On the evening of Saturday, April 22nd, I posted a Facebook status as a public service announcement by compiling a list of self-care tips and tricks specifically geared towards bulimics and individuals who make themselves throw up or purge.

As a person with experience in this realm, who did not realize how close to death I was, I felt it was my responsibility to educate people on dangerous behaviors and how to stay as safe as possible. My post was kept up for a mere 24 hours, before it was removed by Facebook saying that I “did not adhere to community guidelines”.

In my book, saving someone from brain damage, organ failure, cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, tachycardia, loose teeth, teared stomach lining, seizures and death ect. is me stepping up to do more for my community than most people would. Please read a copy of my post below and share with your friends.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Facebook Post (Containing information that “does not adhere to community guidelines”):

If you are bulimic or you make yourself throw up regularly and you are not aware of aftercare and harm reduction, please read this PSA….. I can educate you on to do the least amount of harm as possible to your body if you choose to do this.

On a more personal note, I was not aware that I was purging in a way that is extremely dangerous and strenuous on the heart and in most cases is the cause of death (by flushing) — now that I know, it is my responsibility to educate. I want you to stay as safe as possible if you have questions message me.

10 TIPS TO FOLLOW IF YOU MAKE YOURSELF THROW UP

1) NEVER USE A TOOTHBRUSH: I repeat. never use a toothbrush to stick down your throat. I know this seems silly but people do this and you can actually drop it down your throat …. thats is surgery and very dangerous. Can get stuck/puncture your insides ect…. I know its seems silly but use your fingers not a toothbrush or other utensil.

2) TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART BY NOT DOING THIS!!!!!!!!: This is what I didn’t know about, “flushing” FLUSHING is when you drink, puke, drink puke drink puke (until the food is all out and your vomit comes up clear). I would do this every time, and had no idea I was putting my life at risk.

Flushing, my friends is HOW PEOPLE DIE. It is WAY more traumatic on the body than just drinking with your meal or drinking after your meal and puking as much as you can in one go, without going back to drink more. Drinking more than once messes with your electrolyte imbalance terribly. Please please please don’t do this. TLDR: If you must throw up, throw up once and one time only. because any more than that and your risk of internal damage increases exponentially.

3) BLOOD: Sometimes you might find red blood in your vomit. In many cases that could be from scratching your throat, but in some cases it is not. If you see blood stop purging immediately. If you see a substance come up that looks like DRIED COFFEE GROUNDS. Please seek medical attention ASAP. This is blood and it is a sure sign you need to be seen by a professional!

4) AFTERCARE/REPLENISH ELECTROLYTES: the best thing you could do would be to drink with your meal and only purge once and then replenish electrolytes immediately after. This doesn’t mean gatorade because there isn’t enough electrolytes in that.

I chew on NUUN tablets for concentrated electrolytes or drink a bottle of pedialyte. A whole bottle. This is important because when your heart fucks up its because you don’t do this. Drink Coconut water or sports drinks throughout the day in addition to after your purge.

5) TEETH: if your teeth are like mine they hurt, are loose and if they are worse than mine they are becoming see through from lack of enamel. this is because the acid is wearing away at them. You can restore the PH in your mouth by swishing with baking soda in water after a purge or brushing with baking soda only.

6) Never brush your teeth after a purge it actually rubs acid into your teeth, destroying the enamel — wait 30 min before brushing

7) PILLS: if you take any pills, purging them can fuck up the dose — you likely wont get them all out it will just metabolize quickly or in some way you weren’t expecting so take note of that. Some medications (like Wellbutrin) can cause seizures from throwing them up. Please call a doctor if you have questions.

8) TAKE YOUR MULTI VITAMIN AFTER PURGING.

9) YOUR HEART: Tachycardia is really common — it’s where the heart adds and extra beat or flutters a bit — this is common if you are purging and caused by electrolyte imbalance. By incorporating potassium into your diet you can reverse it (see below).

10) POTASSIUM: I used to get a funky heart beat when I stood up quickly. foods that are high in potassium like DATES, AVOCADO, BANANA are all high in potassium and VERY important to your diet and heart health. Eat them and do not throw them up

Thank you all for taking the time to read my self-care and after care tips for those who purge. Please share it with your friends and take care of yourself!

GET HELP FOR YOUR EATING DISORDER TODAY: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/resource-links