Posted by Simcha on August 17, 2003, at 10:11:28
In reply to Need some *major* help re: weight...5htp + Prozac?, posted by jay on August 17, 2003, at 9:53:46
Jay,
I've struggled with my weight for most of my adult life even before starting medication. All of my doctors have suggested I do something about my weight. Well, I joined OA. I've realized that I'm part of the problem. I eat to medicate my depression sometimes even when I'm not hungry. Naturally, this makes me gain weight and I'm a male who is 5'10", I weigh 238, and I'm 33 too.
I'm also a very big man structurally. Most of my family is shorter than I am and we have big barrel chests and wide shoulders. My wrists are huge. The charts don't always apply to me. I still need to watch my intake of food, exercise, and eat healthy meals.
What works for me now is having five small meals throughout the day. It tends to leave me with more consistent energy throughout the day and I tend not to binge when I eat this way.
Having the support of OA has helped me. I have gained weight since being put on medications. I know this is a side effect and I know that I have a genetic predisposision to having more weight. Most men in my family get quite large later in life. I'm trying to keep myself in check as much as possible with support.
Eating a balanced vegan diet has helped me to lose 5 pounds in the past three months. It's not fast. I never lose weight fast, unless I have a major depressive episode because I normally don't eat then at all.
The Celexa and the Neurontin I take tend to help my body add on the weight. I'm doing the best I can to eat better and to do more walking.
I've considered seeing a nutritionist because I might need professional medical advice in order to learn better eating habits.
I hope you find whatever will work for you.
The most important lesson from OA I have gotten is that I need to love myself no matter what my weight is and no matter what my waist size is.
That is the beginning for me, self love. Then with self love I can start to honestly assess my eating plan without using it as a "punishment" for having gained weight.
You are right that there are risks to being heavy. I know that too for myself. I'm trying to do the best I can with what I have.
Blessings,
SimchaP.S.: Even my brother, who is adopted and was always rail thin, has gained weight on his medications for his depression. He's trying to work on this himself. This weight thing is so new to him. I'm sorry to see him go through this because I know how hard it is to lose and maintain a healthy weight for me.
> (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:Simcha
thread:251534
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/251537.html