Advice for newbie with history
I picked up my Phentermine Rx today (37.5 mg). I have already been on Topiramate (50 mg) for the past 5 years to help with migraines. At the time I started on topiramate, the NP I was seeing mentioned the weight loss usage as well as a treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder. I’ve never been able to titrate above 50 mg without getting the side effect where I loose the words for what I am trying to say (simple words like “spoon”). I never saw any effect on my appetite or drinking. Migraines have been relatively well controlled. (Note I come from a headache prone family where “eat a spoon of peanut butter and take an aspirin/Tylenol” was a cure all to get you back on task.)
Fast forward to today and when I asked my GP if I should be concerned about the direction my weight had taken in the last year. I am a 51F, been on Lexapro (20 mg) + Pristq (50 mg) for 12 years + Topiramate (50 mg) for 5 years. I am still rocking an IUD, so GP says I am benefiting from that level of low dose hormone to offset my perimenopause symptoms. I also 98% believe that I am undiagnosed AuADHD (e.g. I am a 51F working in STEM; I’ve been moderately successful (masking) and now lead a decent size team (30 people) within a large life sciences corporation. (All of that to say I am a scientist, hit me with a mode of action and data.)
- what advice do you have to put me on a path to success?
- I am looking to loose weight and curb my drinking. Has anyone seen any impact on drinking? I do track my drinking on an app and have cut by 50% in past 2 years.
- Thank you all for being out there.
- I have been down a path of measuring all my intake but also know that takes an emotional toll (especially for those predisposed to anxiety or depression). How important is this tracking?
- What do you wish you knew before you started?
Thanks!