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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ClearSkies on January 23, 2006, at 7:22:53
I can't seem to stop eating. I have started taking the time I used to spend drinking in isolation and stuffing my mouth instead. It's not just sugars, it's everything that is going into my mouth. I don't feel like drinking anymore. Instead, I can't seem to stop thinking about the next meal, the next snack that is coming my way. It's EXACTLY how I used to plan my drinking, the same behaviour, the same thinking.
How can I turn around the obsessive thoughts that I've traded in? I am going to talk to my pdoc about it and move up my appointment, as I am so worried about my size and continued weight gain.
Any thoughts? I'm taking Cymbalta, Lamictal, Campral, Ambien, for bipolarII and GAD. I hardly take xanax now, and when I do .25mg is enough to greatly help me. Oh, and I exercise, although I am so upset about my body that I can't see the point in pushing myself to get fit right now.
ClearSkies
Posted by alexandra_k on January 23, 2006, at 19:42:51
In reply to Trading in one addiction for another?, posted by ClearSkies on January 23, 2006, at 7:22:53
Hey. I have a similar problem. One thing I've heard of is water. Drinking lots of water. That is supposed to help with the cravings for food. Because you feel full so you don't have the urge to eat as much. I'm going to give it a go because I am starting to feel really very depressed about my weight and my binge eating in general.
With alcohol... It is high in sugar. Really very high in sugar. Maybe that has something to do with it? Fruit might help (being high in sugar).
In fact... This sounds rather odd to me but apparantly (over here anyway) bananas are losing their healthy heart tick of approval because they are too high in sugar. Bizzare...
But maybe it isn't about sugar...
I don't know... If you find something that helps I'd be interested to try it too. I think water is helping me but it has only been a couple days.
Posted by ClearSkies on January 23, 2006, at 20:10:18
In reply to Re: Trading in one addiction for another? » ClearSkies, posted by alexandra_k on January 23, 2006, at 19:42:51
I have often wondered about whether I'm hypoglycemic. I remember when GPs were dismissing it out of hand (the old "Twinkie" defense for violent crimes; the sugar made me do it).
It worries me that I feel better after I eat. Psychological effect or physical, there is no difference where my comfort is concerned.I drink lots of water already - have never been a soda pop drinker and can't handle caffeine. And funny enough I find fruit juices too sweet, and end up cutting them with water. I have attempted to reduce my weight by restricting carbohydrate intake and it makes me utterly miserable, weeping buckets.
I'll let you know how I make out with the pdoc. She'll probably send me back to the therapist, what a lovely merry-go-round.
CS
Posted by ClearSkies on January 24, 2006, at 21:30:08
In reply to Re: Trading in one addiction for another? » alexandra_k, posted by ClearSkies on January 23, 2006, at 20:10:18
Too much Campral. Causing confusion and distorted memory (interesting terminology). Pdoc cut my dosage by one third. I feel better having finally gone to the doctor instead of continuing to tear my hair out trying to puzzle it out on my own. But then, she went to medical school, and I didn't. I kept on thinking of other symptoms I'd had, but she kind of stopped me and said, "one thing at a time". She's so smart :-)
Posted by alexandra_k on January 25, 2006, at 17:19:15
In reply to Too much medicine, posted by ClearSkies on January 24, 2006, at 21:30:08
Hey. I hope you feel better soon.
I don't know anything about hypogl... (whatever ya call it). Don't know anything about health / medicine in general. Is it to do with metabolising sugar or something like that? If you think that could be it could you bring it up again with your doc. And if they dismiss it then ask for an explanation as to why they are dismissing it. That way... You might be able to dismiss it too, or you might be able to articulate reservations with their dismissing it. Doctors don't seem to like me so very much... Because I am full of 'why' and 'how come' and 'how do you know that'? Not trying to second guess or anything... Just trying to understand. And sometimes that process gets them thinking of a couple different options whereas they thought there was only one before. I like going to the university medical clinic because they are a whole heap more tolerant with that and they humour me along... Not so in the community clinics typically. Depends how busy they are I guess.I dunno about the weight thing...
I crave carbs typically. Pasta, potatoes, bread, that kind of thing. I suppose I eat a fair bit of sugar (goes well with caffene in energy drinks, coffee, and coke). But the amount of those I drink... I really should be careful because my grandfather ended up with diabetes... Should really take better care of myself in general.
Trying...
It is hard when processed crap is cheaper than fresh produce. And more accessible. And often involves less preperation.
Posted by ClearSkies on January 25, 2006, at 21:32:44
In reply to Re: Too much medicine, posted by alexandra_k on January 25, 2006, at 17:19:15
> Hey. I hope you feel better soon.
Today is a lot better. Feeling sharper and more coherent, thank goodness. I think that's what was upsetting me the most; not being able to follow conversations, express myself articulately, or interpret the written word correctly. All those issues are resolved today.
> I don't know anything about hypogl... (whatever ya call it). Don't know anything about health / medicine in general. Is it to do with metabolising sugar or something like that?
Yes, that's exactly it. Since alcohol is essentially sugar, recovering alcoholics often have pretty intense sugar cravings and can feel quite addicted to sweets, desserts, all the stuff that is bad for you and makes you fat... Literature I've read suggests that a diet similar to that of a diabetic helps to smooth out the up and down moods that alcoholics experience.
>If you think that could be it could you bring it up again with your doc. And if they dismiss it then ask for an explanation as to why they are dismissing it. That way... You might be able to dismiss it too, or you might be able to articulate reservations with their dismissing it.
It's pretty much been discussed all along - and I have swapped much of my diet out for the "better for you" choices. Whole grains, less (should be NO) refined sugars, eating more fruits.
>Doctors don't seem to like me so very much... Because I am full of 'why' and 'how come' and 'how do you know that'? Not trying to second guess or anything... Just trying to understand.
Remind me to tell you of my experiences with the NHS in England. Boy many of the GPs I met with really did not approve of the uppity North American questioning why I was being given tablets for my complaints without any explanation of what they were!!
>And sometimes that process gets them thinking of a couple different options whereas they thought there was only one before. I like going to the university medical clinic because they are a whole heap more tolerant with that and they humour me along... Not so in the community clinics typically. Depends how busy they are I guess.
>Yes, that's true. And when I ask my pdoc about specific possibilities and options she listens to me and responds. In my case at the moment she thinks there are too many variables to look at as possible culprits, so to simplify we are doing one thing at a time.
> I dunno about the weight thing...
>I think I am much less physically active since I started feeling "off". I had more energy today, so??
> I crave carbs typically. Pasta, potatoes, bread, that kind of thing. I suppose I eat a fair bit of sugar (goes well with caffene in energy drinks, coffee, and coke). But the amount of those I drink... I really should be careful because my grandfather ended up with diabetes... Should really take better care of myself in general.
>
> Trying...
>
> It is hard when processed crap is cheaper than fresh produce. And more accessible. And often involves less preperation.Yes!! I think we should all have sous chefs so that we may eat healthier!! Chop, chop.
CS
Posted by alexandra_k on January 27, 2006, at 6:48:49
In reply to Re: Too much medicine » alexandra_k, posted by ClearSkies on January 25, 2006, at 21:32:44
> Today is a lot better. Feeling sharper and more coherent, thank goodness.
:-) That is good news.
> I think that's what was upsetting me the most; not being able to follow conversations, express myself articulately, or interpret the written word correctly.
Yes. I find it hard when those things go out the window too.
> Yes, that's exactly it. Since alcohol is essentially sugar, recovering alcoholics often have pretty intense sugar cravings and can feel quite addicted to sweets, desserts, all the stuff that is bad for you and makes you fat...
Ah. And that is related to the eating chocolate thing? I've heard that somewhere... Maybe it was something you said about eating some chocolate to help with alcohol cravings.
> Literature I've read suggests that a diet similar to that of a diabetic helps to smooth out the up and down moods that alcoholics experience.
Ok. I'm not to sure what a diabetic diet looks like, but I'm guessing low sugar? I used to think that natural sugar (ie fruits) were okay and it was just the processed / refined sugar you had to watch out for but then there was something on the news about how that was a popular misconception and there are now warnings on orange juice. Maybe... That is more processed than it used to be. Or maybe... That is fairly concentrated.
> It's pretty much been discussed all along - and I have swapped much of my diet out for the "better for you" choices. Whole grains, less (should be NO) refined sugars, eating more fruits.
Ah. I really like fruit. I tend to crave what I eat. If I have a chocolate bar then the next day I'll be craving another. If I manage to lay off the chocolate for a month or so then I don't really crave it. And I feel better after eating fruit (as opposed to chocolate bars). It is just... Cost. Availability. And, my worst enemy: habit. But fruit really is terrific for sugar cravings.
> Remind me to tell you of my experiences with the NHS in England. Boy many of the GPs I met with really did not approve of the uppity North American questioning why I was being given tablets for my complaints without any explanation of what they were!!Yeah. How long ago was that? Methinks... Times are changing. Still that being said I didn't get many straight answers out of the surgeon who operated on my feet / legs. He said I'd need to wear these gel insoles because I didn't have a smooth heel. I asked him why he couldn't make me a smooth heel. Put the gel insole under my skin instead of in my shoe. He just looked at me funny... Maybe my body would have rejected it as foreign... Maybe they don't have the proper material to do that yet... Maybe the public health system will only do so much... Who the f*ck knows. I'm none the wiser.
> Yes, that's true. And when I ask my pdoc about specific possibilities and options she listens to me and responds.
That is great :-)
> In my case at the moment she thinks there are too many variables to look at as possible culprits, so to simplify we are doing one thing at a time.
Okay.
> Yes!! I think we should all have sous chefs so that we may eat healthier!! Chop, chop.
:-)
Yeah.Glad you were feeling better today.
Posted by deirdrehbrt on January 27, 2006, at 11:00:37
In reply to Re: Too much medicine » ClearSkies, posted by alexandra_k on January 27, 2006, at 6:48:49
I've been experiencing similar things. I stopped drinking almost 5 months ago now, and found myself drinking well over 2 liters of Mt. Dew per day. I've also been becoming obsessive with my school work.
Two days ago I decided to stop drinking the Dew. I substitute water, and some coffee to prevent the migraine that came when I stopped the Dew cold turkey before.
I'm still working on not becoming obsessive with school work.
I think that part of the problem is that we don't realize just how much of our lives our addictions have taken over. Just stopping the consuming of that one substance isn't enough. We have built rituals around it, it has consumed a great deal of our time and our lives. We need to find something to fill the voids. I guess that's why A.A. so often recommends 90 in 90. It creates something to fill that void.
Just a thought, and a reminder that I'm still somewhere on this planet. :-)--Dee
Posted by AuntieMel on January 27, 2006, at 13:52:46
In reply to One addiction for another, posted by deirdrehbrt on January 27, 2006, at 11:00:37
I need a 12-step program for SuDoku
Posted by Sabrina_0805 on January 27, 2006, at 14:12:35
In reply to Trading in one addiction for another?, posted by ClearSkies on January 23, 2006, at 7:22:53
I am late on this thread but haven't visited all the boards.
ClearSkies - we are almost on the same page. Except I seem to still be doing both. i.e. food AND alcohol, but no medicine.
I just felt so "with you" when reading your post.Alex - water is good. I go through litres a day. Just sends me to the loo - but I stick with it! I nodded my head throughout your posts.
Dee - you have achieved so much! Well done and my good thoughts are with you.
Sabrina
Posted by deirdrehbrt on January 27, 2006, at 14:43:09
In reply to Re: One addiction for another, posted by AuntieMel on January 27, 2006, at 13:52:46
Isn't it great! Love that game. I think that the real trick will be when I'm good enough to actually make the puzzles myself for someone else to try... Maybe I could write a computer program to make them.... hmmmm
Posted by ClearSkies on January 27, 2006, at 20:43:20
In reply to One addiction for another, posted by deirdrehbrt on January 27, 2006, at 11:00:37
> Just a thought, and a reminder that I'm still somewhere on this planet. :-)
>
> --Dee
So nice to see you here, Dee!
Take care
CS
Posted by TexasChic on January 31, 2006, at 20:07:56
In reply to Re: One addiction for another » deirdrehbrt, posted by ClearSkies on January 27, 2006, at 20:43:20
Well, I'm the last person who should be advising about addictions. I've gained about 40lbs since I stopped smoking, and I was already overweight. Anyway, my idea is to find something non-harmful (or at least less-harmful) as a substitute. I know I need SOMETHING to occupy my OCD episodes, and to pretend I don't is just asking for trouble. So I'm going to try knitting. I just bought a kit to teach yourself how. I'll let you know if it helps.
-T
P.S. It looks really complicated.
Posted by alohashirt on February 6, 2006, at 22:44:11
In reply to Trading in one addiction for another?, posted by ClearSkies on January 23, 2006, at 7:22:53
When I stopped drinking I quickly put on 30lbs. I still recall my AA sponsor asking "So aloha, when was the last time you hear dof someone going to jail for fat driving?" He was right, and when it was time, I started working out and lost the weight.
> I can't seem to stop eating. I have started taking the time I used to spend drinking in isolation and stuffing my mouth instead. It's not just sugars, it's everything that is going into my mouth. I don't feel like drinking anymore. Instead, I can't seem to stop thinking about the next meal, the next snack that is coming my way. It's EXACTLY how I used to plan my drinking, the same behaviour, the same thinking.
>
> How can I turn around the obsessive thoughts that I've traded in? I am going to talk to my pdoc about it and move up my appointment, as I am so worried about my size and continued weight gain.
>
> Any thoughts? I'm taking Cymbalta, Lamictal, Campral, Ambien, for bipolarII and GAD. I hardly take xanax now, and when I do .25mg is enough to greatly help me. Oh, and I exercise, although I am so upset about my body that I can't see the point in pushing myself to get fit right now.
>
> ClearSkies
>
This is the end of the thread.
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