[Artchic528]

I'm super hungry. My Abilify makes me hungry all the time, but I get really hungry about 3-4 hours after I've last eaten. The problem is it's 2am and I've already been told my nighttime eating habits are unhealthy by my dad, and that he also doesn't want me to do it anymore because preparing the food wakes him up (he sleeps on the couch in the room right next to the kitchen).

The thing is, I stay up rather late (I'm a night owl), and I also do so to be able to talk to my Hungarian guy. I can't sleep with my stomach growling at me and hunger pains radiating through me. I just can't.

What am I to do? I can't just go downstairs and raid the fridge because it'll wake up my father and quite frankly, he's been super grumpy (more so than usual) because his job is super stressful and he can barely keep his temper in check these days it seems.

I don't know how to handle this situation.

You're in a cruel situation. Talk to your doctor about a change in meds. Weight gain is a serious detriment to your health and strategic eating is impossible while taking a psychotropic that promotes weight gain. If you're stable and want to stay on Abilify, I suggest that you remove meat, eggs, sugar and processed foods from your diet. You can lose weight on fruit, vegetables, legumes and vegetarian fake meat and your cholesterol will decrease by half.

[ArcheM]

I don't know, I can't talk to meds, because I don't take any... But I just go to bed hungry. I used to not be able to, and tried to blame my insomnia on it. But it seems barely related. So I just lie in bed hungry and watch Youtube or hang around here, and I've been getting used to the situation. Of course, I also count calories to make sure that I'm not in actual fact starving... It might not apply in your situation, but I do sympathize.

Your situation is more than frustrating. I agree with Lefty. From my POV, in the long run, significant weight gain can be just as depressing and dangerous as our mental issues. I would ask for a drug change!

For much of my life, when I eat and do the wrong things (sugar, unhealthy carbs, to much chocolate, don't exercise)--the weight piles on. Though everyone has to figure out their own system, I try to do the following things--early dinner and no food after dinner, no alcohol, meals consist of proteins and vegtables, plain yogurt and a bit of fruit or granola as snacks (but the less snacking the better). My main snack is coffee with whole milk and a splash of H & H. Gave up sodas years ago.

When you want to snack at night--think of how grumpy and stressed out this will make your father and use it as motivation. Though it is harder to sleep when we are hungry, studies show occassionally fasting or not having 3 meals a day is good for us. It can be uncomfortable, but you can get used to it once you get started and continue long enough to make it a habit. Our ancestors did not have food available to them 24/7. You will feel so good about yourself if you can make some positive changes in your diet.

[mc2ed]

My opinion here.....I think being hungry and then thinking you CAN NOT eat anything...for the multiple reasons...late at night...meds...or your disrupting your father...can actually have the affect of making you MORE Hungry....not knowing your situation...dollar wise...look on craig's list and see if you can't find a one of those really small dorm room type refrigerators....then figure out some food that you don't feel will add weight or other problems...and keep them handy in your room....along with a few drink items you decide upon....I love watermelon...I will buy one and fill containers with bite size mellon balls and when I get an urge I eat a few...or I prep pineapple the same way....or carrots or celery...there are things that nutritionists say you can eat as much as you want of them...find those things and keep some in your room...you won't disturb anyone and knowing you have the freedom to eat something if you want to....might actually take hunger off the front and center of your mind...

I don't sleep because of pain....so I am often up and down all night and some nights I have been up all night...if so....your body is not like you are coming out of sleep and going to eat something and then go back to bed....so not even sure with your schedule of sleep....night eating is such a bad thing for you?.....I would go ahead and talk to my doctor though...and if you can't get the fridge...there have to be other things you could keep in your room that would be okay to eat....Hope you find something to help...

Originally Posted by mc2ed

My opinion here.....I think being hungry and then thinking you CAN NOT eat anything...for the multiple reasons...late at night...meds...or your disrupting your father...can actually have the affect of making you MORE Hungry....not knowing your situation...dollar wise...look on craig's list and see if you can't find a one of those really small dorm room type refrigerators....then figure out some food that you don't feel will add weight or other problems...and keep them handy in your room....along with a few drink items you decide upon....I love watermelon...I will buy one and fill containers with bite size mellon balls and when I get an urge I eat a few...or I prep pineapple the same way....or carrots or celery...there are things that nutritionists say you can eat as much as you want of them...find those things and keep some in your room...you won't disturb anyone and knowing you have the freedom to eat something if you want to....might actually take hunger off the front and center of your mind...

I don't sleep because of pain....so I am often up and down all night and some nights I have been up all night...if so....your body is not like you are coming out of sleep and going to eat something and then go back to bed....so not even sure with your schedule of sleep....night eating is such a bad thing for you?.....I would go ahead and talk to my doctor though...and if you can't get the fridge...there have to be other things you could keep in your room that would be okay to eat....Hope you find something to help...

I like your suggestions.

You are right that rules like "Don't eat at night" are not important (it is just something I have done for most of my life--we all develop are own habits and ways to cope with our weight). Choosing the right foods (lots of vegtables and fruit, no processed foods like Oreos) is the most important thing we can do for our health.

[divine1966]

Eat an apple? Or an orange? Maybe some nuts (not salty or greesy)? You can store some in your bedroom. Usually it helps me when I am hungry. An apple sure does.

[divine1966]

you could also get lunch bag with ice packs and keep some stuff at night in your bedroom. Like light yogurt etc with ice packs it won't need refrigerator.

[Shazerac]

agree with the others. Try keeping healthy snacks in your room, apples, other fruits, cheese, nonsugared drinks, whatever works for you.

I also agree that many doctors don't take seriously the weight issues with psych meds. If abilify awakens the hunger beast then maybe it's time to try a different med.

I agree. Prepare your meal ahead of time.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

My clozapine make me feel like I am starving soon after I take it. I've learned that eating something with a lot of protein (usually an egg) not long before bed keeps me from waking hungry and eating junk.

[FallDuskTrain]

Originally Posted by Artchic528

I'm super hungry. My Abilify makes me hungry all the time, but I get really hungry about 3-4 hours after I've last eaten. The problem is it's 2am and I've already been told my nighttime eating habits are unhealthy by my dad, and that he also doesn't want me to do it anymore because preparing the food wakes him up (he sleeps on the couch in the room right next to the kitchen).


The thing is, I stay up rather late (I'm a night owl), and I also do so to be able to talk to my Hungarian guy. I can't sleep with my stomach growling at me and hunger pains radiating through me. I just can't.


What am I to do? I can't just go downstairs and raid the fridge because it'll wake up my father and quite frankly, he's been super grumpy (more so than usual) because his job is super stressful and he can barely keep his temper in check these days it seems.


I don't know how to handle this situation.

The same thing happened to me and I got off it immediately. Weight gain is a recipe of chaos on my physical and mental health. I have no idea why Amplify is still around. I guess it would make sense for someone who has no appetite due to his/her mental health challenge.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

[QUOTE=FallDuskTrain;5820370 I have no idea why Amplify is still around. I guess it would make sense for someone who has no appetite due to his/her mental health challenge.[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately sometimes people run through all the drugs that don't cause weight gain and just have to deal with it. I don't know it that is OP's situation; it is mine. It's not pleasant but I'd rather deal with weight gain than out of control bipolar.

[winter loneliness]

My problem is I get hungry right before bed and I grab whatever. I sometimes have a box of low calorie protein bars in my room. They are a safer option for middle of the night eating.

[Sunflower123]

I agree. Take some healthy snacks and drinks up to your room before your dad goes to sleep. Hope that works. Sending big hugs.