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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tygereyes on April 2, 2005, at 13:43:01
I am in an unusual position here.
After being hospitalized for anorexia in December, my college made me sign a weight contract with them in order to remain here. Recently, I have had no appetite whatsoever and have dropped below my weight contract, risking re-hospitalization.
I have asked my psychiatrist to prescribe something that will CAUSE me to gain weight in the short run, so my appetite will be stimulated and I won't be forced to leave school. The meds I mentioned in particular were Zyprexa and Depakote.
But I'm still scared that these drugs will cause me to gain TOO much weight and that once my appetite is activated, I won't ever stop eating!
Can anyone share your experiences with Zyprexa or Depakote or any other weight-gaining drug? How fast did you gain weight? How much did you gain in a short amount of time (i.e. a few weeks)? When you stopped the drug, did your appetite return to the way it was before?
Thanks so much.
Posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:50:05
In reply to Meds and weight gain, posted by tygereyes on April 2, 2005, at 13:43:01
May I ask if you are currently taking any medicatin that is causing your appetite decrease?
AND have they ruled out any other physical problems that could be causing your weight loss like thyroid??
I know Depakote is imfamous for weight gain (as well as Zyprexa) but it's all dosage related.
Do you also struggle with depression?
One thing I know for sure, if you are anorexic, stay far, far away from Wellbutrin. I tried it and I had ZERO appetite. I had to FORCE myself to swallow half of a banana it was so bad.
Posted by Racer on April 2, 2005, at 15:07:32
In reply to Meds and weight gain, posted by tygereyes on April 2, 2005, at 13:43:01
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.
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:
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...
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.
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.
And what sort of motivation do you have towards recovering?
By the way, there is a board here specifically for eating disorders, where you might get more relevant information.
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.
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...
Good luck, and welcome.
Posted by tygereyes on April 2, 2005, at 16:26:27
In reply to Re: Meds and weight gain, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:50:05
> May I ask if you are currently taking any medicatin that is causing your appetite decrease?
Currently, I take 75 mgs Desipramine, 600 mgs Trileptal, and 25 mgs Seroquel. I've been on these meds for a while, so it's doubtful that they're causing the decrease in appetite.
>
> AND have they ruled out any other physical problems that could be causing your weight loss like thyroid??I haven't had my thyroid checked, though this has never been a problem before. I should mention it to my doctor, though, to make sure.
>
> I know Depakote is imfamous for weight gain (as well as Zyprexa) but it's all dosage related.
>
> Do you also struggle with depression?Yes, but I don't FEEL depressed and my sleep is fine, which is why it is so puzzling!
>
> One thing I know for sure, if you are anorexic, stay far, far away from Wellbutrin. I tried it and I had ZERO appetite. I had to FORCE myself to swallow half of a banana it was so bad.
>
>I can't take Wellbutrin anyway because of the risk of seizures. I tried to get my doctor to prescribe it when I was actively restricting but she said no way. ;)
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:
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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!
>
> 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!
>
> Good luck, and welcome.
Posted by Maxime on April 2, 2005, at 18:12:06
In reply to Meds and weight gain, posted by tygereyes on April 2, 2005, at 13:43:01
Hi another anorexic here at a non-anorexic weight. When my weight dropped to 70 pounds I had to inpatient. Unfortunately it was a regular psych ward and not an eating disorder unit (which I have been in with greater success). They prescribed the zyprexa to make me gain weight. Don't do it. I have never felt so out of control in my life. If I could make myself purge I would have become bulemic.
Try doing some of the things Racer mentioned first. Use the medication as a last resort only.
Good luck to you and I hope you will post and let us know how you are doing.
Maxime
> I am in an unusual position here.
>
> After being hospitalized for anorexia in December, my college made me sign a weight contract with them in order to remain here. Recently, I have had no appetite whatsoever and have dropped below my weight contract, risking re-hospitalization.
>
> I have asked my psychiatrist to prescribe something that will CAUSE me to gain weight in the short run, so my appetite will be stimulated and I won't be forced to leave school. The meds I mentioned in particular were Zyprexa and Depakote.
>
> But I'm still scared that these drugs will cause me to gain TOO much weight and that once my appetite is activated, I won't ever stop eating!
>
> Can anyone share your experiences with Zyprexa or Depakote or any other weight-gaining drug? How fast did you gain weight? How much did you gain in a short amount of time (i.e. a few weeks)? When you stopped the drug, did your appetite return to the way it was before?
>
> Thanks so much.
Posted by tygereyes on April 3, 2005, at 9:18:50
In reply to Re: Meds and weight gain, posted by Maxime on April 2, 2005, at 18:12:06
> Hi another anorexic here at a non-anorexic weight. When my weight dropped to 70 pounds I had to inpatient. Unfortunately it was a regular psych ward and not an eating disorder unit (which I have been in with greater success). They prescribed the zyprexa to make me gain weight. Don't do it. I have never felt so out of control in my life. If I could make myself purge I would have become bulemic.
>
> Try doing some of the things Racer mentioned first. Use the medication as a last resort only.Thank you for the advice. I am trying really, really hard to get my weight back up without having to resort to medication because the idea of a medication increasing my appetite is really scary - I remember being on Nortriptyline and hungry ALL THE TIME, even after I'd just eaten a full meal, and it was so frightening.
However, I would only be on it until I gained back to where I need to be - I would REFUSE to take it and keep gaining.
I will let you all know what happens when I hear from my doctor.
Posted by B2chica on April 5, 2005, at 11:01:53
In reply to Meds and weight gain, posted by tygereyes on April 2, 2005, at 13:43:01
hi tygereyes
trileptal is weight neutral and seroquel has some weight gain effects. not sure on the desipramine. i don't know that depakote has a weight gain effect, i thought it was weight neutral (except in few instances)try mixing ensure with icecream...it helps! and help with weight gain (don't do the fat or sugar free stuf...Real icecream!
it concerns me that you want to get back to your pre-hospital weight after you graduate, though it's good motivation to graduate. i would hope that once you graduate you change your goal to maintain the weight you're at. (trust me that's just as hard!)
im on zyprexa and at 5mg i ate a lot (but the docs wanted that since i have an ED myself). but at 10mg the cravings aren't there so low dose is better.
best wishes.
b2c.
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