[chaosandcreativity]

I have (or had) a bone condition which is now called idiopathic osteoporosis. When it started with me pre-menopausally, in 1992, there was no name nor could any reason be found why I ended up with 62 fractures over the couse of several years. Ribs would crack when I rolled over in bed. My metatarsals broke numerous times making me limp in pain with every step. The condition worsened until I ended up with a total hip replacement, total knee replacement, 8 major surgeries on my left leg, and other such things.

I became addicted to Percocet, naturally. I say naturally because I addict to other things very easily. I've been sober from alcohol for 13 years. That switched to food, spending money on jewelry, collectible items, and unnecessary purchases. Lots of stuff! At one point I was taking 3-4 pills every few hours. I knew the risks to my liver but I didn't care.

So, it seemed like a set up for me. I really did have a great deal of legit pain following a fracture, but my condition was chronic. I only used Percocets prescibed by my doctors. I don't know how to get them illegally at all. Besides, they would cost more on the street. I needed that money for jewelry! LOL!

Fortunately, one of my doctors cut me off. I was afraid to ask the other MD for a script. The cravings went away after a few days. I was out of pills, so I had no choice.

I don't take pills any more. I have found there are other ways to deal with pain.

But, now I eat all the time. I'm huge and my health is not good. This is even more difficult than alcohol or opiates.

[J.O.M.]

Hmm, have you sought out a homeopath? Sometimes when one is in recovery and is attempting to deal with chronic pain, the amino acids (building blocks of life type stuff), are less than the body and brain need to produce the serotonin and dopamine one needs to feel the best they can or less than the brain needs to block or lessen the feelings of pain. Plus the best part is, that lots of times a need to eat is the brain's way of letting you know that it needs something that can be found in certain foods.

I am not attempting to promote homeopathic medicine, just suggesting it as a possible addition or alternative to other methods of weight loss and potential other health related issues due to weight gain.

I know there is a medication that doctors prescribe for chronic pain quite often which is NOT a narcotic and is based on an amino acid...so a homeopath may have some useful suggestions for you.

[chaosandcreativity]

Funny you should suggest that! My shrimk is an MD with a PhD in nutritian and is homeopathic oriented. My problem is that as a former RN and extremely scientifically oriented, I have difficulty thinking that any homeopathic remedy actually does something. He suggested something for pain control, as a matter of fact, but I forgot what it was. My pain is not that bad anymore. I haven't broken anything in quite a while. Now I just get backaches from lugging all that extra weight around. Thanks for the suggestion.

[J.O.M.]

I didn't believe in the homeopathic way either, but curiosity got the better of me and I began to do some research. Not to forget that I was kinda lead into it when someone told me about GABA.

I found studies which GABA was being used with children with ADHD, others that were for pain management, and still others for weight control. I mentioned these studies to some people I knew and brave souls they are, they tried it. I know a young lady who has adult ADHD and GABA helped her with her anger management, plus she is now a paralegal. She reported to me that the GABA helped 'slow' her mind so she could study and actually think through her anger rather than simply reacting.

I know another person who tried GABA for chronic back pain, while it didn't eliminate the pain, it was manageable which he considered a success.

Two people I know tried GABA for weight control and with a mild exercise program lost over 50 pounds between them within 6 months.

So...scientific evidence not withstanding, empirical evidence attests to either effectiveness of the amino acid OR a placebo effect.

Something science once forgot in it's rush to the future, is that natural worked for centuries. up to and including leeching.

Nice part about most of the homeopathic remedies is that effective or not, they usually can't hurt. Sometimes it's just worth a try.

[Perna]

Yes, it's hard when we use food incorrectly to help the anxiety go away and gain a lot of weight. I joined http://sparkpeople.com and that has helped some in the last couple years with my eating better so I lose weight, and with my chronic physical conditions too.