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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gradstudent on February 11, 2004, at 12:21:55
Hi,
I have been a binge/compulsive eater with huge weight fluctuations for 20 years now. I have just gained something like 25 lbs in one month of overeating. before that I maintained my size 6 body for 7 months and thought I was in the clear, though always fearing a relapse...I have been on Zoloft before for depression (obviously the behavior makes me depressed and loathing myself) but it did not really help the BE. I am going to an Ed center for an assessment. Any of you tried any antidepressants for this? Please help!
Posted by rainee on February 11, 2004, at 13:14:40
In reply to Binge eating -- anyone out there?, posted by gradstudent on February 11, 2004, at 12:21:55
I have not found a binge eating med cure.. oh so wish.... OA for me is the way to go.
Posted by sjb on February 11, 2004, at 14:04:08
In reply to Binge eating -- anyone out there?, posted by gradstudent on February 11, 2004, at 12:21:55
I feel your pain. You are not alone. By all means check out the ED program and/or as the other poster said, OA. Also, excercise is very important.
Everyone responds differently to medication, but for those of us struggling with binges, weight issues, I think it is very important to remember this: even the meds that initially help to suppress appetite, don't last. I do not mean to be wet rag, but if I had known that, it would have saved me a lot of grief and "beating myself up." All the meds that curbed my bingeing for the first few weeks or so, stopped. This is very common. I shake my head when I read someone on this board turn to to Topomax for it's purported weight loss benefits. For many it does help, AT FIRST, but not over the long haul and certainly not enough to make up for the cognitive difficulties. I initially stopped bingeing on Prozac, Effexor and Adderall, but my old ways returned. Going off and on these meds doesn't do the trick either. In most cases, the appetite suppressant effect just doesn't last.
To my knowledge there is NO pill that can suppress appetite for more than a few months, tops. That goes for the prescription diet pills as well. To understand that up front, I believe, is important. What the answer, is, however, is a mystery to me. Good luck and please share your experiences.
Posted by rainee on February 11, 2004, at 18:17:12
In reply to Re: Binge eating -- anyone out there?, posted by sjb on February 11, 2004, at 14:04:08
Oh ain't that the truth..... R
Posted by sjb on February 12, 2004, at 7:14:57
In reply to Binge eating -- anyone out there?, posted by gradstudent on February 11, 2004, at 12:21:55
I am going to start a thread on the Alternative site, as I'd like to share what I've been told and what I have learned after many, many years of meds, therapy, PDocs, ED treatment centers, ED specialists, etc. All have nothing to do with meds, so in order not to get a redirect, I'll post there. None are magic bullets but I believe, if followed, give us the best chance for the most improvement over the long haul. Good luck.
Posted by sarahsundae on February 13, 2004, at 12:32:57
In reply to Binge eating -- anyone out there?, posted by gradstudent on February 11, 2004, at 12:21:55
Having had an issue with food my whole life, I am having a lot of issues with this sort of thing myself. I lost 130+ pounds and then found out I had Bipolar Disorder II.
Effexor made me gain 20 pounds.
I have been on Wellbutrin since November and I have actually been able to stay on my diet and lose some of the weight I gained. It has done wonders for my depression.
I started taking Topamax for my mood swings and so far so good.
Good luck. You are not alone.
Posted by gradstudent on February 13, 2004, at 13:01:55
In reply to Re: Binge eating -- anyone out there? » gradstudent, posted by sarahsundae on February 13, 2004, at 12:32:57
Thanks for all your responses. I was very depressed, so I started taking effexor--partially b/c it may help me with my carb cravings. I really hope so. When I cry all day, all I do is reach for food. I know this will not solve the problem, but I hope rebalancing the chemistry in my brain helps me take care of the behavioral aspects of my ED. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Posted by sarahsundae on February 13, 2004, at 21:14:12
In reply to Re: Binge eating --effexor???, posted by gradstudent on February 13, 2004, at 13:01:55
I'm not saying that Effexor will make you gain or binge, because my sister took it for two years and never had any problems. Everyone reacts to medication in a different way.
Effexor did take away my depression. And my sex drive. And my feelings. And my everything. I was a zombie on it and I hated it. I wanted to just kill myself and get it over with. Instead I took to cutting myself.
Anyway...when I did binge I ate chocolate. As much as I could shove down my throat and I would eat until I thought I would throw up. I was on it from July to October of 2002 and put on 20 pounds.
But like I said, everyone is different.
Good luck.
This is the end of the thread.
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