| gypsygirl13
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Hi everybody...I just got the book and I really want to start this diet. I have 45 pounds to lose that I gained while on Paxil for panic disorder (I was on it for 18 months). I went off Paxil in August. For some people, the weight melts right off when you stop taking it, but that didn't happen to me!
The problem is, starting this week I have to go BACK on medication for panic again. Probably Zoloft or something else this time. But ALL of these kinds of meds cause weight gain in some people, and I figure that means me, judging by what the Paxil did.
So I'm wondering, is anyone else here on medication, and dieting successfully?
Also, I really want to start this diet ASAP, but chances are, whatever med I start is going to screw with my body and give me headaches and all sorts of side effects in the beginning. I don't know if I should chance starting the diet, which has its own side effects, all at the same time.
Obviously, I'm feeling pretty discouraged already...not fun carrying around 50 extra pounds, and I'm so worried that I'll gain even MORE when I'm back on meds. :( So any and all encouragement or information is very, very welcome!
--Lauren |
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Wed Feb 11, 2004 1:21 am |
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| callie27
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Gypsygirl,
Boy you remind me of me! I also have panic disorder and yes I have been on many medications that I believe have made me gain weight. When I first started taking medication I was 24 years old. I am now 33 and still on medication. I take a drug very similar to Zoloft and Paxil. It's called Celexa. I don't know about you but for me when I started taking meds I felt so much better mentally that I acually enjoyed eating, so I ate!!! Anyways my point is, I just started this diet Saturday morning. I was 203 pounds on Friday morning. I felt like I was going to die because I felt like I loved food more than my husband!!! Well anyways, keep in mind that I am taking Celexa, it is now 3 days later and I have lost 8 pounds!!! I am so excited I feel like I have control again. Keep the faith in this program. I believe that God led me to this discussion forum Friday night because I was just surfing the net and he kind of led me to it. I have confidence that you will do fine because if you are anything like me, you just want to be healthy again, mentally and physically.
P.S. Don't ever feel embarassed or bad because you have to take this meds. You have a chemical imbalance that requires medical intervention. :) |
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Wed Feb 11, 2004 1:59 am |
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| callie27
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Also one other thing I wanted to mention, when you start a new meds, try not to focus on you. I don't know how you deal with things but when I would start a new med I would just think about me and how I was feeling, like I was the center of the universe or something. Just keep in mind, there is so much out there in the world that is more than our panic, so many more important things. I always tell myself when I am in a panic attack, " I am not the center of the world, I am not the X that marks the spot" I hope this helps!!
Kellie |
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Wed Feb 11, 2004 2:06 am |
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| gypsygirl13
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Kellie, thank you SO MUCH for the info and encouragement!
I'm panicky in general, and panicky about my weight and the diet, and panicky about starting the meds...but you're right, I just want to feel better again, mentally AND physically.
I really, really appreciate it...and I would love to hear from anybody else who's on meds like these (I know there are a lot of us). :wink:
--Lauren |
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Wed Feb 11, 2004 2:30 am |
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| nicki
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| I do, take medication, but not for panic disorder. Rather hypothoroidism. I have noticed in the past it is a bit difficult to lose weight. My weight tends to fluctuate. At one point I noticed I would lose or gain weight without even trying. My average weight is 135-140 which I am at about now, wanting to lose 10 lbs or so. But I think the meds have an effect on weight loss, or my metabolism is slowing down due to age (I'm only 30, and I thought my metabolism was slow enough already). I'm due for a doctor visit, then I'll ask if that's the contributing problem to my weight loss. |
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Wed Feb 11, 2004 3:41 am |
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| Eric
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I have been on Zoloft for years, I did hear that it would be a bit more difficult to loss weight while taking this medication.
I started SBD 1/5/04, as of 2/9/04 I am down 23 pounds !! I am looking to lose about 50-60 lbs so we are in the same range.
Please feel free to email me with any questions at at all. Always willing to talk ...... |
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Wed Feb 11, 2004 1:43 pm |
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| Theflyingturtle
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| I am on metformin for PCOS, it is supposed to help you lose weight alone, it stopped working for me. I also take advil prettyregularly and birth controls. Hope these are all safe to take with the diet---My endocrinologist thought so. |
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Wed Feb 11, 2004 1:52 pm |
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| KennyD
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Gypsy, this is a bit off topic but I was wondering if you are seeing a therapist in combination with your meds? I too suffer from panic/anxiety and I find that the therapy component is essential to recovery. Paxil can keep help relieve the symptoms, but it is not a cure.
I'm not on meds right now and still have the occasional "moment", but this diet, as well as exercise, really helps me feel better...mentally AND physically! |
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Wed Feb 11, 2004 2:34 pm |
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| teenacic
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| I am on Synthroid.15 & Zoloft 50mg and have not lost weight yet. I am on Day 9 and don't feel any tighter or different. I never knew those meds also effect weight loss. I knew it would be difficult becuase of my thyroid, but had NO IDEA about the other med....that's just great :evil: |
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Wed Feb 11, 2004 3:37 pm |
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| gypsygirl13
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Hi everybody...thank you all for the info!
KennyD, I just started therapy. I know that the meds alone aren't going to take care of this...not this time around!
Eric, it's encouraging to read that you're on Zoloft and have lost so much already...I hope the same happens for me!!!! :D
Aaaaaaaaaad, the psychiatrist prescribed Effexor (starting this week at 37.5 mg a day, jumping to 75 next week and hopefully staying at that dosage). She said Effexor can cause weight gain, but isn't known to do it as much as Paxil.
The bad news is, I talked to her about starting this diet and she said to wait at least until I see her again in 2 weeks. She needs me to keep a log of my symptoms until I see her--headaches and fatigue and aching or anything that can be associated with starting this med. If I start SB now, I won't be able to gauge whether my symptoms are coming from the diet or the Effexor.
Which is annoying, but I figure I'll just start eating better without going extreme Phase 1 until I get the go-ahead to start SB. |
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Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:31 pm |
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| Dee
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| I've been on ad's for almost a decade now. I'm on celexa now. I don't think it has had any effects on my weight. I hope it does not make it harder to lose. I'm down 2 lbs since I started SB on Sunday. I've lost weight on WW before too. But because I have so little to lose I always end up slipping back into old eating habits once I reach my goal. |
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Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:33 pm |
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| SoulLips
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For anyone with panic/anxiety disorders: behavior modification and therapy are ESSENTIAL additions to medication to A) learn new strategies to deal with an attack in it's early stages and B) to gain insight into what triggers the attacks. I know dealing with panic/anxiety can feel helpless sometimes, but over time most people can learn strategies to head off attacks or minimize the seriousness of them.
I think that nutrition actually has a tremendous influence on our entire body chemistry. I would be interested to see a long-term study of how lower-carb diets affect various mental health issues. I am feeling much happier and balanced since beginning the SBD. Omega 3 oils (such as fish oil capsules) are reported to positively affect depression... I wonder if they might be helpful for panic/anxiety too.
Just as you're working on your mental health, taking care of your physical health is important too. Even if the weigh loss is not rapid, the changes you are making are HEALTHIER! |
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Fri Feb 13, 2004 5:24 am |
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| morgansmom
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| I have taken Celexa for over a year and then the doc switched me to Welbutrin. It was my idea. the Celexa decreased my sex drive and I wanted to "rev" it up again with dh..lol..I have been on sbd for only 4, well 5 days now.. |
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Fri Feb 13, 2004 5:32 am |
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| SoulLips
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| Among antidepressants, Wellbutrin is reported to have far fewer side effects (especially sexual side effects) than the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) meds (Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, etc). SSRIs raise serotonin levels and Wellbutrin is believed to is raise norepinephrine and dopamine levels. All antidepressants have side-effects. It's up to you and your doctor to find a medication that best suits you. |
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Fri Feb 13, 2004 10:06 pm |
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| beth0902
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| I have an insulin resistance disorder that caused my triglyceroids to jump to over 1000 and high blood pressure and cholesterol. I am on Trico, lisinopril and Paxil for panic disorders. My triglyceroids don't go below 600 even with meds. I gained over 40 pounds in 5 years. I really hope I can lose on this diet. I am always so discouraged about my weight. I really believe that you can lose on this diet. I also think that it is best for you to stay on the meds if you need to. It's a crazy chemical thing and I think if you go off it may discourage you from sticking to the diet. GOOD LUCK. |
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Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:50 pm |
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