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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on April 17, 2005, at 13:40:56
Hi folks:
This question combines eating disorders with other things like med, but eating and weight are the main topic.
Well, it is now becoming more pubicly aware that men suffer from eating disorders as well. Here is a brief rundown of my history.
-In teen years, fairly overweight.
-Hit 21, the 'youthful years', went on a mass diet and exercize program, and was down to 145 lb's being 6 feet tall.
-Then psychiatric med intervention in 1993 or so, and a bit of weight crep't back slowly, but it could be under control.
-1997. World came crashing down, lost a child and my future wife, got fired from a very well paying job I was at for 8 years, so more medication tried to help, and man this time the weight comes charging back with a vengance. I just *can't* stop eating...like I have this empty black hole in me that needs to be filled with food, 24/7.
-2005 Doing better with meds, but I am so overweight, it is likely to affect my future health. (I am 36.) My father has diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, so I guess with this added weight, I am in direct line of fire for these things. The thing is I am somewhat tall, and have a big build, so I can hide a fair bit of my weight in public.But my cravings for certain foods just overwhelm me. Anything chocolate; medium rare BBQ meats; A&W and fried onion rings; massive thick milkshakes; most other sweet stuff. About the only good thing I do is drink diet pop.(Still, yes I know..it is chemically cruddy too...and may be harmful..but aside from that..the calories.)
I used to binge and purge, but my meds seems to have stopped the purging, and it is only the binge part I have a hell of a time overcomming.
Would I be able to still use meds to healthily lose weight? I understand Dexadrine may be one of the best and safest to take with an SSRI.
If anyone has any advice, besides exercize which I do daily..cardio form...and am really hard trying to cut back on all the other 'bad' stuff. I'd really love to hear any suggestions.
Thank you so much,
Jay
Posted by Augustina on April 17, 2005, at 17:42:56
In reply to Really need help...male with a eating disorder, posted by jay on April 17, 2005, at 13:40:56
Hi Jay,
you mentioned you're taking an SSRI which I assume is from your pdoc, but are you also in therapy currently? it seems like you really need to explore the reason(s) for your binging with a therapist. WHY do you overeat so much, so often? Do you mostly do this when you feel anxious, scared, depressed or happy?
I believe that diet pills work like a band-aid, not really treating the underlying cause. Plus, there are side effects associated with such "diet aids".(high blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia)I could recommend a couple books that I've personally found helpful, "When Food is Love" by Geneen Roth and another one by the same author, "Breaking Free From Compulsive Eating".
I encourage to seek guidance from your therapist and a nutritionist if possible.
Good luck to you!
-A.
Posted by jay on April 18, 2005, at 7:50:17
In reply to Re: Really need help...male with a eating disorder, posted by Augustina on April 17, 2005, at 17:42:56
> Hi Jay,
>
> you mentioned you're taking an SSRI which I assume is from your pdoc, but are you also in therapy currently? it seems like you really need to explore the reason(s) for your binging with a therapist. WHY do you overeat so much, so often? Do you mostly do this when you feel anxious, scared, depressed or happy?
> I believe that diet pills work like a band-aid, not really treating the underlying cause. Plus, there are side effects associated with such "diet aids".(high blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia)
>
> I could recommend a couple books that I've personally found helpful, "When Food is Love" by Geneen Roth and another one by the same author, "Breaking Free From Compulsive Eating".
>
> I encourage to seek guidance from your therapist and a nutritionist if possible.
>
> Good luck to you!
> -A.Hi Augustina:
Thanks so much for replying. No, I am not currently in therapy, but am sort of 'in between' sessions. I can very much tell you my eating and weight problems come from medications, especially the antipsychotics. (My weight just boomed when I started those.) So, maybe that part should be on the meds board.
I do cardio exercize daily, and I was thinking Dexedrine to get the first 30-40 pounds off, then I just go from there. Also, my build and weight are very gentically influenced, as a number of my family members are big and heavy, as where many in the past.
If I still had the purging problem, I would look deeper into my personal self. But still, there is room for growth, and I will check out the books you mentioned.
Thanks VERY much,
Jay
Posted by Augustina on April 18, 2005, at 10:57:42
In reply to Re: Really need help...male with a eating disorder » Augustina, posted by jay on April 18, 2005, at 7:50:17
Yes, please do check out those books. I too had problems with compulsive overeating, binging, purging, as well as anorexia. This has been going on with me since age 10yrs when I started dieting (I'm now 37yrs). I'm currently seeing a therapist but still find it a struggle every day.
One thing you mentioned re. your eating habits are the sweets. I've found that when I indulge in sweets I crave them even more. Once I take a "sugar holiday" then my body doesn't seem to ask for it. Maybe that's something you can try...at least cut back a little bit on the sugar laden foods.
Do you keep a food journal? it's just another tool I've found helpful in my own life--it really keeps me accountable to what I've been eating.I really wish you all the best.
Posted by Racer on April 19, 2005, at 17:40:43
In reply to Really need help...male with a eating disorder, posted by jay on April 17, 2005, at 13:40:56
I gotta agree with Augustina about the food journal -- it makes a big difference not only in how I eat, but also in how many doctors would respond to you walking in and saying that the meds are involved in your weight gain...
The APs are almost certainly involved in your weight gain, but the SSRI may be as well. If it's med related, the bad news is that no amount of dieting or exercise will make much difference. Talk to your doctor, though, about what can be done to keep you stable AND get some of that weight off. Dexadrine probably ain't on the table, but Topamax is supposed to help with it.
Sorry to offer bad news to you, but hope that helps.
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