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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
problems with esophagus after many years of bulimia
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
problems with esophagus after many years of bulimia
by Patty Vakos, Nov 01, 1999 12:00AM
I am 38 years old and had bulimia for over 15 years, some years real bad ( vomiting 5 times a day ) and some years better. ( vomiting once a day). ten years ago i started having pain in my chest. but no treatment was given the last year the pain got much more severe and interfered with my life and stopped me from doing many things, after three monts og using meds, like prevecid, prilosec, and more they and ph phrobe test proofing a lot of acid reflux, they told me to have a partial fundoplication. i had that done in april of this year, i was fine after the surgery for three months and then the pain came back and was even worse than before. i had an barium swallow and upper gi series, that showed an hernia and reflux again, so the surgeon told me he had to do it again. the surgery was in september, was very hard, took 7 hours and was according to surgeon very difficult, since the wrap ruptured ( stitches came out) and had moved up in my chest. he did a full wrap this time and told me i should be fine now. I was reflux free for a month. had only problems swallowing, since 30% of my muscles in my esophagus do not work. but i did not have pain in my chest or throat. Now 6 weeks after the surgery i hve again the same pain in my chest and throat and had a barium swallow which did not show a hernia or reflux. then i had a ph test 24 hour which shows that i had reflux , but not in the night.I am really desperate at this moment and afraid of what is coming next. since this pain is every day and destroys my life. Can anyone let me know, if this story is familiar to any other person, and what i can expect in the future. i would like to hear some response from people,who had bulimia and had chest pains later in their life. I come from a country where they have no idea about bulimia and the damage it can do to your esophagus.
thank you Patty
thank you Patty
Doctor's Answer
by HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf, Nov 09, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Patty,
The surgeries that you describe would suggest that further operations in the area of the esophagus would be exceedingly difficult and dangerous. The scarring and inflammation increase the risk of post-surgical complications.
If you have documented reflux, you should try agressive medical therapy including proton pump inhibitors and and prokinetic agents. Endoscopic surgery (i.e. repair of the hernia, internally, during endoscopy) may become more readily available in the next year or two.
The surgeries that you describe would suggest that further operations in the area of the esophagus would be exceedingly difficult and dangerous. The scarring and inflammation increase the risk of post-surgical complications.
If you have documented reflux, you should try agressive medical therapy including proton pump inhibitors and and prokinetic agents. Endoscopic surgery (i.e. repair of the hernia, internally, during endoscopy) may become more readily available in the next year or two.
I am experiencing abdominal pain and sudden "stinging and explosive like attacks" that end up leaking thru my navel.. and cause this huge red rash! we th ought it was a yeast infection, but after taking diflucan (7 pills once each day versus 1 pill every 7 days!) and that didnt touch it. Creams, and other topicals prescribed by my internist and the dermatologist havent helped..they just had me do a CT scan and took my blood..but wont know the results for a few days..meanwhile, this has been going on for months.. have been dealing with very strange symptoms gastro wise for 3 years.. longer..even... and just about 3 years ago had my gallballder out..since then..lots of stomache upset and belching, etc..nasty stuff.. then..in July.. had huge throat ulcerations..that were devastating... they ruled out everything and said they had never seen anyting like it..and I had been spitting up a little blood and tissue.. so went to ER and the Cancer specialist told me..no problem..neer saw anything like it though... I couldnt even swallow my own saliva..had to keep spitting ..and alli could do was force water down..now...this stuff is manifesting in my navel! Crusty leaking navel...I am scared! Anyone????
Chris
I hope that they warn young people with this problems now.anyway we are where we are now, no way back, i had about 8 endoscopies, beleive me you get use to it! even the ph 24 hour test which you will get most probably , is the first time very painfull, since they put a tube in your nose for 24 hours and expect you to eat etc, but it proves the acid level in your esophagus and stomach, so after that, they decide to operate or not.I would like to keep in touch with you and learn more about your past of anorexia, also be very carefull to which doctor you go, it has to be one with a lot of experience in esophagus. i am going right now to a doctor in NY which extensive experience in ex bulimia patients.
ok good luck
patty
I too suffered from Anorexia and bulimia for 12 years ranging from real bad to more reasonable. I am 34 yrs old now, and had fundoplication surgery on my esophagus. I had a very bad outcome with my surgery. They ended up having to take the whole procedure down, and after that it took 6 months before I could swallow food. Now I have irritable bowel, and gastroparesis, and I am seeing a doctor in NYC who deal a lot with this.
If you want to write to me in person, feel free to e-mail me at ***@****.
Carol
I had a full Fundiplacation in May, and after 6 horrendous months of acid reflux, (and every pill under the sun) the acid was gone. This lasted till September, now it has returned to the point that I need to take over the counter antacids to help releave the burning. I think we both have Esophagel Varieces, that is varicose veins in our esophagus. Has anyone had any success or stories to shear.
Please stop the pain, Christopher