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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 3, 2003, at 22:13:25
In reply to Lexapro and Eating Disorders, posted by WantingToKnowMore on June 3, 2003, at 18:34:55
> Have any of you heard of prescribing Lexapro for people with bulemia? I wonder if this is like a which came first thing, the chicken or the egg, in that perhaps the depression should be treated first since this could be what's causing the eating disorder. So then is it that once you're not depressed anymore the ED can be examined and treated? Wondering what people's thoughts were on this.
Posted by Felicity on June 4, 2003, at 8:25:45
In reply to Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by Dr. Bob on June 3, 2003, at 22:13:25
Since I've been on Lexapro, I've found myself able to resist food. Maybe I've always found strength and normalcy in eating, but since I've been on the medication, I've cut back significantly on my food portions and have found that I am able to tell myself that I don't need to eat. I fear that I could get to the point where I am losing weight too fast, but, at the same time, I don't care. I don't know if this makes any sense whatsoever or if this is even what you're wanting to know, but I needed to share.
Posted by lil' jimi on June 4, 2003, at 14:04:55
In reply to Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by Dr. Bob on June 3, 2003, at 22:13:25
hey WantingToKnowMore!
you wrote:
> > Have any of you heard of prescribing Lexapro for people with bulemia? I wonder if this is like a which came first thing, the chicken or the egg, in that perhaps the depression should be treated first since this could be what's causing the eating disorder. So then is it that once you're not depressed anymore the ED can be examined and treated? Wondering what people's thoughts were on this.Felcity wrote also:
>> Since I've been on Lexapro, I've found myself able to resist food. Maybe I've always found strength and normalcy in eating, but since I've been on the medication, I've cut back significantly on my food portions and have found that I am able to tell myself that I don't need to eat. I fear that I could get to the point where I am losing weight too fast, but, at the same time, I don't care. I don't know if this makes any sense whatsoever or if this is even what you're wanting to know, but I needed to share.so now i write:
.... i have been on lexapro since march ... never have had any eating related symptoms nor side-effects ....However, your message resonates with my lex experience...... i have been much more alert to my appetite and much more aware of food intake and all of the feelings that go with these issues since i have been on lex ..... it's like i had never thought about food issues before, which isn't strictly true, but comparatively, i am now so much more alert to my hunger and what i eat ..... and i does seem to me that food Tastes better ......
yet i have not gained any weight to speak of .... it is as if being more aware has let me exercise more options or control .... like i can let myself go hungry Or eat, which ever .... but i do get Real cranky if i don't eat, so .....
i hope this relates for you and helps you ...
and thanks for your post!
TAKE CARE !!!!
~ jim
Posted by Mariposa on June 4, 2003, at 14:23:34
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by Felicity on June 4, 2003, at 8:25:45
My experience has been similar to lil 'jimi's.....I have lost 10lbs. and not gained it back. I find I eat less (smaller portions) and feel full. The carb cravings I experienced early on have lessened quite a bit. I still have occasional cravings, but they usually pass befor I can act on them. I used to be terrible about snacking on cookies and candy and all sorts of bad things. Now I think about them but do not act. I work in a store where we have all this "bad" stuff out on the counters, so if I wanted I could walk out there and buy a bag of cookies right now and eat the whole thing...if I wanted to. I just DON't want to any more. It's like I still think about snacking or eating, but when it comes to actually putting something in my mouth, I find I just don't want it that much.
Posted by starlight on June 4, 2003, at 18:04:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by Mariposa on June 4, 2003, at 14:23:34
I had severe (by severe I mean vomiting between 5 and 20 times a day) bulimia in my late teens and early twenties. I was severely depressed throughout my childhood and definitely feel as thought I would have benefitted tremendously from treatment for depression. Had I been dx'd properly and treated, the eating disorder might not have lasted as long as it did (6-7 years). I got lucky in that I personally feel as if I had a divine intervention and was literally able to stop overnight. But then since I'm now dx'd Bipolar II - a divine intervention definitely seems more understandable eh? I saw a pdoc while I was in the military but was too young and scared and resistant to take what he tried to treat me with. Bulimia is a disease of compulsion, not hunger. It's not that you're really hungry, it's that a twinkie helps to ease the pain of life, but then weight contributes to the pain, so it's a catch 22. Something that would have made me feel better might have made a difference. But as it stands now, a dream did.
Starlight
Posted by beppe3 on June 4, 2003, at 23:56:14
In reply to Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by Dr. Bob on June 3, 2003, at 22:13:25
I've was treated without medication for annorexia 15 years ago and a few years into recovery developed bulemia and had never been so hopeless ever before. I became so depressed, because just changing my eating habits did not make me any more happy. I was miserable going into treatment and was willing to trust that by eating healthy I would feel better. That never happened and that is why I became so hopeless. Point being I'm a big believer that ED's develop from an untreated mood disorder. In the past 10 years when my depression was under control so was my food. 9 mos. ago I had an annorexic relapse and decided to take Lexapro 3 mos. ago. I've been making better food choices and have begun normal menses 2 mos ago. I'm putting effort into making more healthy food choices and have lots of support. You may email me for more information.
Posted by starlight on June 5, 2003, at 11:51:00
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by beppe3 on June 4, 2003, at 23:56:14
I too agree fully that ED's probably stem from mood disorders. I was incredibly depressed before developing my ED and felt that if I could just lose weight it would solve my problem. The worst part is that there's an incredible amount of validation coming from the outside world for being thin, which makes recovery very difficult. There are still times when I've thought about it, but just no longer take action. It has had a huge impact on which medication I'm willing to take for my Bipolar II. I tried taking Depakote and started gaining weight. Gaining weight sends me into a panic so I told my Pdoc that it wasn't a viable option. I was also scared of taking lithium for that reason. After much research I came up with and convinced him to let me try Trileptal for it's lack of side effects. Then we added the Lamictal when the trileptal wasn't enough. Bulimia is especially hellish and shameful - One thing you might consider, for those who suffer from anorexia, is the Atkins Diet. Carbs made me retain a lot of water, whereas the Atkins keeps my weight stable and is a much better option for getting quality calories and getting to an optimal weight.
Starlight
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 5, 2003, at 14:41:22
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by starlight on June 5, 2003, at 11:51:00
I went through an anorexic phase 10 years ago. For me, it was a matter of control. I felt so out of control of everything in my life that food was the only thing I could excel in. I cut my portions in half, then quarters. I thrived off the compliments, and then I thrived off the concern. (You can never be too thin, or too rich, ya know?) I am a healthy weight now, only because I never weigh, and I don't like to look in mirrors. Not a good way to live. I was on Welbutrin for a bit even though people with eating disorders have a higher seizure rate and shouldn't take Welbutrin. I'm writing Lexapro down to ask my future pdoc about. I have doubts that there are any drugs that help a combo of alcoholism, eating disorders, ADHD, depression and anxiety. Man, I'm a mess.
Posted by starlight on June 5, 2003, at 15:19:43
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by KimberlyDi on June 5, 2003, at 14:41:22
That's interesting, I never weigh either and mirrors are tough for me too. I think I still suffer from body dysmorphic disorder and see myself as heavier than I really am. I think that's with me for life. I wish it weren't But ce'la vie! I've often wondered if there were any long term serious effects from having an eating disorder for so long. My pdoc told me that as long as you weren't actively engaging in the ED you were safe to take wellbutrin. But you can't be actively anorexic or bullimic, very important!
Starlight
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 17, 2003, at 18:30:49
In reply to Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by Dr. Bob on June 3, 2003, at 22:13:25
Posted by BillA on June 16, 2003, at 13:17:36
In reply to http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030529/msgs/231164.html
I gained 40+ lbs on Effexor. I was recently prescribed Lexapro. Does anyone know if it is in the same category as Effexor?
Posted by lil' jimi on June 17, 2003, at 21:26:30
In reply to Re: Lexapro and weight gain « BillA, posted by Dr. Bob on June 17, 2003, at 18:30:49
hi bill a,
pBabble (here!) offers us a extensive (very long) thread on Lexapro at: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020609/msgs/109458.html
lots of good info and good folks (with varying degrees of lex experience) there who will offer support ... ... they helped me ... ... a Lot.
> Posted by BillA on June 16, 2003, at 13:17:36
>
> In reply to http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030529/msgs/231164.html
>
> I gained 40+ lbs on Effexor. I was recently prescribed Lexapro. Does anyone know if it is in the same category as Effexor?actually lexapro is what they call your SSRI and effexor is classified as an SNRI, as far as your categories are concerned, BUT ... ...
as far as the weight-gain side-effect?
... ... i'd say that from reading the posts on the thread, that lexapro was weight-neutral, Overall ... ... where some users experience beneficial weight-loss; most no effect (like me) and a few had weight gain (although, some of these were ladies who got panicky when they had gianed weight, only to discover they then began their periods) ... ... one longer time lex user has lost 40 pounds ... ... your mileage may vary!a bigger challenge for most folks are the initial SEs and getting through the 1st several weeks ... ...
thanks for posting and hang in there
and
TAKE CARE !!!
~ jim
Posted by Nissy on June 17, 2003, at 21:48:10
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Eating Disorders « WantingToKnowMore, posted by starlight on June 5, 2003, at 15:19:43
My pdoc told me that as long as you weren't actively engaging in the ED you were safe to take wellbutrin. But you can't be actively anorexic or bullimic, very important!
>
> Starlight
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Starlight or anyone,
Does anyone know why this is? Just curious.
Nissy
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 18, 2003, at 12:33:16
In reply to Eating Disorders and Wellbutrin, posted by Nissy on June 17, 2003, at 21:48:10
Nissy, people with active cases of eating disorders have a higher occurance of seizures as a SE of Wellbutrin.
> Does anyone know why this is? Just curious.
> Nissy
Posted by Nissy on June 18, 2003, at 14:40:14
In reply to Re: Eating Disorders and Wellbutrin, posted by KimberlyDi on June 18, 2003, at 12:33:16
> Nissy, people with active cases of eating disorders have a higher occurance of seizures as a SE of Wellbutrin.
++++++++++++++++
Thanks, I just wonder why this is though. What is it about the eating disorder that makes them more prone to seizures?? How weird.
Nissy
Posted by starlight on June 18, 2003, at 14:47:51
In reply to Re: Eating Disorders and Wellbutrin, posted by Nissy on June 18, 2003, at 14:40:14
I think it has something to do with the fact that an actively bulimic person's electrolytes can be thrown severly off. This is what happened to me when I finally passed out on the job. They discovered that my potassium levels were extremely low. So that must connect somehow with an increased likelihood of seizure? Dr. Bob? anyone?
How is lexapro supposed to help with weight control. To this day, even though I'm in great shape and look good, I'd love to take off 15 lbs. I'm not saying I'd use a drug for this reason, more to say that even though I'm fine now, there's always a part of me that want's to be super thin.
starlight
Posted by mrporter1 on June 18, 2003, at 21:58:01
In reply to Re: Eating Disorders and Wellbutrin, posted by starlight on June 18, 2003, at 14:47:51
Yes- it's the electrolytes. If you have an ED and your EL's are ok, you should be fine. Or if you don't have an ED and your EL's are a problem, you could have trouble...
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 19, 2003, at 16:00:23
In reply to Re: Eating Disorders and Wellbutrin, posted by starlight on June 18, 2003, at 14:47:51
Interesting to me, I just heard for the first time anorexia being listed as a Side Effect for Effexor. It has totally killed my appetite. If I could just quit the Dr Peppers, I would be losing weight big time. Sugar & caffeine are my only sins left in life, i won't give them up!! i just won't!
:)
Posted by Nissy on June 19, 2003, at 17:51:41
In reply to Re: Eating Disorders and Wellbutrin, posted by KimberlyDi on June 19, 2003, at 16:00:23
> Interesting to me, I just heard for the first time anorexia being listed as a Side Effect for Effexor. It has totally killed my appetite.
*************************************************
I wish something would kill my appetite or my compulsive overeating but effexor surly hasn't. :(
Nissy
This is the end of the thread.
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