Could I Have Developed a Digestive Disorder Posted: 06-03-07 20:59pm
Hi... I have been a functioning bulimic
for over 15 years now with no health or
dental problems. I binge and purge
sometimes 2-3 times a week and I dont
binge with huge amounts of food. I
sometimes go weeks or months without
binging or purging. But, I still know
that I am a bulimic.
As I said, I have not had any health
problems that have ever been contributed
to the bulimia. But, all of a sudden I
have had something wrong and need someone
to tell me if it could be related to the
binging and purging.
About 3 weeks ago I noticed a change in my
bowel habits. I used to be regular, going
once a day. I purchased a herbal colon
cleanse and used it by directions then
stopped and that is when all this started.
I dont abuse laxatives and this is the
1st time I have tried a colon cleanse. I
bought it for reasons other than weight
loss... just to have a "clean start".
Anyway... now a good month after stopping
the colon cleanse I cannot go to the
bathroom. I have even had to try
laxatives a couple of times, but they
simply help me with one small bowel
movement and that is it. Along with that,
I am experienceing a feeling of fullness,
nausea, abdominal tenderness and I did
have a sharp pain between my shoulder
blades one evening and the next day.
I visited my Doc. and he stated that it
sound like my gall bladder and we did the
ultrasound.. negative and a hida test?
(hope thats right term) and it too was
negative. I did however experience some
symptoms during the test so my Doc wants
to remove it anyway.
I have been all over the internet trying
to diagnose myself. I have noticed that
the last few times I purged it was hours
after the meal and my food was not really
digested. So I started wondering if I
could have developed gastroparesis or
something else? I hate hate hate to
think I will be removing my gall bladder
when there is the possibility that
something else is going on. My Doc hasnt
dealt with Bulimics much and didnt really
think that with the infrequency of my
purging that I could have caused something
else.
I am also posting this in the gall bladder
portion of the forum just incase the
symptoms I am describing may be somthing
else, even if it isnt related to the
bulimia.
I appreciate a quick response as they are
trying to scedule surgery for Tuesday
|
sillyakchick
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Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2690
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Posted: 06-04-07 18:32pm
Hi Shelly;
I have not had any experience with bulemia
and gall bladder disease, but i do think
that this can have some negative effects
on your GB. i had celiac disease and
vomited or had diarhea for at least 15
years every day. My gastro also thought
this was unrelated to my GB problems. I
have done subsequent research and have
learned that diruptions in digestion can,
in fact "confuse" the gall bladder, so to
speak. After i had mine out, it simply
compounded the problem, and no i am stuck
with something even worse. I have not
previously heard of constipation being a
symptom of GB disease. What about waiting
a while and see how you feel before having
it removed? If your symptoms are not
severe, there should be no reason to rush
into surgery. Perhaps a second opinion is
in order?
Wishing you the best of luck.
|
shellydp1970
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 11 Location: oklahmoa
Posted: 06-04-07 21:37pm
I appreciate your sincerity. I did go to
a gastroenterologist today for a second
opinion. He doesnt want to do gb
surgery... thankfully. He wants to "scope
both ends". Doesnt sound like fun but I
think it is better to find out what is
really going on than simply removing body
parts!!
Again thanks
|
sillyakchick
Supporter
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2690
Thanks: 5
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Posted: 06-05-07 09:30am
well, that sounds like a good idea.
Truly, the scope is not so bad. I have
had it done countless tmes, and although
it's not like a party, the sedating drugs
are nice. Have a good nap and let me know
what they find.
|
keirstenlee
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 5 Location: United States
Posted: 06-06-07 16:09pm
Have you had your thyroid level checked? I
had problems with my stomach not digesting
food (for hours, like you), got really
full really fast, threw up a lot after
eating b/c I just couldn't keep it down
(it just seemed to push up on that
sphincter in there), heartburn and lots of
burping. Like my stomach just wasn't doing
anything. I ended up going on thyroxine
for subclincial hypothyroidism (apparently
a deficiency in thyroid hormone can lead
to slowed digestion, both upper and lower
GI). It cleared it up completely. Even
after a week I was feeling better. Did
have a few days of what must have been
esophageal spasm, I guess as things "woke
up" again, really unpleasant, but that
passed. Low thyroid can lead to all kinds
of stuff. Might want to check it out, it's
not an expensive test.
|
shellydp1970
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 11 Location: oklahmoa
Posted: 06-08-07 07:44am
I havent had my thyroid tested. My family
physician was so sure it was my gall
bladder that he tested nothing else and
when the tests were negative he still
suggested having it out. He called a
gastroenterologist to get it removed and
the specialist refused saying that he
needed to check me. He did the scopes
yesterday and said my colon was clear but
that he took a biopsy of my stomach lining
because it didnt look like it should. So
I am curious what that may be but wont
know until tuesday.
I have wondered about my thyroid, because
along with this I have really been
struggling with my weight. I havent been
eating much and when I do, I feel
horrible... like this morning, I have had
a handful of dry cereal and a cup of
coffee. I feel like I have eaten a full
meal and my abdomen hurts.
I think I will mention my thyroid to the
specialist ... Thanks
|
keirstenlee
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 5 Location: United States
Posted: 06-08-07 10:48am
Wow, sounds even more like me -- I
struggled with my weight too, I hardly ate
anything (and frequently "un-ate" it, ha),
and exercised regularly, and couldn't lose
one stinking pound. Usually the weight
would fall off even I just increased my
activity a little. Started taking
thyroxine in May last year, and even
though my stomach problems resolved, I
didn't really start losing weight until
the end of the year. I think it can take
time to get things really rolling again.
Word to the wise too - even if you fall
within the "normal" range, you may still
need supplementation if you are at the low
end of "normal"-- "subclinically"
hypothyroid. Don't just take their word
for it that you are "normal" -- ask to see
the lab results so you can see for
yourself if you are near the low end. If
you are, insist that they do a trial of
thyroxine. If they won't do it, you may
wish to try a naturopath --they seem less
married to the reference ranges and they
can prescribe thyroxine. Apparently some
people in the medical community are
looking at stretching the reference range
down a bit, as the current range may be
skewed by a high incidence of
hypothyroidism in the population -- the
reference range, from what I understand,
is simply based on average thyroid levels
in the population. If hypothyroidism is
your problem, supplementation will
probably help your bowels too. I would
also recommend some supplements developed
by Udo Erasmus, a nutritionist -- namely
his enzyme blend and his probiotic blend.
It has helped me TREMENDOUSLY with
constipation and bloating, and I've lost 5
pounds on it. You can learn about his
products/nutritional philosophy at
udoerasmus.com, and his products are
available through flora.com. (Be sure to
keep them refrigerated) Good luck! Stick
up for yourself with your doctors!!!!! And
do your own research. From my experience
medical doctors are prone to ignorance and
poor judgment.
|
keirstenlee
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 5 Location: United States
Posted: 06-08-07 13:17pm
oops, the internet vendor of the enzymes
and probiotics is florahealth.com, not
flora.com.
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shellydp1970
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 11 Location: oklahmoa
Posted: 06-09-07 08:03am
I decided to look at hypothyroidism on the
net and I think I will have my doc run the
test just to rule it out. Along with all
my other symptoms, I also told him that I
was very tired, that my period had been
really out of whack for the last 3 months
after years of it being regular, that my
hair and skin were dry and that I am
always very cold. He ran a test to see if
I was going through early menopause!!
I appreciate your insight and will let you
know what happens!
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sillyakchick
Supporter
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2690
Thanks: 5
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Posted: 06-11-07 10:34am
I sure hope you find the answer you are
looking for. Please follow up to let us
know so that others can be helped by the
information you receive.
