Psycho-Babble Eating Thread 496327

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Help Please; weight gain and Medication

Posted by rachel sarah on May 11, 2005, at 7:42:52

Hi,

I feel like I am in a state of despair. I went on medication (anti-depressants) two years ago, because of depression and anxiety. The first one I went on was called Sertraline (Lustral) that didn't work for me, think it may have supressed my apetite and I didn't put on any weight, but I came off this. By the way, at the this time I had managed to loose 17 pounds which I was so pleased about, just through excercising 3 times a week and eating healthily. I was a size 12 (English size) and was really happy with my weight.

Then I went on to Cipramil, on this medication I was hungry all the time, and no matter how hard I tried I couldnt stop eating. At first I didn't think I was putting on much weight, due to lots of excercise. But after six months I came off it, because I had put on 11 lbs. I managed to loose a bit of this, but it seemed so hard to loose the weight. Any way to cut a long story short I went onto Effexor, which worked the best out of these medications, but even though I didnt feel hungrier, I put on another 7lbs. In total I have put on 18lbs. I was 10 stone and am now 11.4. I came off this medication due to weight gain. But no matter what I do I cannot seem to loose the weight. I cannot stand being this size. I am now going to the gym every day for about an hour and doing fifty sit ups. It is starting to take over my life. Also I eat healthily. I am beginning to have wierd thoughts about eating nothing all day just to loose it.

I was just wondering if anybody else has had a similar problem. I know anti dep some times put on weight, but I can not understandy why I cannot loose it now that I am off them. I have become obsessed with this for about a year and a half. I just want to be my old size. Does anybody know what I can do, or why it is so impossible to loose any weight?

Tomorrow I am going to the doctors about it, but I doubt very much they will do anything for me. I have gone in the past and it has done nothing. THe only thing that ever shifted this weight was doing the Atkins diet for a while, but that made me feel really sick.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

This is an eating DISORDERS board...

Posted by Racer on May 11, 2005, at 13:28:47

In reply to Help Please; weight gain and Medication, posted by rachel sarah on May 11, 2005, at 7:42:52

So, asking about how to lose weight here is not in your best interest -- unless you fancy sticking your fingers down your throat after everything you eat.

Try posting these questions on either the meds board or the health board. Those are better bets.

As for your doctor, here's a suggestion: keep a food diary -- write down EVERYTHING with calories in it that crosses your lips. Take that with you, so that you can show that you're not sitting on the sofa each day popping bonbons into your mouth. And make sure you discuss how this makes you *feel*, being so heavy. Discuss it as a "you know, I'm getting obsessed and depressed by this. I need help."

Good luck.

 

Re: This is an eating DISORDERS board...

Posted by rachel sarah on May 11, 2005, at 13:57:05

In reply to This is an eating DISORDERS board..., posted by Racer on May 11, 2005, at 13:28:47

Yes I know this is an eating disorder page, but I think considering starving your self to loose weight or trying to make yourself sick is not exactly healthy, regardless of how I put on weight. And no i do not sit on the sofa eating bon bons. I go to the grm almost every day and would go all day everyday if I could, but I have a full time job so I cant.

I feel stupid now for posting that message, so just ignore it.

 

Re: This is an eating DISORDERS board...

Posted by malthus on May 11, 2005, at 15:19:45

In reply to Re: This is an eating DISORDERS board..., posted by rachel sarah on May 11, 2005, at 13:57:05

I think your message absolutely belongs here as it deals with "issues with food". This is clearly stated at the top of the page. I think to limit the board to only people who have a "diagnosed" eating disorder is exclusionary and not at all in the spirit of what it means to struggle with weight gain caused by overeating due to the side effects of medication which are prescribed for a diagnosis other than an eating disorder such as depression or anxiety (yikes; that sentence is waaay too long).

I would not feel stupid for posting your message at all. In my opinion it belongs here.

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding » rachel sarah

Posted by Racer on May 11, 2005, at 15:21:59

In reply to Re: This is an eating DISORDERS board..., posted by rachel sarah on May 11, 2005, at 13:57:05

When I read your post, I read it as asking for advice on how to lose weight. That wouldn't be appropriate here, as you can imagine.

Asking for help on how to avoid falling farther into the mental aspects of an ED, on the other hand, is appropriate here -- since half of most EDs is 90% mental...

I guess, talking to your doctor about it, about how you're feeling about the weight gain from meds -- which is very difficult to handle, I've been there -- is the best I can offer. If you have a T, that's the best of all -- and, if you don't, how about getting one? There are also support groups in most communities for people struggling with EDs, and those would be helpful.

I'll stand by what I said earlier, though: keep a food diary for the doctor, before going in, so that you can show that you're not just overeating. That can make such a difference!

Good luck, and again -- sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

Re: Sorry for the misunderstanding

Posted by rachel sarah on May 11, 2005, at 17:35:22

In reply to Sorry for the misunderstanding » rachel sarah, posted by Racer on May 11, 2005, at 15:21:59

That is ok, I can see why it may have seemed a little insensitive perhaps. But this board said it was about "eating" rather than "eating disorders." Since I have put on 17 pounds I have become obsessed with my weight, and I dont think it is healthy.

I will try and keep a food diary of what I eat, but I don't think I am over eating and I think I do a hell of a lot of excercise. Thanks for the advice any how, but I think people who have issues with food or weight should be free to express their concerns.

 

Re: This is an eating DISORDERS board...

Posted by tygereyes on May 11, 2005, at 19:36:29

In reply to This is an eating DISORDERS board..., posted by Racer on May 11, 2005, at 13:28:47

Compulsive Overeating is an eating DISORDER, too.

Please try to have some compassion.

 

Re: This is an eating DISORDERS board... » Racer

Posted by Zanzibar_inJanuary on May 11, 2005, at 22:33:46

In reply to This is an eating DISORDERS board..., posted by Racer on May 11, 2005, at 13:28:47

So why is it called "EATING", rather than "EATING DISORDERS"?
So long as the post isn't uncivil, and it addresses an eating/or food/ or weight issue, I think it belongs here.
The habit of telling people who share their self-- looking for support, that their posts are INNAPROPRIATE has the potential to hurt a lot of feelings.
Zanzibar

 

Re: Sorry for the misunderstanding

Posted by Racer on May 12, 2005, at 13:43:01

In reply to Re: Sorry for the misunderstanding, posted by rachel sarah on May 11, 2005, at 17:35:22

> That is ok, I can see why it may have seemed a little insensitive perhaps. But this board said it was about "eating" rather than "eating disorders." Since I have put on 17 pounds I have become obsessed with my weight, and I dont think it is healthy.
>

Point taken -- and again, I am sorry that I misread your post. I understand now that your point was very different from what I thought it was.

> I will try and keep a food diary of what I eat, but I don't think I am over eating and I think I do a hell of a lot of excercise. Thanks for the advice any how, but I think people who have issues with food or weight should be free to express their concerns.

And I don't doubt that you're *not* overeating -- I've experienced that myself. When I was first put on Paxil, I was actively anorexic, overexercising, eating roughly 400 calories per day on a good day. Without changing any of those behaviors, without eating more (although it was much harder, because the Paxil caused such cravings), I gained weight. In fact, I gained a significant amount of weight right away.

And my doctor told me that it was because I was not watching what I ate! If I just watched what I ate, and did some exercise...

Obviously, that's a crock. I'm so thankful that my current psychiatrist does understand that anti-depressants really do cause weight gain. Apparently, despite all the studies that have shown just exactly that ADs cause weight gain, most doctors still won't admit it. It's a time honored tradition in medicine to blame the patient. Helps the docs feel so much better about themselves...

The reason that I suggested the food diary wasn't to show you that you were eating more than you think -- because I don't believe that. I believe that your drugs have caused you to gain weight. The purpose was to prove to a doctor who might doubt you that you are, in fact, NOT overeating, that it is, in fact, the drugs that are doing this. If you have something that you can show him, to stop him if he tries to say that you're overeating, to make him engage in the discussion, maybe it will be easier for you to get the help that he *should* be offering.

For what it's worth, I've read studies about two different drugs being used to help combat the AD-induced weight gain: Topamax, and Glucophage. Neither are perfect, but maybe one of them would be helpful in your case, depending on the exact mechanism involved in your weight gain.

The other question I have is whether you're seeing a therapist? Can you discuss body image issues with a therapist? Or check for a support group in your area? If you are open to 12-step programs, Overeaters Anonymous is supposed to be good; otherwise there are groups like ANAD, NEDA, etc who have support groups in a lot of areas, or Weight Watchers -- despite the focus on weight loss, their program can be helpful for some people with eating disorders, since it's based on fairly reasonable theories of nutrition.

Let me say one last time that I'm very sorry for misreading your initial post. Can we make a truce now?

 

Re: Sorry for the misunderstanding

Posted by rachel sarah on May 13, 2005, at 8:16:23

In reply to Re: Sorry for the misunderstanding, posted by Racer on May 12, 2005, at 13:43:01

Hi,

Thanks for advice, of coarse we can call a truce. I am sure we are not the only ones who have gained weight because of medication. It is really annoying when doctors do not beleive that you have not been stuffing your face. The one I went to see last night was really understanding and said it is normal to put on weight on SSIs. She also suggested I do the Atkins if it has worked for me before, which I was quite surprised about.

In answer to your question about seeing a therapist, I have been seeing one for a while now and it has been really helpful. I have discussed body image issues and she thinks I have OCD and GAD, nice combination! That is probably why I have become so obsessed with weighing myself and the way I look. I got rid of the scales last night, which is probably something I should have done a long time ago. I feel a lot better now.

I will look up the two drugs you mentioned on the internet, however I am not sure if I want to take any more tablets, as the side effects are often pretty bad. Was thinking of joining weight watchers if I can not lose weight by myself.

If you are on medication now I have to say that when I took Sertraline, (Lustral) I did not put on any weight at all. Apparently after six weeks you metabolism should get back to normal, I will believe that when I see it. I am enjoying being of medication now.

Good luck with everything I hope everything works out for you.

This site is good but may not post again as I find it kind of addictive

 

About Effexor and Obsessiveness...

Posted by Racer on May 13, 2005, at 16:08:31

In reply to Re: Sorry for the misunderstanding, posted by rachel sarah on May 13, 2005, at 8:17:13

Yes, this place can be addictive. For me, the "need" to check the boards ebbs and flows, so I've been able to stick around for -- WOW! Seven years now? Can't believe it's been that long.

As for the Effexor weight gain: When I went off that, the weight came off. I'd given up, wouldn't even get on a scale, just resigned myself to being fat and hideous and all that. But I didn't do anything at all, and much of the weight came off. (Mind you, I was in a mildly anorexic phase when I went on it, about twenty pounds underweight. After going off Effexor, my weight stabilized somewhere between about five and ten pounds over that target weight.)

I hope that helps.

 

Re: About Effexor and Obsessiveness...

Posted by rachel sarah on May 14, 2005, at 2:25:09

In reply to About Effexor and Obsessiveness..., posted by Racer on May 13, 2005, at 16:08:31

wow seven years is a long time. I didn't even know it had been going this long. If you don't mind me asking how long were you on Effexor for? Also when did you start to lose the weight?

Thanks

 

Re: About Effexor and weight loss... » rachel sarah

Posted by Racer on May 14, 2005, at 15:15:29

In reply to Re: About Effexor and Obsessiveness..., posted by rachel sarah on May 14, 2005, at 2:25:09

Let's see, I was on Effexor XR 225mg and Prozac 10mg for ... um ... 1998 until 2002, I think? About that. I tapered down on the Effexor over about eight months -- one of the big reasons I didn't want to try it again -- and the weight was easing a bit along that period, but by late spring of 2003 -- my last Effexor was in November 2002 -- I had lost at least 20 pounds. (I didn't get on a scale in that time, mind you. Just happened to pop onto a scale, expecting to be shocked at a huge number, but found it was ten pounds less than I had hoped.)

What did I change in that time? Not a damn thing.

In fact, I'd given in to being fat to the point I ate whatever I damn well pleased, since nothing was going to bring my weight down, anyway, so who cared?

Now, keep in mind that I have been anorexic for a long time, and my reaction to certain sorts of stress is to start restricing again. By the end of summer 2003, I was down another 15 pounds, and the rest came off after that, as the active anorexia came back. Then I lost an additional 45 pounds, which is what we're working on putting back on me now -- kinda...

Harder than you might think...

Good luck.

 

Re: About Effexor and weight loss...

Posted by rachel sarah on May 15, 2005, at 14:50:17

In reply to Re: About Effexor and weight loss... » rachel sarah, posted by Racer on May 14, 2005, at 15:15:29

I wish you good luck for the future. Thank you for all the advice.


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