Expert: Dawn McNamara - 2/13/2011

Question
hi there, i'm 18 and i have been sort of binge eating for 2 years now,, not terible though, sometimes i dont , but is has been goin on for 2 years (btw i used to be teribly underweight)
my question is just that fir the last to years i have had problems with my stomach,, is it possible to get terible stomach pains/cranps after eating too much?? I was sort of binge eating thursday and thursday night i had the most terible pains i've ever experienced-- i coulkdnt sleep at all!! and i've been feeling half sick till 2day-- which is sunday-- i'm finally starting to feel better now. Is it possible for the stomache to hurt this much?? i'm trying to stop though-- i havent made my self through up since last year , so i am making progress. It just makes me sad to think that i have never had a healthy relationship with food!! please let me know if the stomache pains is normal to binge eating??
thanx

Answer
Hi there!
First .. congrad's on getting your purging under control! That's a huge milestone!
It sounds to me like you've battled with anorexia as well in the past. I strongly urge that you get to your doctor  and get this checked out by a health professional.
 That said, there are a lot of things that be causing your pain, all of which are potentially Ed related. Tears in the stomach lining- very dangerous, Hernias, pancreatitis, gastroparesis, bacterial infection, stomach ulcer (caused by constant stomach acid), stomach and intestinal spasms, and intestinal blockages all of which are potentially dangerous.
Unfortunately these problems can be incredibly painful and long-lasting, and almost all of them can lead to greater health problems if they are not treated immediately. But in time they can be reversed.  
  Your on the right track, but I do fear there has been damage you need to get to the bottom of. You will probably find that when you get a diagnosis, and get treatment  your cravings to binge may lessen a great deal too. It will take time though. You will have to recondition your digestive tract.
 You can do this, but you need to be painfully honest with your doctor. Otherwise you could drag out his ability to diagnose whats going on quickly. And I think you need to move fast on this.
It will get better, believe me. In the meantime suck down some soft foods (yogurt, soups ect.) this will be less taxing on your digestion. go slow, and give yourself credit for how far you've already come.
Hugs, dawn