Suddenly very hungry

[TeenToTwenties]

Dd, 20, has had a sudden increase in appetite in last couple of weeks, since half term.
She came off fluoxetine mid Jan but that is only recent thing.
Should I worry?

Any thoughts?,

Without lots more information it's impossible to say.

Any chance she's pregnant?

What sort of info?
It is really weird, she has jumped from her 'normal' to wanting about 50% more.
I don't know if this is a common random thing that will likely go away , or whether she needs a GP appt (that has to be booked 2 weeks in advance), or what.

No.

Some medications do have this as a side effect. She may have had suppressed appetite on the fluoxetine and now she is back to normal

Common to have increased appetite when coming off fluoxetine as it tends to decrease your appetite while taking it.

She's 20, hormonal cycles also change your appetite.

Thank you @AquaFurball and @DrummingMousWife , it does seem the most likely explanation (though towards the end her dose was already v low).

What would you say to a doctor though "I'm 50% more hungry than usual"? What would you expect from them?

Well exactly! But it is weird, and worrying her.

Could be iron deficiency anaemia.

She is about to have a blood test, so that will show up if it us that. She has been low on iron before but is on a multivitamin since last course of iron ended.

Does she have acid reflux or heartburn? I noticed that gives a feeling similar to hunger pangs.

Was just about to say acid reflux, I have unfortunately realised that for decades I mistook acid symptoms for hunger, that awful gnawing feeling and just ate constantly

I ignore it now.

Has she put on weight?

A little, but if she carries on she will if we don't alter something in food / lifestyle.

Not that I am aware of.

I found this when I came off Fluoxetine in my 20s - similarly it was a couple of months after I had tailed off the dose so I didn’t immediately make the connection. It was odd as I became a bit obsessed with food which is unlike me. After I put on maybe half a stone I realised and started exercising more and that helped. However after a few more months I relapsed and had to go back on the medication so I don’t know what would have happened longer term. Am too scared to try coming off fluoxetine again even though this was almost 10 years ago! Good luck to your daughter

@Fieldings15 Thank you.

You dont always get hearburn with it I get silent reflux which doesnt show as hearburn bur the symptoms are the 'hunger pangs', post nasal drip, constant cough, clearing throat, horseness, constant runny nose. Unfortunately mine is complicated by chronic sinus issues too, the two can interplay

Has she had her thyroid levels tested?

Are you absolutely sure she’s not pregnant? Seems the most obvious explanation.

This, it’s easy to think it’s hunger but actually it’s reflux. OTC meds can help or omeprazole on prescription.