Posted by Racer on June 7, 2000, at 2:32:13
In reply to Effexor and Anorexia, posted by Grant Tyler on June 6, 2000, at 14:34:11
My anorexia comes back whenever I'm depressed, even after all these years. It's like a security blanket.
I've been on Effexor for over a year, and at first I lost a little weight, BUT I didn't obsess about it. Now I've gained a buncha weight, probably 25 pounds, due to a lot of factors (new living situation, more money for better food, etc), but again I'm not obsessing about it.
As for your girlfriend, it's likely that as her depression improves, her anorexia will ease off, too. The first relief I had from anorexia was from an anti-depressant: Paxil. That was a terrible thing, though: I gained about 50# from it, and felt like such a failure, so gross, so disgusting. The Effexor is much better for me, since the depression is improved, and it didn't just raise my weight on its own.
The setpoint theory of anorexia, that it will come and go depending on whether one is above or below a physical "setpoint" weight, seems to hold true for me. If I lose weight beyond a certain point, due to stress, illness, whatever, I will suddenly fall back into anorexia. If my weight rises above that weight, the anorexia will go away. Nonetheless, I don't recommend the Paxil experience I had to anyone. It was just too painful, for too long, simply gaining the weight with no change in eating habits.
I'm 36, by the way, and have had 22 years of experience with it now. I send my best wishes for your girlfriend, and to you, too.
poster:Racer
thread:36323
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000603/msgs/36392.html