Hi Texangal,
Wanted to stop by and visit as I see you visited me yesterday.
Thanks so much for that.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. 48 years old is so very young and it must have been so difficult for you. My mom died of cancer (multiple myeloma) in 2005...in fact, she died one month after my son did. I almost think she gave up....she really loved my son. I also took care of my mom when she was dying. She and dad had been managing...but then she fell and broke her hip and it was all downhill from there. But she was 82...not 48 and I was prepared, as she was sick for some time. I can't imagine going through this at such a young age as you must have been, since your mom was only 48. That probably makes you young enough to be my grand-daughter, I'd imagine.
Also....regarding what happened to you with the Paxil....you know, I don't think people truly understand or believe how these meds can alter metabolism unless they've experienced this for themselves. Even the doctor kept making me feel like he suspected I was overeating or that I was to blame...and not the medication....when the reality was that the medication was killing my appetite and I was eating so little I should have been losing weight....yet I was gaining...and rapidly. It was just a total loss of control for me and I regret not listening to my better judgement and not stopping the medication sooner.
I'm sure that in some cases...yes, certain medication may increase ones appetite and this may be responsible. But I also believe that certain medications can cause a huge alteration in metabolism in certain individuals....and it's unfair to make us feel like it can't be the medication and has to be something we're doing wrong.
Believe me, I experienced the exact same thing....and I totally feel for you. I simply came to a point where I said, "sorry, I'm just gonna have to go off this medication, regardless of what your recommendation is".....and I've never regretted that decision. Sometimes we have to be our own best advocate....and I'm just sorry I did not have the confidence to become more aggressive sooner and allowed someone else to make me doubt that what I knew to be true might be wrong. Turned out I was right.
ADDED: IN FACT....when I get to goal, I may just mosey on over to his office.....and say, "SEE? It WAS the medication! So there!"