amanda_lodden: (all the things - real)
[personal profile] amanda_lodden
[This should rightfully have been posted yesterday. Ah well.]

Last week, my doctor gave me amphetamines. Officially, they are to help kick-start weight-loss, because my back and my knees and my ankle and my diabetes would all be much better if I lost weight, but three of the four actively prevent me from doing a lot about it.

Unofficially, this week with drugs has made it clear to me that it's not just laziness or mild depression keeping me down (though those are both still definitely factors). The round of lab tests that came with the new prescription included a thyroid test, and I wouldn't be surprised to discover that there's a problem. This week is the first week in a loooooong time that I've truly felt like a human being. I hadn't noticed the downward spiral as it was happening, but the contrast with now makes it obvious.

Is it working? On the official front, I'm down two pounds. For a week that included Thanksgiving and a birthday party, that's pretty good. On the unofficial front, this week was the first time in roughly 5 years that I crossed more things off the List of Tasks That Must Be Done than I put onto it. I'll reiterate: that includes two days that involved social obligations instead of Getting Stuff Done.

The amphetamines do not provide motivation, so there's still plenty of sitting in front of my computer playing games. They also don't include magical back-healing properties, so it's ridiculously easy for me to overdo it. As long as I keep the games in balance with getting-up-and-moving-around tasks, I'm good. It's only when I spend 6 hours all at once at the computer and then get up and try to do 6 hours of activity that it all goes to shit.

Date: 2011-11-30 08:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] roseneko.livejournal.com
That's definitely good to hear. I hope you don't end up with any nasty side effects; I was on Adderall briefly as a teenager for ADD, and (in addition to giving me a nasty habit of grinding my teeth) it completely destroyed my appetite. Took me years to get back into the habit of making eating a priority, which probably explains why I was almost dangerously thin in college.

Here's hoping the tests find out specifics so you can figure out a targeted (and hopefully longer-term) treatment.

Date: 2011-11-30 08:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] amanda_lodden.livejournal.com
Diabetes means that eating regularly still has to be a priority. I do confess that there's been some "oh, crap" moments when I realized I forgot to eat, but the drugs don't take away the taste or the desire (so far, anyway), so as long as SOMEONE makes food, I'll want it once I smell it.

Date: 2011-11-30 08:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] roseneko.livejournal.com
That's definitely good to hear, then. I lost my appetite entirely and got so nauseous when faced with actual food that I think I ended up with a mild aversion to food in general. But strong susceptibility to drugs (and side effects) tend to run in my family; my mother usually takes half the dose her doctor recommends when she needs prescription drugs, and they work fine on her.

Be careful and don't overdo it on the moving-around stuff. Some of us want you to last a long time. :)

Date: 2011-12-01 12:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] amanda_lodden.livejournal.com
Some of us want you to last a long time.

Awwwwww, thanks!

Date: 2011-11-30 11:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cyranocyrano.livejournal.com
You hadn't had a thyroid test before?

Date: 2011-12-01 12:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] amanda_lodden.livejournal.com
3 years ago, everything came up in normal ranges. But the downward spiral is more recent than that.

Date: 2011-12-01 12:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] allanh.livejournal.com
I have had success thus far with Weight Watchers Online, which has proven easier to follow than I originally anticipated. Their program stresses healthy eating and snacking (e.g., fruits, veggies, string cheese, yogurt, etc.) at regular intervals, which wouldn't be a bad thing for your diabetes.

Date: 2011-12-01 12:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] amanda_lodden.livejournal.com
Your WW posts have led me to strongly consider it. John has also gone back and forth on the concept. But when the offer of drugs came up... I'm desperate enough to take it.

Date: 2011-12-01 12:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] allanh.livejournal.com
Hey, get the best of both worlds; do BOTH. :)

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