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Hello, I am a bulimic...

My name is Roisin, and I say that I am bulimic without shame or guilt because being bulimic simply means I was born with a genetic predisposition to Bulimia Nervosa (BN). Having this predisposition does not mean I have to suffer from the illness. I did suffer, and it was one of the darkest periods of my life, but now I know that suffering is not inevitable. I realized that losing weight, in my case, due to coping with deaths in my family, my relationship with food, and dieting patterns commonly practiced by many people, can trigger an involuntary response due to my genetic predisposition. When this involuntary response of binge eating episodes is not addressed with proper weight restoration, the cycle of BN continues, potentially leading to lifelong physical consequences. This realization compels me to share my story and what I have learned in the hope that I may help others recover fully and, even better, intervene early to prevent such consequences.

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Growing up...

my relationship with food and my body weight was tumultuous. From a young age, I struggled with my weight, often feeling self-conscious and insecure about my appearance. These feelings intensified as I entered adolescence, a period characterized by rapid physical and emotional changes. 

Physical Symptoms and Timeline of Onset

In this section, I describe the physical symptoms of bulimia nervosa that I experienced at the onset of the illness, presented in chronological order. This information is often unavailable, as most literature describes all symptoms together. However, in reality, the symptoms develop in a predictable pattern over time due to the biological progression of the illness. By explaining this here, I hope to provide helpful information for intervening as early as possible, rather than waiting for more symptoms to appear and the situation to worsen.

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Immediate Effects (in less than 6 months)

  • Gastrointestinal Issues | frequent vomiting can lead to chronic sore throat, esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

  • Dehydration | vomiting and laxative abuse cause significant fluid loss, leading to dehydration, which can result in kidney issues.

  • Electrolyte Imbalance | vomiting and purging disrupt the balance of electrolytes, leading to hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hyponatremia. This can cause muscle cramps, weakness and potentially life-threatening cardica arrhythmias.

Short Term Effects (6-12 months)

  • Dental Erosion | stomach acid from vomiting erodes tooth enamel, causing cavities and tooth sensitivity.

  • Swollen Salivary Glands | repeated vomiting causes parotid gland hypertrophy, leading to a "chipmunk cheek" appearance.

  • Digestive Complications | chronic laxative use leads to constipation and gastro intestinal tract dysfunction.

Long Term Effects (1 year+)

  • Cardiac Issues | prolonged electrolyte imbalances can lead to cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrest.

  • Bone Density Loss | nutritional deficiencies contribute to osteoporosis and increased fracture risk.

  • Neurological Impairments | prolonged malnutrition affects brain function, leading to cognitive impairments and mood disorders.

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