I've had a look around in the articles but couldn't really find much so I'm sorry if this has already been asked it's just really bothering me.
I've been getting reflux from purging for a long time, and sad to say it's lead to purging a lot. It's a vicious cycle I know.
Now though it's gotten to the point where I can't eat anything without feeling very sick and ending up with the food coming back up. Also I have been getting very bad reflux and heartburn and am in a lot of pain, which I am unsure how to relieve.
I know that the obvious answer to this is stop purging, and believe me I really am trying, I was just wondering if there is anything that could help in the short term?
Also is it possible that blood noses and purging can be connected? I've never been one to get nosebleeds but a few times in the last few days I've been getting them during/after purging.
Really, stopping purging is unlikely to totally stop the reflux. Definitely not in the short term and if it's been going on for some time or is really severe then it may be it never becomes totally right by itself though doctors may be able to give you treatment that helps further and also ensure you haven't got any problems that also lead to it. One of the things is try to stay vertical for some time after you eat so don't lay down or anything as then it is more likely to reflux.
One over the counter treatment which may help you goes by the trade name of Gaviscone Double Action. It contains 2 antacids and also 1 medication that acts as like a barrier between the acid and your stomach and in your case this would also work in your oesophagus when there's acid in there. This should help reduce the pain and any burning to the oesophagus or damage to the stomach. However, any antacids or even just milk are going to help a bit. Really with these you need to ensure there is no reason such as any meds you're on or any medication you are taking which means you can't use them. I'd recommend you to talk to a pharmacist about this as they can help you the most to find the one which will suit you.
In terms of vomiting after food, part of that is likely to be that your stomach is likely to be quite inflamed but at least a portion of it is likely to be psychological if you've been purging for some time so I'd mention it to a therapist if you've not got one but basically for an hour or so after you've eaten if you try not to go anywhere where you've purged in the past and try and stay around people then overtime it will help to lessen the psychological aspect but some of the time, especially at first, you will still be likely to vomit and it also won't solve the reflux.
If things aren't improving then you should talk to a doctor as they can put you on stronger drugs if they feel the need to. As well as this they may also be able to find out if you have got any other cause for the reflux, not just due to the muscular ring at the top of your stomach being loose, and this may be somethin that they may be able to help with though in some cases it is because a hole in your diaphragm is too loose and so part of your stomach passes through that and that needs surgery. However, I don't fel this is your case but it cannot be said for definite at this moment. But yep, they can also look to see if you have gastric ulcers and give you treatment for those if they find any as those in themselves can not only be very painful but some can get so deep that they can actually end up leading to your stomach perforating. If you're not vomiting up coffee granule like blood then that is unlikely to have one that severe though it is possible.
The nosebleeds are likely, in part at least, to be due to the purging both with the acid going down your nose when you purge nd burning away the top surface, exposing the blood vessels a bit more. But also as when you purge the pressure around the facial blood vessels does increase and the really small ones such as in your nose and eyes are very vulnerable and so can become damaged causing a bleed.
Maybe you need to get some meds from your GP to help with that reflux, as it sounds like that it cycles out of control, on to other things and eventually you don't eat much at all and not doing too well really.
In the meantime, try and start taking down water first (if you have trouble with it). If not, try with other liquids and even taking down small bites of solid food, like apples, oranges, nuts etc. I guess over a period of time, slowly build up until you feel comfortable with normal food. The more you feel comfortable with food intake and not having the urge to purge, the more it will reinforce yourself that you have to purge anymore. Hope that helps a bit.
In the meantime, try and start taking down water first (if you have trouble with it). If not, try with other liquids and even taking down small bites of solid food, like apples, oranges, nuts etc. I guess over a period of time, slowly build up until you feel comfortable with normal food. The more you feel comfortable with food intake and not having the urge to purge, the more it will reinforce yourself that you have to purge anymore. Hope that helps a bit.
Also agree with that in combination to what I've said.
Also, drinking at times separate to eating can help, as can eating smaller portions more frequently. Anything that keeps the volume of the stomach smaller in the first stages of digestion, basically. It also helps to eat dry food, such as bread etc, and to avoid those which are notorious for being easier to purge.
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