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Weight Loss Forum / Low Carb / March 2004Strattera and Hitting Bottom
I was recently (finally) diagnosed with ADHD, and was put on Strattera for a month's trial. Let me tell you, people, I was an eating machine! I ate until I was so full and bloated that I was in pain ... and was still looking for food. Finally, a few days before my month was up, I saw a commercial on TV that said that Strattera can cause increased appetite. I'm living proof that they were right. I stopped taking it immediately. I've been off of it for a week and a half, and the eating pattern has continued. It's become a habit. <insert frowny face here> Anyway, last night, after eating way too much already, I noticed that I was looking for even more. I had a brief, but powerful emotional breakdown. Me: Sobbing hysterically Crash: What's wrong? Me: I CAN'T STOP EATING! An hour later, we were on our way to the store to buy drinking water, lettuce, cabbage (I have corned beef in the freezer), celery, pickles, and some store brand, sugarless fruit punch powder, in case I find myself without drinking water, and have to go with the stuff from the tap. This morning I signed on to FitDay, which still remembered me, and plugged in my new weight and goal date - my birthday, July 29th, next year. I arrived at that using the 5 pounds per month pattern I had last year. I do realize and anticipate that this time will be harder, and that I probably won't lose as quickly as before, but it doesn't hurt to reach for the stars! Misconceptions on my part that stopped me from following through the other three times I was "back." : * I don't need to use FitDay (Bullshit) * I don't really have to read the newsgroup regularly (Bullshit) * I don't need a structured eating plan. I have it within my power to eat moderately (Are you kidding? With OCD?) My scrambled eggs with butter have been duly noted in FitDay, a large glass of water is on my desk, and I'll be going to Curves again today. Sadly, I haven't gone for about a week, because I could no longer zip up my one and only pair of jeans, and couldn't leave the house. Now I've got a pair of XL men's sweatpants (mediums fit me this fall), a huge t-shirt, and I'm ready to go! I dug out my crappy weight loss demonstration outfit (the pink tank top and turquoise shorts), and Crash is going to take some before pictures for me later today. This time, I'm also adding side shots. The pictures won't be available for public viewing until I have a second set which show some difference. Right now, I find my physical appearance humiliating. By the way, if you think I'm making excuses, I'm not. I have no excuse. This is all on me. There have been contributing factors, but ultimately, this is a matter of me making a lot of bad choices, for too long. As with any addiction, compulsive overeating can require bottoming out before you decide that you must and will make changes. I guess I owe it to the makers of Strattera for showing me the light. Life's lessons can be so difficult. Anyway, I'm back. :) I have a good support system in place, and I'm here with all of you sharing your encouragement and inspiration. Thank you! Carol  Signature227/227/150 Low-Carb since March 12, 2004 Type 2 Diabetic since May 15, 2001 Welcome back! It sounds like you are on the right track to begin making GOOD choices again! Congratulations on your will to succeed. You know you can do this. Good for you. Looking forward to hearing about your successes!! Meghan 162/140/140 CAD since 8/6/01 -- "I can tell a factory worker to show up at 7:00 a.m. sharp and produce. But I can't tell a researcher or engineer to show up at 7:00 a.m. and have a creative idea." -- Akio Morita, co-founder of Sony (1921-1999) ... >Anyway, I'm back. :) I have a good support system in place, and I'm here >with all of you sharing your encouragement and inspiration. Thank you! > >Carol Hi, Carol. It sounds to me like you have a good plan in place. It's good to see you here. -- Jean M. 348/317/180 - 5'10" Atkins Since 01/28/04 Life happens stuff deleted for space... Damsel, this stuff happens. You have a great support group here, a great mate, and you can DO this, woman! We're behind you. Power to the greens and the proteins! SignatureNancy Howells (don't forget to switch it, and replace the ;) to send mail). > I was recently (finally) diagnosed with ADHD, and was put on Strattera for > a month's trial. Let me tell you, people, I was an eating machine! I ate > until I was so full and bloated that I was in pain ... and was still > looking for food. [...] Have wondered about Strattera. Did you feel there was any benefit in any area of your life? What other medication can you take to replace it? >> I was recently (finally) diagnosed with ADHD, and was put on Strattera for >> a month's trial. Let me tell you, people, I was an eating machine! I ate [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >Have wondered about Strattera. Did you feel there was any benefit in any >area of your life? What other medication can you take to replace it? I felt an overall calm, which my doctor said isn't an expected effect of the drug. But it also gave me insomnia, and I gained six pounds in a little less than a month. I was ravenous. I didn't feel that there was any improvement in my concentration levels or my productivity, and my SO agrees with that assessment. I have friends who have had success with Adderal. That may be in my future, after I adjust to some other medication changes. Carol Signature227/227/150 Low-Carb since March 12, 2004 Type 2 Diabetic since May 15, 2001 > >[...] > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > I have friends who have had success with Adderal. That may be in my > future, after I adjust to some other medication changes. Good luck with this. When the time is right, I hope you will tell us how Adderal feels for you. >I have friends who have had success with Adderal. That may be in my >future, after I adjust to some other medication changes. Adderal will do the opposite. I don't know anyone that has any kind of appetite on that stuff! LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/222/140 & hubby- 310/243/180 >>I have friends who have had success with Adderal. That may be in my >>future, after I adjust to some other medication changes. >> >Adderal will do the opposite. I don't know anyone that has any kind of appetite >on that stuff! Does it nauseate you? I had that problem while first adjusting to Strattera. Or does it just curb your appetite? I'll appreciate any feedback. Thanks, Carol Signature227/227/150 Low-Carb since March 12, 2004 Type 2 Diabetic since May 15, 2001 >Does it nauseate you? I had that problem while first adjusting to >Strattera. Or does it just curb your appetite? I'll appreciate any >feedback. I'm not ADHD, so I can't speak for how it will affect you. It's a stimulant though, pretty much your basic non-euphoric pharmaceutical speed. LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/222/140 & hubby- 310/243/180 Here's our experience, don't know if this will help you or not. My 14 year old son is on Strattera. He just has trouble focusing on tasks and completing them so being it is NOT a stimulate like the ADHD drugs we put him on that. He takes 60mg in the AM when he'd get home from school he'd be so tired he'd go strainght to bed. He lost weight at first because of no appetite but now since he's been on it a few months. He does seem to eat less and has lost weight. The tiredness and nausau(sp?) has abated. It does seem to help him finish school work and hes more organized. It's the only med hes ever been on so I can't compare. Linda >>Does it nauseate you? I had that problem while first adjusting to >>Strattera. Or does it just curb your appetite? I'll appreciate any [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Me- 265/222/140 > & hubby- 310/243/180 >Here's our experience, don't know if this will help you or not. My 14 >year old son is on Strattera. He just has trouble focusing on tasks and >completing them so being it is NOT a stimulate like the ADHD drugs we >put him on that. Yes, Stratta is not a stimulant. But we were talking about Adderall. LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/222/140 & hubby- 310/243/180 OK my apologies the post I read had the first half cut so I thought it was the Strattera, not Adderall. >>Here's our experience, don't know if this will help you or not. My 14 >>year old son is on Strattera. He just has trouble focusing on tasks and [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Me- 265/222/140 > & hubby- 310/243/180 > I didn't feel that there was any improvement in my concentration levels or > my productivity, and my SO agrees with that assessment. > > I have friends who have had success with Adderal. That may be in my > future, after I adjust to some other medication changes. Hi Carol, I have ADHD, too. I was put on a trial of Strattera, but that was about the same time I started really getting sick from my blood sugar issues. My psychiatrist was through a public agency and my exp. with those is they generally WON'T give the stimulant meds. Having heard about how Strattera tinkers with your energy levels and appetite, I decided not to try it until I was under a doctor's care for my blood sugar issues. I decided that this was a risk I couldn't take. Interestingly - I find that on a low-carb eating plan - my concentration is actually somewhat improved. Now that I have insurance I'll be getting checked for diabetes as well as dealing with the ADHD. Regards, Dreia > Anyway, I'm back. :) I have a good support system in place, and I'm here > with all of you sharing your encouragement and inspiration. Thank you! Carol, I'm SO happy to see you back here again! I was JUST thinking about you (like two posts prior to reading yours)! Welcome back! SignatureSaffire 205/166/125 - 5'2.5" Atkins since 6/14/03 Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333 >> Anyway, I'm back. :) I have a good support system in place, and I'm here >> with all of you sharing your encouragement and inspiration. Thank you! > >Carol, I'm SO happy to see you back here again! I was JUST thinking about you >(like two posts prior to reading yours)! Welcome back! Thanks, Saffire. I've only been low-carbing since 10:30 this morning, but already I have that "clean" feeling. I fully intend to be a raging bitch by Sunday or Monday, but right now, it feels terrific! ;) On my way to Curves now ... Carol Signature227/227/150 Low-Carb since March 12, 2004 Type 2 Diabetic since May 15, 2001 > I do realize and anticipate that this time will be harder, and that I > probably won't lose as quickly as before, but it doesn't hurt to reach for > the stars! it most certainly does not. in fact, it might even be good exercise ;) >> I do realize and anticipate that this time will be harder, and that I >> probably won't lose as quickly as before, but it doesn't hurt to reach for >> the stars! > >it most certainly does not. in fact, it might even be good exercise ;) You made me smile. A really big smile! Thank you. :) Good to see you again, Carol Signature227/227/150 Low-Carb since March 12, 2004 Type 2 Diabetic since May 15, 2001 > >> I do realize and anticipate that this time will be harder, and that I > >> probably won't lose as quickly as before, but it doesn't hurt to reach for [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > You made me smile. A really big smile! Thank you. :) welcome back :) Damsel, Drugs can do that. I had a cortisone treatment recently for a painful toe which put me into "continually starving mode" for 2 days. I've been eating at under 30 grams for the past 10 days. Didn't made a bit of difference. I felt like an eating machine. And that was because of a tiny dose of cortisone that the doctor had assured me would not even be noticed by my body. Yeah. Right. And did I mention that starting a couple hours after the treatment, my blood sugars kept plummeting into the low range no matter what I ate (which had something to do with why I was so hungry.) I just saw a friend's kid go from model-beautiful to severely overweight thanks to a psychiatric drug, too. The kid never had food issues before, either. It's physiological, and there's a very good chance it will take some time for the drug to work its way out of your system. It took me almost 3 weeks for my blood pressure medicine to clear when I stopped taking it. It stayed active for that long without another dose. So don't take this personally. Call up your doctor and squawk at him, not at yourself. Drug induced hunger is utter hell and most definitely NOT YOUR FAULT. Meanwhile, we're all here rooting for you! -- Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes, hba1c 5.2. Cut the carbs to respond to my email address! Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes, strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/ Looking for help controlling your blood sugar? Visit http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm > I was recently (finally) diagnosed with ADHD, and was put on Strattera for > a month's trial. Let me tell you, people, I was an eating machine! I ate [quoted text clipped - 64 lines] > Low-Carb since March 12, 2004 > Type 2 Diabetic since May 15, 2001 >Drugs can do that. I had a cortisone treatment recently for a painful toe >which put me into "continually starving mode" for 2 days. I've been eating [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >treatment, my blood sugars kept plummeting into the low range no matter what >I ate (which had something to do with why I was so hungry.) I know all about that stuff. Cortisone, while a wonder drug in many respects, can really mess you up. My diabetes is Type 2, drug-induced. I was given LOTS of prednisone for some very stubborn asthma, and voila! I'm a diabetic for life. I just took my blood sugar (it's been a long time). After having two eggs for breakfast and a salad with cheese for lunch, THEN going to Curves for a half hour, it's 178. I don't even want to think about what it was yesterday. {{shudder}} Thanks for your support. Carol Signature227/227/150 Low-Carb since March 12, 2004 Type 2 Diabetic since May 15, 2001 Carol, I think Prednisone was what pushed me over the edge 6 years ago, too. I only realized that recently while corresponding from some people with diabetes from alt.support.diabetes. I took it in a vain attempt to reverse the tinnitus caused by the pain drug they gave me for my ruptured disc. It was after taking it that I suddenly started gaining weight relentlessly and being ravenously hungry, but this wasn't while taking the drug, but over the next few months. Whatever it was, it was permanent. Even weight loss to goal has done zilch to improve the blood sugars. Fortunately, cutting the carbs does still work. But I have heard from people who took steroids that made dietary control impossible afterwards too. Hang in there, don't beat yourself up, and do use the support you'll find here. I'd also heartily recommend alt.support.diabetes. There are the usual trolls but there are also some people who are really plugged in to research and can help you understand weird stuff your body pulls so you can figure out how to fix it. -- Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes, hba1c 5.2. Cut the carbs to respond to my email address! Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes, strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/ Looking for help controlling your blood sugar? Visit http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm > >Drugs can do that. I had a cortisone treatment recently for a painful toe > >which put me into "continually starving mode" for 2 days. I've been eating [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Low-Carb since March 12, 2004 > Type 2 Diabetic since May 15, 2001 {{{{{{{{{{{Dams}}}}}}}}}}}}} Glad to see you back :) >I was recently (finally) diagnosed with ADHD, and was put on Strattera for >a month's trial. Let me tell you, people, I was an eating machine! I ate >until I was so full and bloated that I was in pain ... and was still >looking for food. My oldest son has been on this for a couple of months and it's been a godsend for him - he didn't do well with stimulants at all. Sorry it didn't work out for you and hope things improve quickly!! Liz Liz & the rottie riot squad Bruti, Case, Cecil, Dizzy and the grrrrls, Chrome, Elf & Elektra take out the dog to mail >{{{{{{{{{{{Dams}}}}}}}}}}}}} > >Glad to see you back :) {{{{{{{{{{Liz}}}}}}}}}}} Glad to be back! :) Good hearing from you, lady! Carol Signature227/221.5/150 Atkins since March 12, 2004 Type 2 Diabetic since May 15, 2001 |
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