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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2004, at 11:21:59
I hate the way depression affects my eating. Recently I have been bingeing on sweets and carbs. This, plus the Nardil has resulted in a signifcant weight gain, which is depressing in and of itself.
I'm going through a depressive episode right now, and now I'm not eating much. It's like it's too difficult to even open the fridge and get something, let alone have to prepare it. Sheesh, why can't I just eat normally?
Anyone else have this swing?
gg
Posted by Racer on July 22, 2004, at 12:40:04
In reply to Gosh darn it, my eating is whacked!, posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2004, at 11:21:59
No, I've never experienced anything like that. You must be -- different...
Yes, and I'm going through something like that now. I go through this cycle of trying to control what I eat, getting fatalistic about it and just giving in, then continuing to eat as a sort of self-punishment, and then just not eating both to punish myself and because it seems as if it's the only way to avoid overeating. (By the way, that's a pattern that doesn't depend on the other eating problems -- it's just a bit less pronounced when I'm restricting a lot anyway.) Like right now, when I'm fighting the Great Potato Chip Beast. My husband buys them for me, and I can't control myself with them. After dinner, when I'm already a bit uncomfortably full, I'll still crave them and fill a bowl saying, "just this one bowl..." Then I'll refill the bowl, because I just can't stop myself.... It's devastating.
The excuse, by the way, on both our parts is the cat with kidney failure. He sits on my lap while I eat them, and I give him bits while I eat. He loves Ruffles, both BBQ and Sour Cream and Onion flavors. So, picture me eating a bite of a chip, then giving the MonsterBeast a piece of the same chip, and repeating the process over and over. (My ex-bf used to get upset about me eating orange and vanilla Creamsicles with the cat, because I'd take a bite, then let the cat take a bite... {shrug} Cat licks my eyelids, chews on my eyelashes, and sometimes nips my lips, so why is taking a delicate bite of my Creamsicle such a big deal?) Anyway, since the cat is sick, and is on a restricted protein diet, the potato chips seem like a reasonable treat for him in moderation, so I don't get quite so obsessive about not buying them.
Anyway, the best advice I can give you about how to handle any of it is not all that good. For eating, I try to make it easy for myself to avoid the sweet/crunchy/salty stuff. I like pickles, so I get jars of Claussen dill pickle slices, and bread and butter slices, and eat a few of those to satisfy the crunchy/salty and crunchy/sweet urges respectively. I try to portion out the snack foods around here -- maybe have your husband hide little "sweet caches" for you each day, so that you can have *some* but with a portion-controlled amount built in? Another thing that I was doing for a while, but haven't been lately, is V-8 juice -- I get the low sodium kind -- it's got some nice vitamins, tastes good, contains fiber, and can fill you up a bit. V-8 is actually pretty good whether you're in the 'not eating' or the 'oh-yeah-eating' phase. If you're not eating, it gives you something good in your system, and if you're eating a bit much, it helps fill you up without a lot of calories.
I've been reading lately about how artificial sweeteners interfere with normal eating patterns, so avoiding those is also good.
When I'm in the hysterically-obsessed with not eating mode, I sometimes find that certain things will "prime the pump" -- if I eat a little bit of the right thing, it will bring me out enough to eat real food. You could try to find out if something like that helps you, too. And, of course, being aware of what your body is telling you so that you can recognize hunger is another point. Harder for some than for others, but I suspect that's less of a problem for you.
I kinda remember you saying your doctor was a little leary of the Nardil, so you didn't want to risk having him pull it? You might try to think of a way to talk to him about blood sugar variances, though, and whether testing it might show if there's a biological reason for those carb cravings. If you could do that, it might help you even it out.
Best luck to you. You know I empathize with how hard the weight gain can be emotionally... Sorry you're going through this.
Posted by Wildflower on July 22, 2004, at 12:44:07
In reply to Gosh darn it, my eating is whacked!, posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2004, at 11:21:59
Oh, yes. I know exactly what you're going through.
A few years ago, I subconsciously stopped eating. The thought of making food or going to pick up carryout was too much for me. I had no appetite and lost weight. This was the signal that something was really wrong with me.
This year I've gone 180 degrees in the other direction. I craved carbs, sweets and anything else I could get my hands on. I'd even eat when I wasn't hungry. I gained a bit of weight which as you said does not help with the depression.
After upping my meds, I'm now starting to lose my appetite. I still eat but smaller portions. One meal could last me all day. Not sure if this will be temporary or not but I kind of like it.
Posted by sb417 on July 22, 2004, at 17:34:02
In reply to Gosh darn it, my eating is whacked!, posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2004, at 11:21:59
I crave sweets shortly before my period. After years of trying to fight it, I finally gave in and decided to "go with it." For most of the month I eat pretty carefully and healthyfully, but during the week or so before my period, I allow myself to give into cravings. Perhaps I'm just rationalizing my monthly gluttony, but I figure that if I crave something, then I must need it. Actually, one of the things I crave when I'm premenstrual is molasses. Now, molasses is pretty intense and is not usually eaten by itself, but when I have PMS, I can literally drink molasses from the bottle. Well, wouldn't you know it. Recently I found out that a tablespoon or two of molasses supplies a substantial dose of iron, magnesium and vitamin B6, the very nutrients that premenstrual women need!! So, my body was telling me something!
Posted by gardenergirl on July 23, 2004, at 9:41:00
In reply to Could it be PMS? » gardenergirl, posted by sb417 on July 22, 2004, at 17:34:02
That's a good thought. And I do think sometimes that cravings are useful to pay attention to. I do crave more stuff during PMS. I call it my hollow leg syndrome, as I can eat and eat and eat, and it doesn't seem to fill my stomach. Must be going to my leg.....!
But I think there is definitely a depressive component going on, too. Especially now with the eating less. I mean, really... how hard is it to make some toast or tuna fish? But it seems like the hardest thing in the world sometimes.
gg
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