Hi.
I surely haven't been suffering from my eds for so long, but I stick to the idea that there's always hope. You can do it.
If you need to talk, just say something to me! You are strong!

hi , i'm 31 and I became bulimic when I was 23. I've been struggling with ed since I was 16. I can't get any help right now, because even if i'm married I feel like i"m alone and there are no doctors where I live who can give me a hand; but if you can get help and you want it for the last time do it , do it, do it, it's very good that you feel like it's enough. Don't worry about the recover...It will come naturally...Just start it...You can do it.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I am sorry that there is nobody in your area that can help you.

5 years with a break of 9 months then lapse for 2 years (currently).

God damn xmas blows with all this talk of losing weight -.-*

completely.... :\

I'm 40. I posted a reply earlier to another post and thought I was bulimic for approx. 12 years but in replying to your post, I realize it's longer! Thanks! Haha! I started when I was 19 and quit the day I was pregnant for my daughter at 26. I was recovered for 6 years and then relapsed. So currently it's been about 7 years. In total, about 14 years.

I'd meant to mention that I have just started on medication and am currently 4 days recovered!!! Woohoo! I have never gone even 1 day in the last 7 years, so that's a big step for me! The medication is working for me. I am hopeful it continues.

Pleased to hear you're getting help. What medication are you on if you don't mind me asking? Pregnancy has been the only time that I have been ok, hence I have children. It's my children and family that hold me in check to a certain extent.

Meant to put 4 children!

Hi! I just started on prozac (a generic brand). It's the first time i've ever taken a medication of this sort (i never would have believed it could help), but it's definately making a difference.

4 children! Wow! I have 2. It sure puts a whole different spin on being sick then when I was younger. Back then, I didn't really care, but now i've been hating that I can't get better and I do it all to myself. It would devistate my kids if anything happened to me. I'm self-employed as well and can't even afford a sick day. And my 2 are involved in so much and I hold it all together. My husband and I have recently seperated and he is living close by with a new girlfriend, and even that we have made work to the positive. Our kids have adjusted very well and we all get along wonderfully. I'm excited to be in my new family with just the 3 of us (i've wanted it for years! Haha!) and it is definately more peaceful here. My husband and I never really fought, but we realized a long time ago we'd drifted apart and were only staying for the kids. It's great we've both been alble to start new lives and have made it a positive thing for the kids. This is mostly what has inspired me to get better, and realize how much the kids need me.

The prozac has definately changed my reactions to things as well. I feel less anxious about everything and a lot more relaxed. It has certainly helped with my moods which the bulimia wrecks havoc on and in turn, I have been more fun with the kids. That, and of course, it has definately stopped my urges to binge. I can't believe how I just don't get that urge any more. It's like all my interest in food has disappeared. However, I do still feel hunger, but am able to only eat til I know i've had some proper nourishment and can maintain the weight i'm at now (which i'm satisifed with - just could always add that extra bit of toning!!! Haha!). I have no desire to overeat anymore. And I have been feeling so much better already. I had everything from chest pains, numb hands and feet, dizziness, severe heartburn, no energy, etc. Etc. But already much of that is dissipating and i'm generally feeling better in such a short time.

I'm soooo glad to have made the decision to start on medication. It's not to say I won't have bad days (although I stopped cold turkey before for 5 years - so who knows?), but my outlook is waaayayyyy more hopeful then before I started the prozac and I didn't think anything would help then.

It would be interesting to find out if anyone else has found the medication to make that much difference.

Thanks for your reply. It's great to hear you sounding so positive. Am I right in thinking prozac is an anti depressant? Have often wondered if lifting my mood would stop me obsessing so much about food and my weight etc.Have an assessment appointment today.Take care and ta.

..

And doesn't prozac cause addiction? How can it help fighting and ed?

Many meds are addictive. I have no idea how hard it will be to come off prozac when it's time, but after 14 years of bulimia, it's time to change my addiction! Haha! I'm actually not one to take much medication, so I am hopeful that I will just let it serve it's purpose and then go from there. I truly feel even if I end up on it for longer then I expected, the risks far outweigh the health issues from the bulimia. And the cost of the medication is a fraction of what I was spending on bingeing.

Have just come back from an assessment and the assessor is going to refer me to a psychiatrist with the recommendation that I start a high dose course of prozac. Also that a psychologist will be able to help once my mood has been lifted. So glad I went today, though I nearly legged it when they said he was running late. Best wishes to all.

that's a happy way of seeing things!

..

Ok, maybe it will be a lighter addiction then it would be cool..

Detsi, that's great! I'm glad you took that step to seek medical help. That's the one step I couldn't bring myself to yet, hence ordering the medication online without a prescription and researching the dosage myself. I've never done that and I knew it was a gamble but luckily it worked out. What dose of prozac did your Dr. Recommend? The makers of prozac themselves recommend 60mg per day for bulimia. I started at 40mg but just moved up to 50mg last night to be sure. They suggest you take it in the morning, but I decided to take it in one dose at 10pm before bed every night instead. That way, if I mess up and binge in the am, i'm not purging the pills. It seems to be working. I always would feel the urge to binge as soon as I ate breakfast, and now on the medication I can eat a small breakfast and there's no urge. I really hope it works as well for you too. I don't think it's a miracle cure, I think you have to absolutely want and be prepared to make a go of getting better when you start the medication, and that it is just a huge boost to help you along. I used it as a goal while waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I treated the day the medication arrived like I treated the day I found out I was pregnant for the first time. That was my goal then and I stopped the bulimia cold turkey for 5 years.

Are you still with your husband and does he know?

Allie, I was never a huge fan of medication myself, but you're right. Many other things are much more harmful.

V00d00, I guess it's the same as if you had to take blood pressure pills or insulin. It took me a while to get my head around it and start on the pills. I've even been going a nutural way and using aroma and sound therapy and essential oils. It all works well together though. Every little bit helps ! :p