Ileostomy and bulimic?

I make myself sick after eating (some time once a day sometimes more) to control my ileostomy (colostomy) output. I鈥檓 29 years old, Does that mean I am bulimic? I try to control the output by not eating but if I eat I make myself sick. my Husband knows about it but no one else because no one knows that I have an ileostomy bag.

Thank you for all the replies. I have seen psychologists and did CBT, didn't work and after 12 sessions my psychologist and I mutually decided to end the therapy as it wasn't working for me. I have my ileostomy for 7.5 years. In fact 18moths after having my liver transplant due to. Obviously I know vomiting is not good but I have been doing it in such a regular bases for over a year now. All my blood tests and minerals and vit levels are perfect. my liver function is perfect. it is surprising and in fact it does encourage me to carry on. I am a busy mum and a wife and doing very demanding university course. This way is the only way I can live my life and control my ileostomy output. I know all the harms (Maybe I know too much because I am studying them) but doesn't seems it causing me any harm, well not yet. I know it sound silly.

I am 28 with a temp loop ile so I know exactly how you feel. Having an ileostomy is so much harder than a colostomy (Ive had both) as the output is more liquid and frequent.

Im sure you are aware that an ileostomy being so high up in the bowel means that less nutrients than usual are being absorbed so you need to be very consious that you are eating enough.

Heres some tips that work for me.
- Minimal fibre in your diet. - husky, crunchy foods can obstruct which hurts!
- Minimal stinky foods - broccoli, cauli, cabbage and high fat foods
- NO carbonated drinks or you will turn into the goodyear blimp!
- I few marshmallows or spoodful of peanut butter 1/2hr before bag change helps slow things down.

I wear a firm hernia belt over my bag to help stop ballooning when Im out and Im loving cute tunics over leggings at the moment to hide the bag. If the smell bugs you, there are great products (ie. Hollister adapt lubricant) to help hide smells and Braun ileogel is great to bulk up liquid output to stop sloshing.

Only you know if you are choosing to vomit due to the bag or for weight, or maybe to feel like you have some control over your situation. I don't know the circumstances around your bag but for me, a Psychologist has been an incredible help. I hope this has been a help to you.
There is a wonderful online community called Ostomyland that has been amazing for me. Maybe I will see you there!

This is becoming a habit and your going to make yourself very poorly.You may think it will be helping reduce the contents the bag but in fact this habit will be very hard to break.People who suffer with bulimia feel that it is there way of being in control but have underlining issues in ther life to be addressed.You are doing it for a different reason but you need to stop.Just control your eating habits.
Best of luck chuck.

I think the best thing to do would be to see your doctor, he/she MAY refer you to a psychiatrist.

I don't want to frighten you but really, if you continue making yourself be sick after eating, or eating nothing it will only mean that you'll make yourself ill and it will lead to problems later on.

You NEED to eat so as I've all ready said, please go to your doctor BEFORE this gets out of control.

Take care and I hope things get better.

I am an alternative medicinal therapist and an ex nurse and you are a very sill y woman, you Will be very ill if you continue to do this, I don't its a case of bulimia as such but you are very close. if you continue to do this your stomach will shrink, your digestive system will become erratic and you will end up with more troubles than you have now. You will suffer with vitamin and mineral deficiencies which will lead to hair and teeth loss and a whole lot more, your skin will also suffer as a result. Your hormones will also be affected and if you still ahve periods these will stop. YOU MUST EAT!

GLORIASHEALTH@BTINTERNET.COM

i cant top kelstars wonderful answer but i worry about how you are coping with your bag and illness and possibly life in general, it seems like you are desperate for some control and maybe by restricting the food that gets to your bowel then you are in some way lessening the fact that you have a bag. is there a stoma care nurse you can talk to? i would really like to know that you are getting psychological support. it is tough being young and living with long term health conditions, please find yourself some help. i think you are ready or you wouldnt have posted here

good luck and be well