chest pains and builimia

[motorbikechick]

i am 21 and suffer with bulimia, i get palpitations quite a lot, especially when i purge (vomit) but more recently i have been getting a dull ache in my chest- should i worry or is it anxiety or something. I don't want to bother my doctor if i can help it

[motorbikechick]

thank you for your reply and knowledge- my doctor knows about my eating disorder and hasnt helped, and there are people i have spoken to like at uni and they turned their backs on me at my most vulnerable time leading to an overdose, then i got sent home without and referral. So to be honest with you i don't know if i really care much any more, but i will keep what you have said close to mind

Thank you

[dolfnlvr]

You should worry.  For many reasons.  One, you are very aware that your eating disorder is dangerous and can pose serious health problems for you.  Two, you should be worried that you are willing to continue this destructive behavior even knowing that it is causing cardiac irregularity.  Palpitations as a result of purging can be dangerous.  They can be harmless, such as PVC's or bouts of SVT, but they can easily shift into more dangerous arrhtymias.  

Unlike those of us who suffer from benign PVC's, PAC's, short bursts of SVT or a-fib your arrhythmia is directly connected to the behavior that you are exhibiting.  When you purge you immediately set off a chain of events that is stressful to your heart.  Your chemistry is pushed out of balance, your sodium/potassium pumps are out of kilter due to dehydration and stress, your chest muscles are working in reverse, physically shrinking the space that is in your chest cavity--squeezing the muscle if you will...and you are increasing your blood pressure 10 fold during the purge.  Continue to do this on a regular basis and you can cause lasting damage.

People die of sudden cardiac arrest due to complications from bulimia and anorexia.  

When I was a teenager I lost 100 lbs.  When I did I got into a cycle of "if I lose just 5 lbs more I'll have a cushion."  I became essentially anorexic with an intake of approximately 600 calories/day.   I am nearly certain that this behavior underlies my chronic cardiac irregularities, and I can only thank GOD that I did not cause irrepairable harm to the muscle itself.  My heart rate was 35 beats per minute at rest when I was 17 years old, and I realized that if I didn't knock it off, I was going to die.

It takes a lot of work...but you need to get help...and soon.  Please seek advice from a trusted loved one, friend, therapist or doctor as soon as possible.

That dull ache is likely from a pulled muscle in your chest or a developing hiatal hernia (tear in the diaphragm) caused from the vomiting.  If this kind of damage can be done...imagine what you are doing to your heart.

Get help....please.