laxatives - should I be worried?

[bloodstream9bite]

so, I mostly purge using laxatives. I took 6 Dulcolax pills yesterday, which lasted till today (pardon my grossness). I felt the usual weakness afterwards and today I binged again and took another 6 pills about three hours ago. I know it will take some time before they work but I still feel weak and have a mild pain under my chest. should I be concerned or is this normal (considering I took a bunch of pills)? also, I haven't drunk much water these days.

[NightMerryGoRound]

I think it means you are badly dehydrated, so you should try and drink something. Preferably water and something that has some nutritions, like orange juice. Also try to eat something, like a tomato or something else that contains potassium.

Depends on where exactly under your chest, but if you are worried about it you'd best go to the ER.
Back when I used to take laxatives, one of the last time I took them it was really bad and I had sort of chest pains too, like everything in my bowels was pushing against mu lungs to make more room, I had binged so much and I drank a lot of water with it, but I still felt dehydrated after.

[miasgrrl]

You have to remember that none of us are doctors. If you're worried about your health, you should try to go see one.

[Aeriya]

Depending on how severe the diarrhea was, your electrolytes may be out of whack. Chest pain may indicate that your potassium may be too high (so you lost too much sodium) - potassium is a heart rate regular so if it's too high you can run into some big cardiac problems. Has it resolved at all?

[bittergreen]

Chest pain may indicate that your potassium may be too high (so you lost too much sodium) - potassium is a heart rate regular so if it's too high you can run into some big cardiac problems.

It's a million times more likely that potassium would be low after taking laxatives. I've had a problem with laxative abuse for over a decade now (thankfully not at its worst any more), and I've been to the ER countless times as a result -- every one of those times, my potassium was low due to fluid loss from the diarrhea. I have had high potassium as well, and that has always been due to the fact that I'm taking a potassium supplement. Usually happens if I don't take the supplement with enough fluid. Both are scary as shit and both have nearly (and quite literally) killed me several times. If the OP is taking laxatives without replacing potassium though, there's almost no way it could be high.

bloodstream9bite, please do go the ER if your symptoms continue. Yes, it could just be something digestive-related... but it could be something else as well. Electrolytes are not something you want to screw around with.

[bloodstream9bite]

my heart rate was slightly faster last night but everything's back to normal now. I took a multivitamin and drank an energy drink this morning to replace some of the lost electrolytes.
thanks for your replies guys! I really don't wanna see a doctor when it comes to something resulting from my ED because I know I brought this to myself.

[The Hatter]

my heart rate was slightly faster last night but everything's back to normal now. I took a multivitamin and drank an energy drink this morning to replace some of the lost electrolytes.
thanks for your replies guys! I really don't wanna see a doctor when it comes to something resulting from my ED because I know I brought this to myself.

Good that you feel things are back to normal now, but I would suggest keeping pedialyte on hand (or any other electrolyte restoring drink. Gatorade, orange juice, etc do NOT count in this case) to replenish your electrolytes. As bittergreen stated, it was very much so low potassium. High potassium levels will also cause chest pains and damage to your heart/muscle functions, but laxative abuse and purging will deplete your potassium and magnesium, not raise the levels.

As with anything though relating to chest pains, regardless of the "precautions" you use after hardcore purging or laxative abuse, ALWAYS see a doctor immediately. The stress that is put on your heart, regardless of age, due to an eating disorder can cause heart attacks. Take care of yourself the best you can, but never deny yourself immediate medical treatment when experiencing severe symptoms.

[dancingonmyhands]

A potassium imbalance can get dangerous very quickly and cause heart arrhythmias. Please keep pedialyte on hand and drink it frequently.