Drug change and Dire Warnings from Dr

I'm being treated for depression, with the ED as a sort of afterthought for everyone -- except me -- and today things got rough. The doctor added Wellbutrin to my prescription, but told me that he was hesitant to do so, because of the risk of seizures with EDs. He did go ahead, because i assured him I don't purge in any way, which satisfied him it was safe enough to try it.

I'm pleased with that change, but I had to promise to try harder to eat more. That's really hard for me, because every other episode I've ever had has been "resolved" by anti-depressant drugs that made me gain a tremendous amount of weight. I've never actually recovered from this in any meaningful way, although as long as my weight is above a certain threshold and I don't get hit by too many anxiety producing things at once, I haven't had any problems for long periods. I had even learned, finally, to recognize when I was hungry, and eat because of it!

My therapist is not an ED specialist. Does anyone know anything about what sorts of treatments help? Or anything that might help me? I'm very upset at the thought of having ot eat more, but I also know I have to. I just don't know HOW!

Hi Genevieve,

I can relate to your delema. I had the effect with Wellbutrin of losing my appetite along with the Prozac I was on before that. I just found my list of psych meds I was given & next to them, I had the side effect I experienced. It looks like 90% of them caused me appitite loss...then the weight loss just followed...along with the ED that was probably behind the scenes all the time.

Like I said in my post, I know how you feel about not recovering in any meaningful way. I also do not know how to stop this when I don't really know how it stopped before. I don't think my Dr, understands that concept cause he gave me a funny look when he asked me how it ended last time & I told him I didn't know.

Like you, also, my weight is just above a threshold where I start to feel lousy...so far so good, but it just keeps creeping down. I am not successful trying to eat more because everytime I do, I feel sick to my stomach.

I remember the treatment that they used at the Radar Institute when I was in there for a month the last time as an inpatient. The one thing I remember coming from the mouth of the therapist there was to "get in touch with my inner child". Never did figure out who in the he** was my inner child. That seemed to be the only place he was coming from & I just couldn't relate so refused to see him. The other things they did were related to common area eating which can only apply to an inpatient situation. The groups were pretty good although I wasn't really into group anything at the time. I do remember roll playing, anger control (with the soft baseball bats), & just discussion groups. They were somewhat helpfull but not enough to make a difference. We were also required to go to OA once a week...that did absolutely no good for my Ana. I really couldn't relate to that. After coming home from the Radar, I was hospitalized about 1 x/month for more than the next year, in the medical hospital with a central line & nutrients being dripped in. I was required to go to the psych ward for groups, dragging my IV along. Those groups had nothing to do with ED, but I was different with my IV, so it brought up all kinds of questions (but no answers) so it seemed like I was forced to talk.

I also found a support group that was for all ED's but most of us were dealing with Ana. It actually was pretty good, & we would get into the emotions behind the problem. My only problem was that I was so suicidal at the time that it was also a contributing factor to where I was coming from. (not experincing that aspect of it this time...thank heavens). I did find that the support group was the most helpful & probably would have made more of an impact on my ED if I wasn't coming from the place I was at then.

I have actually been thinking about trying to find out if the group still exists 8 yrs later...probably not in existance anymore.

Also like you, I hate thinking that I have to eat more even though I know I have to. I just don't like the sick feeling I get when I try. It doesn't seem worth it at this time. Sorry I don't have the magic answer or else I wouldn't be where I am either. I know that I have to try harder than I have been because my weight is now doing the "creeping" thing...lower & lower. Not like during the summer when I would sweat off all the fluid & lose so much more. But it is now getting down to a more critical point, & just can't seem to stabalize it even though I know I have to.

Under my post you told me to ask you how you know (about getting dizzy on a horse)...I can just guess, but if you would like to go into more detail, I wouldn't mind. Last time my ED was bad, I was riding & showing at 16 lbs under the minimum weight for my height. I never had a problem which really surprised. I always passed out at home or at the Dr office....guess I was just lucky.

I know I'm not of much help, but maybe I gave you some concepts from my last experience that might give you an idea. It seems like all I can do is provide a little bit of understanding & sympathy. You help me a lot, hope I can do a little for you.

Guess we are walking a similar path at this time, & it helps me to know that there is someone who understands & can give some encouraging & truthful words. Hope I can return the favor.
Debbie

I have seen Marinol used to stimulate appetite with some success. I don't know if it would help with the sick to the stomach feeling you get when eating. But just wanted to throw that out there.
gg

Hi! Genevieve,
Adding gentel foods like chicken noodel soup, protein drink. Dr. gave me a recepie that's similar to egg nog and you can spice it up more if you want adding other flavors.
glass of milk
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla (give or take)
sugar (optional).
mix well
They do have powdered drinks in health stores like GNC specifically for weight gain.
Do you have anyone who can be a support person for you that you can allow them to check in with you to kind of keep you accountable? Are you in counseling along with the meds?
mlyn