Worried big time

[Tanta123]

Hi,Ive been bullimic for 18 years now (am 38) and starting to worry about two things - getting cancer of the eosophegus and or rupturing my eosophegus from throwing up. I havent found any blood after throwing up or felt pain but something feels a bit out of place when I swallow now. I have cut down the throwing up to once every five days and would love to give up completely but feel like I will go mad if I cant binge and then get sick.

The other thing is that I didnt realise that there may be a chance of getting eosophegal cancer from having bulimia and this really worries me sick. My grandfather, uncle and aunt (on my dad's side) all died of mouth and throat cancer in their 40s and 50s. But Dad tells me that they all drank and smoked too much. I dont do either and my doctor said that even though I get sick, drinking and smoking would cause eosophegal cancer much quicker than bullimia.

Do the doctors have more information and was my own doctor softening the truth to me? Would you advise me going for an endoscopy as while my general health is ok (all my blood tests come back ok for liver,kidney,bloods,thyroid function), I worry that my eosophegus is damaged and that I dont know.

Many thanks

[Patricia Pitts, PhD]

Dear Tanta123,

Being bulimic for 18 years can only be taking a toll on all your major organs, as well as cause damage to your esophagus and teeth.  I say this not to freak you out, but to be truthful and support you in letting go of the bulimia completely.  Medical complications are very real with bulimics.

For peace of mind, you could request an endoscopy from your treating physician.  For greater peace of mind, let go of the bulimia all together.  

For more information on bulimia and treatment options, visit the bella vita website.

Best,

Dr Patricia Pitts
The Bella Vita
Los Angeles, CA

[Rach878]

Hello. I have been bulimic/anorexic for 6 years(am 18) I didn't worry about any of the effects that bulimia would have on me either, like eosophegus cancer or rupturing my esophegus. However i Dec. I did find blood in my vommit, and it really scared me. I never went to a doctor, to find out why that happened, but know every time i go to get sick, i pray it doesn't happen again. It's good that you've cut down so much.If you want to stop completly, have you ever considered a day program?