Aa
dental appt soon
I'm new to this site. Have to let someone "out there" know that I have a problem but I don't want to do anything about it yet. I have been binging and purging (every day) for about 6 months now. I lost about 60 pounds so far. I still have about 25 to lose before I'll be happy with myself. Everyone is so proud of me for losing weight, but I feel bad knowing it really isn't the right way to do it. They would be so disappointed if they knew and me so embarrassed. It really is an addiction. I think I can stop one day and it turns out to get the best of me just knowing the weight could easily come back on if I don't get rid of the food I just ate.
Anyway, I have a dentist appointment coming up shortly. Can I look at my teeth and see anything noticable that the dentist will see? I don't have sensitivity yet. I've read it takes a couple of years to see a difference but I purge every day. does that matter I really don't want to be asked about bulimia at the office. too ashamed. But hopefully by then I'll be at my goal weight and not have to purge anymore.
Anyway, I have a dentist appointment coming up shortly. Can I look at my teeth and see anything noticable that the dentist will see? I don't have sensitivity yet. I've read it takes a couple of years to see a difference but I purge every day. does that matter I really don't want to be asked about bulimia at the office. too ashamed. But hopefully by then I'll be at my goal weight and not have to purge anymore.
Ter--
what happened to me was, I eventually couldn't trigger the urge to vomit. i was able to do it for yrs but eventually my throat became desensitized, and at the end even ipecac didn't induce vomiting in me. There i was with a stomach full of food and couldn't purge it. that was when i started getting help. your experience may be different, but at the end i would purge but not lose weight anyway. I was still overweight and couldn't stop bingeing. it was a nightmare.
some things that helped-- Overeaters Anonymous, counseling, antidepressants and learning to respect my body. Had to recognize that if i don't starve i won't binge and can maintain a normal/slim body without purging. it did not happen overnight and i had a lot of help.
what happened to me was, I eventually couldn't trigger the urge to vomit. i was able to do it for yrs but eventually my throat became desensitized, and at the end even ipecac didn't induce vomiting in me. There i was with a stomach full of food and couldn't purge it. that was when i started getting help. your experience may be different, but at the end i would purge but not lose weight anyway. I was still overweight and couldn't stop bingeing. it was a nightmare.
some things that helped-- Overeaters Anonymous, counseling, antidepressants and learning to respect my body. Had to recognize that if i don't starve i won't binge and can maintain a normal/slim body without purging. it did not happen overnight and i had a lot of help.
You are so lucky to have the advice of these great people on this forum. When I suffered I never had anyone to help me, the internet was not out there for this support. I wish now I did! 20 years later I have anxiety and depression, dental problems, and most importantly barretts esophigus. This is a precancerous condition. Also you may develop acid reflux problems due to the softening of the area that keeps the food in your stomach. Serious things that are not worth it!!!!! If you can stop now, do it before you cant!
I was overweight all my life. I still am, only now I can accept my weight. But one thing I couldn't stand was, that the people that knew me when I was overweight, never wanted to talk to me UNTIL I was thin. I realized how superficial people can be.
Ter, I am not judging you at all. I am pleading with you to stop binging and purging. It WILL catch up with you one way or another.
I never went to a specialist to "get help". My husband was too proud, and didn't want anyone to know my secret. I couldn't really confide with him either, because he was repulsed by my habit.
So what did I do? I went to the Bible. Honest! After I read parts of the Bible, I realized how far I was out of tune with what God purposed me to be. He healed me to tell you the truth. One day, after 15 yrs, I just gave it up. So strange. I tried for 15 yrs to quit, and in 1 day, the Lord showed me my sin, and I quit!
You don't need to first lose weight. You'll never be happy with your weight. You are sick, and your mind is not right. You will always be unsatisfied with you,and will always find some fault. That is why I say that you need to work on the inside first.
You will never be able to stop on your own. I know. Depend on SomeOne who can help you. God is the Best Specialist I know! :)
I feel for you Ter, and will pray for you. I don't want anyone to go through what I did.
Happy New Year to you too, and I hope you will take my advice. Just know that I'm here for you if you need me.
Ter, I am not judging you at all. I am pleading with you to stop binging and purging. It WILL catch up with you one way or another.
I never went to a specialist to "get help". My husband was too proud, and didn't want anyone to know my secret. I couldn't really confide with him either, because he was repulsed by my habit.
So what did I do? I went to the Bible. Honest! After I read parts of the Bible, I realized how far I was out of tune with what God purposed me to be. He healed me to tell you the truth. One day, after 15 yrs, I just gave it up. So strange. I tried for 15 yrs to quit, and in 1 day, the Lord showed me my sin, and I quit!
You don't need to first lose weight. You'll never be happy with your weight. You are sick, and your mind is not right. You will always be unsatisfied with you,and will always find some fault. That is why I say that you need to work on the inside first.
You will never be able to stop on your own. I know. Depend on SomeOne who can help you. God is the Best Specialist I know! :)
I feel for you Ter, and will pray for you. I don't want anyone to go through what I did.
Happy New Year to you too, and I hope you will take my advice. Just know that I'm here for you if you need me.
I don't know what to say. I do know I don't want to die puking. And I don't want any other problems that will arise with this addiction. I just feel in me right now that I can't stop. I have so much stress right now in my life that I just can't add see a shrink too. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. We wouldn't be on this forum if we all sought help through the professional field. This is a help for me though, knowing that it's not just building up inside of me (the secret). I have some degree of letting this out. I need to hear that there are people out there suffering like I am. It makes it easier knowing I"m not the only one in this crazy lifestyle. I DO appreciate your comments and your concern for me and my well-being. I am scared that I will get residual affects from this problem. But like I"ve said before, I just can't stop yet. I do, but I don't. I want to talk with someone about this, but I don't. I've wanted to tell some close friends, but refrain for fear of losing them and the fear of gossip. I have gotten my gyn to prescribe lexapro for depression. I know I'm depressed and am not the same person I was and who I want to be. I hope that this drug helps in some way. Only problem is I purge so I'm not even sure if I'm getting the dose prescribed. I feel so messed up it's not even funny. But I need to be happy with my weight first. Self esteem has a big part. I was miserable at 220 pounds. Feeling a bit better 60 down, but not happy quite yet.
I just want to thank you for your comment. Thank you for your story as well. I don't plan on "playing this game" for as long as you did. I"m happy for your recovery. I also wish you a happy and healthy new year too.
I just want to thank you for your comment. Thank you for your story as well. I don't plan on "playing this game" for as long as you did. I"m happy for your recovery. I also wish you a happy and healthy new year too.
Ter,
I don't know how long ago you posted this, but as soon as I saw the title, I had to respond. I was bulimic for 15 yrs! I purged at least 3 or 4 times a day. I had a GREAT fear of going to the dentist because of what he might see. Finally I had to go (military) and when I did, the dentist thought that I must be grinding my teeth at night. I felt relieved that he didn't know the truth, but felt very guilty. I have not purged in almost 9 yrs now, but my front teeth are ruined, and I had to get them all crowned. Thank God that is all that is wrong with me as far as I can tell. But I want to say one thing to you Ter. PLEASE QUIT. You think you are winning by playing this game. You think you are fooling others, and yourself, but you aren't. You'll see. It is going to get real obvious. Like everytime you go to a resteraunt, how you HAVE TO get up and go to the bathroom. Don't you think they will notice your bloodshot red eyes from barfing? They will. I remember some comments said after I purged. I ignored them of course, and thought I was pulling one over on everyone. It is an addicton, and if you are careful, you won't be able to quit! You might be one of those that has a heartattack as you are bending over the toilet puking! I hope I am scaring you! I don't know how many times I thought I was going to die when I did this! But the Lord had mercy on me, and here I am today. But I could have been another statistic. Is that what YOU want? Is it? Is being thin that important to you? You need to learn to love the inward person, so that you can accept the outward one for what she really is!
So you got away with THIS dentist appt. But will you even be able to make it to the next? Hmmm.... Think about it. It's NOT a game!
I don't know how long ago you posted this, but as soon as I saw the title, I had to respond. I was bulimic for 15 yrs! I purged at least 3 or 4 times a day. I had a GREAT fear of going to the dentist because of what he might see. Finally I had to go (military) and when I did, the dentist thought that I must be grinding my teeth at night. I felt relieved that he didn't know the truth, but felt very guilty. I have not purged in almost 9 yrs now, but my front teeth are ruined, and I had to get them all crowned. Thank God that is all that is wrong with me as far as I can tell. But I want to say one thing to you Ter. PLEASE QUIT. You think you are winning by playing this game. You think you are fooling others, and yourself, but you aren't. You'll see. It is going to get real obvious. Like everytime you go to a resteraunt, how you HAVE TO get up and go to the bathroom. Don't you think they will notice your bloodshot red eyes from barfing? They will. I remember some comments said after I purged. I ignored them of course, and thought I was pulling one over on everyone. It is an addicton, and if you are careful, you won't be able to quit! You might be one of those that has a heartattack as you are bending over the toilet puking! I hope I am scaring you! I don't know how many times I thought I was going to die when I did this! But the Lord had mercy on me, and here I am today. But I could have been another statistic. Is that what YOU want? Is it? Is being thin that important to you? You need to learn to love the inward person, so that you can accept the outward one for what she really is!
So you got away with THIS dentist appt. But will you even be able to make it to the next? Hmmm.... Think about it. It's NOT a game!
I had my dental appointment and my dentist and hygenist said my teeth looked wonderful. I was sooo worried about what they would find. turns out I must me doing what I need to do after purge sessions!!! What a relief! I still have another 6 months till the next appt. Hopefully, I would have quit by then.
I am really concerned that you say,"I've only been bulimic for about 7 - 8 months." Thats 7 to 8 months too long. And it didn't just start 7 to 8 months ago. You started with bad habits that have contributed to this much further back than that. And I can tell you what is going to happen when you loose all the weight you want to loose. You are going to try to eat normally and you aren't going to be able to. If you try to eat normally you will gain your weight back which will force you to continue purging and then all the problems start happening that everyone is talking about. Your body probably thinks its starving right now and is trying to help you by being more efficient with what you are putting in your stomach. Later when you start eating its still going to be processing food really efficiently which will make you gain weight. Get a referral to an eating disorder specialist who can properly assess you and then start a lifetime healthy eating and exercise regime. The weight will just leave on its own accord.
I started the same way you have. I just wanted to loose weight and very soon after starting to binge and purge I found I couldn't stop. When I finally stopped purging I still had the problem with binging and that took quite a while to go away. I felt sick all the time when I ate and it was horrible. Slowly the sickness subsided but not before gaining quite a bit of weight. Course at that point I couldn't have cared less about the weight gain. It was the least of my problems. I have so many residual problems from that time that I am really concerned about your choice to continue using it for weight loss. And one of the worst problems I have is the fact that I have never been able to go on any formal diet since then or practice any kind of formal or pre-thought out healthy eating program that had any restriction of foods. It just sends me into a panic like before.
When I started taking the zinc supplement prescribed by my herbalist I found I stopped purging within 3 weeks, moved out of the brain fog that I didn't even know I was experiencing (scary!) and lost a lot of symptoms that I didn't even know were related to the bulimia. I felt fantastic and I thought I had been cured but my herbalist assured me that I still had a very long road to recovery as I had to deal with all the "bad habits" I had taken on in order to manage the bulimia. He was right......oh was he ever right.
I started the same way you have. I just wanted to loose weight and very soon after starting to binge and purge I found I couldn't stop. When I finally stopped purging I still had the problem with binging and that took quite a while to go away. I felt sick all the time when I ate and it was horrible. Slowly the sickness subsided but not before gaining quite a bit of weight. Course at that point I couldn't have cared less about the weight gain. It was the least of my problems. I have so many residual problems from that time that I am really concerned about your choice to continue using it for weight loss. And one of the worst problems I have is the fact that I have never been able to go on any formal diet since then or practice any kind of formal or pre-thought out healthy eating program that had any restriction of foods. It just sends me into a panic like before.
When I started taking the zinc supplement prescribed by my herbalist I found I stopped purging within 3 weeks, moved out of the brain fog that I didn't even know I was experiencing (scary!) and lost a lot of symptoms that I didn't even know were related to the bulimia. I felt fantastic and I thought I had been cured but my herbalist assured me that I still had a very long road to recovery as I had to deal with all the "bad habits" I had taken on in order to manage the bulimia. He was right......oh was he ever right.
I thank you for your suggestions. I rinse with water and I read that chewing tums helps neutralize acid. I also rinse with mouthwash. Not sure what type. Seven years is a long time. Have you ever thought of getting help? Do you have any health problems? Also, do you think your dentist just might not want to say anything to you? Have you ever told anyone you are a bulimic?
Thank you for your comment. I do realize that bulimia is not a good for the whole body. I think I may take your suggestion and read the couple of books you recommended. I wish I could stop now, but my heart is just not in it yet. I've only been bulimic for about 7-8 months. I don't wish to keep this way of life, but everyday I eat something small. Then I start eating more and by then I say why not have more. Then I know I've eaten way too much and realize I could just make myself sick. So why not keep eating. Ugh, it is certainly an addiction. But I've just been doing it a short time. I've read people are bulimics for years before problems set in. Hopefully, I would have stopped before I do great damage to my body and especially my teeth. I don't want rotten teeth and I do have good hygiene with that area. I am worried that someone might ask what is wrong with my hands(knuckles). I have 2 sore spots. I don't want to be asked what's wrong with them. Course, winter is upon us and my hands are dry. Lotion is just not working.
how long were you a bulimic if you don't mind me asking? And when did you notice problems. Who do you go to first to get help? A gyn or gp or dentist? I do want to get help at some point. But I don't think I could stop now and why go through that if your mind is not made up yet.
anyway, thanks for your concern and hope you stay healthy.
how long were you a bulimic if you don't mind me asking? And when did you notice problems. Who do you go to first to get help? A gyn or gp or dentist? I do want to get help at some point. But I don't think I could stop now and why go through that if your mind is not made up yet.
anyway, thanks for your concern and hope you stay healthy.
I've been bulimic for over 7 years and my dentist has never said a word about enamel erosion. I try to take "good care" of my teeth after I purge. I used to chew baking soda gum which neutralizes the acid on the teeth. I also use the Enamel Restoring Toothpaste (Colgate Luminous) and the Act Mouthwash for restoring weak spots....It may help.
Bulimia can cause ulcerations of the esophagus, malnutrition, dehaydration, tooth decay due to stomach acid, digestive disorders, heart disease and death. Maybe you've experienced some of this; sounds like you're on the recovery trail.
Besides Irritable bowel syndrome and bad teeth; what other symptoms have you experienced with long term bulimia? And curious how long did you suffer with bulimia? It's a very complicated health problem from what I understand; people resort to eating disorders for varies reasons.
I am with everyone else. PLEASE GET HELP!!! No good can come of what you are doing. You simply can't loose weight that way and keep it off. Do it the right way as becks715 did.
I discussed my bulimia and its effects on my teeth with my dentist who as it turned out was very interested in specializing in that area. She prescribed a mouth wash to use after each purge to lessen the damage to my teeth which helped until I got the whole situation under control. There was no judgement - only a simple discussion on how to safeguard my teeth.
I didn't discuss my problem with family or friends and unfortunately I waited a long time before going to my doctor. I went through several years and several doctors and it was the revelations of a bulimia specialist and an enlightened herbalist (acting on information he read in a medical journal) who ultimately helped me. Unfortunately, I should have acted sooner. I developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome during my Bulimia and shortly after the Irritable Esophygus came out. At the same time as the Bulimia I started having a lot of stress related problems which to this day plague me. At my current age of 52 I have health issues and they can ALL be traced back to the Bulimia. I was recently looking at pictures of myself from back when it started. Yes, I was overweight but you know, I looked good, even beautiful, and I looked healthy. Yes, I needed to loose some weight and looking back I had 3 issues. I needed to fine tune myself on a healthy lifetime diet, an excercise program that excited and worked for me and the two of them would probably have taken care of the 3rd, being mentally very healthy. Unfortunately, I had a lopsided vision of myself and I didn't do that. I remember being so embarrassed by my weight. That was nothing. Try having an "accident" of incredible embarrassing proportions at a family gathering as a result of the gut damage I did to myself at that time. Embarrassed by my weight......you can not embarrass me about anything anymore. I have suffered the worst and survived.
The path you are on can only lead you to more grief and pain. Don't wait until you are my age to "come into your own". Please, please get to the doctor and discuss your situation and when you feel you are on solid ground then tell your family so you can get their support.
I would also suggest reading a couple books: YOU: The Owners Manual and YOU on a Diet by Michael F. Roizen, MD and Mehmet C. Oz, MD. Get to know your body. Its a beautiful thing.
I discussed my bulimia and its effects on my teeth with my dentist who as it turned out was very interested in specializing in that area. She prescribed a mouth wash to use after each purge to lessen the damage to my teeth which helped until I got the whole situation under control. There was no judgement - only a simple discussion on how to safeguard my teeth.
I didn't discuss my problem with family or friends and unfortunately I waited a long time before going to my doctor. I went through several years and several doctors and it was the revelations of a bulimia specialist and an enlightened herbalist (acting on information he read in a medical journal) who ultimately helped me. Unfortunately, I should have acted sooner. I developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome during my Bulimia and shortly after the Irritable Esophygus came out. At the same time as the Bulimia I started having a lot of stress related problems which to this day plague me. At my current age of 52 I have health issues and they can ALL be traced back to the Bulimia. I was recently looking at pictures of myself from back when it started. Yes, I was overweight but you know, I looked good, even beautiful, and I looked healthy. Yes, I needed to loose some weight and looking back I had 3 issues. I needed to fine tune myself on a healthy lifetime diet, an excercise program that excited and worked for me and the two of them would probably have taken care of the 3rd, being mentally very healthy. Unfortunately, I had a lopsided vision of myself and I didn't do that. I remember being so embarrassed by my weight. That was nothing. Try having an "accident" of incredible embarrassing proportions at a family gathering as a result of the gut damage I did to myself at that time. Embarrassed by my weight......you can not embarrass me about anything anymore. I have suffered the worst and survived.
The path you are on can only lead you to more grief and pain. Don't wait until you are my age to "come into your own". Please, please get to the doctor and discuss your situation and when you feel you are on solid ground then tell your family so you can get their support.
I would also suggest reading a couple books: YOU: The Owners Manual and YOU on a Diet by Michael F. Roizen, MD and Mehmet C. Oz, MD. Get to know your body. Its a beautiful thing.
Ter - please get help. I lost 100 pounds doing it the right way, fruits/veggies/lean meats/portion control and exercise. It can be done correctly.
You say you will quit but you wont, it's an addiction and disease you can't turn it off just because. You do realize that you are killing yourself? I know that's harsh but it's true.
Purging brings all the stomach acid up, ruins your teeth, your esophagus, and weakens your heart (and that's just the start). Long term or not it damages your body. You owe yourself more than that. It's not a casual thing, you are in denial frankly. I hope you see the light.
You say you will quit but you wont, it's an addiction and disease you can't turn it off just because. You do realize that you are killing yourself? I know that's harsh but it's true.
Purging brings all the stomach acid up, ruins your teeth, your esophagus, and weakens your heart (and that's just the start). Long term or not it damages your body. You owe yourself more than that. It's not a casual thing, you are in denial frankly. I hope you see the light.
avisg...... Thanks for your comment. I just can't see myself quiting quite yet. I think it might be like smoking. If you don't want to quit for yourself, you're not gonna do it. I need to do this for myself. I don't want bad teeth or immune system or whatever entails with this disease. I just want to be happy. ahhhh!!! I started out at 220 and now down to 160. 20 more and I think I'll be good. If not, I'll write where to get help. Just seems kinda wierd talking to someone about this and them making me want to stop. It doesn't seem mental for me, just , oh, I don't know. Maybe you can stop by yourself. Had this problem late teens for a small while and quite then, can't remember how. Anyway, I'm very happy for you and your recovery. wish me luck.
ter,
Yes they will be able to tell at the dentist mine new very quickly and yes I know what you mean it was really embarrassing...I really wish it was as easy as reaching a goal weight ,then stopping but it never seems to work that way. Your goal weight will always be 5 pounds less ,then maybe three or four more .There is no goal weight that is good enough when you don't like yourself in the inside.
PLZ talk to someone about this ...Food does not need to be the enemy. I have been in recovery for si years now.I started at 160 pounds I was going to just go down to 130 pounds ...By the time I was 28 .I was not much more then 80 pounds and really afraid of dieing . I have all new teeth on the top ,I have osteoporosis and I get sick a lot from damaging my immune system ... Trust me the price i am paying now was not worth the years I was thin.
I still have days where I have a mental fight with food,but over all i am healthy .I look and feel good.
I love me inside and out ...
avis
Yes they will be able to tell at the dentist mine new very quickly and yes I know what you mean it was really embarrassing...I really wish it was as easy as reaching a goal weight ,then stopping but it never seems to work that way. Your goal weight will always be 5 pounds less ,then maybe three or four more .There is no goal weight that is good enough when you don't like yourself in the inside.
PLZ talk to someone about this ...Food does not need to be the enemy. I have been in recovery for si years now.I started at 160 pounds I was going to just go down to 130 pounds ...By the time I was 28 .I was not much more then 80 pounds and really afraid of dieing . I have all new teeth on the top ,I have osteoporosis and I get sick a lot from damaging my immune system ... Trust me the price i am paying now was not worth the years I was thin.
I still have days where I have a mental fight with food,but over all i am healthy .I look and feel good.
I love me inside and out ...
avis
"Tooth and mouth problems, such as discolored and decalcified teeth, and sensitive, swollen, and bleeding cheeks and gums. These are caused by vitamin deficiencies and by the stomach acid that comes up with vomit."
Hi,
It really is tough because the results are great and looking better externally helps one's self-esteem. However, hiding the secret gnaws away at the mind. It is addictive and unless you develop a different method of controling your weight you will find it difficult to stop it even when you reach your desired weight. At that point you will have to reduce what you eat in order not to gain back your weight and so you should start reducing what you eat now to help the transition. Your dentist will probably not be able to notice anything but you are right to be concerned about the long term effect on your teeth and also your food pipe.
Good luck.
It really is tough because the results are great and looking better externally helps one's self-esteem. However, hiding the secret gnaws away at the mind. It is addictive and unless you develop a different method of controling your weight you will find it difficult to stop it even when you reach your desired weight. At that point you will have to reduce what you eat in order not to gain back your weight and so you should start reducing what you eat now to help the transition. Your dentist will probably not be able to notice anything but you are right to be concerned about the long term effect on your teeth and also your food pipe.
Good luck.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Eating Disorders Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
