My Life is a Medical Drama...

I went to the doctor today.

We decided that since I'm still gaining weight and developing the big chin and the hump on my back we would try eliminating the last protease inhibitor from my regimen.  She thinks that the medication that's mostly responsible for my good blood work is the Selzentry, so we're leaving that in, removing the Reyataz and replacing it with another drug called Intelence.

It falls into a group of drugs that I had an allergic reaction to in the past, so it's possible I could react to this one as well, but we thought it was worth a try because if it doesn't work I can always go back on the Reyataz.

I'm nervous about possibly developing ANOTHER rash from an allergic reaction (this would be like the 5th in the last 12 months), but I know I cannot handle this belly weight anymore and my doctor seems confident that this could work for me.

You have to understand, the fat in my belly is not merely on the surface.  It's actually INSIDE my abdomen, putting pressure on my organs, giving me near constant acid reflux and I am uncomfortable all of the time.  I bend over, I can't breathe.  I lay on my stomach, I can't breathe.  Oh, and yoga is exceptionally uncomfortable in positions where it smooshes my belly.  It's not just a vanity thing.

Oh, also, I have not had a period since FEBRUARY and it's because of the weight gain.  Just like the excess fat deposits can cause one to become insulin resistant, it can cause one to become estrogen resistant.  Awesome.

We discussed the Egrifta approval again and since neither of us had heard from the Axis Center in a while, she called for me to try to get the ball rolling.  I had called the pharmacy that was supposed to be filling the prescription on Friday and they said they were still waiting for approval from my insurance.  When my doctor called today they said they were waiting on proof of income from me which they NEVER asked for, so JD is going to fax it to them tomorrow.  Ugh, gotta love red tape!

Anyway, hopefully I will get the Egrifa injections soon and this change in meds will work for me as well.

I am so thankful for how well the meds are working against the virus, but I am just so miserable physically and with my appearance.  I just want my body back.

I was just telling my doctor, it's funny because for the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I'm able to exercise on a regular basis.  Sure, I'm not training for a triathlon or anything, but it's more than I've ever been able to endure before, but I am the fattest I've ever been in my life.

Bah.  I'm just ready to get past all this and find a way for me to live LONG and HAPPY, together.  I don't think it's fair that I should have to choose between the two.