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

Get yourself into some exercise maybe... that usually brings on hunger.

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.

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.
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. 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

....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.

Yes piglet!
I forgot to mention that!
(as I look down at the floor I see my cheerios, and mini-wheats, lol)