Ayashe

You owe it to yourself Lasereth, to TFP you owe nothing. There are conditions that can cause this that could be potentially serious. Diabetes for one is the most likely cause of hunger issues. There are also some rare genetic conditions that can cause the inability to satisfy hunger. Of course, it could be as you and your psychiatrist have said and an unhealthy relationship with food.

I think there is a key that you are missing. As I understand it, you have had some real negative experiences with doctors. I realize that you have tried anti-depressants in the past as well which you found unhelpful. Realize that when a provider prescribes a medication he is doing so based upon your condition, what is available, and what insurance is likely to cover. This can be a step-process, one cure unfortunately doesn't fit all people. Many times people can become inpatient with the process and give up. Psychiatric medications do not work immediately, it takes at least a month before a person is stabilized on a medication before any determination can be made towards effectiveness. You need to really consider if a medication is helping and if not, go back to the drawing board and tell your provider you want to try something else. There are anti-depressants that are known specifically for curbing the appetite.

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Jinn

Followup:

Hate to be a nag x 2, but have you scheduled the doctor's appointment yet?

*gentle prodding*..

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MSD

You have an appetite disorder and have for a long time. If the doctor is any good, you're going to answer a whole bunch of questions and get some blood work done to check for something out of whack that could be causing this, then go from there to figure out what the problem is. If your doctor won't help you, switch to a new doctor.

Lasereth

Ok I set up an appointment for Tuesday. I'll let TFP know what happens.

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MSD

Woohoo, peer pressure is a force of good for once!

Jinn

HURRAH@!

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Lasereth

Well I went to the doctor and he gave me 2 medicines to take, 1 of which is supposed to be an appetite suppressant. He didn't really have an answer to what my problem was, he just wanted to try this since my brother had success with it so we'll see what happens.

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thesurgeon

Just asking about your social background here.

Do you have any other interests apart from food, such as a job, or family?

The reason for asking is that I find that without a regular 'normal life', (family, job, hobbies, social intercourse etc) we can become prone to more introspective thoughts such as I feel hungry, I feel tired, I feel constipated, I feel anxious etc.

The diversion of a busy and rewarding life helps me not to think about my troubles so much.

MSD

Do you mind telling us what he prescribed? I'm guessing adderall or dexedrine for appetite suppressant and Paxil to obsessive food-related thoughts.

Lasereth

Cymbalta and Vyvanse

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amonkie

Lasereth... just a question. Did you print off this thread and bring it with you, or give the amount of detail that you gave us, to your Doctor? They can't make accurate diagnosis with missing information, just wanted to throw that out.

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Lasereth

I told him everything I told you guys. But in the end he was like ok what do you want me to do? I was thinking um you're the doctor, you tell me. So I said my brother is having some luck with his medicine, think I should try those? And he was like ok brb

Sort of an odd experience really. Reminded me of Dr. Spaceman from 30 Rock

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dlish

sounds like you have thewrong dr.

try another opinion Laz. i know i would

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MSD

I was close on the stimulant, I've found that being prescribed adderall for ADHD really suppressed my appetite and helped me take off weight. How has it been working for you?

Lasereth

It's been going ok. The first week I wasn't hungry at all. But now I'm hungry again but it's not the end of the world. It's way more manageable now. I really think it's helping with how I react to my appetite (though it's still there).

I can't tell if it's helping with the depression though. I guess I need to give it a little more time.

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"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

Stare At The Sun

You're in a tough spot here.

I'll echo what everyone else said, and say 'go to the the doc'.

However, that being said, if eating makes you happy, then do it. Just try and eat healthy when/if you can. Experiment with different stuff, and see what helps the most.

Suggestions though - Make the food yourself. Cooking helps a lot of people calm down/deal with life, assuming they enjoy it. It might help you.

Eat as little fried and processed food as you can. When you must fry, don't use crisco, use olive oil, or another healthy oil. Baked or grilled is always better than fried.

If you are happy when you're eating, then eat. But you'll get fat. If that's ok with you, then meh, get fat.

If you'd rather be skinny(er) and hungry and depressed then do it.

It's all a personal choice, and you have to find that balance that works for you.

My vote is on experimenting with lots of different foods and see what helps you the most. You might be able to extrapolate something from that.

Good luck.

MSD

How are you feeling after another week? The Cymbalta should be having a noticeable effect by now on both compulsive behaviors and depression. I hope that you're able to be in full control, or at least be confident and empowered by your ability to resist the temptation that would bring you back to where you were at your best. Best of wishes to your continued success.

Zeraph

You should get a different doctor. He should have given you a blood test if nothing else to check blood sugar levels and thyroid levels. I mean, I go to the doctor for a problem that's not even related to hunger or anything like that and I got my thyroid tested as part of a blood panel just in case (I'm pretty sure anyways, I can't remember every single test I've had done.)

powerclown

I would recommend a nutritionist. Starchy foods like pasta and baked potatoes are excellent at killing hunger. Drinking a lot of water during the day could help too. Maybe you need a diet that leaves you full as oppossed to eating the equivalent of chinese food all day. Exercise consistently for weight loss. 4-5 days a week of cardio (at least 30 min) to get your heart rate up to burn fat. It is not rocket science. Nutritionist.

snowy

Wow. For someone who advises to see a nutritionist, I'm not sure that that is at all the advice a nutritionist would give. Starchy carbs may be filling at first, but they're quickly digested, unlike carbs that are high in fiber and combined with protein.

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Baraka_Guru

Not all carbs are digested quickly. There is a difference between pastry and pasta/potatoes, for example. Pasta and potatoes provide decent satiety. And fats do too, but no one seems to like to talk about those, which is a shame considering how important they are to the diet.

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Lasereth

I can't remember if I put it in this thread, but I've already talked to a nutritionist and followed her food guideline for months and it changed nothing. I didn't lose a single pound and I stayed hungry.

I've also tried drinking water and I hate it. It makes my stomach hurt.

I've also did 30 minutes to an hour of cardio 3-4 times a week as well and didn't lose a single pound. My brother who is in the same situation as me does cardio every single day of the week at work during his lunch break and doesn't lose weight either.

---------- Post added at 08:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 AM ----------

I can't really say if it's affecting the depression. I guess it is? Maybe, maybe not. I suppose I may be feeling better but it's hard to tell.

I HAVE got my eating under control however. It's sorta odd, really -- at lunch time, I just sorta see that it's lunch time, and even though I'm hungry, it's not a big deal. I get up and fix my lunch when I feel like it. I still stay hungry all the time but it's just not that big of a deal anymore. I'm not sure if it's the medicine that's making me like this or if it's simply me getting back in my old routine, but this experience in general has definitely helped!!!!!

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powerclown

I see. Hard to tell if its a depression thing or if its a food thing or if one is causing the other and if so which one and why.

Are you getting laid on a regular basis?