Expert: Joanne - 3/6/2008

Question
After reading what you posted in an earlier answer I am so scared for my life. I have been bulimic since I was 13 and I am now 21. I have known that it was a bad thing to do and wish that I never found this horrible thing. Since I was 17 I have been trying to control my eating disorder on my own terms but there were times where I did go back to my old ways. I have struggled so hard to try to stop it and I know I need professional help. This is what you posted: Terry was a bulimic for many years prior to ending up like this. Her heart failure did not occur while she was active in her bulimia and so, no official cause of her heart failure was recorded (but everyone who knows, knows it was the result of bulimia).
Most bulimics who use purging will be found dead with their heads in the toilet. Others will suffer heart failure at any time, during any activity. Still, others will have their esophagus spontaneously rupture and die, slowly and in agony, drowning in stomach acid and blood. I think that this is a scary thing to write since I fear that from just trying to stop purging I could just end up spontaneously rupturing my esophagus. Is this true? I have not seen blood when I have thrown up since many years ago or at least I believe but I make sure everytime. I know what I am doing is very wrong but the above statement further makes me fear every minute that passes by in my life because that is my biggest fear:( Is this really possible? If you stop purging your esophagus will rupture our of nowhere? If thats true Im calling 911 right now. I guess im just overwhelmed by this statement, it makes fear the instituter and leaves no hope. Please help me maybe better understand. I know I need help, I know I need to check how I am doing, I know this but sometimes I do relapse and thats the hardest thing for me. The worst thing is knowing what i am doing is wrong and crying to get myself to stop. how you respond soon. cheers


Answer
Vanessa

I would like to point out that I did not post this in an answer at any time, and I looked into it and found that it was in an answer of another expert.

I have no doubt that the story is most likely true, but I don't think that I could have worded it as bluntly as that!  It is possible for your oesohpagus to rupture, but this does not happen in the majority of cases, providing you get treatment soon, you should be in that majority.  If you ever see blood again, get that checked out.  Usually it turns out to be scratches at the back of the throat, but there are occasions when this may be a lot more serious and shouldn't be ignored.

I wouldn't worry too much about rupturing your oesophagus right at this moment, but would suggest that you visit your Doctor, be honest with her/him and ask for a full physical, before asking for some help towards recovering.

Please get back in touch if you would like to ask anything else or discuss anything further.

All the best
Joanne