Expert: Loren - 5/7/2007

Question
i dunno if you can help me but i really dont know who else i can turn to. i've stop the cycle of binging and purging and now my glands have gone rock solid and i look horrible! do you know if this is normal and how long it will last...

davey

Answer
Hello Davey

By the sounds of it, your salivary glands have had a tough time of late. The swelling of the glands in your face and neck is a common reaction to frequent purging and will go down eventually. So, yes, it looks extreme, but I assure you it is normal.

However, you haven't mentioned how long since you put a stop to your bulimia. For these glands to return to their natural state you need to recover, not merely stop for a few weeks/months.
In the meantime, I'd go to your doctors and see whether there is any kind of medication you can get at the moment to take down the swelling a little, or to relieve any pain you may have. But if you haven't properly recovered from your eating disorder I'd advise you to mention this when you're there and look in to getting some help. Bulimia is highly dangerous and, from my own experience, having an eating disorder is a really lonely existence and everyone deserves the right to a life.

Take care,
Loren