Cookeeeeez 269 Posted September 27, 2012 Ok guys! So I've lost 2 kilos, 4.4 pounds. BUT! This is in 6 weeks. I'm a pre-sleever working through my food issues to get sleeved June 2013. I've been struggling this month- extreme hunger at night, fatigue, cravings, pms with out the M! So I see the head of the clinic today, I paid full fee for the pleasure, only to be told that the general doctor who had been treating me had prescribed endep (for my sciatica) in complete contraindication with my regular cymbalta. Not only has it been causing the severe fatigue, but it CAUSES weight GAIN!!! And hunger, and Water retention, dry mouth, emotional lability! So, in order to treat weight-related sciatica, the doctor gave me a pill that causes gain?! And a high dose of it to boot!!! Soooooo angry!!!! I've been going crazy the last few weeks! I thought I just didn't have the willpower! Then I find out its not a question of willpower at all! It's a miracle I didn't GAIN weight, and that would have been very very bad!!! Now I have to gradually come off the stuff so I don't get insomnia and all sorts of other side effects... And I thought the OxyContin had been bad!!! Bloody endep! Bloody doctors!!!! So anyway, here's hoping all you folks on myfitnesspal will notice a marked improvement in my eating again over the next couple of weeks, and my friends and DH notice I'm less cranky!!! To everyone on any medication: please get a second opinion, you never know if even the doctor you trust implicitly (as I did) can miss something big!!! Peace! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
angelakay2 117 Posted September 27, 2012 Being on a med that causes weight gain is tough. I am on one that causes weight gain but have still managed to lose 64lbs in 3.5 months! woohoo! Good luck on your journey! 1 Cookeeeeez reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lessofmeismore 1,405 Posted September 27, 2012 I gained 20 lbs on endep It was awful Is there a reason why he didn't keep you on cymbalta? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cookeeeeez 269 Posted September 27, 2012 I'm staying on the cymbalta he added the endep on top of the cymbalta!!!! (The new guy said if the cymbalta wasn't working for nerve pain the endep probably wouldn't have either!) I'm on the cymbalta for depression and gained a lot from seroquel (which at least I was warned about!) went off it, lost a lot in first two weeks of trying new regime, and then started the endep and started struggling from then on Yup, I'm even thinking of trying non-hormonal contraception to see if it helps, but have read a lot of women giving birth to baby's and iuds lol! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lessofmeismore 1,405 Posted September 27, 2012 I have sciatica along with 2 bulging discs and bursitis in my hip. My Dr. is wanting to do injections in my back. I am terrified. It's done under anesthesia and is xray guided but I'm still afraid. I have my doubts if it will even work! I've suffered my entire life with back problems. I can say the endep did help but the side effects were too extreme so I stopped taking it. As of right now I take ultram, it helps but I'm not pain free by any means. I am very worried about the injections. *sigh* I've been hoping the weightloss would help but no relief as of yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ready4success 380 Posted September 27, 2012 I have sciatica along with 2 bulging discs and bursitis in my hip. My Dr. is wanting to do injections in my back. I am terrified. It's done under anesthesia and is xray guided but I'm still afraid. I have my doubts if it will even work! I've suffered my entire life with back problems. I can say the endep did help but the side effects were too extreme so I stopped taking it. As of right now I take ultram' date=' it helps but I'm not pain free by any means. I am very worried about the injections. *sigh*I've been hoping the weightloss would help but no relief as of yet.[/quote'] I suffer from sciatica, and hip bursitis too. I was hoping that the weight loss would help with the sciatica. I'm 37, and I still work full-time (actually 2 jobs equaling over 65 hours a week), and I'm trying to stay as minimally invasive as possible for now. Did you notice any improvement with the weight loss? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cookeeeeez 269 Posted September 27, 2012 I hav definitely noticed an improvement with weightloss!!! I was on 30mg of OxyContin a day, and still had a pain level of four or five every night!!! Now I have pandadeine forte if its very bad... But mine was funny, the bulge wasn't very pronounced, even though it hurt so so much! So I found doing sit-ups with my swisse ball really helped too! It hurt a lot but strengthened those muscles that support the spine... I had injections in my scalp for my hair-loss... They really hurt (especially once I was off the oxy lol) but definitely helped... I know it's very scary, I would get a couple of second opinions about the spine thingy, but I've heard it works... So good luck whatever route, I hope your health improves greatly!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lessofmeismore 1,405 Posted September 27, 2012 Cookee- thank you! I have had other great improvements with my surgery i.e. my diabetes is gone and I'm off my blood pressure medicine:) Thanks for the kind words and support. I hope your pain gets better too!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lessofmeismore 1,405 Posted September 27, 2012 Readyforsuccess- unfortunately I have not had much relief from my weightloss but with that being said, Cookee brings up a great point about exercise helping, I havent started working out my core muscles. I think if I could push past the pain and work out I might find some relief. I'm going to start light today and see what happens. I'm happy to hear that the injections have been successful in managing pain but I also hoped to avoid something invasive. Hope that helps I hope you get some relief too!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cookeeeeez 269 Posted September 28, 2012 Soooooooo.... I just got out of a visit to the emergency room, and narrowly avoided being committed... I made the very very bad decision to order a set of scales- they arrived this morning- they said I was 146 kilos!!! That's 4 kilos above starting weight and 20 kilos above my doctors scales... I smashed them into my bathroom mirror... Quite a few nasty lacerations to my face and arms and multiple stitches in my writing hand and feet... Not good with exam coming up I messed up, but had a treat while at hospital and sushi for dinner... Emergency call to psych has allowed me to have the weekend to recover and try again... Otherwise it's back to Sydney for rehab So frustrated and worried about not getting my sleeve done now Anyway, though, if I'm ok the next few months my psych will still recommend pro-sleeve to surgeon... Needed to vent, really sore and sorry for myself Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ozeedonkee 145 Posted September 28, 2012 Cookeeez have you considered trying a wellness chiropractor - one who treats your entire self vs symptom care? I found my anxiety symptoms were tremendously improved after 2 treatments, altogether gone after a couple more. Sciatica controlled, muscle stiffness and hip pain gone. I felt GOOD. Better than good actually! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cookeeeeez 269 Posted September 28, 2012 I see a natural therapist for reflexology and massage, but I've been considering acupuncture and chiro as well! Thanks ozeedonkee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ozeedonkee 145 Posted September 28, 2012 Find a "wellness" one. Mine said that as our body becomes out of alignment, it interferes with the signals that get sent around the body. (it's after 7. I don't do technical after 7..) Oh - but a killer headache after the first session...don't let that put you off if you go ahead with it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cookeeeeez 269 Posted September 28, 2012 Oh that sounds great! I'm sure you must get all sorts of side effects, I had blurry vision after my first reflexology! I'll look one up tonight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lessofmeismore 1,405 Posted September 28, 2012 Cookee, I sure hope you are ok. I'm so sorry you got hurt Please try not to be so hard on yourself, it is hard to lose the weight before the sleeve. It is our main reason for needing it. Perhaps those scales are wrong but even if not, it is a struggle for all of us pre-sleeve. My thoughts are with you for a positive outcome!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
