My Ex didn't believe I had put on so little over the Holidays with my Mirtazapine/night hunger/Depression problems. So I got on the scales today and found I am up a further 1.8lbs in 10 days to 201.8lbs. This is not good, my overnight snacking is getting out of control because of the pangs.

I need to get a grip and ramp up my willpower. Encouragement and words of wisdom, Please

Dave.

oh dave,
You can dothis.
Get yourself some organic apples and at night an hour before you go to bed if you watch tv.....
have one eating it slow and thoughtfully enjoy each bite. I find by the time I am done that the hunger that I was feeling is gone. I also drink a large glass of water with my night meds.
I may snack on nuts, seeds, plantain chips if I feel snacky.
I wish you strength to reel it in.
((((((HUGS)))))
rooting for you
bizi

Thank you bizi,

I realised today the worsening pangs started when I cut my midnight fat free, low cal yogurt. I ate one a couple of hours after my meds, while I had a break from reading Posts here. Maybe that small pot each night was coating my stomach and sating my hunger. I will start up again.

I take my Ketamine at midnight, then listen to programmes I have recorded until 2-3am while I unwind my mind and try to get comfortable enough to sleep for an hour or two at a time.

I will definitely try some substantial fruit, apple or pear, as they are only 70cals and are far more filling.

Dave.

how much sleep are you getting dave?
bizi

Dave, please don't stress about your weight gain - it is not a big number and you have had a fair bit to deal with recently.

I agree with bizi about nuts and seeds. I often snack on them - they are healthy and, at least for me, create a sensation of saiety so I don't overdo them.

I sleep badly due to the pain and continence problems caused by the Cancer/Radiotherapy. When I fall asleep I usually wake up 30-90 minutes later with pain and/or numbness, or - in the early hours - to go to the bathroom numerous times. It then takes a while to get settled and get back to sleep, so totting up I would say I have 7 hours of broken sleep a night - I have taken to falling back to sleep after my pain meds at 7am unless we are going out.

When I have my Lidocaine Infusions I sleep for virtually the whole weekend following. I am also in a constant state of drowsiness due to meds side effects - Morphine, Ketamine, Tramadol and Mirtazapine all make me drowsy and foggy.

I have been sleeping like this since 1990. I had an excellent night's sleep in '05 when they took my gallbladder out and I was still under the effects of the anaesthetic and was given a lot of Morphine. I felt GREAT

Dave.

Kiwi,

It is stll the wrong direction and I know the reason, even though it is hard to control med induced cravings.

I bought some mixed peanuts and raisins - no salt - and snack packs of dried fruit, sultana, raisin, coconut, banana, etc. All peanuts here, except ones for birds, seem to be roasted/salted/coated/dry roasted. Buying mixed with fruit means getting plain ones. The dried fruit eases my pangs for something sweet, chocolates have been creeping back into my diet these past 2 months.

I do not know whether I am repeating myself here, but at least I now know, with my weight being virtually stable for 8 weeks, that my dieting isn't the cause of my liver Blood Test Numbers being out of control.

Dave.

Dave, am sorry that you have interrupted sleep, pain etc.
One of the things they suggest is not having any fluids after say 6 pm or several hours before bed. If you take night time meds only take them with sips of water. This might help you avoid more bathroom trips at night. or even some plain yogurt to get a little protein in before sleep?
I wish you felt better.
What kind of cancer are you dealing with? I forget
bizi

Hi Dave

I can relate to the beneficial effects of Morphine on sleep quality - they had to physically shake me awake to sign the consent forms before my appendectomy - does wonders for pain relief as well.

Don't fret the small weight gain - I know it bugs you but with your determination you'll get it sorted. I had a weigh-in at the doctor's today and was expecting an increase as I haven't been able to do any physio or exercise for the past month due to severe edema & pain (caused by very hot weather and meds). Surprisingly I had dropped 5kg (about 2lbs ?) - don't feeling like eating in the heat - Popsicles have become my new favourite 'food' (I think they may be called ice lollies in the UK).

Another good snack you might like is carrot sticks or celery dipped in hummus. Maybe not very appealing in the middle of winter but the chick peas (aka; garbonzo beans) are good for protein.

I had an interesting day at bridge yesterday. I don't buy bread, have not had it in my house for over 7-8 yrs. I will get a burger with a toasted bun when out but at home burger is wrapped in romaine lettuce leaves.

The hostess made lunch yesterday and she served sandwiches bread sandwiches. I guess I was like a kid who doesn't get candy at home and when out, look out. So I got a good bread fix but I'm done for a long time, I KNOW that.

Now two of our members LOVE bread and they say they do and both these ladies are probably 100 lbs overweight each. They are about 5' tall and both have knee and joint issues. One talks about being borderline diabetic, but I believe she is diabetic and in denial. She LOVES her breads and other sweets too..

Now I have a haircutter I've known about 8 months or so and she has taken off 72 lbs since I know here..she told me was 262 when she started taking off serious weight and was going to the diabetic area. She has eliminated all WHITE food stuffs...she's serious and so proud of her accomplishment in this weight issue. She walks a lot and goes to a gym too....says she wants to take off 50 more lbs...she's about 5' tall.

We are are worst enemies and sabatogue ourselves constantly but many do take charge and save themselves.