Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 9565

Shown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so....

Posted by janey girl on August 3, 1999, at 20:25:13

No way... Please don't tell me that Effexor causes weight gain? On the other hand, that would explain the 40 lbs. I've gained in the past year. Looks like it's back to the laxatives and Metabolite.

Oh God...... Does it ever end? No more. Please, no more.

 

Re: Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so....

Posted by Racer on August 4, 1999, at 0:47:39

In reply to Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so...., posted by janey girl on August 3, 1999, at 20:25:13

Actually, I've lost weight on it so far. Also, as an anorexic (since I don't think you ever really recover from that...), don't you dare try to lose weight by taking laxatives! You'll literally kill yourself, and if you don't you'll abuse your system so much it will takes years upon years to straighten out your electrolytes etc.

Be smart! Talk to your doctor, watch your diet, exercise more, stand on your head for that matter - just don't do stupid things like laxatives to lose weight. They really are more harmful than anyone will tell you. (They helped shift me over to type II diabetes, as well as screwing up lots of other systems so that I now can never stop watching my diet - not great for an anorexic, and not a great way to live for anyone.)


 

Re: Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so....

Posted by Cynthia on August 5, 1999, at 0:23:04

In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so...., posted by Racer on August 4, 1999, at 0:47:39

janey girl,

don't go that way. Racer is very, very right. You'll be heading for more trouble.

These things do not even make you lose weight.

Cynthia

 

Re: Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so....

Posted by Ania on August 9, 1999, at 20:41:30

In reply to Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so...., posted by janey girl on August 3, 1999, at 20:25:13

Hey There,

I hate to do this, BUT I too have GAINED WEIGHT on Effexor. It's not an usual side-effect. Most people loose weight. I'm very frustrated with this, so I've done some research. I found that adding Ritalin may elevate the effects of weight gain and tiredness (I have that also, a lot!).

Ask your doctor. Don't do anything careless... Believe me I understand! On top of my depression, I'm dealing with an eating disorder. It's almost impossible for me to handle this weight gain.

Let me know how you do.

Ania

 

Re: Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so....

Posted by Cynthia on August 12, 1999, at 15:38:13

In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so...., posted by Ania on August 9, 1999, at 20:41:30

Hi Ania - I really like your name. It's beautiful and original.

Dexedrine, as I'm sure you know, is used for ADD and sometimes depression. It decreases your appetite and if you are a sluggish type person because of depression, it would definately help you move around throughout your day with lots of energy. It does this for me anyway.

There nothing quite like your self-esteem resting on the size of your thighs, is there? I have about 2 good days a year. And gaining weight on top of this! I can imagine where you're coming from.

I can't imagine too many situations where a doctor would give someone with an eating disorder and no ADD, some dexedrine. But I don't know your situation, and maybe you could handle it.

Counselling helps with eating disorders in the long run.

cynthia

 

To Cynthia

Posted by Racer on August 12, 1999, at 19:38:46

In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so...., posted by Cynthia on August 12, 1999, at 15:38:13

>
> Counselling helps with eating disorders in the long run.
>
> cynthia

But counseling is not enough. I know where all my eating problems come from, and I know all about the history in my family, and how this thread from here or that thread from there, etc, made me into what I am. Knowledge doesn't help me here, though.

What happens is that depression or weight loss will trigger the anorexia, and it will start up. Often I will see the early signs, but still not be able to do anything about it! For example, I got sick for a few days, and lost a bit of weight. That started me off, even though everything in my life was rosy at the time! It's one of those things, one of those heartbreakers that almost sink you.

Anyway, my solution has been to try to keep a pad of about ten pounds more than my critical weight, so that if I get sick, I won't drop below it. That has been the only long term answer for me, despite therapy and drugs, that's the only thing that has ever kept it in remission for any period of time.

Therapy is necessary for it, but is not enough on its own to fix the problem.

(And I, too, wondered about ED and dex, though I didn't say anythign...)

 

I'm fat, I just want to get some of it off.

Posted by janey girl on August 12, 1999, at 21:50:24

In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so...., posted by Cynthia on August 12, 1999, at 15:38:13

Well, so far with the Wellbutrin, I don't have to worry
about laxatives. The Wellbutrin seems to be taking
care of THAT all by itself. Plus, it seems to be killing
my appetite. I've noticed weight loss already and I'm happy
with that.

I don't think my doc would want to give me more medicine
than what I'm on. I attempted an overdose a year and a half ago,
soooooooo... that's where that is.

 

Wellbutrin and Eating disorders

Posted by Ania on August 13, 1999, at 6:47:11

In reply to I'm fat, I just want to get some of it off., posted by janey girl on August 12, 1999, at 21:50:24

Hey There,

My doctor won't prescribe Wellbutrin for me because of my eating disorder (food obsession with borderline bulimia). But I don't understan why. If Wellbutrin decreases your appetite then that would be bennefitial for me.

Does anyone know what effects Wellbutrin could have that would be adverse for me?

 

Re: Effexor and weight gain? to Cynthia

Posted by Ania on August 13, 1999, at 6:57:09

In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain? Say it isn't so...., posted by Cynthia on August 12, 1999, at 15:38:13

Cynthia,

Thanks for your comment.

Ania (pronounced kind of like Tonya w/o the "t") is Polish for Annie. I was born in Poland and came to the States as a teen.

Why do you think that it would be hard for me (or someone with eating disorders ) to handle Dexedrine?

Ania

 

Re: Wellbutrin and Eating disorders

Posted by Racer on August 13, 1999, at 15:29:54

In reply to Wellbutrin and Eating disorders, posted by Ania on August 13, 1999, at 6:47:11

Wellbutrin can cause seizures in some people. Since people with eating disorders tend to have slightly out of whack electrolytes, they are at higher risk for seizures from the medication.

So, beneficial? Only if grand mal seizures sound like fun...

 

Re: Effexor and weight gain? to Cynthia

Posted by Racer on August 13, 1999, at 15:35:15

In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain? to Cynthia, posted by Ania on August 13, 1999, at 6:57:09

Drugs like dexadrine would be contraindicated for eating disorders because they do decrease appetite. The idea with eating disorders is to treat the causes, not the symptoms. Another reason is that someone with an eating disorder is likely to have a distorted idea of what successful treatment consists of. For example, you think that decreasing your appetite would be good. I think reducing my weight would be good. Both are distorted. In your case, it would be good to remove the reasons that you eat that have nothing to do with hunger. In my case, successful treatment would mean that I didn't equate self-starvation with self-worth, or thinness with worthiness.

Make sense?

 

Racer, that's how I see it.

Posted by janey girl on August 13, 1999, at 16:06:50

In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain? to Cynthia, posted by Racer on August 13, 1999, at 15:35:15

Racer,

I'm fat, and that's how I associate success and
self-worth... only if I'm thin will I be either of
those (successful or deserving). So, therefore,
I'm nothing because I'm fat.

I get it allright. I'd rather be too thin, and
anorexic.

 

Re: Racer, that's how I see it.

Posted by Racer on August 13, 1999, at 23:39:11

In reply to Racer, that's how I see it., posted by janey girl on August 13, 1999, at 16:06:50

That's so sad, Janey, because I'm sure that you're not only not fat, but that your worth is the same at any size. Hell, last weekend I spent supervising an open house where I work, and one of our guest experts was a woman who had to be at least 150 pounds overweight. To the point that she couldn't sit in any of our chairs! Yet she was a delight, because she talked about things that interested her, and was not self-conscious about her size.

There are all sorts of things that I can tell you, that the two best riders I ever saw were both not only overweight (significantly), but much lighter on their horses backs that many lighter riders. That the best dancer I ever saw in a club was humongous! That the woman who broke the chair in my living room was thin, while the fat woman who had sat in it earlier had had no trouble. That won't matter, though, because I know that feeling.

Here's something else I know, though: when I'm depressed, I think that people will love me if I can be thin enough. When I'm not depressed, I love my friends and know they love me. I also know that I don't have to be thin to be liked and attractive, because I have other qualities that count much more.

Unfortunately, that's one of those things that isn't as simple as knowing or not knowing. It's so deeply a part of us that knowing it does nothing about the problem. Can you write down for yourself what you think would really change in your life if you were thinner? Is it your weight, your looks, your life? The only thing that changes when someone loses weight is that person's weight. Really, I know that it's true. I'm probably more attractive when I'm heavier than I am now. Not only because I'm heavier, but because I feel better and therefore project more comfort and confidence. That's what's so attractive, what you give off.

When I was really thin, I never got asked out, and couldn't understand why. I thought that if I lost even more weight, someone would finally notice me. Well, guess what? The only thing I gave off then was insecurity and neediness. No wonder no one noticed me! Now that I'm heavier, though still too thin, people notice me, but not because of my looks. They notice that I am INVOLVED, that I am interested in what they have to say, in what they want to learn, in what the world has to offer. Nothing to do with looks or with makeup or the clothes I wear. They notice my personality, and my actions. That's what makes someone attractive or otherwise.

I know that it doesn't sink in until the depression lifts, but it makes me so sad to see others going through what I went through and not be able to help.

By the way, have you ever had any sort of fitness testing? That's much better than weight as a guide to your body. It's not too expensive, and it's really kinda fun! Your BMI is a better source of over/under weight information than your weight per se.

Good luck, and you have my best thoughts and wishes with you, Janey, for what that's worth. I'm pulling for you, and I think you deserve a happy birthday and a big hug.

 

janey girl and Ania, I can't believe you two.

Posted by cynthia on August 13, 1999, at 23:56:28

In reply to Racer, that's how I see it., posted by janey girl on August 13, 1999, at 16:06:50

> Racer,
>
> I'm fat, and that's how I associate success and
> self-worth... only if I'm thin will I be either of
> those (successful or deserving). So, therefore,
> I'm nothing because I'm fat.
>
> I get it allright. I'd rather be too thin, and
> anorexic.

Janey girl,
The catch 22 of anorexia is that your life is on hold until you are thin enough and you are never thin enough. At about 100 lbs and 5'6", I had about 2 not-fat days a year. There is no such thing as a successful anorexic, it's all about Failure at trying to achieve perfection. Over and over and over again, failure at perfection.

I hate this disorder. I don't mind any of my other ones, but this one fills me with shame and binging fills me with self-discust - I'm not even sure why yet. I'm about 3/4's anorexic and 1/4 binge eater. I've never eaten normally in my life. Because I'm doing so well with my other disorders, I've recently started working on this one. I'm seeing a psychologist and nutritionalist (who just told that I am still restricting although I think I am eating alot). I'm planning on starting mechanical eating to get my appetite up and get my metabolism going.

People with eating disorders very commonly switch back and forth between anorexia (starving emotions off) and binge eating (I'm not sure - stuffing them down). This could be why Ania your doctor won't give you Wellburtin or Dexedrine. They could very well encourage your eating disorder.

Racer, the nutritionalist i saw is doing research right now on abusing laxatives and becoming diabetic.

Don't diet it doesn't work,
Someone should write a book about this.
Part of my eating disorder is picking up on any whacked out food study or crazy diet and wanting to try them.


Cynthia

 

Dr. Christiane Northrup's ideas on diet

Posted by janey girl on August 14, 1999, at 14:55:29

In reply to janey girl and Ania, I can't believe you two., posted by cynthia on August 13, 1999, at 23:56:28

Cynthia, Racer, Ania --

This week I was watching Dr. Christiane Northrup on
PBS (begging week). I have seen her lectures before
and have been very impressed with what she has
to say. She links weight, hormones, appetite and
mind set with insulin and the kinds of foods you
eat.

The first thing she advises is get rid of the
following things out of your diet:

1) Sugar
2) Aspartame (the sweetner in diet drinks, and the
"blue sweetner packets")
3) Caffeine
4) "white" foods (instant rice, pastas, ice cream,
potatoes and the like).

Since I got my first paycheck this week, the first
thing I did was go to the grocery and begin buying
natural stuff, colorful vegetables and fruit,
good cuts of meat.

Between the loss of appetite and avoiding the "white
foods", perhaps I'll get a handle on the weight
thing. Plus, I'm not on the Effexor anymore.

I also was a taking a high-progesterone birth control
pill to help with endometrosis pain, which put
between 4 and 5 lbs. a month on me for four months.

Oh, it just pisses me off that medicines can affect
and intensify a life-long problem and struggle, in
order to take care of the other chemical imbalances.

Heck, maybe all of us should start our own bulletin
board discussing medicines, diets and eating disorders.

janey girl

 

Re: your new diet, janey girl

Posted by Cynthia on August 15, 1999, at 18:18:46

In reply to Dr. Christiane Northrup's ideas on diet, posted by janey girl on August 14, 1999, at 14:55:29

>Janey girl,

At one point in my life I went to see a naturopath, to get a decent diet for myself (hormnones, moods, etc), and he recommended something like the diet you're talking about janey girl, something to do with food combining and insulin - it was called the 5 day miracle diet, written by an American woman (I can't remember her name). Anyway I tried it for a couple of weeks, and it did seem to work, my mood was more stable and I didn't get tired in the middle of the afternoon. I simply couldn't follow a diet. I've always been weight obsessed, never food obsessed. So good luck, just don't be hard on yourself if you can't follow it completely and forever.

I don't blame you. At this point in my life, getting fat is not even an option. If I was fat I'm sure I would be depressed. The weirdest thing is none of the pills I've taken ever made me gain weight. Good luck

Cynthia

 

Or, better yet...

Posted by Racer on August 16, 1999, at 1:31:45

In reply to Re: your new diet, janey girl, posted by Cynthia on August 15, 1999, at 18:18:46

You can learn a lot by reading up on the diabetic diets. Use the exchanges they list, and read about why you want to make those choices to be healthy and keep your sugar levels stable. You might even learn to check your own blood sugar, because if you binge and purge, it may be getting out of balance and causing more mood disorders for you.

Just another thought...

 

One week into it...

Posted by janey girl on August 19, 1999, at 20:07:09

In reply to Or, better yet..., posted by Racer on August 16, 1999, at 1:31:45

After doing this for one week so far, I notice that I have more energy
during the day and am sleeping a little better at night.
Yesterday and today I have had overwhelming cravings
for "comfort foods".... a candy bar or some pasta,
and I rarely ever eat candy bars.

I've replaced some of those cravings with fresh strawberries,
My face is breaking out, too -- whether from the
change in food or the strawberries? Who knows.
The cravings for comfort foods have occurred when
I've been under a lot of stress.... connection there?
Probably.

I've had a bad case of the blues this week, and I
can't bear seeing myself in a mirror; it just
wrecks me.

Oh, I can't wait for my insurance to kick in so I
can see my doctor. I have no one local to talk to
at all, no local friends, and well, you know the
family situation.

I could use a couple of friends. Anyone interested?

 

Re: One week into it...

Posted by Adam on August 19, 1999, at 20:15:50

In reply to One week into it... , posted by janey girl on August 19, 1999, at 20:07:09

Hang in there, Janey. I've certainly been where you are
now, and it can get better. Best of luck with your doctor!

-Adam

> After doing this for one week so far, I notice that I have more energy
> during the day and am sleeping a little better at night.
> Yesterday and today I have had overwhelming cravings
> for "comfort foods".... a candy bar or some pasta,
> and I rarely ever eat candy bars.
>
> I've replaced some of those cravings with fresh strawberries,
> My face is breaking out, too -- whether from the
> change in food or the strawberries? Who knows.
> The cravings for comfort foods have occurred when
> I've been under a lot of stress.... connection there?
> Probably.
>
> I've had a bad case of the blues this week, and I
> can't bear seeing myself in a mirror; it just
> wrecks me.
>
> Oh, I can't wait for my insurance to kick in so I
> can see my doctor. I have no one local to talk to
> at all, no local friends, and well, you know the
> family situation.
>
> I could use a couple of friends. Anyone interested?

 

Re: One week into it...

Posted by Kat on August 19, 1999, at 21:35:48

In reply to Re: One week into it... , posted by Adam on August 19, 1999, at 20:15:50

> Hang in there, Janey. I've certainly been where you are
> now, and it can get better. Best of luck with your doctor!
>
> -Adam
>
> > After doing this for one week so far, I notice that I have more energy
> > during the day and am sleeping a little better at night.
> > Yesterday and today I have had overwhelming cravings
> > for "comfort foods".... a candy bar or some pasta,
> > and I rarely ever eat candy bars.
> >
> > I've replaced some of those cravings with fresh strawberries,
> > My face is breaking out, too -- whether from the
> > change in food or the strawberries? Who knows.
> > The cravings for comfort foods have occurred when
> > I've been under a lot of stress.... connection there?
> > Probably.
> >
> > I've had a bad case of the blues this week, and I
> > can't bear seeing myself in a mirror; it just
> > wrecks me.
> >
> > Oh, I can't wait for my insurance to kick in so I
> > can see my doctor. I have no one local to talk to
> > at all, no local friends, and well, you know the
> > family situation.
> >
> > I could use a couple of friends. Anyone interested?

I am sure we all know how it feels in one way or another, but there is some stuff you could do: surf the net, flip through a magazine, walk a few minutes, walk around a store or just watch something funny on TV- It will change it will not stay the same.

 

Go janey girl!

Posted by Cynthia on August 19, 1999, at 22:27:49

In reply to One week into it... , posted by janey girl on August 19, 1999, at 20:07:09

Hi


>Nice to hear from you again. Feeling better is what counts, not how you look. And remember, feeling fat, is not an emotion.> Just don't let the diet run off with your mind & life, and don't feel bad when you can't follow it anymore. Eating well for your health is great. I hope your insurance kicks in soon. As for the acne, could you see a dermatologist, or do you have to wait for your insurance to kick in for that? I get injections for my acne. I'm eating very well too this week.

Cynthia

 

Janeeeeey!!!

Posted by Racer on August 20, 1999, at 0:13:39

In reply to Go janey girl!, posted by Cynthia on August 19, 1999, at 22:27:49

Hello, Darling One!

You are darling, and you have such a sweetness to you, but it does get lost in the depression, doesn't it? Here's a cyberhug, and an Atta-Girl from afar.

Effexor didn't give me acne, and I can't quite remember whether it made me crave comfort food, but everyone reacts differently. The change in eating, and the stress would be my guess on the acne, though, rather than the drug.

For the acne, there's a cleanser called Hibiclens that worked miracles on my skin. It's truly antibacterial, I think it can even be used as a surgical scrub. You might try a little bottle of it and see if it helps. Most drugstores have it.

As for the comfort food, maybe you need the comfort right now? Not as an everyday thing, just once in a while. It's not being weak, it's saying that you are WORTH the comfort. Does that make any sense? During the worst episode of my anorexia, I used to stop by the local Taco Bell and get a soft taco supreme once every week, because that was comfort food for me then. Sure, I was sick, so it was only one, and it was almost the only 'real' food I ate at that time, but it was still a way of saying that I deserved to feel comfort, even if it was only in a small way. We can't hug ourselves, nor sit in our own laps, so maybe comforting ourselves with food is the healthiest response we can have.

Why don't we try to find you some other sort of self-comfort routine? Maybe you're like me, and can find that comfort in some other sort of activity? For me, one comforting thing is to sew. Another is embroidery. Computer work is also a comfort, or reading books on the sofa while wrapped in a quilt that a friend made me. It almost feels as though the quilt is holding me, since it was made with love for me. Maybe making a quilt for yourself, something to show that you deserve the love and that you do get it?

Just a couple of thoughts, and here's another cyberhug!


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