#zepbound

US regulators on Friday approved the first drug treatment for sleep apnea, permitting the use of a weight-loss medication for the condition that affects millions of Americans. "This is a major step forward for patients with obstructive sleep apnea," US Food and Drugs Administration official Sally Seymour said in a statement announcing approval of Zepbound to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea in obese patients. Zepbound, from drugmaker Eli Lilly, is already approved for people who are obese or overweight and have a related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a dangerous condition in which breathing stops intermittently while a person sleeps.

Today I started Zepbound.

In April I started Zepbound injections once a week for weight loss. As much as this was aesthetic it was also for health reasons. It is not for everyone. I am followed by my primary care doctor. I have labs drawn frequently and I exercise with current limitations due to a sore shoulder.

As of this morning I am a 1/2 pound from my goal of 60 pounds lost. More importantly I have either eliminated or improved the following:

-Obesity (technically I was "obese" when I started).

-Cholesterol (LDL was high but not requiring medication, it has drastically dropped).

-Blood pressure (Prior to my cataract surgery last November I was put on a small dose of blood pressure medication and now I don't need it).

-Asthma (Over the summer the wildfire smoke would have triggered my asthma and it didn't).

-Sleep Apnea (Much to Bob's delight I don't snore anymore).

Other things that I can't see in lab results is that I move better and easier. I don't ache as much although I would be delighted if my shoulder stopped hurting.

I have donated most of my closet to friends, family, and a thrift store my cousin works at that supports their local food pantry with the proceeds.

I have gone from a size 14 to a size 8 (size 6 for Ann Taylor).

This wasn't simply a shot to lose weight. I also changed my diet. I pack protein dense lunches when I work. I do have the occasional slice of pizza but I stop at one. I will have a few bites of whatever Bob orders when we eat out or plan to have a meal or two of leftovers if I order my own. I have beer, wine and cocktails but not often and not in excess. I do drink lots of water.

For me there have been minimal side effects. Nausea but it doesn't last long, and it does not lead to vomiting. Constipation, twice. I manage it now with twice daily stool softeners and lots of water. Fatigue that has lessened but there were days that I was exhausted. Injection site itching. Gold Bond anti-itch cream worked well for this.

The emotional impact I am still working through. I honestly don't know how to dress. I have figured out sizes, but I still shop for clothes to hide all the things I didn't like about my body. Friends who notice the weight and don't know the story behind it don't always know what to say. I am an open book about this. Yes, I got pharmaceutical help, but it wasn't that alone. I think the nicest thing someone said to me (that knows about Zepbound) was "you look so healthy". Yes, that was the goal. I have also been selective about what I read online. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who have many negative things to say about GLP drugs.

It's been expensive to buy a new wardrobe. I have bought quality, versatile pieces and clothing to keep me warm because I am cold most of the time now. I went to Nordstrom's for a bra fitting.

I have always been a straight stomach girl for years with my migraine shot so I tried my thigh today and holy fucking shit I am never doing that again it hurt so bad the equivalent of what Id imagine being stabbed in the thigh with a medieval war sword foraged by best blacksmith of a long linage of blacksmiths of the village would feel like