Should I ask/bring this up with my doctor?

LegacyUser

Not looking for medical info!

I'm currently on medication for depression and I am trying to rebuild my life now that I am not in the dumps all the time. One thing that causes me gried is that fact that I am really skinny. I'm not actually underweight by that scale thing (can't remember what it's called now) that health professionals use.

Anyway being skinny really affects my self esteem and one of the side effects I seem to be experiencing from my medication is lack of appetite. Could/Would a doctor prescribe steroids for this?

Not looking for medical information. I am just wondering if there is any point bringing this up with the doctor?

dudara

Talk to your GP about the side effects of the medication that you're on and see what he would recommend.

If you're looking to bulk up, then I'd suggest paying a visit to the Fitness forum here (Rec -> Fitness). There should be lots of ideas there.

Note to all Please do not refer to medical issues.

Victor

It is much better to raise something (especially if it is worrying you) with your doctor that to not do so.

notsuretoask wrote:

I'm currently on medication for depression and I am trying to rebuild my life now that I am not in the dumps all the time. One thing that causes me gried is that fact that I am really skinny. I'm not actually underweight by that scale thing (can't remember what it's called now) that health professionals use.

If you mean the BMI index, that needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

Anyway being skinny really affects my self esteem and one of the side effects I seem to be experiencing from my medication is lack of appetite. Could/Would a doctor prescribe steroids for this?

Assuming you are on anti-depressents, yes various ones can affect appetite and other factors that affect your weight. But we can't comment as we don't know your circumstances and aren't doctors.

Talliesin

Not actually reading the post yet. Yes, whatever it is if you're even asking this then you should ask the doctor about it.

...Reading post now...

Yep. I still think you should talk to the doctor.

The scale thing isn't very accurate tbh. I was on the line between "healthy" and "overweight" at a time when I was having fainting fits because I was so underweight.

Both depression itself and quite a few anti-depressives can affect appetitite.

The fitness forum people may have some bulking-up ideas.

Do indeed talk to your doctor, esp. since you think it might be related to a side-effect of your meds.

lucernarian

You definetely should bring it up with your GP. Especially when you're not underweight according to the BMI index. With all due respect, what you see in the mirror is not necessarily a skinny person. Someone battling with depression mightn't look at their physical selves in too kind a light.


Your doctor will tell you if there's anything wrong with your weight, and if he's the one looking after any mental issues, then he should know of any anxieties you have.

chump

The doctor wont give you steroids in a month of sundays to bulk you up.

Are you off your trolley?

Read up on wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steroid

Also the steroids you've referred to, Anabolic steroids, and very different to the hugely prescribed corticosteroids that doctors prescribe for a range of diseases/illnesses.

biko

http://www.nestle.co.uk/Nutrition/HealthcareNutrition/SpecialistFeeds/Caloreen/

Ekancone

chump wrote:

The doctor wont give you steroids in a month of sundays to bulk you up.

Are you off your trolley?

Read up on wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steroid

Also the steroids you've referred to, Anabolic steroids, and very different to the hugely prescribed corticosteroids that doctors prescribe for a range of diseases/illnesses.

A tad insensitive dont you think?

To notsuretoask

I reckon if you wish to bulk up you should definitely got to the gym and get them to make you a training program. I have had similar problems to you and i find going to the gym hugely beneficial in dealing with this. Taking steroids alone wont do much for ya anyway you need to work out too. The natural solution to this is a far better approach. If you are worried about going to the gym because people might laugh at ya dont even think it. I see fellas at the gym that are absolutely massive and i once thought that they were probably looking at me thinking: 'Look at that skinny ****er'. But anytime i ask these people for advice on working out they are more than willing to help so i was wrong in those assumptions. Anyway, join a gym and get cracking on that new bod!

Sleepy

From a fitness and weightlifting point of view - steroids account for a tiny percentage of the size gains experienced by bodybuilders who use them. Lifting heavy things regularly and eating/sleeping enough to support that accounts for the vast majority of their size.

There's no such thing as tablets that can make you muscular or make you slim, there are supplements which can aid you in gaining muscle or losing fat but tbh, they're a tiny part of an overall program of eating properly and moving more.

Pop over to the Fitness forum and post your current exercise levels and a sample of your daily diet and some of the guys (and girls) will be more than happy to give you a few pointers. Some great info in the stickies there too.

If you're not currently doing much exercise, you might also find that a regular exercise program can often help with depression as well as making you healthier - win/win!

LegacyUser

chump wrote:

The doctor wont give you steroids in a month of sundays to bulk you up.

Are you off your trolley?

Read up on wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steroid

Also the steroids you've referred to, Anabolic steroids, and very different to the hugely prescribed corticosteroids that doctors prescribe for a range of diseases/illnesses.

Off my trolley? I read some of that article on anabolic steroids and it says they they are used in medicine. It says they are used therapeutically in medicine to stimulate bone growth and appetite. My problem being appetite.

I know what's involved in gaining mass and building myself up and all and how important diet is and everything. I never have gone to the gym or done it properly. I tried dieting and was very good for a month but then lost interest. I have to work extremely hard to make myself eat it seems. I'm not looking for a magic pill just something to help me along.

My loss of appetite is the main one for me though. It would be great if I could take something to really stimulate my appetite.

Ekancone

notsuretoask wrote:

It would be great if I could take something to really stimulate my appetite.

Again, exercise would do that.