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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on November 29, 2012, at 2:09:29
Hi all,
I'm not taking anything different med-wise (it's still Lexapro, low-dose lithium, Librium and Subutex), but I have been having intense sugar cravings which I simply can't control. The past few weeks, I literally put sugar in or on everything I consume.
My med regimen (above) was just Lexapro and lithium until a month ago, when I added Librium and Subutex.
What's going on here??? I gained 12 pounds in one month (my baseline weight is 105 lbs.). Does anyone know what's causing this? Or had a similar experience? I'm a vegetarian, so I'm guilty of eating too many carbs, but this is insane!
I'm thinking of cutting out all sugar for one week as an experiment (even though it seems impossible).
I'd love any feedback.
Thanks,
b
Posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2012, at 9:11:52
In reply to Sugar, posted by brynb on November 29, 2012, at 2:09:29
Perimenopausal? That was the only time I craved sugar. Now with no taste & smell eat anything with sweetness for a brief moment of taste. Is you bloodsugar low? If vegatarian are you getting enough protein? You are very tiny in weight. Could it be your body is adjusting to a new set point in weight? Phillipa
Posted by brynb on November 29, 2012, at 9:51:43
In reply to Re: Sugar » brynb, posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2012, at 9:11:52
Oh no! No, no...can't be perimeno! I want children. My mom went through Menopause in her 50s (mid, i think). I do have low blood sugar at times. Maybe the Lithium caught up w me? :/
Posted by Phil on November 29, 2012, at 10:59:13
In reply to Re: Sugar, posted by brynb on November 29, 2012, at 9:51:43
I was on Seroquel XR ans switched to IR because of monry. My doc said I may have stronger cravings and not to trust my body.
As I was downing my third strawberry shake in a week I remembered what he said.
I bought some honey and sometimes I tilt my head back and squeeze the bottle. lol
I'm trying to control it now but it is almost impossible. Type II here I come.
Posted by rjlockhart37 on November 29, 2012, at 19:14:44
In reply to Re: Sugar » brynb, posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2012, at 9:11:52
its the lithium....i look it up...sugar cravings...does something to the body that ... lowers sugar, or makes you crave it, and wieght gain too...
You can get like pure glucose at a pharmacy..its used for people who have diabeties...better than candy that makes you bigger.
Start a liquid diet to lose it fast...they work!
r
Posted by brynb on November 29, 2012, at 21:11:30
In reply to Re: Sugar » brynb, posted by Phil on November 29, 2012, at 10:59:13
Oy! It's crazy; I've been eating raw cookie dough and plain brown sugar from the box. I'm realizing how gross that is as I write it!
Posted by Phil on November 29, 2012, at 22:18:34
In reply to Re: Sugar » Phil, posted by brynb on November 29, 2012, at 21:11:30
...makes note to pick up some brown sugar.
Posted by brynb on November 30, 2012, at 0:59:13
In reply to Re: Sugar » brynb, posted by Phil on November 29, 2012, at 22:18:34
> ...makes note to pick up some brown sugar.
haha, and it's so good on oatmeal! (did i mention how good it is straight from the box? ;))
Posted by ChicagoKat on November 30, 2012, at 12:52:04
In reply to Sugar, posted by brynb on November 29, 2012, at 2:09:29
Hi Bryn,
I don't know enough about the other drugs, but IMO Lexapro causes weight gain. The 'experts' always, always, always say it does not cause weight gain, but there is no doubt in my mind that IT DOES.
And, of course, simply being depressed leads to sugar cravings.
I'm vegetarian too, so yep, guilty of eating too many carbs. And when I was on Nardil, which makes you feel like you have a huge hole in your stomach, my diet pretty much consisted of cookies and captain crunch. Ohhhhh SO healthy lol
Hope you can find a solution. If you do, pass it on. We vegetarians need to stick together :D
Kat
Posted by Phillipa on November 30, 2012, at 20:01:23
In reply to Re: Sugar » brynb, posted by ChicagoKat on November 30, 2012, at 12:52:04
I wonder if being a vegatarian cause say a low B12 level which might cause depression? I have no idea? Phillipa
Posted by ChicagoKat on December 1, 2012, at 0:25:22
In reply to Re: Sugar, posted by Phillipa on November 30, 2012, at 20:01:23
> I wonder if being a vegatarian cause say a low B12 level which might cause depression? I have no idea? Phillipa
Oh yeah, that's completely possible Phillipa. Thanks for reminding me; I keep meaning to talk to my doc about it.
Kat
Posted by brynb on December 1, 2012, at 1:14:41
In reply to Re: Sugar, posted by rjlockhart37 on November 29, 2012, at 19:14:44
Hey rj-
You had me thinking about lithium; I started it early in July, so maybe I only actually noticed the weight gain now.
ANY diet's hard for me, ugh! But, I think I should ask my pdoc about eliminating lithium altogether. At 350 mg, I thought it was doing something, but I've been so off the wall lately, that clearly it isn't doing much (I'm not on any other mood stabilizer.
Thanks for your insight...
Posted by brynb on December 1, 2012, at 1:16:51
In reply to Re: Sugar, posted by Phillipa on November 30, 2012, at 20:01:23
> I wonder if being a vegatarian cause say a low B12 level which might cause depression? I have no idea? Phillipa
Phillipa,
It's possible, but all of my levels checked out normal...
-b
Posted by brynb on December 1, 2012, at 1:24:00
In reply to Re: Sugar » brynb, posted by ChicagoKat on November 30, 2012, at 12:52:04
> Hi Bryn,
>
> I don't know enough about the other drugs, but IMO Lexapro causes weight gain. The 'experts' always, always, always say it does not cause weight gain, but there is no doubt in my mind that IT DOES.I think you're right, Kat. I feel like I was convincing myself otherwise.
> And, of course, simply being depressed leads to sugar cravings.
True--love those carbs!
Thanks, Kat =).
Posted by elanor roosevelt on December 14, 2012, at 23:21:42
In reply to Re: Sugar » rjlockhart37, posted by brynb on December 1, 2012, at 1:14:41
how often is your doctor doing the blood work for your lithium levels?
> Hey rj-
>
> You had me thinking about lithium; I started it early in July, so maybe I only actually noticed the weight gain now.
>
> ANY diet's hard for me, ugh! But, I think I should ask my pdoc about eliminating lithium altogether. At 350 mg, I thought it was doing something, but I've been so off the wall lately, that clearly it isn't doing much (I'm not on any other mood stabilizer.
>
> Thanks for your insight...
Posted by brynb on December 15, 2012, at 23:21:33
In reply to Re: Sugar, posted by elanor roosevelt on December 14, 2012, at 23:21:42
hi er-
he only checked my levels once, when i first started, but i've also steadily been on only 300 mg.
thanks,
b
This is the end of the thread.
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