[bos314489]

Hi, I was interested to see if anyone has recovered from binge eating and if you could offer some advice to get over it. Has anyone been to a treatment program and what was that like? I have been binge eating but I do not purge ever. It is sweets always. I like the effect it has on my brain and it helps depression and stress but now I have gained so much weight I am really depressed about it. I haven't felt so out of control in a long time and need some advice to get myself on track. Thank you so much

[Permanent Pajamas]

My doctor prescribed Topamax. It does work to reduce the urge to eat, but slowly. Prozac actually worked the best for me. I dropped 40 pounds in about four months.

Hope this helps.

[bos314489]

So a doctor will actually prescribe a medication to help with binge eating specifically? I didn't know that. Is it a psychaitrist pdoc? not sure of the lingo... or primary?thanks for replying!

[hamster-bamster]

I took Topamax for migraine prevention for a month. I became averse to eating. And to drinking tea. And dizzy, and anorgasmic, and generally unwell, while being naturally a very healthy person, somatically (apart from migraines). So that was my experience and that was why I stopped. Other people experience severe cognitive side effects. But you might benefit from it without experiencing those horrible side effects - only trial and error can show how YOU react to this medication. Topamax is prescribed by psychiatrists, neurologists, and primary doctors.

Do you have insurance or receive government-sponsored care? Topamax out of pocket is several hundred dollars a month.

[bos314489]

I will just have to get this eating thing under control myself. I am just dealing with coming off abilify which I was taking for bipolar depression. On the tenth day I had heart palpatations in the 160s and my doc took me off it. I guess I am not willing to go through the trail and error right now of starting another drug. I can't believe I lack such willpower as to continue going to the store and buying unhealthy binge foods and binging on them.. I have to get that control back somehow on my own..

[hamster-bamster]

I do see your point, certainly. Topamax is NOT an easy medication, NOT a piece of cake or a cure-all. It is good to know that, theoretically, it is available to you, but if you can handle small steps that do not involve such serious medications - say, eating sweet fresh fruit instead of commercially prepared sweets would be wonderful by itself - definitely go for it.

[Victoria'smom]

Wellbutrin is also an option.

[sunsetsunrise]

I use a recipe I wrote on another thread here to keep my sweets cravings in check. And no, I have not recovered from binge eating. But for now, it is in check. Its exhausting work. But for now, I am doing it.

[Samara128]

Are there any other suggestions besides medications?

[hamster-bamster]

Make sure you eat enough and regularly and never diet. Binge eating can be the flip side of dieting.