cardopia/fentermine, and an emergency lap-band removal

emmielou78

Gotta lose approx. 50 pounds!! Had my lap-band removed after two years because it had slipped and caused open holes in my stomach.I had lost 11 lbs-my heaviest was 278 lbs. Now, I'm at 212 (in just a few months), and I can't seem to stop gaining. I also take antidepressants such as Lamictal, Pristiq, Seroquel and Ativan, which additionally cause wt. gain, and a whole other group of side-effects. My dr. just put me on phentermine and Cardopia yesterday. Today was great-little cravings and suppressed appetite. But tonight, as usual, shortly after taking my Seroquel, I became soooo hungry and was COMPLETELY out of control. Another healthy day down the drain!!! Does any of this sound familiar to anyone????????????

trud72

do you REALLY have to take the anti-depressents?? not sure of your situation...:)

rosebslim

Hi there

I am so sorry to hear that you are having such problems at the moment. I don't take any of the meds you mention, nor do I suffer from depression and I have not had a lapband either, but I can sympathise with the effect that certain meds have on appetite having taken a different type in the past that had the same affect on me. I also had severe stomach cramps because of the hunger that they caused - I hope you don't experience that as it was dreadful and I had to be taken off them.

I know it is difficult to stay focused on what we eat at the best of times - I have been trying hard for years now and seem to be getting nowhere easily. I am finding it so much harder now that I am older. However, as a long time dieter (Weight Watchers mainly) maybe I could offer some advice, although you may have already have tried them.

You don't say whether you have to take the medication that makes you hungry at night or whether you could take it a little earlier and I know that some meds have to be taken either before or after food so that will make a difference of course. Anyway, if you do have to take it at night, is it possible to save a reasonable amount of calories deliberately so that you could have a sensible snack which is high in protein to help stop the hunger/craving when that kicks in. That way it may help to get over that hungry feeling and you will have calories in the bank to prevent you breaking it for the day.

Alternatively could you take the medication just before eating your evening meal, or during it, but again keep a few in the bank for a bit later should you need them.

I know with some meds they have to be taken on an empty stomach, but when you are taking the kind that have these effects, then it is not easy, particularly when trying to lose weight.

I do hope you find a solution and that you can get some other suggestions from the kind folk on this site, they are so helpful.

Good luck :flowerforyou:

megruder

I have struggled with depression my entire adult life and I definitely understand the importance of antidepressant medications. Fortunately, I did not seem to have problems with weight gain while on them. I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with depression and weight gain. As I do not know your particular situation, I do not know what other options you have tried, so forgive me if you have done this already or are unable to given your situation... I would recommend talking with your prescribing doctor about the situation. There may be other medication options. (I do know how hard it can be to find the right combination as well.) If the doctor doesn't seem willing to listen I would try getting a second opinion from another doctor, especially one that specializes in psychiatric medicine if yours does not. Some doctors prescribe one psych med to treat the side effects of the first until the patient is on WAY too many meds and are only marginally better off than when they started.

I would also recommend seeing a therapist if you are not. I was once told I would be on psych meds for my entire life, but have not taken any for the past 2 years and am doing better than when I was on them. (I have also done a LOT of work with my therapist to get to that point.) I also have found after seeing countless different therapists that I was entirely misdiagnosed and so was receiving inefficient treatment. Finding the right therapist and diagnosis can make all the difference in the world.

I truly hope you are able to find a solution to your problems, both mental and physical. Please feel free to friend me, as I understand both the physical and mental health struggles.