I felt shameful...it's a nasty illness,I hid it very well from my husband until the point I thought I don't want to live in this prison...it was all I could think about. If you can afford it go for a private therapist in terms of treating the illness,the nhs wouldn't do anything for me unless my weight was dangerously low. But I would go to the gp and say that you have chest pains. If you ever want to PM me more than welcome x

[WiganLass1984]

Thank you so much I'll definitely go to my doctor & tell him
I think I might have a hernia, if he looks in my history & asks me directly I'll probably have to be honest but if not maybe he'll refer me for a scan to check it out. I really appreciate the advice

[cavalier]

Good luck please get help

[saralola]

Hello,

After ever binge and purge have a sachet of Dioralyte. Obviously mix it with water. This will replace the water and salt you have lost from throwing up.

You probably do have hiatal hernia which is pushing against your diaphragm.

If you do not want to mention your bulimia then don't because I know someone who has had bulimia most their life and had this problem but not once mentioned it to their GP. Treatment is very long but definitely get it checked out.

Good luck.

[DaisyChainsGetBroken]

If you are regularly vomiting your potassium and other electrolytes can be dangerously bad. One of the main causes of death in eating disorders is heart problems. This is more important than life insurance.

[WiganLass1984]

Hi no I haven't, what would I even ask for? My GP doesn't know I still have this & I've had issues before getting life insurance when I've declared it - now they ask in the last 5 years have you had xyz so I can say no as it's longer than that since I spoke to my doctor about it...

[DaisyChainsGetBroken]

Have you had your bloods done yest? Please go and get them done tomo at gp. Electrolyte levels can be badly disturbed in bulimia and cause heart issues. Not to scare you but is important. It is a horrid illness