[lifetimemeds]

I have been overweight since age 18 when I started taking antidepressants. For 40 years I never tried to lose weight. Two years ago I decided to seriously lose weight. Over 18 months I slowly lost 40 pounds on South Beach diet. I was so proud of my success and back into regular women sizes from plus sizes.

I had hand surgery in March and surgeon started me on Meloxicam to cut down inflammation and scarring. I have had hypertension and on antihypertensive for 30+ years. My surgeon apparently didn't know that Meloxicam should never be given to someone with hypertension. Meloxicam is known to cause rapid weight gain, dangerously high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and even death when given to someone with hypertension and/or on blood pressure meds.

I suddenly gained 20 pounds in just two weeks. My blood pressure went up to 220/160 while on my normal meds. I had chest pain on exertion. Saw my doctor who added another hypertension med and referred me to cardiologist. And told me to stop Meloxicam immediately. I had a positive cardiac stress test followed by heart cath/angiography. I didn't need a stent but do have 20% closure of two arteries.

My weight stabilized and my blood pressure finally returned to normal after adding a 3rd blood pressure med. By then I had regained 30 of the 40 pounds I worked so hard to lose previous two years.

I am so depressed about starting weight loss over again. I am finding it very hard to stay motivated. I am disabled from bipolar disorder so stay home a lot doing nothing. I used to have a lot of hobbies and activities I enjoyed. I have no interest in doing anything but watching TV or Internet stuff. I find myself constantly going to kitchen to get something to eat. I eat all day long and the evening I eat until I am so full my stomach hurts. I never purge so unfortunately I am gaining weight again. I am back to my weight two years ago. None of my clothes fit anymore and I got rid out all my plus size clothes.

I really don't know how to get started again on weight loss. I buy only healthy food but then drive to buy ice cream, cookies, candy bars in the evening. Or go to fast food even though I am already full.

Any advice on how to stop overeating and back on weight loss diet would be appreciated.

[healingme4me]

Sounds like a nightmare. Aside from adding some activity, I've found adding seltzer water reduces sugar cravings. Which sounds like what you're driving for, sugary goodies.

[krisakira]

You might want to try Prozac as an anti-depressant. It's given to people with binge eating disorders to suppress the appetite and can cause weight loss. For me, it has stabilized my weight so I have not gained any on it.

[lifetimemeds]

Originally Posted by krisakira

You might want to try Prozac as an anti-depressant. It's given to people with binge eating disorders to suppress the appetite and can cause weight loss. For me, it has stabilized my weight so I have not gained any on it.

Already on Wellbutrin, Klonopin, lithium, and just started Deplin. Been on many combinations of antidepressants over the years. Was on Celexa and Wellbutrin for a while. Recently tried to transition from lithium to Lamictal but too many side effects. I don't think my psychiatrist would even consider Prozac at this point. Serious bipolar depression requires something stronger. I have been on Zoloft, Effexor, Seroquel, Geodon, Risperdal, ...almost every antidepressant and most antipsychotics.

[GALAXYGAL]

Lifetimemeds,

While it may be depressing, you know that your weight gain is not your fault. Making extra trips to the store for sweets and eating fast foods only fuels your self-doubt that you can lose this weight again. Ask your doctors for help in finding a weight loss drug or program and you might try to work with a nutritionist for support of healthy food choices.

[lifetimemeds]

For two years I stuck to South Beach diet. I had only healthy food in house and was satisfied. Now I don't feel satisfied unless I have eaten something AGAINST my diet. Driving out in evening to get sweets. I know HOW to follow a healthy, satisfying diet and followed it for two years. I graze all day but on healthy things because that is all I have in the house. Feeling unsatisfied in the evenings, I go out and binge on sweets. At least I'm not filling fridge and cupboards with ice cream, cookies, and candy, I give myself credit for that. But I do not understand this new compulsion for sweets. The only clue I have is that I am trying to fill an emotional need and don't feel emotionally OK until I have pampered myself with sweets.

[vital]

Originally Posted by lifetimemeds

I have been overweight since age 18 when I started taking antidepressants. For 40 years I never tried to lose weight. Two years ago I decided to seriously lose weight. Over 18 months I slowly lost 40 pounds on South Beach diet. I was so proud of my success and back into regular women sizes from plus sizes.

I had hand surgery in March and surgeon started me on Meloxicam to cut down inflammation and scarring. I have had hypertension and on antihypertensive for 30+ years. My surgeon apparently didn't know that Meloxicam should never be given to someone with hypertension. Meloxicam is known to cause rapid weight gain, dangerously high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and even death when given to someone with hypertension and/or on blood pressure meds.

I suddenly gained 20 pounds in just two weeks. My blood pressure went up to 220/160 while on my normal meds. I had chest pain on exertion. Saw my doctor who added another hypertension med and referred me to cardiologist. And told me to stop Meloxicam immediately. I had a positive cardiac stress test followed by heart cath/angiography. I didn't need a stent but do have 20% closure of two arteries.

My weight stabilized and my blood pressure finally returned to normal after adding a 3rd blood pressure med. By then I had regained 30 of the 40 pounds I worked so hard to lose previous two years.

I am so depressed about starting weight loss over again. I am finding it very hard to stay motivated. I am disabled from bipolar disorder so stay home a lot doing nothing. I used to have a lot of hobbies and activities I enjoyed. I have no interest in doing anything but watching TV or Internet stuff. I find myself constantly going to kitchen to get something to eat. I eat all day long and the evening I eat until I am so full my stomach hurts. I never purge so unfortunately I am gaining weight again. I am back to my weight two years ago. None of my clothes fit anymore and I got rid out all my plus size clothes.

I really don't know how to get started again on weight loss. I buy only healthy food but then drive to buy ice cream, cookies, candy bars in the evening. Or go to fast food even though I am already full.

Any advice on how to stop overeating and back on weight loss diet would be appreciated.

For advice about diet and health and depression, really like Mark Hyman

Home - Dr. Mark Hyman

or Andrew Weil
DrWeil.com - Official Website of Andrew Weil, M.D.

You have a bunch of problems, but it might be that you can help them all simultaneously.

- vital

[Just keep swimming]

For me this is the hardest place to be, the "OK, now how do I start again?". I know what you mean about wanting to just rebel. I'm trying a new approach, I don't know how it will work. I'm trying to make changes that I know I can handle. I read somewhere that a good place to start was by adding protein. Some study said that just by increasing protean, some people lost weight. It's made me change my thoughts around food. I'm eating different types of things and I feel like I'm getting away with something because some of my favorite foods are pretty high protein foods. So for now, the rebellious/deprived part of me is satisfied. But I'm not saying this works for everybody. I just know that I do better with changes I can handle. Otherwise, I get quickly discouraged.

[unaluna]

I agree with vital and swimming. Plus a nurse called me this weekend because my dr recently put me on diabetes medication. Anyway she said being hungry was a sign of high blood sugar, and she also recommended protein at every meal. I am trying to start my plates with veg, then protein, and lastly carbs - because left to my own way of meal planning, yeah i would start with carbs and stop right there!