u/roguescott

Hi all,

I've been on phentermine since last November, so coming up on 10 months. I started at 15, went up to 30 in January and just went up to 37.5 two weeks ago.

Since then I've been feeling jittery and super dehydrated, which is contributing to neck and head pain (TMJ). I have leftover 30g so I am taking those and waiting for a med refill from my doctor.

I've been feeling a little nauseous the past two days. I tried to enjoy a drink at happy hour yesterday (haven't had any issues on phent) and it made me want to puke.

Has anyone experienced bumpiness like this when decreasing meds?

Hey y'all,

I'm from Minneapolis but come to NYC often ,and will be staying a few weeks to work on my book later this month into early September.

My sister from another is visiting me right before Labor Day weekend. Her birthday is this week and I really want to get us tickets to something. She loves history and comedy, so these two stuck out in my brain.

I've seen Oh, Mary! (with Maya Rudolph) and I haven't seen Mincemeat yet but I've been wanting to.

Anything else I'm missing here for consideration, and if I've seen Oh, Mary (though would LOVE to see Meg in it) is Mincemeat the ticket?

Thanks!

Hi folks,

I posted here a few days ago and received some great advice about having someone else design my book, as I am willing to invest and want to go all in.

I did a bunch of research on rates, etc. - as my book cover will be very, very simple but of course I want it to look great. Yesterday I put out feelers on Reedsy for a few designers who sounded great, and my book cover budget was listed around 400 bucks. Two turned it down instantly saying it was too low. This seemed well within the range I'd seen. I haven't tried Fiverr yet but I'm going there next. Anyone have any tips? I am giving the designer well over a month since my book isn't out until the very end of October.

Additionally, my book is a workbook, meaning there are illustrations I've done, there are pages with blank lines, etc., and I want to make sure it's done right so I want to hire someone to help me format. Is there a range anywhere, and who do I hire for this - a developmental editor? Apologies for all the questions, I'm new to this!

Thanks in advance.

Hi friends,

I've been a writer my whole life and have published pieces out in the world, but this is my first book, and it's the first of many. It's out in late October.

I am a solopreneur, and the book is a nonfiction workbook that I'm marketing to clients, LinkedIn, etc. I have a decent following and I'm going hard with exposure, etc.

The design is very, VERY simple. Mostly I just fast track with Canva these days for myself for marketing, etc, but obviously I want this to land well.

My partner has photoshop and is an architect. I used to use Photoshop but it's been forever.

Any advice here?

Additionally, the next book will be MUCH more complex and I'll definitely be hiring out for it.

This album remains my absolute favorite album on grief, and it came up in conversation last night because my partner's estranged mother passed away a few weeks ago.

In May of 2015 my amazing, driven feisty, well traveled, tiny 96 year old Jewish grandmother was dying. My mom, who lived near her in Connecticut, called me while I was on the bus headed home from work and told me it was time to come while she's still lucid.

I was Bubie's only grandchild. When I got off the bus I had a panic attack. Death has played an interesting role in my life, and at the time the thought of losing her, even though she was so old, was overwhelming.

Luckily for me, I had this album as a balm to help me walk through the grief.

Carrie and Lowell came out March 31, 2015, and I fell in love with it from the moment I heard those first whimsical notes on "Death With Dignity."

I was once a local music writer in Minneapolis, and I was introduced to Sufjan's music by a fellow writer who saw him at the now defunct and beloved 400 Bar. And while I enjoyed Seven Swans and Illinoise, this album was something that just enveloped me fully, like a preamble for Bubie's passing.

Every song is exquisitely done, so gentle, childlike and lonely. Sufjan's mother abandoned him along with his siblings when he was only one year old, and she also struggled with schizophrenia, alcohol and drug use. He did reconnect with her before she died, but it breaks my heart that he considers the album a failure because there was no resolve for him when he was finished.

For me, it was pure medicine. Songs like "All of Me Wants All of You" and "Eugene" were right there with me as I walked around my neighborhood in South Minneapolis, mentally preparing to say goodbye to someone who was such a force it was impossible for me to picture a planet without her.

"Fourth of July" is perfection, but so heavy that sometimes it's hard for me to listen. It perfectly illustrates this dark, finite edge of grief that swallows us up in those intimate moments where we don't really know what to do with ourselves once someone dies.

While I made it in time to say goodbye to my Bubie, my partner didn't get that chance. Her mother went downhill fast and lives far away. There were wounds that were never healed, of course, but they spoke on the phone, exchanged pictures and texted for a few months when she was still cognizant.

I had to write this morning on the beauty of this album before I even start my workday. I'm listening to it now, and it somehow sounds even better than I remembered.

This summer has been breaking my heart, so why not have an album to go with it? Thus far a friend has recommended Bright Eyes - Smoke and Mirrors.

hi all,

I just upped my HRT (200g pro and .1 patch 2x week). I also have what I would consider manageable OCD, depression and anxiety…until now.

My father who has severe mental illness just got diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and one of my closest friends is holding a grudge about something ridiculous IMO and “will no longer be part” of our little friend group at the worst possible time.

I feel like I am drowning today, but yesterday I felt great. I’m drinking more than I like (nothing wild but 1-2 a night and 3-4 on weekends - no hangovers but it just feels like a stupid habit) and numbing out with weed at night. I feel heartbroken and so sad. I have a therapist I’m seeing Thursday, but I’m considering upping my Lexapro.

Long walks seem to help, but it’s just a lot. Am I alone here?

Not really looking for anything but support. I’m so tired and sad, at least for today.

Hi all,

I've been a writer and professional editor most of my adult life, so about 25 years (I'm 46). I primarily work in change management and coaching executives, but writing has always been my jam. I actually recently opened my own little imprint press because I'm going to be putting my first book out into the world this fall! Finally!

Anyway, I have a great client who has an amazingly successful law firm and has incredible stories to tell. He is very well known in the community and has asked me to ghostwrite for him, and these will be in person and/or recordings. I have a very clear picture of his tone and voice. I also run my own business so I'm able to do marketing strategy and execution for him as well. I've ghostwritten large articles and lengthy essays, but this is my first actual book. Based upon what I know it'll maybe be about 150-175 pages.

I'm creating a proposal to give two options: Moderate pace (6 months) with or without marketing/design (I do that too) and accelerated (3 months) with or without marketing/design. I never do hourly and only work in flat fees, and we have worked together for about 2 years now doing lots of other things, so we understand each other.

I'm wondering if anyone here does flat fee pricing on the writing bit (marketing and design I can handle) and/or has advice on what I need to be explicit about in the contract (number of revisions, cadence, etc).

Any suggestions welcome! Thank you in advance!

I’m heading out of town tomorrow with a bunch of stuff going on and the light went on. Doing a 2 mile drive to a cabin for a few days. Am I good until I get back?

Hi all,

my dad received his diagnosis and he also has bipolar disorder, manic depression and borderline (also known as severe and persistent mental illness).

He has a caretaker on site during the day during the week. He’s been spiraling since and I’m working on getting the power of medical attorney going.

How else can I best support him? He’s on a cancellation list but wow do I wish it were sooner.

Hi all,

The journey with my dad over the past 20 years has been a very hard one. He has SPMI (severe and persistent mental illness) and spent a good 7 years in and out of hospitals and courtrooms with several suicide attempts in between.

After ECT and DBT he started really making positive changes. He had quadruple bypass surgery in 2017, and then then alcohol became a huge issue. He's now been sober for 6 years and had to have a spinal fusion and he has MDS (blood cancer). In other words, his body has been through hell.

He has always had tremors but they have definitely gotten worse over time. His panic attacks have suddenly become much worse, as has his posture which continues to decline.

Today my dad went to go see a new PCP and he was told he has Parkinson's. He has looked into this in the past and was told he didn't have it twice. I, unfortunately, wasn't there and his caretaker didn't go in with him.

When I talked to him on the phone today he told me he doesn't know anything more than that, and that next week he is getting a phone call for the neurologist. Then he'll find out what phase he is, etc.

I am going to make sure I'm at his appointment, and until then, are there any helpful questions I can ask of the doctor when they call me back? My dad gives me full access to his records.

Thanks for listening.

So now when I try and have a glass or two of rosé it feels like someone has torched my insides…sigh.

Well, I knew this day was coming, and I guess it’s fine.

Bless THC seltzers that are legal in my state for a little relaxation.

I’m partnering with another business to do a retreat in January. We’re asking for 50% up front between now and July with two remaining 25% payment dates (Sept and Nov).

I spent all afternoon messing with SquadTrip I can’t seem to customize dates and what amounts. Also not looking to charge people a ton in fees.

Thanks in advance!