dreams in neon
11-25-2008, 02:46 AM
Hi everyone,
When you're experiencing a manic episode, do you eat less than normal? This is definitely the case with me. Since I have so much energy, I tend to focus on doing other things besides eating. Sometimes I just don't feel like eating either.
Today I spoke to my tdoc about the fact that I've been losing weight (although not significantly -- I dropped from 121 to 117). He asked me if this had anything to do with my rapid cycling and I said that it probably did.
However, I'm not really sure of the answer to his question. Can rapid cycling have a negative impact on one's weight? I assume it can, but was wondering if any of you have had any experience with this before.
When you're experiencing a manic episode, do you eat less than normal? This is definitely the case with me. Since I have so much energy, I tend to focus on doing other things besides eating. Sometimes I just don't feel like eating either.
Today I spoke to my tdoc about the fact that I've been losing weight (although not significantly -- I dropped from 121 to 117). He asked me if this had anything to do with my rapid cycling and I said that it probably did.
However, I'm not really sure of the answer to his question. Can rapid cycling have a negative impact on one's weight? I assume it can, but was wondering if any of you have had any experience with this before.
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UKguy
11-25-2008, 10:11 AM
yeah i notice when im really down i dont really consider eating. ive never had any issues with eating dissorders but i do feel that i dont eat as much.
Bunnylover
11-25-2008, 11:10 AM
When I'm hypomanic I don't eat. I have a history of anorexia, and when I'm depressed sometimes it's tempting to choose not to eat, but the manic epispodes are different. It's like I'm literally so reved up I don't get hungry and don't even feel the need for food, and I don't tend to notice that I'm not eating either.
katlin09
11-25-2008, 02:59 PM
Hey neon,
When I'm really depressed, like now, I don't eat, I go for days, I think the last time I ate solid food was..Friday. My pdoc gives me hell for it, but I do drink slimfast's at least twice a day to get some nutrients. I just forget to eat.
Kat
When I'm really depressed, like now, I don't eat, I go for days, I think the last time I ate solid food was..Friday. My pdoc gives me hell for it, but I do drink slimfast's at least twice a day to get some nutrients. I just forget to eat.
Kat
seaturtle
11-25-2008, 11:49 PM
Hey, kat,
You gotta eat, please. Not eating only worsens the depression. Slimfast is super low-cal - what about Ensure or tasty milkshakes? And making a scheduled, regular, same-time eating period every day, just part of your daily routine.
I do have a chronic ED and have great trouble maintaining even a very low weight. My temptation is not to eat at all - I just forget, too, or don't feel like it. But I have forced myself to make eating healthily at part of every day. All that wonderful-sounding stuff aside, I tend to undereat more if depressed or manic, too.
My bp group leader has been emphasizing the importance for us bps to maintain as regular a schedule as possible and to be very careful about eating, too, exercise, sleeping. Our bodies need it.
I hope you can break out of this cycle. Good nutrition, for us, is medicine. At the same time, I do understand how impossible this can seem.
My salvation food is peanut butter and pb/jelly. Try some kid-foods.
Gosh, you're having a rought time. I'm so sorry.
Seaturtle
You gotta eat, please. Not eating only worsens the depression. Slimfast is super low-cal - what about Ensure or tasty milkshakes? And making a scheduled, regular, same-time eating period every day, just part of your daily routine.
I do have a chronic ED and have great trouble maintaining even a very low weight. My temptation is not to eat at all - I just forget, too, or don't feel like it. But I have forced myself to make eating healthily at part of every day. All that wonderful-sounding stuff aside, I tend to undereat more if depressed or manic, too.
My bp group leader has been emphasizing the importance for us bps to maintain as regular a schedule as possible and to be very careful about eating, too, exercise, sleeping. Our bodies need it.
I hope you can break out of this cycle. Good nutrition, for us, is medicine. At the same time, I do understand how impossible this can seem.
My salvation food is peanut butter and pb/jelly. Try some kid-foods.
Gosh, you're having a rought time. I'm so sorry.
Seaturtle
dreams in neon
11-25-2008, 11:50 PM
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your replies!
I'm glad to know I'm not alone. I wish there was something I could do about the fact that I don't eat when I'm manic. My tdoc suggested I set a timer for breakfast, lunch and dinner but I inevitably end up turning it off.
Kat, I'm going to take your suggestion of keeping Slimfast drinks in the refrigerator at all times so I always have something that will help maintain my energy level and provide nutrients.
Thanks for your replies!
I'm glad to know I'm not alone. I wish there was something I could do about the fact that I don't eat when I'm manic. My tdoc suggested I set a timer for breakfast, lunch and dinner but I inevitably end up turning it off.
Kat, I'm going to take your suggestion of keeping Slimfast drinks in the refrigerator at all times so I always have something that will help maintain my energy level and provide nutrients.
tigger5150
11-26-2008, 09:12 PM
Dreams
I agree with Sea Turtle, why not ensure or something a little more nutrient than slim fast? I wish I had the part where I didn't eat when I'm depressed.... that's usually when I find that eat more junk food (particularly chocolate) than any other time. When I'm fortunate enough to be manic or hypomanic I eat less. Although since being on Cymbalta I find that I"m not hungry that often and have to remind myself to eat.... unless it's chocolate and then I have to tell myself NO! lol
I agree with Sea Turtle, why not ensure or something a little more nutrient than slim fast? I wish I had the part where I didn't eat when I'm depressed.... that's usually when I find that eat more junk food (particularly chocolate) than any other time. When I'm fortunate enough to be manic or hypomanic I eat less. Although since being on Cymbalta I find that I"m not hungry that often and have to remind myself to eat.... unless it's chocolate and then I have to tell myself NO! lol
dreams in neon
11-27-2008, 02:57 AM
Seaturtle,
I really like your idea of keeping Ensure around and making milkshakes. I'm going to give that a try.
My sister recommended that when I'm manic and not in the mood to eat that I make something simple like peanut butter toast, sugar toast or grilled cheese in the microwave. It only takes minutes to prepare and is satisfying too. I'm also going to try that on days when I don't feel like eating.
I dropped from 121 to 117 pounds over the past several weeks. My manic episodes have definitely had an impact on my weight because last year I weighed 153 pounds and dropped down to 117 ever since. That's a good thing (since I don't want to be overweight), but as my tdoc, pdoc and gp say, it's very important to eat on a regular basis.
I'm going to try my best!
I really like your idea of keeping Ensure around and making milkshakes. I'm going to give that a try.
My sister recommended that when I'm manic and not in the mood to eat that I make something simple like peanut butter toast, sugar toast or grilled cheese in the microwave. It only takes minutes to prepare and is satisfying too. I'm also going to try that on days when I don't feel like eating.
I dropped from 121 to 117 pounds over the past several weeks. My manic episodes have definitely had an impact on my weight because last year I weighed 153 pounds and dropped down to 117 ever since. That's a good thing (since I don't want to be overweight), but as my tdoc, pdoc and gp say, it's very important to eat on a regular basis.
I'm going to try my best!
dreams in neon
11-27-2008, 03:08 AM
tigger,
I know what you mean about chocolate! My sister brought over some chocolate and soda for me to have here at the hospital (since the food here is really bad). Both have done wonders for my moods. I notice that when I'm depressed, I tend to eat more as well (especially chocolate which happens to be one of my *major* weaknesses).
If truth be told, I'm surprised the pdoc allowed me to have soda here since caffeine tends to make one manic. I'm not affected by caffeine too much since I only drink 2 or 3 12 oz cans of soda per day. If I drink any more than that, it definitely sends me into mania land.
By the way, I only have 3 more days before I'm discharged. (Yay!) Tomorrow the pdoc is giving me a day pass so I can spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her family. I can't wait! It will be so nice being able to spend time with her and be in a different environment for a change.
I hope you and everyone else here have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! :)
I know what you mean about chocolate! My sister brought over some chocolate and soda for me to have here at the hospital (since the food here is really bad). Both have done wonders for my moods. I notice that when I'm depressed, I tend to eat more as well (especially chocolate which happens to be one of my *major* weaknesses).
If truth be told, I'm surprised the pdoc allowed me to have soda here since caffeine tends to make one manic. I'm not affected by caffeine too much since I only drink 2 or 3 12 oz cans of soda per day. If I drink any more than that, it definitely sends me into mania land.
By the way, I only have 3 more days before I'm discharged. (Yay!) Tomorrow the pdoc is giving me a day pass so I can spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her family. I can't wait! It will be so nice being able to spend time with her and be in a different environment for a change.
I hope you and everyone else here have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! :)
tigger5150
11-27-2008, 06:35 PM
Dreams,
Hope you have a nice thanksgiving (we don't celebrate it here in Australia - and being from the states originally I miss it).... it sounds like your time in hospital has been a good experience and you have found a combination of meds that are working.... I'm really happy for you! Continue the good work!
Hope you have a nice thanksgiving (we don't celebrate it here in Australia - and being from the states originally I miss it).... it sounds like your time in hospital has been a good experience and you have found a combination of meds that are working.... I'm really happy for you! Continue the good work!
katlin09
11-27-2008, 09:24 PM
Dreams,
I hope you are having a great Thanksgiving with your family. Mine was pretty much a bust, it's the first one since my hubby and I seperated, he was supposed to come over for the kids sake, but he never showed and the boys were very very dissapointed. That 4th chair sitting there at the table...but enough of that.
I'm so glad you got out for the day, and then only a couple of more days and your out, YIPPEE!!
You know I'm kind of wierd, in that I don't like chocolate, my kids don't either. Don't drink much soda either, and any that I do drink is caffeine free, actually everything I drink is caffeine free. I know what you mean by the docs keeping up with what you eat and making sure you eat regularly, my pdoc actually makes me fill out a Food Intake sheet each week, if I'm losing too much weight, (I have to weigh in at each visit). And now that I'm on the Cymbalta my appetite has decreased even more....so, not sure I'm going to mention that lil side effect. *l* I was never a big "food" person, very picky eater, and some of the meds i'm on just wipe out my appetite, and then the depression takes care of the rest of it. But I'm glad you're doing better and are going to be back home soon.
Kat
I hope you are having a great Thanksgiving with your family. Mine was pretty much a bust, it's the first one since my hubby and I seperated, he was supposed to come over for the kids sake, but he never showed and the boys were very very dissapointed. That 4th chair sitting there at the table...but enough of that.
I'm so glad you got out for the day, and then only a couple of more days and your out, YIPPEE!!
You know I'm kind of wierd, in that I don't like chocolate, my kids don't either. Don't drink much soda either, and any that I do drink is caffeine free, actually everything I drink is caffeine free. I know what you mean by the docs keeping up with what you eat and making sure you eat regularly, my pdoc actually makes me fill out a Food Intake sheet each week, if I'm losing too much weight, (I have to weigh in at each visit). And now that I'm on the Cymbalta my appetite has decreased even more....so, not sure I'm going to mention that lil side effect. *l* I was never a big "food" person, very picky eater, and some of the meds i'm on just wipe out my appetite, and then the depression takes care of the rest of it. But I'm glad you're doing better and are going to be back home soon.
Kat
dreams in neon
11-28-2008, 12:04 AM
tigger and kat,
tigger, I forgot you were in Austrailia. Sorry about that!
I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and am stuffed! I don't think I could eat anything for the next week and a half! LOL. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, corn and pumpkin pie topped with Cool Whip. Everything was delicious!
Now it's back to mundane hospital food. Yay. NOT.
Oh well. Only 3 more days to go!
tigger, I forgot you were in Austrailia. Sorry about that!
I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and am stuffed! I don't think I could eat anything for the next week and a half! LOL. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, corn and pumpkin pie topped with Cool Whip. Everything was delicious!
Now it's back to mundane hospital food. Yay. NOT.
Oh well. Only 3 more days to go!