Wednesday, September 21, 2022

I just read yesterdays thread. Peps, I hope you feel better today! I looked up COVID variants based on Diane's comment. I had no idea there was another one out there. I guess eventually it will be like the cold or flu where we will stop paying attention to those details and just get our annual shot.

Diane, I hope you were able to say phooey enough on the by-law changes. It seems like there are people on every board who want to tweak things like that even if it isn't necessary. DD, 92 is definitely hotter than it was here yesterday (87). Really weird world.

Yesterday we hung out at the beach, fully under the umbrella this time of year. With a breeze it was quite pleasant. Possibly more of the same today at least for a bit.

We got up earlier this morning than previous days to try and walk when it is cooler as it has been a bit brutal the last couple of days. I end up putting ice in a washcloth at the water stations along the way. I use the cloth to wipe my face and dribble cool water on my neck. I am soaked by the time we are finished (with sweat and water). It is a strange juggling act. We usually get up when the sun comes up (or after) but the sun comes up an hour later in Florida than at home. So to walk early we have to get up in the dark. Oh and the mosquitoes and other biting insects are the worst at dusk and dawn so we have to try and wall just after that. I guess that is the downside of going back to Florida early.

I woke up this morning with an extremely sore neck on one side. I assume I pulled something while sleeping. Getting old stinks!

Have a winning Wednesday!

Another gorgeous day! Sunny and maybe getting to 70 today. I'm soaking it up because the rest of my trip going to be freezing (by southwest standards). 58 and very windy tomorrow.

Yesterday we went to the weir to watch the gigantic salmon jump up the river. Lots of people out there to watch them. We also went for ice cream. Michigan Pot Hole ice cream. The area favorite and all of our favorite too! The notary came and all is set for my mortgage to fund Monday. A good thing if I want to pay bills without selling investments... ugh. I cut it close with the house purchase.

Otherwise, I'm eating too much. Sigh. I want to reign myself in, and yet a part of me if highly resistant to the idea.

We're heading out on a boat ride while the lake is calm. Take care all!

It went from 92 to 67 today, so our Florida air has left us and Michigan air is here. Weather whiplash!

Okay, after one week, here is my drug report:

I lost 3 pounds. Not earth shattering. During the Tamoxifen years, this is as much as the scale will budge, sooo, if I lose any more in the coming weeks I will be very happy. Well see.

I took 25mg of Topiramate (Topamax generic) for a week. Today I'm supposed to increase it to 50, and then next week to 75.

I definitely felt weird the first night or two, more than sedated, kind of high, like opiate high, but that went away fast. I do think it is making me sleep deeper.

Self diagnosed, no data, lowered my blood pressure.

Even at low dose, it has changed some of my food thoughts. Someone handed me a cookie at a meeting, I took a bite, thought I don't need this, threw the rest away.

If I see food, I want it. Keeping tempting food out of the house is a necessary strategy. I sometimes close my eyes during food commercials. These sort of food prompts are hitting me much softer than before. Cravings/urge to eat is muted.

I am able to postpone eating longer, and eliminated my mid morning snack several days, BECAUSE, I was able to hold off eating breakfast. Usually I'm super hungry in the morning, the last few days my chai tea is enough for a few hours.

I am eating less, but I haven't changed the composition of what I'm eating. I might need to cut carbs a bit to make room for more protein. I'm tracking, but I find myself getting to the end of the day feeling like its not enough. If increasing my dose decreases my appetite some more, and I use that to reduce calories, I'm going to need to be even more deliberate.

I can't say if this is going to change anything for me yet. Simply too early. But I don't hate it. So far, I've felt some positive effects, on a low dose, with little to no side effects. I'll keep going for now.

And, my goals are modest. I don't expect this to be like a sleeve reset. I don't expect to get back to my lowest weight. (what a surprise that would be!) I would be happy to get back to my somewhat chubby, but solidly mid sized misses, pre cancer weight. That would be enough.

This all sounds positive to me (other than those first few days). Thank you for such an in-depth report!