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Sam L. Archer's avatar

The first reaction I had to your brief description of the tonsilectomy was that your thyroid gland

had been damaged. It would fit with the sudden symptoms you described and have endured

from then. I do hope you find the way to healthful weight loss and a gain of your energy and

activity level. Thank you for the joy you bring to your readers; and we, certainly I, want you to

live well and strong for some years more.

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Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, Sam. Luckily my thyroid isn’t the problem. My guess is it was just a mental reaction to the trauma. Everything about the experience was less than optimal…especially at that age. Recovering from the move and planning to get back too editing montages today/tomorrow. Cheers!

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Myles Stinton's avatar

Good for you. You're considering it from every angle. I have friends who think it's the best thing they ever did, and it's a joy to see them so much happier. Whatever you decide, I wish you luck with the outcome.

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Clint Collide's avatar

Much love and light, Myles…to you and your friends. Weight loss can be a tricky adventure. Looking forward to meeting with my doctor in a few weeks to discuss more. Cheers!

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RedWard's avatar

“Fat Jab” is not for everybody! I tried Ozempic for a while, but it made my gut unhappy plus I realized I wasn’t making the real changes, that I needed to make in order to be a healthier weight and thought that supplementing with the jab didn’t make sense.

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Clint Collide's avatar

Good reminder. I’m already working on some lifestyle changes. And don’t see my doc again for almost a month, so fingers crossed I’m well on the way to my health goals by time I meet with her again. Cheers!

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Larry LeBlanc's avatar

Bon Courage again Clint! Best Wishes and one day at a time!

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Clint Collide's avatar

Mucho appreciado, dear Larry!

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sixes's avatar

Thanks Clint and Harrison. 💋💋 I had my tonsils out when I was 5. I still remember the lights and the anesthesia. My closest brother had agoraphobia. He took Prozac and klonopin for many years and died before our mother. 78 IF. Listening to Donna Summer's versions of MacArthur Park over and over. The Ramone's The KKK Took My Baby Away seems appropriate: She went away for the holidays Said she's going to L.A But she never got there She never got there She never got there, they say The KKK took my baby away They took her away Away from me.🏳‍🌈🌈

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Clint Collide's avatar

Wow. I’m sorry to hear about your brother. And having surgery at such an early age. Both sound traumatic. Sending virtual hugs your way, Steve!

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Lee Erickson's avatar

Mounjaro has been a winner for me. It doesn't fix everything, but for me it's been a thumb on the scale (see what I did there?!?) to help me make real progress. BTW, ever since the day I "scolded" you for music track choice back on YouTube I have enjoyed our occasional interaction and I continue to adore what you do. As always, every good wish.

Lee

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Clint Collide's avatar

Thanks, Lee! I'm glad Mounjaro gets your vote. I think a couple of friends are doing it too. As for scolding, I don't remember. Luckily, while I may bite back, my memory is pretty short. I do recognize your name and enjoy hearing from you. Don't be a stranger...chime in anytime!

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Fred's avatar

Clint, bravo to you for taking care of yourself in a wise way! I've been taking Ozempic for a few years, and it has worked for me when I heed my food intake. Avoiding carbs at a doctor's suggestion shed weight fairly effortlessly (once the craving subsides!) with the help of the Ozempic. This was not a magic bullet for me, but it certainly helps and has kept my A1C levels in check.

As your rainbow icon checker, please add one to Colton Haynes.I had not heard of him before your birthday list, but the link to Wiki discusses his coming out several years ago.

Your audience here is in your corner, Clint. Stay on your path, as we need you!

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Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, Fred. I so appreciate your encouragement and experience. And keen eyes. Could've sworn I added a rainbow to Colton. His coming out was quite a story amongst some of my friends. He's a handsome dude, if a little too "reality tv" for my tastes. :-p

Btw, I'll be back to making montages as soon as I get my new office set up. I miss making them!!!

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Norcal Fellow's avatar

"It’ll be for me. My health. My future. My life."

Clint-- You are correct in how you are approaching this decision. I take Ozempic because I am diabetic and my Endocrinologist suggested I take it. I have been using it for almost a year and I have gone from 200 to about 150. It wasn't magic. It was slow at 5 lbs a month. My doctor explained to me that this is drug simulates fullness when eating earlier than normal. It reduces or sometimes eliminate my appetite and some foods no longer appeal to me. It is easy to skip meals if I am not hungry. If I overeat, I become sick to my stomach fast, which is a "great" way to control your intake, so I was eating about half as much to feel full. I was at 36"-38" waist and now a comfortable 32". My doctor is pleased with the results.

Things I did notice. I lost some muscle along the way and felt weaker in tasks I did. I have ramped up more strength through increased weight training. I have wrinkles where I was fluffy. Good part is my hip and back don't hurt. I can handily tie my shoes. I can't eat out in a restaurant, since I don't know when I will feel full and not finish the meal. I order food to go, and then save the leftovers. Most people said nothing to me about my weight loss, but a few brave souls asked me if I was alright. I explained this is under doctor's supervision to address their concern. And I have slowly gone from Large to Medium in my everyday clothes. I still kept the Large just in case, but I hope to never need them.

Since I am diabetic, I take other meds which also contribute and maintain my weight and health. I was able to reduce my insulin intake to a ten percent of where I was at before, which for me was a major cause of weight gain over the years. My previous doctor was not helping me.

Since this is a diabetic drug, I qualified for come insurance coverage, but it still costs me $200 a month for four treatments. Without coverage or on Amazon, it can be a lot more. It may be worth it, but it alone is not the "silver bullet." I heard it called "silver buckshot" meaning it can work if you include it with other serious weight loss healthy habits and give it time.

Ozempic and others, along with Continuous Glucose Monitor like Dexcom, should be made available to more people who may be PRE-diabetic to help learn how to prevent getting diabetes. They are excellent tools, but only with proper knowledge and motivation can they really help. Happy to answer any questions.

Charles

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Clint Collide's avatar

Charles, congrats on improving your health and thank you for sharing your experience. My doctors classify me as "prediabetic" and "morbidly obese," so chances are good I'll end up getting on one of the variations designed for weight loss. Hopefully my insurance will play nice and the copay won't break my budget. But I need something to interrupt my current trajectory. One of the guys I watch on YouTube did one for about three months, just long enough to get him back on the right track. Not sure if my docs will agree to this variation, but my goal is to reduce the number of medications I take long-term. Fingers crossed. And being able to tie my shoes without huffing and puffing. I'm naturally "big-boned" (built like a refrigerator, so my brain likes to eat everything in an actual fridge lol) and I think my goals are realistic. You've give me more to consider...thanks again!

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DougT's avatar

Danged Clint, your story/journey will resonate with so many others. Now me, I was always what we refer to in 🇫🇴🇬🇧 as fit as a butchers dog, different times, post war rations/deprivation ment we walked, cycled, did paper rounds, in general we were out morning to dusk, the fat never had chance to take a grip. Into adulthood my weight stayed steady, and so it remained all through my sports stages, Y club activities (including the at the time nude swimming/saunas/steam 😲) and car ownership times. It's mostly thanks to age and a back injury that has slowed me down, weight gain, inactivity. I accept it and mostly accept the changes and learned to cope with it all. I let my GP and medical practice monitor my progress. Docs wanted me on Statin meds, tried them but the advantages fell below my needs/expectations so I stopped them. Overall, I'm in good shape, but wouldn't be able to run another marathon or hang out with the Dudes lifting weights any longer, I still live life and don't seek 'pity' it's just old age and mobility, now if someone on the transit system offers me a seat, I bloody take it 😎 and it's all part of life's rich tapestry. Well Clint I hope you find my musing of help. Cheers DougT 🇫🇴🇬🇧

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Clint Collide's avatar

Fit as a butcher's dog?! I love UK sayings and that one's new to me. While I don't envy the rations and hard living years, I do wish my parents had remained active as they had been when they were younger and passed those lessons on to me. But this city kid was brought up to be allergic to most outdoor activities and focused on brain power over muscle power. Alas, I might be an older dog, but one who's determined to learn some new tricks. And hump a few too. :-p Cheers and you're always welcome to muse away, my friend.

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Doug Thompson's avatar

✅ now a butchers dog chasing the hot dog sausages 🐕🌭🌭 😎, ya see what I did there 😝

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Clint Collide's avatar

Are you sure you’re chasing hot dog sausages? Mmmmm…no comment. :-p

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Doug Thompson's avatar

😲

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