Expert: Meg - 3/6/2011

Question
Hi Meg

I have never talked to anyone about this before but i find typing on the computer a lot easier than talking to my doctor or someone in person. I've been suffering with bulimia for nearly a year now and it started with chewing and spitting which i never knew was an eating disorder until i googled it after being concerned about how addicted i was.

My bulimia starting with purging only in the eveings when my family was out, to throwing up every meal i ate regardless of whether people were in or not, i would just run the bath.

There are numerous reasons why i want to stop this more than anything and most of them involve having pains. I have skipped the last 4 periods, had continous heart pains when i breathe in and my stomach is always swollen and painful. i also have dry lips and am always thirsty i must drink about 4 litres of water a day which is more than what your meant to but i cant help it. I have also not been to the toilet properly in about 2 weeks and have to use laxatives on a regular basis which again i know is bad for you.

Since ive had this i have gained weight, i used to be 120lbs and i am now 130lbs i have always wanted to loose weight and i thought this would help me loose it but instead ive gained 10lbs.
Do you think my metabolism will fully recover and be able to digest food at a normal paste without continuing to gain weight?
I work out every day of the week, cardio 5 times and resistance training twice,i also havnt purged in 2 days which is a record since i started as i have been watching a lot of videos to put me off, the thing i need helping to stop with more is the chewing and spitting because its this that leads me to binging and then purging.

I havent had the pains in a while either as i have eased of the bulimia only purging once a day since 2 days ago. But should i still be worried about my periods as i am not underweight my BMI is 22 which im hoping to get down to 19/20. My body fat percentage is 32.5 which i really cant understand as that seems way to high, do you think this has anything to do with the bulimia and will i be able to stop without proffesional help?

Harriet

Answer
Hi Harriet,

Thanks for your question and I hope that I can be of some help.  I'm so sorry that you are going through this and hope that you can begin to take some steps towards recovery soon.

Chewing and spitting is actually not all that uncommon, though I totally understand it being a really difficult thing to talk with a doctor or anyone in person about.  It happens with both anorexia and bulimia and although it seems like a safer alternative to purging, it can still wreak havoc on your system.  

Here is an article I found, though oddly there still doesn't seem to be as much written about this (which is odd as so many people suffering from eating disorders do this).

http://wearetherealdeal.com/2010/12/18/chewing-and-spitting-an-eating-disorder-o...

I wish I could find something more technical about the medical risks, as I know I have read something like this but can't seem to locate it tonight.  In any case, this behavior can lead to weight gain as well as messing with your digestive system as food begins the digestion process with saliva in the mouth.  If the process begins but then the food doesn't arrive in the stomach, your body can be thrown out of whack.  Also, as the article mentioned, chewing and spitting can lead to even more hunger due to insulin levels.  And, as you have seen, can start up the binge and purge cycle.

That said, of course stopping this behavior is a good idea and (as with most eating disordered behaviors) that is often easier said than done.   It sounds like you are having some health repercussions, probably from the chewing and spitting and any purging you are doing as well as your body not being too healthy due to all of the eating disordered behaviors going on.  While I don't think scare tactics are the greatest inspiration to stop doing something, your body IS giving you signs that you are putting it in danger.  

I'm not certain if you are also restricting, but no matter what, it is important that you begin to give your body more nutritional balance as you work on stopping chewing and spitting and also the binge/purge cycle.  This alone won't be the magic key, but without it, your body will experience cravings and something you may binge out of nutritional necessity, which (until this is dealt with) can lead you to purging...and the cycle will begin again.  So, healthy meals on a regular basis will be a step in the right direction if this is something you are able to do or even start working towards.

Another thing to take a look at is why you are chewing and spitting (and also binging and purging) in the first place.  Often, whether it is for a sense of control, stress relief, out of loneliness, actual starvation/need for food, etc, when you are able to begin seeing what is the trigger, you can work on ways of meeting those needs in non eating disordered and healthier ways.   I believe that one *can* figure this out on her own, but sometimes it can be helpful to talk with a professional as well.  

In terms of your metabolism recovering, I think it is almost always possible for that to happen.  However, in order for one's metabolism to get back on track, you need to get your body healthy again.  That you are not getting your period and putting a lot of stress on your body with working out (which is okay when you are healthy and eating to fuel your workouts) tells me that your body is not in a healthy enough place for your metabolism to be working yet.  As I mentioned before, eating regular meals and not engaging in the other behaviors is the best way to get it healthy again.  

I understand that this is a lot easier said than done and it sounds like you are working on cutting down the purging which is a commendable step to be taking.  As you continue to work on this, hopefully you can keep taking those little baby steps.  They may seem small, but they add up and before you know it, you'll have taken a giant leap forward.  And, be gentle with yourself as this really is a process and I think that part of it is learning to be kind to yourself, even when you don't feel like you are living up to the high standards you set for yourself.

I hope this helped and please write anytime if there is anything I can clarify or if you have any other questions.

Take care,
Meg