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Am I Bulimic?

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Okay, here's what I do:

-purge maybe 5- 10 times per week
-drink laxative tea 1 - 2 times per day or take Milk of Magnesia occassionally at night
-take 1 to 2 diuretics a day

I don't know if that means I'm bulimic. It's all about weighing less.

I'm 40 years old and I've always been healthy, but went on antidepressants a few months ago and have some anxiety issues. It makes me feel like a weak person. Now I'm having some tingling in my face and hands. I'm kind of afraid to call the doctor because I don't want to tell him about the possible bulimia if these symptoms are not caused from it. Anyone have any neurological symptoms like this from builimia? I stay very well hydrated, exercise, and eat a healthy diet. I've gone in and out of this sort of cycle for the past 10 years or so. Sometimes going months without even thinking about purging or using other weight loss aids. Now, I'm in a weight loss program and it's getting worse. Thanks for any help.
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First Helper cf624
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replied October 7th, 2007
i'm no expert but it sounds like you might hav an eating disorder. talk to a friend about how your feeling and try to see a doctor. it's good that you've realised this isn't normal behaviour.

there is nothing weak about having/admitting you have an eating disorder

good luck, hope i've been of some help
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replied November 9th, 2007
hello.
i'm 15 but i go through similar things, though i purge much more than 5 times a week.
what you have does sound like bulemia. using desperate measures to get rid of weight (diuretics, laxatives, purging) and also exercising is taking a toll on your body. you should tell someone and it might help get better.

good luck
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replied November 30th, 2007
Both of u are bulimics and admitting it the first step the next step is taking action because u realize it is SERIOUS. Bulimics can die. I use to be bulimic and I hated it. Yes it may work but it is annoying and painful. I stopped all on my own I just started going out a lot with my friends and didn't eat many times or much when I did so I lost weight without it. I don't eat out much because I am a picky eater (my mom is a REALLY good cook so restuarants don't compare) and I didn't want to spend my money on food. So eventually my body adopted to not always eating. Look bulimia is an endless cycle, u eat u purge, u vomit everything so immidiately u are hungry again so u do it again. It is so pointless if u actually sit down and think about it. U throw up everything. The body needs nutritients and when u !**@! the food goes through the cycle and leaves the nutritients we need and gets rid of the rest. When u throw up everything comes out u get nothing and that's why u feel sick nauses shaky and tingly. Also u get rid of more liquids and become dehydrated. When the body is lacking liquid (water) then u get confused and think ur hungry. My biology teacher told us if u are hungry drink a cup of water and see if u are still hungry, even diets tell u that.
When u eat less and real healthy and exercise then u get a long lasting result with bulimia it's not permanent it's a goal u set up for failure. not only are u addicted to purging but also overeating. I would rather feel good eat healthy exercise and not worry about looking for a toilet to throw up. vomit breath cuts on fingers it's just ugly and God don't like ugly. Also bulimics do not think they are skinny so u need to learn to love urself.
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replied December 8th, 2007
Sympathy
You do fit the criteria for an eating disorder. If you're afraid to say right out to your doctor that you have this problem, could you ask about how to feel better about your body image? I think that's the root of a lot of my issues with an eating disorder, same story of childhood abuse and stress and anxiety now that I'm older. It's a deeply rooted psychological problem, which I think is harder to cope with than the physical symptoms. I want to be thinner, I want to control SOMETHING in my life, so I developed an eating disorder many years ago. Just the past year I've gotten help for it, still struggle most days to keep on trying, but it will help you stay healthier longer. Treatment is gentle, positive and insurance for your health and well-being. Keep us posted, you've made a good start!
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replied December 9th, 2007
What you have described in face is bulimia. If you are forcing yourself to throw up, or using laxitives, in order to remove food from your body, that is concitered bulimia. About your tingling in your hands and feet, you are right I am a certified nurses aid, and that tingling sinsation is probably due to blood presure issues because of the purging. You said you stay well hyderated, but if your purging that many times a day what you put in is probably coming right back out, there four your blood pressure is droping. Even if it is over 120/80, that does not mean you have a health blood pressure, everyone is different. I think it would be a good idea to call your doctor, because this is more than likely related. Im also not sure if your aware of it or not, but the only reason people loose weight through bolemia, is because your body is loosing water, and the energy you spend purging. When you eat the food, as soon as your swallow it, you have put the calories in, throwing the food up really isnt doing much for you but burn at your asophigus and teeth. That is a myth when people say once you put all the calories in you can get them all right back out. You would defiantly do better by just eating the stuff and since your already absorbing the calories rather you purge or not, just let it stay in your stomach while the vitimins and minerals obsorbe too, and exercise rather than purge. Your complection will look better too!
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replied January 10th, 2009
Tingling face and hands
I'm a bulemic and I've had the tingling face and
"hand" (not hands), also. I am positive my hand tingles because I've damaged a nerve. I think I did this by using my fingers to purge. My hand ends up scraped by my teeth. As far as the face, I'm not sure why it tingles, but I thought it might be from pushing on nerves in my cheeks that shouldn't be bothered repeatedly. (I know, this sounds odd, but purging alot has to do something to your cheeks, I suppose.) Anyway, I'm trying to stop but am not successful yet. Good luck to you and I hope you can find the way to kick this addiction.
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replied May 19th, 2010
i think i might be suffering from bulimia,i was 11stone and now im just under 8 stone i've lost the weight in 8months, i start the day having a bowl of cereal then don't eat all day. if i do eat i run straight to toilet to be sick, i can pig out on Chinese and junk food but the be sick, i weigh my self twice a week to see if ive lost weight, and if i put a pound on i get worst. i have mood swings and im always tired.i get tingles in my left hand. i feel like ive got no one to speak to,i have a husband and 3 children but im scared to tell anyone, i really dont no what to do.
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replied May 19th, 2010
see me i try to start the day off eating healthy but it never works out. it seems like all i think about is my weight. i feel fat all the time, and never like the look of my body. i used to binge every single thing i ate until now. Now its like i cant stop eating and i feel disgusting. once i start eating junk food i think to myself, whats the point to stop now, im already fat...then i just continue and binge it out after. it sucks. i used to exercise daily too, but ive gotten to that point "i dont care." i just wish i could stick with eating heathly
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replied May 19th, 2010
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Hi Jenny938....I hear you on eating healthy....I find that eating interesting was, is and always will be my cure for purging...As I sit here at my desk I have a small package of Tootsie Rolls in a drawers as well as a bag of salt less pretzels...These are here in case I get hungry...The candy is in small wrappers and my allowance is two per day...Most days I don't have them...My kitchen is filled with healthy plus good food....I found the secret is that nothing is forbidden....I also have set my own rule of a very small quantity of what I want...I have a daily calorie allowance and I live by the book of carbos...I do this as it is the easiest way to control my eating habits...Maybe not right for everyone, but for me it works...

A person should not eat to get full...They should eat to feel comfortable....Take care....

Caroline
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