Posted by jay on August 17, 2003, at 9:53:46
(This is quite long..sorry...but maybe it can help others dealing with the same problem.)
Hey folks....I am about to start a combination that has been mentioned a few times as being safe *with caution*. My doctor won't give me a weight loss med, so I am going to try adding a tiny amount of 5htp (to start) with Prozac. I am a 6 foot, 260 pound guy at 33, and this is just a plain *dangerous* way to live, with both my parents having heart disease, and my Dad diabetes. Sadly I also have to take Risperdal with my Prozac, and I can document the meds that caused my past weight gain (Neurontin, than Depakote, than *major* with Risperdal and then Zyprexa...now back on Risperdal).
To note, I've tried Metformin (glucophage), which worsened my anxiety,(to the point of being suicidal) as well as Topamax with little to no effect at max dose.
I am putting myself at risk, just as much as if I wasn't taking medications and being suicidal, but I refuse to stop the medications that have given me some mental stability. I was about this same weight in my late teens, then went on a crash diet and lost almost 100 pounds, which I have gained back. But, not only am I conscious of my looks (I can hide my weight in clothes because of my height and general bone size...and look good)but mainly because I don't want to drop dead of a heart attack any day now.
I will up my small but significant exercise routine slowly, and have started some meal planning and nu-life's between-meal "to diet for" shake/snack. (This is not meal replacement, which my research shows is both dangerous and ineffective in the long run.)
Also, should I consider going to a "diet Doctor" specialist, as I said, my weight has been a problem most of my life? Like my depression, it is "in the genes" partly..and maybe I should be on a supervised diet with supervised suppliments/and/or weight-loss medications. (I can't afford stomach staples, as that isn't covered by our government health plan.)
Sorry for so many questions...but a few things have happened in the past week or so that finnaly forced me to own-up to this problem. Please, spare me the "your mental health is fine..so don't worry about weight" advice...as obesity is a very, very deadly illness.
Thanks so very much,
Jay
poster:jay
thread:251534
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/251534.html