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15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 271

Actually it didn't help getting it out. But the responses made me feel like someone listened.

Stress levels are extremely high.

As for the weight gain it is not medication related, stress related or otherwise, I ate carrot sticks and healthy crap to deal with the cravings. I didn't over eat. I do not over eat when I am stressed, I generally bake(no nibbling) and clean when I am stressed. For the past 2 years, since my husband's accident, and the abuse we have had to deal with in our hospitals, and health care systesm, physical and emotional, I have not been doing either. I weigh 195 pounds and am 5'11", I have lost 13 pounds in the past month so not so bad, but not so good, it has nothing to do with diet, I have been vomiting (not pregnant) and having diarhea for the past month. My doctor says this should pass and it isn't the flu.

My life has centered around fighting for my husband and his rights, the hospital lost his chart, all referrals from the initial hospitalization were lost, x-rays were lost etc.. AHIC lost him on their system (so the ortho surgeon wanted us to pay him directly). We are dealing with an ortho surgeon who is a complete ass, he lies to us, did not perform the surgery when it was required, instead he waited till there was muscle damage, nerve damage and bone crushing from the swelling. My husband was physically assaulted by a nurse and we were both constantly belittled by the "health care professionals" we were dealing with. Talking with the complaints department has done nothing, (sensitivity training for the abusive nurse) and we have been told that if they can't find his chart, they can't do anything for us.

We lost our gravel truck, we just about lost our home, we have had our utilities cut off, my van broke down, (among a multitude of other things that have basically broken or gone wrong) and we are considering bankruptcy at this point. Financially life sucks.

I saw my doctor today and she wants me to up my dose of celexa, she says to give it time to see if it works. So I will do it and see what happens. She wants me to contact the MHB to schedule an appointment to meet with a counsellor and see if that can help, so I will do that as well.

I am hoping that some good stuff happens soon because all of the negative things really aren't helping.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 955

furgittit,

Thank you for posting this, do you feel any better after getting it out?

You have mentioned a lot of important topics in your post. In terms of weight gain, although you have quit smoking and are exercising more, what about your stress level? Stress levels are often directly related to your weight gain or loss. Some people are emotional eaters and when they are stressed they eat more. Others, tend to eat less when stressed and when this happens, your body begins to store the fat that it has already consumed.

Have you spoken to your doctor about the side effects of Celexa? Often medications can have side effects that include weight gain. This could make it even more difficult to lose weight. It would be beneficial to talk to your doctor about how your lifestyle changes and medication has affected your weight.

You have also mentioned that it can be exhausting to do some of the activities that you once enjoyed such as reading a book or watching tv. Perhaps doing these activities in smaller intervals may not be so exhausting? Driving can also be very important time to have to yourself. Playing your favourite cd in the car or listening to a book on cd can be used as activities that help you enjoy your time alone and also make the driving more enjoyable!

You have received a lot of great advice from other members here. Please let us know what you have found helpful. Stay close to the boards, we are here for you!

Sarah, Health Educator

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 456

hello furgittit.

Same boat .. different storm. I have the the 10 yr old and 6 yr old and the neanderthal husband. I do the 8 to 4:30 work day and crawl through traffic because I cannot stand travelling in the coffins pulled by snails (subway). And at a 5 year low of 260 lbs, I am working with the nutritionist with whom I have an agreement we do not discuss diet and I keep giving her money for telling me what good thiing to add to my diet. In september I was at 275. So the first goal was to add fibers, one month of reading bread lables and cereal boxes. Next month was to change the morning snack at 10:30 when the mail came in. No more a pastry ... a fruit and cheeze, or yougurt, etc something less than 290 calories ... Now I have two month goal to work on looking at apetite and eating. i eat out of habit not out of hunger.

So I am not deprived of something i want. I eat less of it and I do not eat all of its friends... much like the smoking and the chains of behavior that are linked to those additions. But there are some things that i have given up!!!

my bipolar meds make 7up taste like sodium-up; coka-sodium; sodium-ale; sodium-beer . yup all soft drinks taste like salt

. And the caffine concentrated energy drinks are a poison I must avoid like not not drinking the bottle of javal. Nasty highs ah, not nice at all.

Do you have the will to go to the gym? I tried that back in the spring with a friend and it fizzed out... I really prefer to play with the kids. I like to go to the indoor rink and skate, or the indoor pool and play on the slides. (Guess I do not like the winter much. ) I like to put the exercise tapes on the tv and see if the kids catch me doing something wrong... and I yell at the lady ... as though she hears me and the kids crack up!

Rose is right you need to tell your doctor what side effects you are willing to accept and which you are not. If sex is an important part of your pleasures and your marriage, you should not have to live with the stress of its absence.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 201

hi - please don't apologize, no need to at all. sounds like your plate is so full it's been brimming over. tell the doctor that - he/she may tell you to tough it out, bs to that. it's time to try something else. congratulations on the quitting smoking. i haven't been able to - bravo! last time i saw my doc i told him i didn't want to be a quinea pig! but in the last 3months i've gone from lexapro - lexapro/wellbutrin - pristiq - back to the lexapro and now he has added abilifiy!! yikes! hope this one works. gave the pristiq 4 wks - headaches, felt crappy, crying - that's more than a fair trial period. i love the lexapro - if you can love a pill - he seems to work for me.....up to a point. you're right about the sex life.....that's why they keep cranking out new and improved drugs supposedly. my 2 cents is just be on top of the doctor, say exactly what's going on, don't be afraid to call the office with any questions, try something different medwise. sorry you're feeling so badly. i had to laugh about the bathroom/privacy though. sometimes it does feel like there is literally nowhere to go to just relax. hang in there and please vent more even, we need more people here, fresh blood (perspective). you're not alone.....

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 271

I may be crazy, but for the past year, I have been trying to implement lifestyle changes, better diet (more fruits and vegetables, less yummy stuff), more exercise, quitting smoking, I don't drink anyway. I am more depressed since implementing these changes than I was before. My doctor says here is the pill (celexa) and keep doing what I tell you and you will be fine. It sure doesn't feel like it. Health wise, my cholesterol is up, I have gained 30 pounds, I cry all the time. How is this better than eating chocolate cake with whipped cream icing, smoking 10 cigarettes a day and watching tv or reading a book? I know I have only been on the anti-depressant for a month but with all the lifestyle changes I made before finally talking to my doctor about my depression, I think I should have seen an improvement mentally or physically, but nothing.

So my life and the advice of professionals has effectively eliminated anything I enjoy and find pleasure in, baking (can't eat it so what's the point, don't even dare suggest I bake with the dietician suggested replacements, I would rather go without than bake things that don't smell good, taste good or feel good), going outside for a walk, gardening, shovelling and having a cigarette by myself (supposed to eliminate what you normally do so you don't get the craving for cigarettes) haven't had a cigarette in 6 months but want one every day, going to the gym, swimming etc, I find emotionally and physically exhausting after working all day, coming home, cooking and cleaning etc. (I keep trying to go, but it doesn't always work). I can't even concentrate to watch TV or read an entire book, so those pleasures are gone. Sex, that's out the window since I have been on Celexa. Well those were most everything I enjoyed, now I am stuck eating crap, being exhausted and not having sex. As for any alone time, forget it, I have 2 children at home, a husband, and I have to work 8 - 12 hours a day, my alone time is when I drive to and from work (I don't enjoy driving only do it because I have to), when I am in the bathroom or when I am sleeping.

And now I will apologize for venting, but if anyone has any suggestions or has experienced anything similar please feel free to respond

Thanks for listening.

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