Digestive and Bowel Disorders Forum - Could I Have Developed a Digestive Disorder

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Q: Could I Have Developed a Digestive Disorder

asked by: shellydp1970 on June 3rd, 2007

New User

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

Replies(9)

sillyakchick

replied on June 4th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

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

replied on June 4th, 2007

New User

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

replied on June 5th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

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

replied on June 6th, 2007

New User

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

replied on June 8th, 2007

New User

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

replied on June 8th, 2007

New User

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

replied on June 8th, 2007

New User

oops, the internet vendor of the enzymes and probiotics is florahealth.com, not flora.com.

shellydp1970

replied on June 9th, 2007

New User

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!

sillyakchick

replied on June 11th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

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.

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