BE Support Group Conversation Thread - 2013
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Right now I am only on Wellbutrin. I have some mild depression, anxiety and ADHD.
I too am on Wellbutrin, 450 mg of SR in split doses daily. Along with 90 mg of Cymbalta (also split dose) and 15 mg of Abilify. I'm a mess mentally. Then I'm on about another dozen meds for various physical ailments, most of which I can blame on my weight. Looking forward to not needing so many drugs.So it may be possible that we as BE need to treat other things that could make the BE worse or harder to battle.
Addiction (including Food Addiction, ie Binge Eating) is a threefold disease: physical, mental and spiritual. The physical part is obvious -- the food, the booze, the drugs, what have you.
The cravings are a rather obvious manifestation of the mental. But addiction often travels with depression, ocd, bipolar, and other mental illnesses. This is because we have used our addiction in an attempt to self-medicate our mental illness.
Then there is the spiritual aspect. We can not beat this on our own. No matter how strong our will might be, eventually we will sucumb once more and things will be even worse then than before. We need the support of something outside of ourself: our fellows and a Power greater than ourselves by whatever name or description is most helpful to us.
This is not my wisdom, but the collective wisdom of those who have gone before me and found healthy, abstinent lives. Our BE not cured, but held in abeyance one day at a time.0 -
Right now I am only on Wellbutrin. I have some mild depression, anxiety and ADHD.
I too am on Wellbutrin, 450 mg of SR in split doses daily. Along with 90 mg of Cymbalta (also split dose) and 15 mg of Abilify. I'm a mess mentally. Then I'm on about another dozen meds for various physical ailments, most of which I can blame on my weight. Looking forward to not needing so many drugs.So it may be possible that we as BE need to treat other things that could make the BE worse or harder to battle.
Addiction (including Food Addiction, ie Binge Eating) is a threefold disease: physical, mental and spiritual. The physical part is obvious -- the food, the booze, the drugs, what have you.
The cravings are a rather obvious manifestation of the mental. But addiction often travels with depression, ocd, bipolar, and other mental illnesses. This is because we have used our addiction in an attempt to self-medicate our mental illness.
Then there is the spiritual aspect. We can not beat this on our own. No matter how strong our will might be, eventually we will sucumb once more and things will be even worse then than before. We need the support of something outside of ourself: our fellows and a Power greater than ourselves by whatever name or description is most helpful to us.
This is not my wisdom, but the collective wisdom of those who have gone before me and found healthy, abstinent lives. Our BE not cured, but held in abeyance one day at a time.
I was just sharing my recent medicine change. And a little bit of what I have learned. I have been on Meds for years. I have been searching for therapists for months now so some of the posters might remember my struggle.
I disagree with you on the spiritual aspect. I am not spiritual and I am doing just fine on my own. Sorry I don't think that can cure me. I am doing it and not relying on god or other people I am relying on myself.
You sound like OA . Being abstinent is not the life for me. I want to learn how to handle some foods and not binge. I am 37 and cannot see never eating particular foods again. I want to be able to eat them someday.
The only help I get is therapy so I can work on myself.
We can have differing opinions but I wanted to make it clear on mine since you responded to my post.0 -
I agree with Karen - I didn't agree with the abstinence preaching and spirtuality parts of the Anonymous groups I was a part of in the past. Don't get me wrong, those groups (which I chose not to elaborate about here in public forums) really helped me straighten my life out, but I just could not embrace the spiritual aspect of the program. But I do admit I'm powerless, especially over pizza! I love MFP because I can connect with all kinds of people, not just addicts, but exercise gurus and clean eaters and fellow bingers like myself, too.0
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You sound like OA . Being abstinent is not the life for me. I want to learn how to handle some foods and not binge. I am 37 and cannot see never eating particular foods again. I want to be able to eat them someday.
Just so you know, that goal is NOT incompatible with OA, and yes, I am a member. I bring up others because I know there will come a day where I have ready access to some of the things that trigger my binges and I'm not sure that I will ALWAYS be able to rely only on myself not to lose control. Being able to talk to someone in that moment, and thereby getting through it without binging, is truly something to treasure.0 -
I agree. There are some foods I just do not eat because I am afraid of binge and from pass experience I know they cause binges and for me at this time I choose to stay away from these foods and after so long I do not feel deprived either. We all have to find and do what works for us. Even though I am no longer OA I believe in much that is advocated by the organization.You sound like OA . Being abstinent is not the life for me. I want to learn how to handle some foods and not binge. I am 37 and cannot see never eating particular foods again. I want to be able to eat them someday.
Just so you know, that goal is NOT incompatible with OA, and yes, I am a member. I bring up others because I know there will come a day where I have ready access to some of the things that trigger my binges and I'm not sure that I will ALWAYS be able to rely only on myself not to lose control. Being able to talk to someone in that moment, and thereby getting through it without binging, is truly something to treasure.
Please feel free to share and we can agree to disagree. Thanks and have a wonderful day!!!0 -
You sound like OA . Being abstinent is not the life for me. I want to learn how to handle some foods and not binge. I am 37 and cannot see never eating particular foods again. I want to be able to eat them someday.
Just so you know, that goal is NOT incompatible with OA, and yes, I am a member. I bring up others because I know there will come a day where I have ready access to some of the things that trigger my binges and I'm not sure that I will ALWAYS be able to rely only on myself not to lose control. Being able to talk to someone in that moment, and thereby getting through it without binging, is truly something to treasure.
I never said I was compatible with OA. I went to one meeting and it was not for me. Certain foods are a trigger for me and someday I want to be able to eat them. I didn't like how you said I had to use spirituality. It was as if you were pushing your beliefs on me.
Also sounded like you were correcting me when I posted about my meds when another poster asked about them. That frustrated me because I just gave a bit of info. I have researched the medicine and did not need a lesson from you.0 -
I agree with Karen - I didn't agree with the abstinence preaching and spirtuality parts of the Anonymous groups I was a part of in the past. Don't get me wrong, those groups (which I chose not to elaborate about here in public forums) really helped me straighten my life out, but I just could not embrace the spiritual aspect of the program. But I do admit I'm powerless, especially over pizza! I love MFP because I can connect with all kinds of people, not just addicts, but exercise gurus and clean eaters and fellow bingers like myself, too.
I had the same issue. I did not embrace the spirituality part. That is why I did not join. We all have to do it our own way.0 -
Hello everyone. I have had a few good days. One day was a day I went over on calories but I did not binge. I am taking the new meds and will see my doctor again soon to discuss the next step. I am taking one day at a time.
Sorry if my posts sounded mean or argumentative. I was frustrated because I felt like I was being corrected and my way is wrong. My way of fighting BE is just that....My Way. So I feel a little angry when I think someone is telling me I need to believe in their way. I am not saying OA or any other group is bad etc. There are some wonderful groups (including OA) that help people very much. I am just not one of them.
There are some foods I have big problems with. I hope someday I will be able to eat them in moderation and not cause a binge. Saying I abstain from them forever might be hard. I hope to live many years and forever can be a long time. That was what I was trying to get at before.0 -
Subject change: do any of you guys chew gum to help? I personally chew gum basically all day, half a pack at work and I chew at night when I get cravings. I think it helps but I would like to stop the work gum chewing as one time I forgot my gum and I was so THIRSTY! I couldn't believe how thirsty I got when I wasn't chewing gum :S0
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Sorry if my posts sounded mean or argumentative. I was frustrated because I felt like I was being corrected and my way is wrong. My way of fighting BE is just that....My Way. So I feel a little angry when I think someone is telling me I need to believe in their way. I am not saying OA or any other group is bad etc. There are some wonderful groups (including OA) that help people very much. I am just not one of them.
No offense taken. We are each on our own personal journey. And we do the best we can, one day at a time, one meal at a time, one craving at a time. Never meant to imply your was was "wrong" or that you "should" do anything you don't want to do.
As we say in OA, "Take what works and leave the rest."0 -
Subject change: do any of you guys chew gum to help? I personally chew gum basically all day, half a pack at work and I chew at night when I get cravings. I think it helps but I would like to stop the work gum chewing as one time I forgot my gum and I was so THIRSTY! I couldn't believe how thirsty I got when I wasn't chewing gum :S
Not sure what I make of your thirst. My first inclination is to think maybe chewing gum masks your thirst or something. Do you drink the recommended 8 glasses of water a day? Might be something to consider. Then again, it might not. *shrugs*
For me, I don't chew a lot of gum. If I'm chewing I must be eating, and if I'm eating a little, I might as well make it worthwhile, right? I can easily go through a pack or more at a time and I just don't think that's healthy, not even if it's sugarless as (a) the sweetness can be triggering for me and (b) I'm concerned about what that much aspartame/sorbitol/sucralose/xylitol/whatever might be doing to me. I try to keep a reign on my diet soda for the same reason, and even dilute my Crystal Light to half-strength.0 -
For me, many times a day, it's "15 minutes at a time"! Lately I've been losing the battle to food, but I'm still fighting :-)
Hope everyone has a great and successful weekend!0 -
New to this group but I have been fighting the binge for years. I am an emotional eater and can do great for weeks and then blow everything with a 5000 calorie pig out. I feel like crap for a few days but I do get back to eating right and exercising. I try to think of why I do this and I had a breakthrough when I actually told my hubby that I do this. I am lonely sometimes and I think the feeling of not being appreciated leads to binges. Food does not fill the void but I try.0
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Had a BUSY weekend. I did not eat within my food plan. However I chose to eat off plan and did not binge. I kept myself under control while I was out of the house.
My son's baseball team had a tourney 1 hour away and I chose not to pack food this time. So I ate out a lot. His team won first place so it was all worth it.
It was a success as far as no binging with less healthy foods. I was able to keep it under control and still had some healthy meals too.
I hope everyone had a great weekend.0 -
Subject change: do any of you guys chew gum to help? I personally chew gum basically all day, half a pack at work and I chew at night when I get cravings. I think it helps but I would like to stop the work gum chewing as one time I forgot my gum and I was so THIRSTY! I couldn't believe how thirsty I got when I wasn't chewing gum :S
I do chew gum a lot. Not daily but often. Sometimes the act of chewing does help. Not sure why you were more thirsty? That is new to me. Maybe you had less saliva because no gum is being chewed? Do you get dry mouth? Maybe ask your doctor or dentist about it. I had some medicine that caused dry mouth and gum would help (and water)
Good luck0 -
@karen Is that your son in your profile pic? hes cute!I do chew gum a lot. Not daily but often. Sometimes the act of chewing does help. Not sure why you were more thirsty? That is new to me. Maybe you had less saliva because no gum is being chewed? Do you get dry mouth? Maybe ask your doctor or dentist about it. I had some medicine that caused dry mouth and gum would help (and water)
Good luck
I have since then made a more conscious effort to drink more water, but it could also just be the habit of having my saliva sloshing around all the time, that a 'normal' mouth feels weird to me. I do think I need to cut back or else I'll be on my strange addiction haha, I have to go to costco and buy several cartons of spearmint gum at a time but I wonder if its a bad habit or an unhealthy habit.
I also chew it for exactly an hour before swapping the piece, its kind of like a timer for me I can tell when ive been chewing it for an hour because I know the texture change and flavor loss. It freaks my workmates out that I can time an hour perfectly just by chewing gum haha
I wonder if theres any health implications of chewing all day, and maybe the extra calorie burn from working my jaw is helpful :P I have been chewing half a pack a day at work for over a year now but I recently started chewing at night to help cravings and I think it does help.0 -
tsikkz Yes that is my son. His team won a tourney over the weekend. I am in a challenge that wanted us to change our profile pic so I chose him
I bet your mouth is just used to the gum chewing. I sometimes get addicted to things too.
I have been doing better. Less cravings which help a lot. Not sure why I am not craving as much food but I am so glad.0 -
Since Molly has encouraged us to share, share, share, I am going to share.
I have big issues. When I see others "completed their diary and were under their calorie goal", I feel major pressure to do the same and if I don't I feel like I'm bad and I also feel...gasp, I'm going to admit it...jealous. Not helpful. I don't know how to get over it and not compare myself to others. So then I feel the need to restrict more which feels like I'm on a diet and I'm slowly realizing, once again, that diets don't work (thank you Molly and others). Am I the only person that feels like this? I'm thinking, yes, probably. I know I am REALLY screwed up. But I had to share it.
Thanks for listening and not judging. I already feel bad enough for feeling the way I do so please no hating.
I know this feeling yet I can be under my goal for many days and weeks at a time then it all goes to poo on a stick instead of 1500 I can totol 5000 in a day so maybe don't be so jealous and lots of people fib too!0 -
I can see how other's diaries can add some stress. Try not to compare yourself to others. We all are on a different journey. I have looked at several of my friend's diaries and they are all different than mine.
Last night we had crazy storms. Tornados, hail etc...
I think my Wellbutrin is helping me some. I was very skeptical but something feels different. I still over ate over the weekend but I did not binge after eating foods that would normally trigger me (I did eat some high calorie foods but did not binge)0 -
Hi new to group today. As I posted in the challenge thread, I am a night time binge eater. I will eat 3x's my daily cals in the middle of the night. I just wake up so anxious like I NEED to eat to go back to sleep and eat a lot of carbs. I have been suffering through this for years. Even when dieting, I have finally just started recording my binges and counting them towards the next days calories. My doctor has put me on trazadone to help me sleep, which it does help me GO to sleep but I still wake up 4-6 times a night to eat. Ugh. I am going back to her tomorrow to see if there is ANYTHING else we can do. If I could get the Night time eating under control, I could finally lose all the weight I need to. I just don't want to have it be such a battle every damn night. Anyone else suffer from this here?0
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Hi new to group today. As I posted in the challenge thread, I am a night time binge eater. I will eat 3x's my daily cals in the middle of the night. I just wake up so anxious like I NEED to eat to go back to sleep and eat a lot of carbs. I have been suffering through this for years. Even when dieting, I have finally just started recording my binges and counting them towards the next days calories. My doctor has put me on trazadone to help me sleep, which it does help me GO to sleep but I still wake up 4-6 times a night to eat. Ugh. I am going back to her tomorrow to see if there is ANYTHING else we can do. If I could get the Night time eating under control, I could finally lose all the weight I need to. I just don't want to have it be such a battle every damn night. Anyone else suffer from this here?
Welcome to the group!:flowerforyou:
I have had night time eating problems in the past. Last summer I did it a lot. I had trouble sleeping and would just eat and eat! I bet you will find a lot of Binge eaters have problems at night.0 -
Another good day. I am almost in shock I am doing so much better. I have overate this month (when traveling, oops) but I made the decision to do that. I was able to stop which almost never happens. I don't know if the Wellbutrin is helping or if it has a placebo effect either way I am happy. :happy:
I hope everyone is doing well.0 -
Glad to hear you've found something that's working for you karendee.0
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Thanks wwnchina !!
I hope everyone is having a great Weekend!
Happy Father's Day to the Dad's!!
:drinker:0 -
Hi everyone, I am new to this group. I have been actively fighting binge eating for 18 months with lots of progress, but no weight loss (boo) So I joined MFP to track.( I just did not like SP tools) I used a sparkpeople group and another but want to stick to one website, so will try this out! Happy to be supported and give support.0
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keepongoingnm WELCOME! I used Sparkpeople for my first 100 pounds. I needed a change so I came to MFP. It has been great.
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I had a binge yesterday. I chatted with my MFP friends and worked through it. I may be eating too few calories. I am burning a lot lately and I am doing Strength training. I don't eat my exercise calories so I need to make a change. I admitted the binge and I am moving on.0 -
Congratulations on the 100 pounds Karen!
I like your attitude. Dwelling in remorse over a binge is the worst thing to do! Move on...
Speaking of binges been eating on and off like crazy all day. The good news is I cant remember the last time I did this. I should not of shopped at Costco today.0 -
What a beautiful poem! Moving0
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I realized I have some major issues with food. I thought it would be called Binge Eating, then I went to a website to see how they defined binge eating. I have most of the behavioral and emotional symptoms....actually all but one out of twelve (I don't stockpile food). I also experience all of the signs. It did mention that an episode typically lasts about two hours....I don't experience episodes that last that long, maybe an hour. Usually, the episodes that lead me to believe that I might be a binge eater consists of one of two things....either I get fast food and I order what would be like two meals + or late at night when everyone else is asleep or if the house is empty, I start eating and keep getting more and more until I feel so full that I just can't eat another bite. Mind you this usually starts after I have already ate a meal and I'm not hungry at all. My heaviest weight was 430. I have lost some of it but tracking my food made me realize these patterns. I'm definitely an emotional eater. I get stressed and I lose my mind. I can have an episode and not even recall everything that ate after. I started seeing a therapist a few weeks ago. I wish I would have recognize this years ago. I have done damage to my body.0
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Welcome Meadow Sage, I don't stockpile food either. Mostly due to my trying to lose weight. I think a lot of Binge eaters have some but not all the signs0
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