I have a wife with bulimia and it was getting to the point where I couldn't take it any more. She needed bulimia treatment badly, but I didn't know where to turn. Through the internet I came across your site and sent my wife for bulimia treatment at your center.
Whoever she first spoke with made her feel so comfortable, she even became excited about the possibility of not having to binge and purge any more. The change in her is amazing. I know she will always be recovering, but I am proud to say she is the most courageous person I know. Thank you for all of your help.
-- Preston V., Nashua, New Hampshire
I needed to find an eating disorder clinic so badly. I used to eat compulsively and had swung over completely to purging and laxatives. I felt so bad about myself, the shame and guilt was just killing me. I had been to an eating disorder clinic before, but they really did not address my mood swings, that I have since understood them to be a bipolar disorder.
Your staff kept telling me that my eating behavior was a symptom of other problems. Well even though I didn't believe them they turned out to be right. I don't use laxatives, I have even learned to exercise moderately. Thank you so much. By the way, it has been ten months since I last purged.
-- Bonnie S., Boston, Massachusetts
Well Shelly, I told you I would write when I had one year in recovery and here I am. Who would have guessed. I have so much gratitude for you taking your time and referring me to a great facility. I knew from the moment I walked in there that I was in the right place. The next time I come by it will be to visit, not as a patient. You are absolutely the greatest.
-- Venessa C., Raleigh, North Carolina
Ipecac Abuse
Ipecac Bulimia
Effective ipecac abuse treatments are within your reach. Call our nationally recognized toll-free eating disorder helpline at 1-800-941-5313. Get the help you need to recover your health and reclaim your life. Caring professionals are standing by 24/7 to assist you and all calls are confidential.
What is Ipecac Bulimia?
Ipecac is a syrup that is most commonly used to induce vomiting, usually after a toxic substance was accidentally ingested. Smaller doses of it are also found in many cough syrups as it is an expectorant. When Ipecac syrup is ingested, it begins to stimulate the central nervous system and stomach. The nausea results in vomiting approximately 20 to 30 minutes after ingestion.
Some people with eating disorders may turn to Ipecac abuse as a means of controlling or losing their weight. It's termed "Ipecac abuse" because Ipecac is a single-use medication, meaning it should only be taken once, never on multiple occasions. People suffering from Ipecac abuse will normally use it daily or many times a day to eliminate ingested food from the body through vomiting. Since the Ipecac is the vehicle for inducing purging, the condition is called "Ipecac bulimia."
Is Ipecac Bulimia Dangerous?
Ipecac bulimia is a potentially fatal condition. In fact, the death of recording artist Karen Carpenter was a direct result of Ipecac abuse. In her case, the alkaloid emetine from the Ipecac had caused severe damage to her heart. It was that damage that eventually resulted in her going into cardiac arrest.
Ipecac abuse can cause numerous medical complications, some of which are very severe and can ultimately prove fatal. These complications may include:
Blackouts
Dizziness
Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalance
Seizures
Hemorrhages
Respiratory failure
Shock
Heart damage
Liver and kidney disease
Cardiac arrest
Death
Symptoms of Ipecac Bulimia
Individuals who are suffering from Ipecac bulimia will normally exhibit the same symptoms as someone who has bulimia without the Ipecac factor. They will typically be fatigued and experience frequent shortness of breath. Because the toxins in Ipecac collect in the muscles of the body, muscle wasting will occur and the individual will feel weaker than normal. This muscle wasting is exactly the process that ultimately damages the heart.
The Deadly Truth About Ipecac Bulimia
While it is difficult to record a definitive number of people suffering from Ipecac abuse, it is believed that approximately 10% of all bulimics experiment with the substance and at least 1% suffers from Ipecac abuse.
Individuals who practice Ipecac abuse are more likely to be hospitalized for severe medical complications than people who have regular bulimia. They are also more prone to die from their complications. That is why it is imperative to get help NOW!
Treating Ipecac Bulimia and Ipecac Abuse
Successful treatment for Ipecac abuse is most often found in a residential eating disorder program where proper medical and psychiatric care can be provided. Any credible program will be licensed by the state in which it provides its services and the treatment staff will be properly credentialed and adequately trained in the management of all types of eating disorders.
