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I accidentally ate a silica gel packet. Am I slowly dying?

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Posted 9/22/2015 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
I just made a smoothie and dumped a bag of freeze dried strawberries in there. I drank it and it tasted good although at the bottom of my glass was some paper. I also got some stuck in my straw. I was able to decipher the words "do not" and almost had a nervous breakdown. I took the strawberry bag out of the garbage and it says- in the smallest print EVER- there was a food grade silica gel dessicant for crispness.

I used my Vitamix so it really pulverized the crap out of the silica packet. I know silica is technically just sand but what about the paper?? I am freaking out and feel like a complete idiot. My birthday is tomorrow and I do not want to need to go to the ER for something so stupid.
Posted 9/22/2015 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Bgirl -

I would load up on activated charcoal if you have some lying around as a safety precaution. This is one of the procedures used in emergency medicine when people OD on drugs. It binds to the unneeded chemicals and gets them out quickly.
Posted 9/22/2015 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
"Silica gel is non-toxic, meaning that it is not poisonous if eaten. The package says "DO NOT EAT" because (1) it is not food, and (2) it could be a choking hazard. The whole packet, granules, or beads may become lodged in the throat of a small child or animal."www.ncpoisoncenter.org/body.cfm?id=113
Posted 9/22/2015 7:03 PM (GMT 0)

iPoop said...
"Silica gel is non-toxic, meaning that it is not poisonous if eaten. The package says "DO NOT EAT" because (1) it is not food, and (2) it could be a choking hazard. The whole packet, granules, or beads may become lodged in the throat of a small child or animal."www.ncpoisoncenter.org/body.cfm?id=113

That makes sense. I think you'll be fine.
Posted 9/22/2015 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
hahaha i actually thought about calling poison control but am too embarrassed. i am so thankful it is non-toxic. i do have some charcoal from a stomach bacteria i had a week ago. if i feel any weird cramping or nausea, i will take a few capsules. it tends to give me diarrhea and i have plans tomorrow.
Posted 9/22/2015 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Happy early birthday!
Posted 9/22/2015 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
I can't imagine that you would get d from eating silica gel since it is meant to dry things out. Good luck!
Posted 9/22/2015 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad the consensus is that you will be ok.
Have a happy birthday.
Posted 9/22/2015 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
if it were poisonous, it would never be inserted into any food package. I'm more than sure that millions of people all over the world (including children) are eating this stuff, either accidentally like you or simply they think it's an edible gratis. You are absolutely safe :)
Posted 9/22/2015 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Happy Birthday Joanna!!!
Posted 9/23/2015 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
haha thank you guys. i'd never eaten one before and it didn't have a taste. besides all the bits of paper, i wouldn't have even known it was in there. i drank a little magnesium citrate to flush it out of there but i feel fine.
Posted 9/23/2015 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hey bananagirl - Glad it's nothing! How's the Welchol working out for you? I have the same symptoms and same diet as you and was curious about it. Happy Birthday!
Posted 9/23/2015 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Happy birthday Banana!! :)

My mom called me to come over to her house once freaking out cause she made a smoothie and there was all these little hard balls in. She didn't notice till it was almost finished. Was pretty funny. She's still alive and well :) - though she hasn't made a smoothie since.... she freaked herself out. Now she checks everything before drinking it. Like everything...
Posted 9/23/2015 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Dude35, welchol is great for me. I don't take it every day because it is so constipating. I usually take it 3 days a week and 1/2 a pill to 1 pill at a time. It is really potent but it helps the right sides cramping and burning. I can still feel food moving from my small intestine to my colon though. I can see and hear it, too. It is so loud and everyone always asks me if my stomach is growling haha

Mark, haha then I am just like your mother! I actually emailed the company and their reply was so condescending. They were like "it says there is a silica packet right on the bag." It was in the crease of the bag in practically size 8 font. So small! Jerks haha
Posted 9/23/2015 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Lol I'm glad your not poisoned! ;) happy birthday!
Posted 9/23/2015 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Happy bday Silicagirl!!!
Posted 9/23/2015 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Lol DMC......

Happy Birthday Joanna......hope this day fares bettter than yesterday's 👍

q
Posted 9/23/2015 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Happy Birthday, banana!
For your birthday I hope those dummies who make that bad of strawberries wake up and change the way they do things so they don't scare innocent people who simply want a smoothie!
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