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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mark on December 11, 1999, at 19:29:06
I've posted messages about this many times before, but for some reason I've gotten no responses. Well, here's the last try: Could a diet aid like Xenical help to counteract the weight gain effects of medications? I know that the stimulant and caffeine-centered diet aids are dangerous to take, but what about these new diet aids that don't necessarily suppress apppetite or speed up metabolism, but which cut some of the fat in foods out of your system after you eat. I'm talking about things like Xenical or non-FDA approved Fat Trapper (I'm sure you've all seen the infomercial). Whoever has thoughts about this please post a message.
Posted by Noa on December 11, 1999, at 23:16:30
In reply to medication and weight gain, posted by Mark on December 11, 1999, at 19:29:06
I gotta tell ya...that xenical looks like a waste of money to me. Calories are calories, and not being able to digest fat seems unpleasant to me, because as the ads say, eating fat while taking xenical can cause diarrhea, abdominal pains, etc.
Posted by Alice on December 11, 1999, at 23:29:58
In reply to medication and weight gain, posted by Mark on December 11, 1999, at 19:29:06
Hi Mark,
I know how you feel! In the past year and a half or so, I went from around 5'7" & 120 lbs. to about...well, that's, er, not important...let's just say I won't be fitting into a size 6 anytime in the near future. My doctor thinks it is because of the depression meds I was on. My husbands still says I am beautiful, but I don't feel it. My major weight gain has led to even more major depression issues, even feelings of suicide at times. I feel as though I have let my husband down, because when I met him I was skinny, and I know he and all men prefer skinny women. When I was skinny everyone would comment on how beautiful I was, and now I just feel fat and ugly. I feel just awful about it.
I asked my general physician about Xenical, but he did not feel comfortable putting me on it. He listed numerous unpleasant side-effects like uncontrollable diarrhea & oily discharges (ew!), not to mention loss of nutrients. He told me that there are many other safer means of losing weight.
As for things like "The Fat Trapper"...I wouldn't put too much stock in late-night info-mercials. It would probably just be a waste of money. If those things worked as well as the people on TV claim, you'd think the whole world would be looking like super-models *S*.Recently, I went to see a new psychiatrist, and told him about my weight gain problem. He agreed that it was probably due to depression meds (my other doc had checked out my thyroid & it was fine.) So he suggested a new med called Topomax, a mood stabilizer/antidepressant. One of the greatest side effects of it is instead of making you gain weight, it makes you lose it. Since I have started it, my appetite has been virtually killed. I don't remember feeling physically hungry for over a week, and have already lost a few pounds. Plus, my moods have improved and I am feeling better than ever. To hell with those other meds I used to be on! Maybe something like Topomax can work for you. Well, good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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