how do you stop?

[mommyoftwobabies]

I have been bulimic for about 10 years. I throw about once a day or every other day. i stopped both times when i was pregnant, because I was not fearful of getting fat while I was preg. I have been under more stress lately with my grandfather dying and trying to take care of my grandmother, 3yr old, & 9 month old. I have been purging once  a day for at least 2 weeks consistenly. What can I do to finally recover? No one is aware of my disorder. My hubsand and my family do not know. I have managed to be very secretive. I really want this to stop.

[rarmst]

Hi..I can't remember exactly when I started but I was bulimic for eight to nine years. I have however stopped purging now and haven't done it for over a year and a half. I do have slip ups, but I am pregnant at the moment and haven't done it at all during my pregnancy. But before that it was a serious problem for years. I made the dicision that I couldn't do it anymore and went to see a doctor who suggested I see a counselor/dietitian. The Dietitian didn't really help much because it wasn't really about food I don't think. I have always had low self esteem and I did it because it was the one thing I could control and it made me feel good about myself. When I was happy with who I was I didn't seem to do it as often.
So then My doctor suggested antidepressants..which a lot of people don't like but I gave them a go and I really believe thats whats helped me. I started taking them and started to feel good about myself and I just gradually stopped doing it. Kind of like I just couldn't be bothered doing it anymore, I couldn't see the point anymore. I also talked to my bf (now Husband) who helped me a lot as well so maybe it would help you to have your husband's support as well...some one to remind you what your worth so you don't feel like you have to do it.

But anyway...I think the best thing is to discuss your options with your doctor. You can overcome this and you will feel better about yourself, it is just a slow process. The biggest thing is feeling better about yourself I think and then the rest falls into place. I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather. Having the extra stress wouldn't help either. Is there someone who could help you out a bit too?

[stlmom]

Sweetie-you need to call your doctor ASAP OR insurance company and get to treatment center for eating disorders.  You need 're-define' your life and do NOT want ED to control your life when you can take back the control and have a happy healthy future....good luck!

[marlane]

What was your medication that helped your anxiety?  Does it really help your disorder?  I want to take something too but I fear the weight gain!!  

Did you gain weight from the drug?

Help, me please I am starting my recovery,

Marlane

[chopperchickie]

Purging can be a form of cleansing yourself or emptying yourself from an emotional or traumatic event.  You have to be able to get a handle on that before you can give up the purging.  I am anorexic that swings into the bulimia category (I abuse laxatives, diurictics, restrict, and excessively ecercise).  I am in therapy now and I most certainly have triggers.  Good days and bad days but I manage.  Not to scare you or anything but this disease has reaked havoc on my body.  In the last 6 months I've had chronic constipation, anemia, heart problems (heart valve), metabolism/digestion issues, amenorrhea, and all the "Classic" eating disorder symptoms.  You might want to read life without ED by Jenni Schaefer or Eating Mindfully by Susan Albers.  These are two books that my Therapist started my out with.  If your looking for some self help there is a start.  Also, if your surfing the net, http://www.****.org/  have tons of information and coping strategies to help you.
Good luck to you!  Check in and let us know how your doing.

[yrrek]

I have been bulimic for 27 years off and on.  I know why I do it and I am fianlly getting counseling that is working.  What seems to work for me is to "postpone the binge".  I will tell myself to pospone pigging out for now and try something else, anything, phone call, walk, getting on the computer.  9 out of 10 times I will not binge.  Hang in there and try and be positive and get help.  I am taking meds for anxiety and that helps too.

[mama2one1]

You have some really helpful points! However to say "get over it"...well, its not that easy! Neither is just eating healthy...they urge to vomit is still there, whether you eat unhealthy or healthy, a huge amount or just a few bite.

Shoots, i wish it was that easy!

[mama2one1]

I understand what you are going through. I have also been anorexic/bulimic for going on 8 years. I have a 15 month old son, and my husband doesnt know about this either. You need to get help, from a psychiatrist and a dietician like the poster above mentioned. That is what got me "over" anorexia... and you need to get support from people who love you, like your family. This is a hard thing and i know that from experience. It is possible though. You are going through troubling stressful times right now and that could be making it worse.

Best of luck to you.

[NorthHamptonGirl]

What are your reasons for being bulimic? You can't fix a problem unless you can prove a problem exists. The problem not only lies in bulimia.. but the cause of it. Why do you do it? You have to get down to the reasons why you started in order to stop. If it's a power struggle, a sad attempt to have control over SOMETHING, then let up. Pretty soon, you will lose control all together if you haven't already, and will have major problems getting it back. Let someone know. Get support. Keep yourself busy. After you eat, do something, instead of sitting back and feeling guilty or wrong about the fact that you ate. When you do eat, eat healthy so you don't feel bad about it either. If you've been at it for 10 years, I'm surprised your organs are still in working order. You should probably see a dietician or a psychologist. I know many people that do, and it helps them a lot. The support of friends and family is also a great thing to have. If you need help.. don't be afraid to ask. Fight it. Don't let bulimia run your life.