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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sue Doe on February 18, 2002, at 20:28:20
I have taken effexor for about six months. Before this i took depakote. Lately I have been eating continually without being hungry. Could this be brought on by the effexor or is it just another symptom of a mental disorder. Is there a non-drug solution?
Posted by Mr. Scott on February 18, 2002, at 23:14:25
In reply to compulsive eating, posted by Sue Doe on February 18, 2002, at 20:28:20
I found that on the combination of Zoloft and Klonopin I could eat for the sport of it and never really know I was full. I just enjoyed it so much. Since I switched to effexor 75mg and dropped the klonopin I have lost 30 pounds!
Go figure... my blood lipids also fell dramatically.
I guess I would say Effexor could very well be a culprit. I believe all the SSRI's and Effexor are likely to cause weight gain in the long run.
I took Tricyclics for years and never gained any weight until I started Prozac!
and got both lazy and hungry.Scott
Posted by cmcdougall on February 19, 2002, at 10:21:21
In reply to compulsive eating, posted by Sue Doe on February 18, 2002, at 20:28:20
Hi,
I took effexor xr for about 18 months and gained 30lbs. I could just eat and eat and eat, mostly sweets.
I've been on celexa for 5 months and have lost 12lbs so far w/out really trying.
Love and luck,
Carly
Posted by sjb on February 19, 2002, at 13:57:11
In reply to Re: compulsive eating » Sue Doe, posted by cmcdougall on February 19, 2002, at 10:21:21
Wow, I've been off all meds for almost 2 months and been the highest weight in years, and those years were on all different ADs. Wish I knew the answer but my compulsive overeating is way out of hand now, and I have no idea what to do. Seems the SRRIs helped me initially and think I must go back. Suicide seems the only option and I think about it constantly. Almost makes me angry that I can't do it due to family. I hate my life, I hate me, and there is nothing I enjoy.
Posted by mcd on February 19, 2002, at 16:07:28
In reply to Re: compulsive eating, posted by sjb on February 19, 2002, at 13:57:11
> Wow, I've been off all meds for almost 2 months and been the highest weight in years, and those years were on all different ADs. Wish I knew the answer but my compulsive overeating is way out of hand now, and I have no idea what to do. Seems the SRRIs helped me initially and think I must go back. Suicide seems the only option and I think about it constantly. Almost makes me angry that I can't do it due to family. I hate my life, I hate me, and there is nothing I enjoy.
I identify so much with the way you feel. My compulsive eating,(combined with med weight gain and my inactivity), has gotten so out of hand that I'm at the highest weight I have ever been. I understand your despair at feeling so out of control, but please don't give up. I know what it feels like to want to die due to hatred of your life and of yourself. I'm thankful that you have your family and you feel connected to them enough so that you don't feel like suicide is an option right now. Please hang onto that until you can get a little more stabilized.If you've been off meds for awhile, maybe a first step might be to try to get back on something that has helped you before or ask your doctor to try something new. I think I've been on every med that's ever been invented in the last 20 years, but I recently started Lamictal and that is helping me with my depression better and more quickly than any of the antidepressants that I've tried.
I know that the more I weigh, the more I hate my life and my body. I've also found that the more I hate my weight and my body, the more weight I gain (does that make sense?). I basically give up, I guess, and just keep eating. It's only when my mood is better (maybe due to the correct meds) and I start to take baby steps to take care of myself in little ways, that I even feel capable of addressing the eating. Also, I find I need some structure to help me with the eating. If you have the resources, I found it helpful to go to a dietician who has experience with eating disorders.
You didn't mention whether or not you're in therapy or have been in therapy. I've found this to be invaluable in addressing the issues that cause me to use food in the first place.
Please keep posting and let us know how you're doing.
Mary
Posted by sue doe on February 19, 2002, at 17:07:08
In reply to Re: compulsive eating, posted by sjb on February 19, 2002, at 13:57:11
> Wow, I've been off all meds for almost 2 months and been the highest weight in years, and those years were on all different ADs. Wish I knew the answer but my compulsive overeating is way out of hand now, and I have no idea what to do. Seems the SRRIs helped me initially and think I must go back. Suicide seems the only option and I think about it constantly. Almost makes me angry that I can't do it due to family. I hate my life, I hate me, and there is nothing I enjoy.
I am glad Mary answered your letter so well. It seems we are all in the same boat. Perhaps there is someone reading these notes who has found some positive solutions. I am usually not inclined to go for counseling. I have a hard time leaning on anyone but myself. It seems exercise would be a good start but I can't hardly even begin doing my chores around the house. I'd like to start the day with walks, though. Maybe we can use this site as a way to encourage one another to take small steps towards getting out of our ruts together. My brother took his life, and it has been a great loss to me for many years. I wish he could have had the help we didn't know he needed. Sue Doe
Posted by sjb on February 21, 2002, at 14:02:50
In reply to Re: compulsive eating, posted by sue doe on February 19, 2002, at 17:07:08
Thanks. Yeah, baby steps. I'm going back to a PDoc I saw previously this Mon. We'll see. Also looking into treatment at Renfrew and Laurelette (sp) but am spooked by the young anorexics that will be there. Makes me feel more self concious!!! I know EXACTLY what you mean by giving up, gaining more weight by being constanly preoccupied and loathing oneself for gaining weight! Plus, it's so self absorbing and self limiting.
Made a 2-column list today: 1)Non-bingeing lifestyle 2) Bingeing lifestyle. Needless to say all the positive things are under the non-bingeing lifestyle, not the least of which is:
"I can be of better service to others"
Posted by sue doe on February 21, 2002, at 14:32:56
In reply to Re: compulsive eating-mcd,sue doe, posted by sjb on February 21, 2002, at 14:02:50
> Thanks. Yeah, baby steps. I'm going back to a PDoc I saw previously this Mon. We'll see. Also looking into treatment at Renfrew and Laurelette (sp) but am spooked by the young anorexics that will be there. Makes me feel more self concious!!! I know EXACTLY what you mean by giving up, gaining more weight by being constanly preoccupied and loathing oneself for gaining weight! Plus, it's so self absorbing and self limiting.
>
> Made a 2-column list today: 1)Non-bingeing lifestyle 2) Bingeing lifestyle. Needless to say all the positive things are under the non-bingeing lifestyle, not the least of which is:
>
> "I can be of better service to others"sjb: Good idea with the lists. I will do the same. One reason I eat is because I feel like I am such a failure in life. It is a sort of self-punishment. So I think I will be optimistic and make a third list showing my achievements no matter how small. It's important for me to see what I've done that is positive. Like today I made sure my children all brushed their teeth and put their toothbrushes away. This was a great achievement for me. Now I am going to clean my kitchen which hasn't been done for several weeks. If I get the dishes done I'll be happy. I don't like groups, or any public confessions of my inadequacies. I always lie to the docs and tell them I'm great! So I hope you, and others, will help me here. Thanks for your response! Sue Doe
Posted by sjb on February 22, 2002, at 15:54:12
In reply to Re: compulsive eating, baby steps to beat it!, posted by sue doe on February 21, 2002, at 14:32:56
sue doe,
Hey, that's great about your accomplishments today! I don't have kids, but I feel better when I've cleaned the house and it's (relatively) in good shape. When I'm really down, I just let everything go and looking around at the mess just makes me feel worse. (My husband is a good straightener but not good with the real "cleany" stuff.) I digress.
I, too, struggle with a feeling of worthlessness and/or a need to suffer or punish myself. My husband says I'm hard wired to feel like I am undeserving of happiness. He's right - the key is finding out how to not think like that anymore. Duh, easier said then done.
I'm going to add an accomplishment column to my list also. In my case, here it is Fri and I've made it to work all week and have been fairly productive. For me, considering my attendance in the last 6 months, that's an accomplishment.
Posted by sue doe on February 22, 2002, at 18:07:03
In reply to Re: compulsive eating, baby steps to beat it!, posted by sjb on February 22, 2002, at 15:54:12
sjb: Thanks so much for your response, and for the pat on the back. This may seem strange, I don't know you, but it helps so much! Today I cleaned my kitchen (I didn't finish it yesterday). The floor was only partially mopped, but that's better than it's been for ages! My husband drives truck and comes home only about 3 days a month. Then he criticizes me for the mess, and says I'm ruining the kids. He goes back on the truck and calls every day to see whether I cleaned. I just unplug the phone. Then I get more depressed. I want the house clean, but when he insults me, I get depressed. Then I can't do anything. Get it? Anyway, I'm not giving up. Next week I'll go to work somewhere else. Thanks again. Have a good weekend! And congrats on making it to work all week! Sue Doe P.S. On the compulsive eating I made a big jug of tea today and drank some everytime I was about to grab something and nibble. I think I ate less today!
Posted by sjb on February 25, 2002, at 11:17:05
In reply to Re: compulsive eating, baby steps to beat it!, posted by sue doe on February 22, 2002, at 18:07:03
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2002, at 21:18:46
In reply to Re: moving to social babble (nm), posted by sjb on February 25, 2002, at 11:17:05
Here's the link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020223/msgs/18880.html
Thanks, sjb! :-)
Bob
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