16 Comments

I’m so glad you’re taking care of you. I’ve been on it and Metformin for 15 months. My A1C is down from 11.1 to 5.1, the joint inflammation I’ve struggled with for over 20 years is so much better (which I didn’t even know was a potential thing), and as a bonus, I’ve lost 100 pounds. I’m still navigating the GI things but I will take that any day over the rest. Sending hugs and healing vibes for you. 💙

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Wow, that’s incredible!! I’m so happy Metformin worked for you. It was brutal for me. lol, I should send you my unopened refills. 💙

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Finding a medical team who cares for you is unbelievably challenging-- especially as someone who identifies as a femme! I'm glad you're taking care of yourself. I hate Metformin. I'm still on it, and have been for most of my life (whew) because I'm a Type 2 Diabetic. I was an early adopter of GLP-1 agonists even at a young age, but it provide insanely helpful. When I switched to Ozempic a couple years back (from Trulicity, an earlier GLP-1 medication,) the side effects were also not great, but I went from a 9.1% A1C to like, 7% very quickly. And when I started exercising more, eating better, and then switched to Mounjaro, I'm down to a pre-diabetic/not diabetic range. I hope you haven't been experiencing shortages though, and thank you for caring for yourself and sharing your story!

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That’s amazing! Congrats!!!

And it is indeed a rare thing to have doctors actually listen to you. I’m 48 and this is my first positive experience.

I haven’t experienced any shortage issues with Kaiser. It takes about a week to get them mailed to me, thankfully :)

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That was funny, painful, enlightening and thoughtful. All in a four minute read. Sorry about Bakersfield.

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This was so raw but poetic. I’m so glad you found good doctors. I hate that shame is so much of our internal dialogue. **You continue to show that you are such a gifted writer - I read your words like I’m devouring my sister’s diary as a child. Even when you write about marketing. You are so talented.

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💙💙💙

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I love it when you finally find your "medical people." Really really proud of everydamnthing you're doing! 💙

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😊😊😊

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I'm glad you've finally found a medical team that'll meet you where you're at. And good on you for advocating for what you need! Slow & steady for sure.

I'm curious; when you mentioned the tie between Ozempic & less joint inflammation, is that a direct corallary, or is it a knock-on effect of less weight on the joints themselves? I'm asking because I'm with you in the "not-if-but-when" knee surgery camp. Mine has become arthritic over the last few months.

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To be honest, there hasn’t been a ton of research, but the few studies I’ve found (as well as insight from doctors who have used it for this purpose) have seen the correlative effect. GLP-1s reducing inflammation. I’d definitely talk to your doctor about it or, keep an eye out as more clinicals get published.

I am excited to see if this is the case because my arthritis will be pervasive regardless of weight—it’s just the degree of pain will shift.

Ugh, knees are the worst!!

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Gotcha & thanks--it's on my list of things to talk about at my next physical. It's seems to be quickly working it's way up the priority list. Knees are absolutely the worst!

And thank you the the study link! I'm on it.

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Yeah, for now my ortho says diet, movement, and steroid shots are my temporary solutions until I get surgery. He’s trying to avoid more medication (my docs oddly seem to be conservative re: meds), but the steroid shots definitely helped. The pain prior was unbearable.

Good luck! Keep me posted.

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You keep fucking fighting the good fight. There are many like you who want to say something but don't. So stand up. Be proud, and tell those people who feel entitled to go fucking blow some hot ass air. You do not belong near, around or beside me.

But yeah, fully support you and will stand by you 1000%. (Honestly I didn't even want to read the article but you know I was like fuck it, let's go. And after I finished you got me heated but with a side of righteousness and authority.)

Again, fuck em! They don't like it fuck em again. And fuck em some more. I will always be here to help you fight the good fight when you need 'a man in arms.'

Edit: This was in clarification on the part where you said:

[Since January, I felt embarrassed to share this story. I already bared the weight of the stigma surrounding mental illness and diabetes has its own set of stigmas and assumptions. People feel they can chime in on a stranger’s individual health journey with the confidence of a physician. People feel entitled to tell you how, when, and where you failed so spectacularly at life and you should’ve done this, that, and the other thing while you’re thinking no shit, Sherlock. Is the point to make me feel worse? Is the point making your voice louder than my team of healthcare and medical professionals? I worried about sharing this because people often want to comment and fix instead of simply cheering you through your journey or having basic human empathy.]

Thus the above comment. Yeah sure I don't have a lot of friends, but eh, fuck em. The good ones will stick around when you need them the most. And I'll damn sure be your stone anytime you need it.

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You’re awesome, thank you for your kind words.

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