Posted by tygereyes on April 2, 2005, at 16:33:19
In reply to Re: Meds and weight gain » tygereyes, posted by Racer on April 2, 2005, at 15:07:32
> I'm also anorexic, and have had medication related weight gain in the past. Right now, I'm actually getting treated for the anorexia, rather than just having pills thrown at me, but I know how hard it can be.
It's really a terrible disease, isn't it?
>
> I've never had either of the meds you've mentioned, but Zyprexa or cyproheptidine would be my first choices if I had to try meds to stimulate appetite.
>
> Got a couple of questions, though:
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> Are you trying to eat? I know, that's such an obvious question, but it's still valid... For one thing, besides appetite, I have a problem with not feeling hungry, and with having trouble stuffing food down because I feel so full most of the time. But I know I still gotta try to eat...I am trying. I've been maintaining my weight, more or less (sometimes I go under the weight contract, since I am trying to stay at the VERY edge of it, which is actually a bit below what the hospital recommended) and I usually have a decent appetite (the problem hasn't been my appetite, really, but the fact that I restrict in spite of feeling hungry) so the fact that my appetite has totally disappeared, over three months after I was released from the hospital and signed the weight contract, is quite strange.
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> Are you working with a nutritional counselor? That helps me more than anything else going on, even though I'm my own expert on food and dieting and all that. I still learn something nearly every time I see her.My insurance won't cover it, so I can't. I do try to supplement with Ensure (TERRIBLE stuff!!) when I can't meet my requirements but I haven't been able to choke down the Ensure lately.
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> Have you had a full physical to rule out things like gastroparesis, or are you getting some sort of treatment for gastroparesis? (More of a problem if you purge, but still a problem even if you "only" restrict.) Gastroparesis is such a problem, because it plays havoc with being able to eat since your hunger signals will be all screwy.Everyone at the Health Center thinks it's a psychological thing and that I am restricting, which is so frustrating. My psychiatrist (who is also my therapist) is back from a short vacation this week, though, and I know she will believe me, since she is practically the only person who trusts me at all. I can ask her to order some tests for me.
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> And what sort of motivation do you have towards recovering?None at all. I graduate in 48 days, and my weight contract expires then and I am planning on returning to my pre-hospital weight. I am just trying to make it through these final 48 days without having to be re-hospitalized.
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> By the way, there is a board here specifically for eating disorders, where you might get more relevant information.Thank you! I often read that board.
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> The good thing about those meds for weight gain is that you can stop taking them when they've done their job. At that point, the effects will go away. Should slow the appetite down.Good, that was something I was definitely worried about!
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> Oh, and as a "fat anorexic" -- even though it feels as though you'll start eating and NEVER STOP, that's not really what happens. I have that sense a lot, but it's a distortion. The reality is that my hunger signals are all screwed up, but I really can't -- as in it is physically impossible -- overeat. Long before I get to a "normal" amount of food, I get too overfull, too sick, to keep eating. Unfortunately, it takes a while to get those hunger signals worked out. It happens, though...Logically, I know this; it's just so hard to connect my anorexic brain to my "real" brain sometimes.
Thanks so much for your help!
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> Good luck, and welcome.
poster:tygereyes
thread:478971
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050330/msgs/479020.html