So I have this friend. She’s a recovering bulimic and hasn’t purged in a LONG time. She’s been having issues with her bowels and eating and getting constipated, so she’s been taking a laxative to help things moving along.
My gut feeling is that its not helping her but hindering her and not healthy for her body. I don’t think its a good idea for someone with an eating disorder to use laxatives because they have the same affect (or is it effect) as purging.
I don’t know how to help her out and encourage her to not use them, even though it helps she needs to learn to eat the foods that don’t make her constipated.
Any thoughts or suggestions or even ideas on how I can help her without overbearing?
~Alicia
Although all of the comments I’ve read here so far are excellent, you need to remember that using laxatives is another “compensatory behavior” in Bulimia Nervosa, as are the use of enemas, diuretics, ipecac, insulin abuse and vigorous exercise. All used to “lose” weight. Has your friend completed a program for Bulimia? If not, she needs to. You don’t just get over Bulimia by yourself. So how can you help her? First, she needs to get off the laxatives, period. She can add fiber to her diet as already commented, drink some prune juice, but she should be following the advice of her doctor or program counselor. If she doesn’t have one, I’d say that’s a pretty good indication of not seeking professional help with her Bulimia Nervosa. There are many programs available that specialize in Bulimia treatment, including (but not limited to) http://www.raderprograms.com-who even offer their number for any questions or to schedule a free confidential consultation, 800-841-1515; http://www.milestonesprogram.org and http://www.remudaranch.com. You can also find a local treatment doctor or facility in your/her area by looking through the Yellow Pages.
You are such a great friend! I’ve been through a similar issue, and I would say fruits, yogurts, anything with high fiber would really help. A lot of water too, I drink at least 64 oz./day.
Maybe try to encourage her to get things moving in a more natural way. There’s the yougurts, like Activia, or I love the products from M’Lis. I’ve done their detox cleanse several times, and I’m planning on doing it again. It just helps things move along much better!
Fibre is a funny thing. Too much of it can make you constipated too. That was my problem. Honestly i don’t know what to say. I agree that people with eating disorders should probably steer clear of laxatives if possible but I also know with me that sometimes I’ve just got to do it because nothing else works. Also how much water does she drink ?
You are very kind to help. A true friend indeed!
I’ve had problems with constipation for many, many years,(diet and/or medication related) and I’ve finally found what works best for me, that’s not medication, not chemicals and not expensive.
One of the best natural stool softners is Magnesium. Magnesium can be found at most drug stores, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Long’s, etc. or health food store. I take one(1) 250mg Magnesium tablet at bedtime with water. I’ve tried most (over-the-counter)OTC & prescription stool softners and found that Magnesium works the best! Laxatives will only cause her to have horrible problems such as the inability to hold her bowels, prolapse of the rectum, and many other serious issues.
A diet rich in fiber is helpful as is drinking plenty of clear fluids and getting exercise. If drinking water is difficult, then adding something like Crystal Light or a lemon/lime wedge can be helpful. Eating broth soups is helpful or add veggies to enhance flavor. Most leafy green veggies are high in fiber as are berries, especially blueberries. If berries are out of season or to pricey for the budget, frozen is a great alternative. When in the hospital and constipated, nurses get patients out of bed to walk up and down the hallways to get the bowels moving.
The fiber in my diet also includes Kashi GoLean cereal in the A.M. then fruit & veggies during the day and/or at dinner. I also eat a low-fat yogurt in the morning because it contains natural bacterias to help prevent urinary tract infections and what-not that can often accompany bowel movement(BM) issues.
One more thought. Your friend may want to keep a private food journal of what she eats and when she has a BM. Then when constipated, she can look at the journal to see what triggered the stop.
I had a friend who was bulimic in college. I met her years later, but she said they would all use laxatives as their method to lose weight.
I don’t know if you’ve ever tried Kashi cereal, but it cleans you out like you’ve never been cleaned out before! Sorry, but it does! Someone told me it was really good, so I tried it, and was thinking, What the hell??? Then my brother and sil and I were talking about it one day, and laughing because they went through the same thing.
I’d tell her I’m concerned about her, suggest medical help, and maybe some Kashi instead.
alicia, your a good friend to care about her and try to find out how to help! Im sure your support has made a difference for her.
Also a high fiber diet may help as well. I was like that when I was pregnant. Frosted Mini Wheats, Fiber One bars and berries were my favorite.
I agree you should recommend a stool softener, like http://www.dulcolaxusa.com/us/Main/Dulcolax/trust/softener/index.jsp It is very gentle on the tummy and you’re supposed to drink a ton of water.
After all 3 deliveries I had terrible constipation. Metamucil helped. Drinking water helped. Stool softener helped as well.
I agree that you should talk to your friend. But really your friend will have to make the decision to get medical help. You can only make suggestions.
I agree with your gut. I would try sitting down and talking to her about that. For her I think she should start writing down what she eats and seeing when her bowels are moving and when they are not. I bet she can figure out what is causing it. And she should drink LOTS of water. It really helps.
If the problem is truly constipation you might suggest using something like Metamucil which not only helps with constipation but will regulate the body so that she does not have loose stools either. It’s more healthy and adds fiber and then she will have no reason to use laxatives any more. I hope she will take your advise no matter what it is.
Tell her to use high quality probiotics-she’ll need more than what’s in yogurt to regulate her system. If you are already “regular” then yogurt is good to keep you like that, but with people (especially women) with real constipation issues it’s not enough. The probiotics will really help her plus it’s awesome for her immune system.
That’s a tough one. It depends what kind of relationship you have with her. If you were there for her way back when to see her through getting help for her bulemia, then I think you have a right to speak up.
Fiber will DEFINATELY take the place of the laxitives. I had a severe eating disorder when I was younger & is something that internally can still be a really tough thing for me, so I really feel for her.
Increasing fiber will help ( I’ve been on iron supplements for years & know how that goes, lol) brocolli is a great helper but my favorite has to be the caramel Fiber One bars, one a day.. or if she eats 2, she wont NEED the laxative, OR stool softner!!! You can get a gigantic box at a BJs wholesale. IMO, just flat out telling her “look, I love you, this worries me, will you give this a try instead??” Its honest, direct, no beating around the bush & what I wish someone had done for me.
Good luck & shes lucky to have a friend who cares so much!!
I’d suggest to her, easy foods that she can eat to help her not be constipated. Also, maybe a stool softner would be better rather than a laxative.
Tell her to eat a healthy smoothy every morning – If you live by her, maybe make her a “feel better” basket with fruits, yogurt and a recipe for a yummy smoothy.