Itchy & Scratchy

One of the things I resolved to do something about (again. I admit it. Because it seems like it's an eternal battle.) this year is my weight. I do 40 minutes on the elliptical 4-5 days a week. I do pilates at least 2 days a week. I eat relatively healthily and yet, le pounds just won't budge.

The only thing that has ever budged said pounds is ridiculously strict keto and...I just can't. It's not sustainable long-term (and stopping only maintains for a month or two before the pounds come back with friends). And these days, meat is so stinking expensive that even if I thought I could mentally gird myself to do it? I don't think we could afford it.

So. I joined Found.

It's an online medical weightloss thingy wherein they also prescribe medication that has been known to help curb appetite and cravings. All good things, right?

First one we tried did nothing. 

No worries, says they, let's switch to this other. It's usually well tolerated.

So we switch. It's a ramp up (they all are.) First week is fine. No side effects. Lost 2 pounds. I'm thinking woohoo! 

Second week, we start the next step up in the dose. First three days are great. Day four I wake up COVERED in hives.

Big. Red. Itchy. Swollen. Hives.

Yay me.

So I discontinue the med and I wait to more days hoping that the reaction will calm. But no. Oh no. I can't do anything the easy way. 

Finally, I go to the urgent care and now have oral and topical steroids to deal with. Wheeee.

On the positive side, day three of my six of steroids, all my joints and muscles have stopped hurting and my lungs don't feel tight. (I hadn't actually realized that was happening and related to the medication response until it went away. I just knew I didn't feel right.) The hives are slooooowly starting to break up and fade. But I grow weary of looking like a burn victim where the hives grew from small splotches to large, connected ones.

Anyway, good times. I can now add sulfa medication to my allergies (along with cillins) which might just mean I can't take medicine. So hopefully I can stay healthy for the rest of my days.

The Found Dr. says, "When your reaction is gone, get in touch and we'll talk about what to try next."

I have some trepidation.