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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jerrympls on April 21, 2003, at 21:33:01
My apologies to Dr. Bob if this the wrong forum for this- but when researching anemia, this was listed as one of the symptoms:
"Unusual cravings for non-nutritive food, such as for ice, dirt, paint or pure starch"It actually made me laugh - has anyone ever had cravings for dirt and/or paint?
Just thought I'd share and perhaps bring on a smile....
Jerry
Posted by justyourlaugh on April 21, 2003, at 21:58:12
In reply to Humor: One symptom of Anemia-you won't believe!, posted by jerrympls on April 21, 2003, at 21:33:01
pregnancy can cause a need to eat dirt too..
the body craves what it is missing...?
it goes way back to the cave
j
Posted by medlib on April 21, 2003, at 22:46:15
In reply to Re: Humor: » jerrympls, posted by justyourlaugh on April 21, 2003, at 21:58:12
Hi Jerry--
What you've run across is an eating disorder called pica. It's not just a symptom of anemia, it can also be a cause. Pica is fairly common in certain populations and regions and can have serious consequences.
http://www.eating-disorder.org/pica.html
The serendipity of surfing is astonishing, sometimes, isn't it?---medlib
Posted by leeran on April 22, 2003, at 0:07:32
In reply to Re: Pica, posted by medlib on April 21, 2003, at 22:46:15
I remember reading about Pica when I was pregnant. Unfortunately, all I craved was mint chocolate chip ice cream.
The notion of Pica (eating dirt, etc.) brings a whole new meaning to the threat of cleaning one's mouth out with soap.
I actually thought it had something to do with lack of iron? It's been years since I was pregnant (and years since I thought about Pica).
Posted by jerrympls on April 22, 2003, at 0:13:50
In reply to Re: Pica » medlib, posted by leeran on April 22, 2003, at 0:07:32
I apologize if I offended anyone with this illness. I never new of such symptoms. I hope I haven't hurt anyone.
jerry
Posted by leeran on April 22, 2003, at 0:33:08
In reply to Re: Pica, posted by jerrympls on April 22, 2003, at 0:13:50
Oh no, not in the least!!! I always thought it was odd as well. I've heard that it can be more prevalent in third world (is that still politically correct to say?) countries.
I can't speak for anyone else, but you sure didn't hurt me . . . I am always intrigued with unusual medical terms/conditions.
Unfortunately, one new term I've heard of just this week, that makes me abundantly sad, is "coffin birth," in relation to Laci Peterson. Sometimes, when I watch the news, I don't think there are enough anti-depressants in the world to help with the pain of so much suffering.
Okay, sorry to get so morose - but the Pica thing is indeed interesting and glad you brought it up.
Posted by Snoozy on April 22, 2003, at 1:04:04
In reply to Humor: One symptom of Anemia-you won't believe!, posted by jerrympls on April 21, 2003, at 21:33:01
> My apologies to Dr. Bob if this the wrong forum for this- but when researching anemia, this was listed as one of the symptoms:
>
>
> "Unusual cravings for non-nutritive food, such as for ice, dirt, paint or pure starch"
>
> It actually made me laugh - has anyone ever had cravings for dirt and/or paint?
>
> Just thought I'd share and perhaps bring on a smile....
>
> JerryThis does beg the question - which is more non-nutritive: dirt or donuts?
Posted by leeran on April 22, 2003, at 1:24:31
In reply to Re: Humor: One symptom of Anemia-you won't believe! » jerrympls, posted by Snoozy on April 22, 2003, at 1:04:04
I have awakened many times to find myself craving donuts. Pound for pound, I'm going to guess that dirt has less fat and probably more nutrients. Despite any minerals that might be present, one of the problems in eating dirt is contamination from feces, etc. (that was a "duh" statement on my part if I've ever read one).
I used to like to chew the little ends on plastic clothing tags. Hmmmm, is that a Pica or just a nervous habit (or just plain stupid?). I didn't swallow them, I just liked the feeling of flattening the plastic with my teeth. I also used to eat Cheetos with tweezers so as not to get orange fingertips.
Is there a true confessions board?
Okay, in order to make this meds related I will say that I hope they eventually come out with a 5 mg. dose of Lexapro. Cutting pills that don't cut exactly even (even with a little pill cutter) drives me a little nutty. I will also continue this in the meds vein by saying that I hope I don't gain weight on Lexapro (it seems to be about 50/50 on the board regarding weight gain/weight loss).
I'm giving Lexapro a second shot since I found out (today) that my crash and burn was probably due to discontinuing Wellbutrin.
Posted by MelD on April 22, 2003, at 15:49:55
In reply to Re: Humor: One symptom of Anemia-you won't believe! » Snoozy, posted by leeran on April 22, 2003, at 1:24:31
I dunno, but i do have memories of filling my mouth with sand from the sand box when i was a tiny kid. (ewwwwww) Must have been before mommy let me have chocolate. Glad to say, it hasnt occurred to me to do it since. :)
Posted by jemma on April 22, 2003, at 17:10:46
In reply to Re: Humor: One symptom of Anemia-you won't believe!, posted by MelD on April 22, 2003, at 15:49:55
Posted by Edgefield on April 22, 2003, at 18:20:29
In reply to Humor: One symptom of Anemia-you won't believe!, posted by jerrympls on April 21, 2003, at 21:33:01
I use to eat dirt as a child (4 & 5 years old) I remember it being very delicious. I stopped when we moved to the USA....the texture and flavor of the dirt here just wasn't the same as back home :)
God Bless
> My apologies to Dr. Bob if this the wrong forum for this- but when researching anemia, this was listed as one of the symptoms:
>
>
> "Unusual cravings for non-nutritive food, such as for ice, dirt, paint or pure starch"
>
> It actually made me laugh - has anyone ever had cravings for dirt and/or paint?
>
> Just thought I'd share and perhaps bring on a smile....
>
> Jerry
Posted by Edgefield on April 22, 2003, at 18:20:56
In reply to Humor: One symptom of Anemia-you won't believe!, posted by jerrympls on April 21, 2003, at 21:33:01
I use to eat dirt as a child (4 & 5 years old) I remember it being very delicious. I stopped when we moved to the USA....the texture and flavor of the dirt here just wasn't the same as back home :)
God Bless
> My apologies to Dr. Bob if this the wrong forum for this- but when researching anemia, this was listed as one of the symptoms:
>
>
> "Unusual cravings for non-nutritive food, such as for ice, dirt, paint or pure starch"
>
> It actually made me laugh - has anyone ever had cravings for dirt and/or paint?
>
> Just thought I'd share and perhaps bring on a smile....
>
> Jerry
Posted by leeran on April 22, 2003, at 18:32:10
In reply to Re: Humor: One symptom of Anemia-you won't believe! » jerrympls, posted by Edgefield on April 22, 2003, at 18:20:29
Edgefield,
I guess this gives all new meaning to the expression "I will get down and kiss the ground" when you return to your country of origin, eh?
;-)
Lee
Posted by IsoM on April 23, 2003, at 0:24:28
In reply to Re: Maybe my dog's anemic? (nm), posted by jemma on April 22, 2003, at 17:10:46
It's worth getting your dog checked if you think he may be anemic. I belong to a group for chronic renal failure in cats & as the disease progresses, the liver ceases to produce a hormone needed to get the bone marrow making new red blood cells - hence they become anemic. Pica & strange behaviours like licking the floor or concrete is a symptom of anemia.
Posted by jemma on April 23, 2003, at 14:24:27
In reply to re: pets, pica, and anemia » jemma, posted by IsoM on April 23, 2003, at 0:24:28
Thanks for the concern - I adore my dog, and would hate to think he was sick. But I really meant it humorously - my dog's such a big ol' goofus, he has to sample everything with his tongue. (Not feces, thank god - at least, not here in Toronto. Out west, he had a weakness for otter droppings, which are considered a canine delicacy.)
I'm pretty sure he's not anemic. He has SO much energy, and I feed him Wellness, which is about as wholesome, organic, and balanced a diet as you can buy commercially. In fact, it puts my diet in the shade. I have a horrible feeling he's discovered a taste for worm casings, because it's only one muddy spot in the park that seems to attract him. As for licking the floor, he's just vacuuming up the crumbs dropped by his clumsy ADD'd human.
By the way, I should take this chance to thank you. It was your posts on adrafinil and modafinil that convinced me to try it, and it's made a terrific difference to my life. For the first time in decades, it seems, I feel awake.
- jemma
Posted by leeran on April 23, 2003, at 18:14:46
In reply to re: pets, pica, and anemia » IsoM, posted by jemma on April 23, 2003, at 14:24:27
Jemma,
Sorry to butt in this thread . . . my husband is so intrigued with Modafinil. He asked our physician about it today. I'm going to copy your post and email it to him.
Do you attribute your success to one or both drugs? I'm going to look up the other one you mentioned because, once again, I've stumbled on another drug that I've never heard about.
Re: dogs and their peccadillos.
Despite having many chew bones (one near each bed), our little beagle mix craves (?) rocks/pebbles.
When we take her out to do her business she will sniff around in search of a little rock and next thing you know, she's chewing it in her bed. She never swallows them, but if I don't take them away from her she will carry them from place to place around the house. My husband calls her our rockhound.
She has a clumsy ADD'd human to clean up after as well (me). Well, make that two ADD'd humans (my 15 year old son). This morning, the doctor put my husband on phentermine (much to my surprise), so my new motto is "The family that speeds together, stays together." The addendum to that is, we may not know where the h*ll we're going but we'll get there fast.
Lee
Posted by jemma on April 24, 2003, at 20:34:47
In reply to re: pets, pica, and anemia » jemma, posted by leeran on April 23, 2003, at 18:14:46
Hi Lee -
Modafinil has indeed been very helpful to me, waking me up, giving me energy, and brightening my mood. It took about two weeks for the mood-brightening part, but the wakefulness was nearly immediate. And it's never prevented me from going to sleep at night, or even napping if I want to. I take 250 mg now, but for a long time I took only 100 mg. I should warn you that too much too soon can give you a bad headache.
Modafinil keeps me alert and bright, but it doesn't do much for my memory or concentration. For that I need dopamine, and I've had success with both ritalin and low-dose (10 mg) selegiline. I would recommend ritalin first. I love selegiline, but it's a bit complicated. For one thing, you can't take it with other stimulants or ssris, although the modafinil hasn't been a problem. For another, you have to keep the dose at 10 mg or lower, or it becomes an MAO-A inhibitor, which means dietary restrictions. You can find out more about selegiline with a google search, or go to www.deprenyl.com for lots of research abstracts, though with a somewhat cheerleading bias.
Isn't it great how every dog develops its own unique eccentricities and obsessions? Just like us, I guess.
Jemma
Posted by leeran on April 25, 2003, at 2:32:48
In reply to re: pets, pica, and anemia, posted by jemma on April 24, 2003, at 20:34:47
Hi Jemma,
Thanks so much for your analysis! I've already forwarded your post to my husband.
I've never heard of selegiline but I'm going to do a google search for more information. Part of my cocktail is 40 mg. of timed release Adderall.
Oh dogs . . . fur-covered Paxil. Unconditional love. Tail-wagging mirrors of our own neuroses. Able to get by with gross stuff and still be cherished by the family. Peacemakers, noisemakers, and sniffers extraordinaire.
Our dog is sleeping in her bed while I type. She's always been content to be the Beta to my Alpha, and lucky thing, she still gets mistaken for a puppy (just this evening, in fact, by a complete stranger).
She is our perpetual puppy and proud of it, and without her we might need even more meds :)
Lee
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