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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Deneb on July 31, 2010, at 20:15:40
In reply to Weight loss meds, posted by Maxime on July 31, 2010, at 19:53:13
This is a crazy idea, but I've tried nicotine gum before. I'm a non smoker and it gives me an adrenaline rush and makes me a bit nauseous.
I didn't like the way it made me feel as a non smoker, but it did help me eat less. First there is the appetite suppression, then there is the fact that I can't eat anything while I hold the piece of gum on my cheek for 30 mins.
This is controversial though. It may be possible to become addicted to nicotine, but I did some research and most people don't get addicted to the gum. At worse you could just slowly wean yourself off the gum.
Posted by Maxime on July 31, 2010, at 23:00:07
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » Maxime, posted by Deneb on July 31, 2010, at 20:15:40
Thanks for the idea Deneb. I don't think I want to start chewing nocotine gum. I wouldn't want another addiction to worry about. It is an interesting idea though.
Posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2010, at 23:21:58
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » Deneb, posted by Maxime on July 31, 2010, at 23:00:07
I know right now Metformin is on the watch list here for meds but they do say it helps with weight. Now if can be combined with Parnate that I don't know. Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 0:30:29
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2010, at 23:21:58
Thanks Phillipa. And it's even available in Canada! I will do some research.
Posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 0:34:57
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2010, at 23:21:58
Um, it's a med for type 2 diabetes. Are people using it to lose weight?
Posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 1:05:56
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 0:34:57
I'm so HUNGRY! But I cannot give in to my hunger. I am a fat pig.
Posted by Zyprexa on August 1, 2010, at 1:35:35
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 1:05:56
I take perphenazine with my zyprexa. My weight is the same, and sort of going down a bit. That might help some.
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 1, 2010, at 2:22:40
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by Zyprexa on August 1, 2010, at 1:35:35
Phillipa mentioned it, and I think it might be worth looking into. I've heard about people using it with depakote and the atypicals for weight loss. Some people apparently also get it off the net, no rx, b/c it alters your metabolism in such a way that they think it might make them live longer. I don't really understand it myself...I just know it can promote weight loss and stabilizes blood sugars w/o the risk of low blood sugar. Its also cheap, at least in the US.
I seem to recall that you were once on Adderall. Is that an option at this point, or no? Amphetamine-induced weight loss is usually short-lived, but it seems like an amphetamine might lift your mood and help with weight (at least in the short term).
Good luck
Posted by Hombre on August 1, 2010, at 3:51:23
In reply to Weight loss meds, posted by Maxime on July 31, 2010, at 19:53:13
The herb Gymnema is supposed to block out sweet flavors on the tongue and decrease blood sugar levels.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 1, 2010, at 4:03:23
In reply to Weight loss meds, posted by Maxime on July 31, 2010, at 19:53:13
>And what if even on a starvation diet I gain weight on Lithium.
Do you think that might slow your metabolism down and make things worse? If you're not already....I think you need to go on a healthy eating plan. Lots of fruit and veg. Plenty of oily fish etc. Regular meals (at least three times a day).
Posted by morgan miller on August 1, 2010, at 8:36:11
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 1:05:56
> I'm so HUNGRY! But I cannot give in to my hunger. I am a fat pig.
Aww man, what about eating a lot of the right kind of really healthy foods? There are plenty of vegetables, low fat meats(stay away from processed), fruits, and grains that can assist in keeping the pounds off and losing weight.
I know blueberries won't fill you up much but they do increase insulin sensitivity and can help with weight loss.
Hoodia is a natural appetite suppressant, you might want to do a google search and go to your local supplement/vitamin/health food store and pick some up.
Good luck, I hope lithium starts to make you feel better!
Posted by bleauberry on August 1, 2010, at 12:21:26
In reply to Weight loss meds, posted by Maxime on July 31, 2010, at 19:53:13
Look, I could be wrong. But when someone's diet consists of mostly veggies, fruits, and modest amounts of lean meat, I have not seen anyone on weight-gaining drugs gain weight. Maybe some water weight...lithium is a salt. If you consume 1000 calories, but burn 2000 calories, that extra 1000 calories can only come by burning up stored fat. It's as simple as that. Weight gaining drugs make the fat storage thing amplified. So we have to supply less fuel for them to do that. Any kind of sugars, bad. Not just bad for weight, but bad for a lot issues. Start having a slice of pizza, donut, sugary cereal, corn syrup, fructose, and well, ya know, forget it, you are going to gain weight.
I don't know why anyone would want to take yet another drug in their cocktail. I guess if you have to you have to. I just think a majority of it can be controlled at the grocery store.
At the grocery store your two stops will be the produce department and the lean meats section. The rest of the store doesn't exist, except for the cereal isle where you can pick up a bag of oatmeal.
This isn't just a weight thing, but a health overhaul that will beneficially impact every cell of your being.
In terms of actual meds to help lose weight, I think others here have already mentioned some possibilities. I just think it is more of a comprehensive approach that involves more than a simple pill. I know you are already doing a lot to help in that regard. But you may need to take it to the next level and get even better at it.
I wish there was an easy answer. It doesn't matter what the disease or symptom is, I don''t know of any easy answers for anyone with a chronic problem. Life itself is very hard. Throw in a chronic problem and it is even more of a challenge. But a winnable challenge it is. You are stronger than it.
Posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 20:52:06
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by bleauberry on August 1, 2010, at 12:21:26
Thanks, actually I am vegetarian so I do eat a lot of things are that good me. I also eat things that are fattening like granola. Sigh. I hate who I am.
Posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 20:54:11
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by morgan miller on August 1, 2010, at 8:36:11
Thanks, actually I am vegetarian so I only eat whole foods. Still, I manage to gain weight. That is what happens when you are anorexic so long and your metabolism is out of whack. I wish I could get out this trap. I too hope the lithium works.
Posted by morgan miller on August 1, 2010, at 20:59:51
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » bleauberry, posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 20:52:06
> Thanks, actually I am vegetarian so I do eat a lot of things are that good me. I also eat things that are fattening like granola. Sigh. I hate who I am.
>
Granola is healthy! You need the healthy fats. I just read that eating nuts(in moderation of course) may help with weight loss.Green tea extract, Resveratrol, Coconut oil, Sesamin, Fish oil, and Cayenne pepper, all may contribute to both better health and weight/fat management.
Once you start feeling better hopefully you can start to enjoy exercise and reap some of it's benefits
I'm sorry you are struggling with this, I know how it is to be very depressed and not like who you are. I hope you feel better soon.
Morgan
Posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 21:15:12
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by ed_uk2010 on August 1, 2010, at 4:03:23
Thanks Ed. My metabolism is already so messed up from years of anorexia. I now gain if I go above 800 cals a day. :(
Posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 21:19:51
In reply to metformin?, posted by Christ_empowered on August 1, 2010, at 2:22:40
You have a good memory ... I was on Adderall. I had all the intentions in the world to ask for it again, but my psych brought up Lithium and he decided that is what I need. Hopefully he will see that I gain weight on weight. I am logging everything I eat and the calories. It would be best if I could exercise, but right now getting out of bed is all I can do ... and that is like an Olympic event for me.
If the Lithium doesn't help, I will ask for the Adderall.
Posted by morgan miller on August 1, 2010, at 21:22:45
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » ed_uk2010, posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 21:15:12
So how many calories a day do you think you eat?
Do you eat at least 3 small meals a day and try to snack in between? Several small meals a day might speed up your metabolism. I'm sure you already know this.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 1, 2010, at 21:29:14
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » ed_uk2010, posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 21:15:12
> Thanks Ed. My metabolism is already so messed up from years of anorexia. I now gain if I go above 800 cals a day. :(
Wouldn't you gain for a while then start losing weight once your metabolism normalised? Also, a low calorie intake apparently makes depression resistant to treatment. I've read that people with anorexia + depression do not respond to ADs until they start consuming an adequate diet.
You need to eat to recover Maxie, your metabolism will never return to normal on 800 calories a day. I know it's extremely hard for you to eat more because of your anorexia, but you really must do it. I think there's no other way.
Posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 21:30:13
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by morgan miller on August 1, 2010, at 21:22:45
I eat up to 500 calories a day. I try to keep it below 300 calories. My behaviour is still very anorexic even though my body isn't. I log everything I eat and the calories.
Right now I am not getting ANY exercise in because I am too depressed.
Posted by morgan miller on August 1, 2010, at 21:59:40
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » morgan miller, posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 21:30:13
I agree with Ed in that you won't get your metabolism back up to speed until you eat more and more often with a healthy balanced diet. Hopefully you can start to do this once you start feeling better.
Are you in therapy?
Posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 22:14:27
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by morgan miller on August 1, 2010, at 21:59:40
Hey Morgan, no I am not in therapy. I am on a wait list for a place that specializes in eating disorders.
Posted by Hombre on August 2, 2010, at 0:35:39
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds » morgan miller, posted by Maxime on August 1, 2010, at 21:30:13
I am depressed if I don't eat enough, no matter how much meds and supplements I take. Eating is #1. I can't even sleep well if I'm starved.
Sometimes eating more gives you the energy to exercise. Your body will naturally avoid physical activity when you are starving. Once you exercise, you are able to build lean tissue and burn away some water and fat. Also keep in mind that without nutrition for enzymes, hormones and other body chemicals, your metabolism will not work correctly and more likely you'll catabolize (break down) lean tissue and bone but store fat since your body thinks it is in a state of extreme emergency. Your stress levels will remain high and you'll feel exhausted.
Your brain also demands a certain number of calories. It also needs lots of fats and lecithin among other things. Without these and the building blocks and cofactors to build neurotransmitters, even antidepressants won't have anything to work with.
A tough situation. I hope you improve soon.
Posted by emmanuel98 on August 2, 2010, at 4:01:35
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by bleauberry on August 1, 2010, at 12:21:26
Well just because you haven't seen it, doesn't mean it hasn't happened. I ate a perfectly normal diet (1500-2000 calories a day). Exercised more than is usual (3 one-mile swims, 4 5-mile walks), went on AAPs and gained 2-3 pounds per week. Not water. Fat. One week on zyprexa, I gained 5 pounds. These medications are notorious for messing up basic metabolism, so that the calories in-calories out equations don't work anymore. Lithium and Nardil have similar reputations. So save the lectures about exercise and blueberries. People get fat on these drugs through absolutely no fault of their own.
Posted by Maxime on August 2, 2010, at 15:18:54
In reply to Re: Weight loss meds, posted by emmanuel98 on August 2, 2010, at 4:01:35
> Well just because you haven't seen it, doesn't mean it hasn't happened. I ate a perfectly normal diet (1500-2000 calories a day). Exercised more than is usual (3 one-mile swims, 4 5-mile walks), went on AAPs and gained 2-3 pounds per week. Not water. Fat. One week on zyprexa, I gained 5 pounds. These medications are notorious for messing up basic metabolism, so that the calories in-calories out equations don't work anymore. Lithium and Nardil have similar reputations. So save the lectures about exercise and blueberries. People get fat on these drugs through absolutely no fault of their own.
I agree. It's the same with Remeron, except it's because it makes you eat like a horse.
These types of meds, though helpful, should NOT be given to someone with an eating disorder. I don't and can't purge my food. I restrict my food and use laxataives to make me feel empty. I am not losing laxatives this week since I am doing this little experiment for my my pdoc.
I have gained 3 pounds since Friday night on Lithium with an average amout of calories between 250 - 500 a day. We will see how it goes. I know that weight can vary even in the day but I have been weighing myself first thing when I get up in the morning and pee. :) I have been drinking as much water as possible since I am on the Lithium.
Thanks for your support.
Maxime
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