Men and Bulimia

[dylansmama]

:(My father has had bulimia since he was a teenager. (He's 52) He has never admitted it, but we know he does...he throws up EVERY meal. He's got a 'system' down, as to where nobody knows but us. We know that inpatient help is not an option. He's very proud, and secretive....it would destroy him if people knew...he'll take it to his grave. My question is; do you know of any MALES that have struggled with this? Have you seen the effects of this on men. (every physical he has, comes out great....he's "healthy as horse") Why isn't this hurting his health more?? I'm stumped. He's got his doctors 'fooled'. I've even told our family doctor about it, and she didn't believe me. We've all come to terms with it, but I would love to know about any male patients you've had, or anything about it really. Keep in mind; I'm well aware of what it does to women, it just doesn't appear that it's hurting his health at all......I know it must be doing something? Any thoughts?:heartbeat

[leslie :-D]

this looks like a pretty good link.

Eating Disorders in Men

http://www.menshealth.about.com/od/conditions/a/eating_disorder.htm

i would let your dad know that you're aware, and how much he needs help.

he does not have to suffer in silence.

best of everything to all who love him.

leslie

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I am just asking, but wouldn't the dentist have picked up on this by now? Bulemics are known to have bad teeth from all the vomiting. He surely would have other health problems by now like electrolyte imbalances that the doc would have noticed.

I am sorry your dad is going through this. I think you should talk to him and tell him that you know and want him to get help. But likely he will deny it.

[dylansmama]

yes, you would think that the dentist would pick it up....my theory is that he rinses with Listerine religiously. Also, he has had some 'iffy' bloodwork, and have to have it redone, however it came back 'normal'.

[scribblerpnp]

Sometimes with bulimia, a person will have a normal physical and blood work. Usually, bulimics don't fully regurgitate all the food they consume, and as a result they don't have the typical physical appearance of malnutrition. This is usually why many bulimics who are "good at it" also add starvation and the use of laxatives to their practices. If he is just throwing up and still eating a regular diet (or even binging as many do), I could absolutely see there being no physical evidence.

The no change in the dental exam is odd though, but if he is meticulous enough to brush and use mouthwash every time he does throw up, it would decrease the exposure of his teeth to the acid. I bet his age and the fact that he is a guy may make it less likely for a dentist to connect any tooth problems to bulemia. I am more suprised that he doesn't suffer from heart burn. It would be interetsing to see his results from an upper GI. I can only imagine what a lifetime of this would make an esophagus look like.

If you think about it, most blood work is done fasting, so a slightly low glucose or electrolyte count can be waved away by saying, well, they haven't eaten since yesterday.

I am so sorry you and your family are going through this. Hopefully one day soon your dad will realize that he needs help.

*Hugs to you*

[dylansmama]

I forgot to mention that....he has always had horrible heartburn, and takes crazy amounts of antacids. Thank you so much scribblerpnp for your input, and thank you for the hugs!

[djc1981]

It happens. Most guys don't want to talk about it because its seen as a female disease. I've had friends with it. It seems to affect gay men often -- thus even more stigma. It's really a terrible thing to live through.