I have slowly stopped the drug/s that put about 30 extra pounds on me.

[CTyankee]

Several years ago I had Shingles which led to post herpetic nerve disorder and the drug I took put 20 pounds on me. I went from a size 14 to size 18 and needed to buy new clothes that fit.

In consultation with my doctor, I developed a slow reduction plan of my Gabopentin and Elavil. This is difficult to do if, like me, you can't stand the return of the nerve pain.

Now at last I have. I have some pain but it is tolerable (and believe me, I am a huge baby about any pain).

Since I am 82, I have no wild dreams of a new, glamorous figure, but it will sure be nice to have clothes that fit right.

I never thought I'd see this day.I'll check in with you as I progress. It ought to be interesting!

[mahina]

1. Good luck with all!

[delisen]

2. Yes keep checking in. Good luck on your way to 100 good health years.nt

[CTyankee]

3. Thank you! Unfortunately, I developed a bad habit of consumption of sweets.

Ice cream, cake, pie (w/whipped cream), all kinds of sugar free candy, etc.

But I also developed a mania for fresh fruits and vegetables. A salad plate full of crunchy veggies with lo- cal dressing is also a habit, along with a reduction in red meat and that addition of tuna, salmon and chicken. The salad part of my plate is dominant.

AND I feel so much better, very healthy and strong.

P.S. I also stopped my nightly red wine consumption. I get an alcohol free Merlot that has the taste of the Merlot grape, but without the alcohol. This has helped me sleep better and wake up feeling great.

[beveeheart]

4. Alcohol-free Merlot? Going to look

for some today!

[CTyankee]

5. It is made by a company named F.R.E.

I dunno how they got the Merlot taste w/o alcohol. Other alcohol free wines just aren't worth it.

It works for me but everyone's taste is different. There are still calories but at least I get the wonderful taste of the wine, but not alcohol's damage to your liver.

[LakeArenal]

6. Very proud for you. Slow withdrawal is difficult to start.

Dr had me on Cymbalta for chronic arthritis pain.

When the pain became more acute than chronic. I wanted off. It took months really. I was sick a lot.

Once off I realized that the same anxiety dream I had every night (always the same) stopped. I don’t even remember my dreams now.

I wish you the best of outcomes.

[CTyankee]

7. Wow. You really suffered! My pain didn't reach what you had to go through.

I just think that over time my senses have been dulled.

[ultralite001]

8. Totally feel your pain...

Shingles left me with post-herpetic pain and tinnitus...

The medications prescribed turned me into a balloon... and weaning from the drugs was incredibly difficult.
Once weaned, the tinnitus remained and periodic flares could blindside me.

My MD offered to work with me using diet therapy... using intermittent fasting and low, low carb... Down 43
lbs in the last three months... Tinnitus has blessedly receded, and there has been only one flare (the result
of a dietary discretion)...

As one "old lady" to another... may your recovery be a cause to rejoice!!!

[Lars39]

9. I'd love to have your results...

which type of intermittent fasting are you doing? And how many carbs per day or meal?

[ultralite001]

10. I went from 16:8

(16 rest; 8 hr time-restricted eating) to 20:4 to 23:1. My One Meal A Day (OMAD) is currently about 1400 calories.

Check out Dr Panda's book, The Circadian Code...

Dr. Satchin Panda. Salk Institute. Dr Panda explained it well for me, so I enrolled in his study for no cost.

His MyCircadianClock app is posted in the Apple store.

Since I'm retired, all I have is time... The improvements in my tinnitus and nerve pain have been
worth it...

Be well!!!

[Lars39]

11. Thank you so much!

I notice he has The Circadian Diabetes Code, too. Definitely going to check him out.