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Appetite Question - How Do I Get It Back?

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JoannaG

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How do I get my appetite back. I'm wasting away to nothing.
Been on these meds two months now and can't seem to eat morethan one meal every couple of days. Drinking a to of water too.
Any suggestions to kick start my appetite would be appreciated.
Joannag
 
If you haven't already done so, check whether the medications you are taking, and/or when you take them, might work as an unintended appetite suppressant. I know that paxil did that to me for awhile and then the side effect passed.
 
JoannaG,

That's a tough one to offer a suggestion on because loss of appetite as I've experienced it and as you appear to be describing it is often beyond ones control.
Been on these meds two months now and can't seem to eat morethan one meal every couple of days.
If you think it's the meds causing this it sounds like you need definately to speak with your doctor. If you think it's severe depression, as was in my case, again you need to speak with a doctor. If you're wasting away to nothing and you say you can't seem to eat much, then quite possibly this may be beyond your control and you need some medical attention. When I lost my appetite and it continued, there was nothing I could do alone to revive it. It was gone and I needed help. If you can seem to just force yourself to eat more, well then no problem. If you can't and this continues speak with your doctor. Let's know what turns out.
 
Exercise? It's all I can do to go from one side of the house to the other. Even though I have sixteen acres to roam. The meds definately do not help This is the third time on paxils and lorazepam for me.

I want you guys to know however that from reading your posts I've come to realize that I can't fix this alone with the pills. The whole PTSD thing I mean and you have helped me admitt that alcohol is a problem I need help with as well. :naughty: Binger

I called my local mental health center this morning and asked for help, thanks largely in part to this forum and a little family support from my sister and my neice. I know I need more than just my doctor

I am hoping they can help me with coping, therapy and maybe even help my spouse and I understand each other better. I think he would go If a counselor or doctor requested it. They are going to call back with an assessor tomorrow morning.

I going to try some pasta today. Nothing heavy as my stomach has been cramping up for heavier stuff. Any more suggestions are greatfully accepted.

Thank you so much everybody.
Joannag
 
I want you guys to know however that from reading your posts I've come to realize that I can't fix this alone with the pills. The whole PTSD thing I mean and you have helped me admitt that alcohol is a problem I need help with as well. :naughty: Binger

I called my local mental health center this morning and asked for help, thanks largely in part to this forum and a little family support from my sister and my neice. I know I need more than just my doctor

I am hoping they can help me with coping, therapy and maybe even help my spouse and I understand each other better.

....JoannaG, glad to here you knew just who to call and did so. Very Important! I just don't want to see you having to struggle alone. It never, ever, ever worked for me and I consider myself pretty dam intell. LOL ..(that's suppose to be funny). No seriously, hope you slow down and take little baby steps toward your goals, because you said you've got a binge drinking problem and I too have had problems with alcohol in my life and it only seriously and life-threatingly so, complicated the sh#* out of seeing and dealing with my PTSD. And, there's no quick and simple answers to this one, I've been there, and know there's hope as long as we stay our own allie, as you're doing by asking for help.
 
When I was on wellbutrin, it worked wonders for the depression/anxiety. It also killed my appetite. Just the thought of food made me sick to my stomach. I ended up losing 20 pounds in a month and had to get off of the stuff.

I agree with the others about talking to your doctor to see if the meds are causing/contributing to not wanting to eat. You might want to try eating things that help settle your stomach (bananas, white *unspiced* rice, broth, dry toast) until you're feeling stronger.

Another thing, if your blood sugar drops too low (from not eating) that will also kill your appetite. I know when my blood sugar drops too low it can trigger my symptoms. There are many times I just don't feel like eating because I'm feeling bad. But I know how much worse I'm going to feel if I don't eat, so I just make myself get something in my stomach.

Hang in there.
 
Hi Joanna,

I'm so glad that you are getting yourself more help!
I battle with the appietite loss everyday.

A couple of months ago at 5'7" and weighing only 97lbs I was basically told, that if I didn't start eating and gaining weight... hospitilization was a real possibility.

It was so hard, food was not appealing at all, and I just wasn't hungry.
Fruit was the first thing I started forcing myself to eat.
Banana's, apples, and melons seemed to be gentle on my tummy.
If I wasn't able to finish the entire banana in one sitting, I would put it to the side, and force myself to finish it later!
I stayed far away from greasy foods, because those just seemed to make me feel more nausaus.

Think small portions, several times throughout the day.
The best method I found (when I have enough energy to do it...) is to pack yourself a "day" lunch.
That way, there is no cooking/preparing/etc. you just reach into your "lunch bag" and snack. Heck, I had to walk around with it, just so I would eat!

And make sure your partner is on your ass about eating!
My boyfriend portions me out my meals now... and watches over me to ensure that I finish ALL the food on my plate.
Yes you might feel like a kid... but it's better than being admitted to the hospital for starvation.

Right now I'm 110lbs, and still have to force myself to eat.
But after seeing some older pictures of myself (from months ago) and looking at my "bony stick figure" body... I felt sick... at the time I hadn't realized just how bad it had gotten.
 
I keep a box of cereal handy - cheerios or weetabix minis(the chocolate ones). I can pick at it as and when I like and it's good for me too! They also keep for ages, so there's no waste like with grapes and stuff.
 
When I was down to 98lbs. (5'2"), I forced myself to eat. If I went into the kitchen, I grabbed something. A cracker, anytihing. And I drank alot of fluids. There were times that I couldn't keep anything down, but try to eat. Another thing, if you by chance get just a little bit hungry...EAT! Even if it's three in the morning! I remember many times laying in bed thinking I should be sleeping but feeling a little hungry. Especially when anxious, eating helps. Hot cocoa, ice cream, comfort food.
 
It's funny what you sid about the cereals. Yesterday my first meal was a quarter bowl of fruit and nut cereal dry. It did seem to kick start my apetite though and actually ate three meals for the first time in a long time.

Anthony has been kind enough to let me into the private PTSD group.
I'm going to need you guys however as it seems there is a waiting list at the mental health center. She the lady who phoned kept asking if I wanted counselling or a psych. I must of told her three times I didn't know but I would likely need both. arghhhhhhh. :fart-face In Ontario here we are all amalgamated three counties. Could be a month or more to wait. Health costs are mainly covered by gov and work combined. Meds for me are $5.00 each. pretty affordable. Kept pushing about specific dates and times too. You guys know how the timeline memory is on these meds. :cuckoo: Oh well I guess I just have to wait it out.
Going to the private forum to read up for a while. Not just snooping it's helping me realize what I already know. I definately have PTSD.
Thanks Joannag
 
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