Queer Me, Queer Life

sapphic paintings

Pt2 (Pt1)

Happy Pride Month!

Faust is back for the 5th time! If you want to use the flag of your choice as an avatar, they're under the cut. They're free to use as long as it's for personal use only.

“Hua Cheng didn’t respond, only bowed his head slightly and gently lifted Xie Lian’s chin so they could touch foreheads.”

[Image description: a blue and white info graphic titled "EATING DISORDER HARM REDUCTION" in all caps. Below the title it says "This list was developed with input from ED specialists including nutritionists, dieticians, and dentists. It does not constitute medical advice, and should be discussed with a provider whenever possible. It is not intended for anyone currently at risk for re-feeding or under-feeding syndrome. It is non-exhaustive, and will be continually updated. To suggest a tip, email [email protected] with the subject line "ED HARM REDUCTION""

The first section is titled "VOMITING", and reads:

"DURING

Use your hand not a foreign object. If scarring is a concern, alternate with your non-dominant hand.

Watch for blood in your vomit, especially if anything you ate might resemble or conceal blood keeping in mind that blood brought up this way might appear more brown than red. If you do see blood, stop - it might signify a tear in your esophagus or stomach lining.

AFTER

Mix a little baking soda with water and rinse then spit. Fluoride works, too.

Wait at least an hour to brush your teeth or to consume any sugary or acidic foods.

Drink Pedialyte, Gatorade or something similar. Sip slowly.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Drink fluids. Doesn't have to be water - just non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated.

Use high-fluoride and/or enamel-buliding toothpaste.

Use a soft toothbrush.

Chew sugar-free gum to help promote saliva production.

Ask if your provider advises potassium chloride tablets.

If you regularly take Advil or a similar medicine processed through the kidneys try switching to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or another medication that's processed through the liver, purging can strain your kidneys, so you want to ease their workload.

Get your electrolyte levels, vitals, heart function, and kidney function checked as regularly as your provider recommends."

The next section is titled "RESTRICTING", and reads:

"Take a multivitamin, plus calcium, and vitamin D supplements.

To the extent that your body can safely handle, engage in 10-minute sessions of resistance or weight-bearing exercise (stair-climbing, lifting weights) to help keep your bones strong. Avoid contact sports, motions that twist/bend your spine and any exercise that involves risk of falling.

If eating solid food is difficult, try different forms of liquid nutrition - meal replacement shakes, medical supplements, pudding.

If you have a dietician or similar provider you trust ask for help establishing some baseline in-take/nutrition goals, and discuss them in the context of specific foods you feel safe eating."

The next section is titled "LAXATIVE USE", and reads:

"Try to not use more than a few days in a row and not in larger quantities due to increasing tolerance If you use stimulant laxatives (Ex-Lax, Senakot), try switching osmotic/non-stimulant ones (milk of magnesia, MiraLAX) which are less harmful. Pay no mind to whether the label vibe is natural vs artificial, you care only about the ingredient list.

Drink Pedialyte, Gatorade or something similar after you purge.

If you regularly use Advil or a similar medication that's processed through the kidneys try switching to acetaminophen.

There is no conclusive evidence for tapering vs stopping cold. What matters is that however you proceed is what best fits your pattern of use and your main concerns over changing it. Give your body a few weeks before judging progress. More than two poops/week during this time, you're doing great."

The next section is titled "BINGEING", and reads:

Go slow bingeing is usually done in a dissociated state - take your time and try to notice the foods as you're eating them.

Take a short walk (5-10 minutes) afterward to help with digestion.

Try a hot water bottle on your stomach if you're in pain while digesting. Avoid curling into a ball or lying on your back.

At the onset of a binge, have a large meal and explore eating to fullness rather than extreme pain."

The next section is titled "OVER-EXERCISING", and reads:

"Take the time to thoroughly stretch and warm up first.

When possible, work out with someone supportive who's been in conversation with you and your doctor about helpful/hurtful exercise habits. Try to reduce exercising alone.

Try exercises that involve slower movements, like walking or swimming (somewhere with a lifeguard). When no one's available to join you try walking outside when/where safe to do so - see if you can make that the primary form of exercise you do alone. Stick to familiar terrain close to your home."

The final section is titled "ALL", and reads:

"Take all medications and supplements at the time of day furthest from any purging.

Try reducing a harmful behaviours frequency - from several times a day to once a day or from once a day to a few times a week.

"Drink enough water" means different things for different people, so although eight glasses of non-alcoholic non-caffeinated fluids a day can be a starting point, ask your provider's input here if you can.

Get your electrolyte levels, vitals, heart function, and kidney function checked as regularly as your provider recommends." /end id]

If possible, do workouts that focus on your core abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. These are the muscles that regulate your voluntary digestive functions. Strengthening and conditioning them will help with control of vomiting and defecating, and will also help prevent pain from straining those muscles during binging and purging episodes.

Keep the following handy: Chewable antacids, daily proton pump inhibitor (e.g. Prilosec), Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), non-drowsy Dramamine, Gas-X

Take probiotics, prebiotics and fiber daily to help keep your gut healthy and reduce unwanted symptoms and flare ups.

If you binge, take note of how specific foods may trigger unwanted reactions like acid reflux, gas, or nausea and try to reduce or avoid those foods in your binging sessions.

All of this cost me potential friendships with @scientistservant and @anchasvtt unfortunately 😔 I don't blame them for not wanting to interact with me because of my emotional dysregulation. When my verbal filter is gone and I'm feeling anxious or depressed, I turn into a complete b*tch. Being impulsive makes it worse. Just know I don't wake up and decide I'm gonna be a b*tch to people. We NDs aren't like that. It's just that all self-control goes out the door when we're anxious. We're not bad people, though, despite what it seems to anybody on social media. Dealing with us neurodivergents when we're experiencing negative emotions takes a lot of patience. Especially untreated and unsupported NDs like myself. Also, many NDs do feel remorse for negative things that they've said and they do mean whatever apologies they give, even when we keep apologizing for the same things over and over. Anytime I've lost even virtual friendships because of things that I've said that caused it, I tend to have physical reactions to it, such as insomnia and nausea. I want to fit in so badly and be accepted into the tdc fandom, which is why I get insomnia from pushing people away when I'm emotionally dysregulated.