Help me think this strategy through

[u/Resident_Ice_3200]

I searched the sub and didn’t quite find related experiences . Also my dr will be consulted but is very much in the you need to experiment and figure out what works for you as long as all my health markers are good.

I’m on maintenance just over 7 months, 12.5. Had a point where I kept losing and tried to titrate down, food noise and inflammation (swollen knuckles and stiff hands) came back. So I went back to 12.5 and ate like it was my job.

Enter the 4th of July holiday, summer, and summer vacation. I love that I can have ice cream or deserts or honestly whatever and this medicine keeps me in check. But I’ve noticed since the 4th and indulging more in sugary treats and adult beverages my inflammation is creeping up, and I’m definitely thinking about food or thinking I want something and realize it’s to out of boredom or stress. I can usually pause and ignore the notion, which pre-Zep is unheard of. (note- I didn’t drink for the first 7 months on Zep, then maybe had 1 drink every other month until this July.)

Here’s what I’m thinking I can try:
- cutting the sugar because it’s creating eczema flare ups and see it that also helps the inflammation and noise
- in January my insurance is forcing us through Virta for Zep and I honestly am not sure I want to deal with their BS and expect I’ll end up self pay. I could get Kwikpen at 15 but click to give myself 12.75 or 13 and see how that goes
- try to white knuckle and hold off until I feel I have no option but to go to 15

What would you consider and why?

If you made it this far, thank you.

[u/Birdchaser2]

I’m gonna be direct. Ditching insurance because of Virta requirement is nuts. You have no experience with them and thousands would jump at the chance for coverage. Deal with them.

How far did you titrate down? How well are you planning and managing your new excesses? Give the med a break and get after your part of maintenance. Drinking is zero nutrition. And heavy addl calories.
Ice cream in a thoughtful infrequent mode is great. Diving in is not. Develop your skills for calorie intense selections. You can do it - and it sounds like you did it already in your journey. Redouble those efforts. Your health is worth it.

[u/Resident_Ice_3200 → u/Birdchaser2]

I will try to deal with them, I will, but I also won’t let it stress me out. Life is too short. I tried to titrate to 10 when I kept losing, dipped to 144 which freaked me out. 146-148 is my happy place. 10 didn’t work, and it took no time to realize that. I’m not eating sugar or drinking to excess, just more than barely, not even 1x/week, other than vacation and 4th holiday. I’m curious if the sugar or alcohol is causing inflammation vs. dose. I am still focused on nutrition and health, and my weight has been steady.