Eating Disorder - Herbal Diuretic

Pink_and_Sparkly · 06-07-2011, 11:45 PM

How safe are Herbal Diuretic's that you can buy over the counter in supermarkets/pharmacys?

Ive been abusing laxatives for a while, but have more recently started taking Diuretic's as well and am concerned how quickly I get through packets of them and if they are doing any damage to my body, do they carry long term risks or are they relatively safe in the short term?

Whispered Secret · 07-07-2011, 04:19 AM

Using laxatives alone is not good for your body. Using diuretics alone is not good for your body. Using both at the same time is disastrous for your body.

Both laxatives and diuretics risk upsetting the balance of electrolytes in your body, which could ultimately lead to heart attack and/or death.

Just because something is herbal does not mean it's safer than something which is "chemical".

I think you need to look into why you are now finding the need to take diuretics as well as laxatives, and consider looking for help.

Dreamergirl · 07-07-2011, 05:23 AM

^^^agree. using anything for a long period of time can be dangerous and even for a short time if you don't get approval from a doctor. the diuretics and laxatives can do bad things when abused. i don't think anyone will tell you its ok.

Animad · 07-07-2011, 10:14 AM

I strongly agree with what the above posters say. In the short term they'll cause dehydration. You won't lose fat, just water which you won't be retaining (in most cases) any more than you need. They will also alter your electrolyte balance which causes problems to nearly all the organs in your body. With diurectics the particular worry is potassium and that can have strong affects on your heart. These effects are compounded greatly if you're still using the laxatives.

In the long term they will potentially destroy your kidneys, definitely affect your blood, could affect your liver, heart and brain causing serious damage.

I would strongly advise you to stop taking them. I also feel you should read the ED Article and also get some kind of emotional/ psychological help to try to support you through this and if you have that then try and tell them what's going on. I know it's really hard but this could do SERIOUS long term damage to you and could potentially lead to death as well as the short term affects being very dangerous in themselves so you do need to try and get help so you can stop this.

Pink_and_Sparkly · 10-07-2011, 06:56 PM

Thanks for the advice. Am desperately trying to stop, but it's really hard...

Can laxatives cause bloating? After I took some yesterday I felt really bloated and had stomach pains all night, which I've had before, but not as bad as last night...

I guess its really hard to work out what is causing me to feel ill specifically as all of the things im doing are harming my body, I know that and want to stop, but dont know how too.

MissAnonymous · 10-07-2011, 08:10 PM

If you are abusing pills of any sort you need to see your Dr for a check up and advice on how to safely get yourself off them.

Laxatives upset your digestive system, so yes, they can cause bloating, and would certainly be a possible cause for your stomach pains, though due to your other behaviours stomach trouble could be caused by something else; hence why you need to see a Dr.

Stop taking the diuretics immediately, and with the laxatives see your GP asap.

Animad, I would be surprised if you were advising stopping the laxatives because I think you have wagged your finger at other members for advising this before..?