Viruses / Vaccines 2

RunIntoTheRain

brianlux said:

I have a compromised immune system but also had a terrible reaction to the last vaccine- as in, three days of hell.  So now it's booster season again and I have to choose risking getting covid (no vaccine) or likely having another three days of hell (get vaccine).

Somebody please just take me out to pasture and shoot me!

Get the Novavax booster. I got it last year and the only side effect was nausea for about 30 mins

mrussel1

curmudgeoness said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

curmudgeoness said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

done. latest available. stuck with pfizer.  have  received every booster.

have addressable co-morbidities which are being worked on.

drive a truck. random pit stops at truck stops/rest areas .  brief exposure to co-workers from multiple states.

tested positive once in 21(?), incredibly mild case where as others in the house were far worse on j&j vax.

flu shot at same time, different arm. same soreness in each. headache as a side e$ect.

I always get the flu shot, so might as well get the booster while I'm there.  But I'm always concerned about getting it too early, and it wearing off if there is a late season flu.

doc suggested to me as soon as available.....

I think it depends on whether or not you're high risk. For most people, October-November is the best time to get the flu shot; if you have other issues that put you at risk, and it sounds like you do, then getting it asap is recommended. As always, I'm not a doctor; I live with someone who has a sh!t-ton of pandemic/flu management experience.

overweight, blood pressure, apnea. went as far as dec for both before.

and regular flu shots didnt begin until 2021 for me. had a bad experience in boot camp in 1988 and hadnt had one since until getting slammed jan 2020 with whatever that shit was going around then just as pandemic was revealing itself overseas....

Ozempic...  

I hope you're kidding. 

If someone has weight issue and causing co-morbidities?  Not kidding  I haven't used it but I know plenty of people using that or similar and it definitely works for them.  

My husband was told that if you're not diabetic, it costs something like $1200/month.

There are other ones besides that one, but I'm sure it is expensive.  But how much is your health worth?  Certainly if you are capable of diet and exercise to lose your weight, that's the better option.  But for many, especially as they age, that's a tough one.  

I did see something the other day that for the first time in over a decade, obesity rates actually went down.  THANK YOU PRESIDENT BIDEN! 


https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obesity-rate-us-adults-cdc-data-map/#:~:text=Now the CDC estimates that,virtually every year since 2011. 

mickeyrat

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

curmudgeoness said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

done. latest available. stuck with pfizer.  have  received every booster.

have addressable co-morbidities which are being worked on.

drive a truck. random pit stops at truck stops/rest areas .  brief exposure to co-workers from multiple states.

tested positive once in 21(?), incredibly mild case where as others in the house were far worse on j&j vax.

flu shot at same time, different arm. same soreness in each. headache as a side e$ect.

I always get the flu shot, so might as well get the booster while I'm there.  But I'm always concerned about getting it too early, and it wearing off if there is a late season flu.

doc suggested to me as soon as available.....

I think it depends on whether or not you're high risk. For most people, October-November is the best time to get the flu shot; if you have other issues that put you at risk, and it sounds like you do, then getting it asap is recommended. As always, I'm not a doctor; I live with someone who has a sh!t-ton of pandemic/flu management experience.

overweight, blood pressure, apnea. went as far as dec for both before.

and regular flu shots didnt begin until 2021 for me. had a bad experience in boot camp in 1988 and hadnt had one since until getting slammed jan 2020 with whatever that shit was going around then just as pandemic was revealing itself overseas....

Ozempic...  

doing a compounded wegovy thats far cheaper per month...

wife is more disciplined than I and seeing greater success. 

this wasnt a decision taken lightly. cost was a factor to be sure. nature of my schedule is a big hurdle. spoke with my doc and this was one of the options. at my heaviest I was considered pre-diabetic with family history too boot. did see a net 20 lb loss with noom app (I recommend this as well) but stalled. my hope is once the knee is replaced and healed I can engage in a more extensive exercise routine and that the 3 months off with pt and home stuff will jump start me to get further along to my goal.

anyone considering ozempic/wegovy or the like,  ask your doc about prescribing a compounded version.

my knee....

tempo_n_groove

curmudgeoness said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

curmudgeoness said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

done. latest available. stuck with pfizer.  have  received every booster.

have addressable co-morbidities which are being worked on.

drive a truck. random pit stops at truck stops/rest areas .  brief exposure to co-workers from multiple states.

tested positive once in 21(?), incredibly mild case where as others in the house were far worse on j&j vax.

flu shot at same time, different arm. same soreness in each. headache as a side e$ect.

I always get the flu shot, so might as well get the booster while I'm there.  But I'm always concerned about getting it too early, and it wearing off if there is a late season flu.

doc suggested to me as soon as available.....

I think it depends on whether or not you're high risk. For most people, October-November is the best time to get the flu shot; if you have other issues that put you at risk, and it sounds like you do, then getting it asap is recommended. As always, I'm not a doctor; I live with someone who has a sh!t-ton of pandemic/flu management experience.

overweight, blood pressure, apnea. went as far as dec for both before.

and regular flu shots didnt begin until 2021 for me. had a bad experience in boot camp in 1988 and hadnt had one since until getting slammed jan 2020 with whatever that shit was going around then just as pandemic was revealing itself overseas....

Ozempic...  

I hope you're kidding. 

If someone has weight issue and causing co-morbidities?  Not kidding  I haven't used it but I know plenty of people using that or similar and it definitely works for them.  

My husband was told that if you're not diabetic, it costs something like $1200/month.

Yes.  My Ins won't cover Ozempic, I asked.  I'm a big dude, not lethargic, just big.  I want to lose some weight and i can't get that.

So.  My ins would rather me be heavy and have other things possibly go wrong than right that ship.

OOOOkkkkkkk.

brianlux

RunIntoTheRain said:

brianlux said:

I have a compromised immune system but also had a terrible reaction to the last vaccine- as in, three days of hell.  So now it's booster season again and I have to choose risking getting covid (no vaccine) or likely having another three days of hell (get vaccine).

Somebody please just take me out to pasture and shoot me!

Get the Novavax booster. I got it last year and the only side effect was nausea for about 30 mins

I'll look into it, thanks.  I've always gone with Moderna.  Not sure if I can get Novavx, but I'll look into it.

Bentleyspop

curmudgeoness said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

curmudgeoness said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

done. latest available. stuck with pfizer.  have  received every booster.

have addressable co-morbidities which are being worked on.

drive a truck. random pit stops at truck stops/rest areas .  brief exposure to co-workers from multiple states.

tested positive once in 21(?), incredibly mild case where as others in the house were far worse on j&j vax.

flu shot at same time, different arm. same soreness in each. headache as a side e$ect.

I always get the flu shot, so might as well get the booster while I'm there.  But I'm always concerned about getting it too early, and it wearing off if there is a late season flu.

doc suggested to me as soon as available.....

I think it depends on whether or not you're high risk. For most people, October-November is the best time to get the flu shot; if you have other issues that put you at risk, and it sounds like you do, then getting it asap is recommended. As always, I'm not a doctor; I live with someone who has a sh!t-ton of pandemic/flu management experience.

overweight, blood pressure, apnea. went as far as dec for both before.

and regular flu shots didnt begin until 2021 for me. had a bad experience in boot camp in 1988 and hadnt had one since until getting slammed jan 2020 with whatever that shit was going around then just as pandemic was revealing itself overseas....

Ozempic...  

I hope you're kidding. 

If someone has weight issue and causing co-morbidities?  Not kidding  I haven't used it but I know plenty of people using that or similar and it definitely works for them.  

My husband was told that if you're not diabetic, it costs something like $1200/month.

In the UK that same script is $95

HughFreakingDillon

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

well, it's not even a weight loss drug. but it's being prescribed as such. it's for type 2 diabetes. 

thyroid disease
cancer
intestinal obstruction

Look, my brother is high up in a pharmaceutical company, QA specifically, and deals with the FDA all the time. Let's just say not all FDA decisions are made in accordance with what the research says. 

ARe you saying the incidences of these are significant, or is it like any other med that has side effects for a small %.  Again, medicine is a tradeoff.  Is someone like Mick at a greater risk of a heart attack or type II due to his weight, or a greater risk for those three issues if he uses the drug, loses the weight?  Which is a more likely outcome for him?  Those are the questions people need to ask themselves, not whether there are side effects.  

those are just the ones the public currently knows about. My larger point was no, I don't fully trust the FDA. there is so much poisonous shit they have allowed over the years, and beneficial stuff they have held back. 

mickeyrat

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

well, it's not even a weight loss drug. but it's being prescribed as such. it's for type 2 diabetes. 

thyroid disease
cancer
intestinal obstruction

Look, my brother is high up in a pharmaceutical company, QA specifically, and deals with the FDA all the time. Let's just say not all FDA decisions are made in accordance with what the research says. 

ARe you saying the incidences of these are significant, or is it like any other med that has side effects for a small %.  Again, medicine is a tradeoff.  Is someone like Mick at a greater risk of a heart attack or type II due to his weight, or a greater risk for those three issues if he uses the drug, loses the weight?  Which is a more likely outcome for him?  Those are the questions people need to ask themselves, not whether there are side effects.  

those are just the ones the public currently knows about. My larger point was no, I don't fully trust the FDA. there is so much poisonous shit they have allowed over the years, and beneficial stuff they have held back. 

Being canadian, to what degree does FDA decision making affect you and or Canadian policy as a whole in regards to drugs or what gets approved or not. Given the differences in Healthcare Systems I might assume Canada's policies are more driven by what Europe does than the US?

BF25394

brianlux said:

RunIntoTheRain said:

brianlux said:

I have a compromised immune system but also had a terrible reaction to the last vaccine- as in, three days of hell.  So now it's booster season again and I have to choose risking getting covid (no vaccine) or likely having another three days of hell (get vaccine).

Somebody please just take me out to pasture and shoot me!

Get the Novavax booster. I got it last year and the only side effect was nausea for about 30 mins

I'll look into it, thanks.  I've always gone with Moderna.  Not sure if I can get Novavx, but I'll look into it.

Pfizer every time for me, and absolutely no side effects other than mild soreness at the injection site. This year, I got the flu and COVID boosters at the same time in the same arm. Still just mild soreness at the injection site.

EDIT: Changed "are" to "arm."

brianlux

BF25394 said:

brianlux said:

RunIntoTheRain said:

brianlux said:

I have a compromised immune system but also had a terrible reaction to the last vaccine- as in, three days of hell.  So now it's booster season again and I have to choose risking getting covid (no vaccine) or likely having another three days of hell (get vaccine).

Somebody please just take me out to pasture and shoot me!

Get the Novavax booster. I got it last year and the only side effect was nausea for about 30 mins

I'll look into it, thanks.  I've always gone with Moderna.  Not sure if I can get Novavx, but I'll look into it.

Pfizer every time for me, and absolutely no side effects other than mild soreness at the injection site. This year, I got the flu and COVID boosters at the same time in the same are. Still just mild soreness at the injection site.

Sounds good.  The pharmacy in town where I've gotten the Moderna now only does Pfizer.  I'm going to go in probably October 10th.  Probably will get the flu shot before then.  Hoping I get through it all OK.  We'll see.

curmudgeoness

mrussel1 said:

curmudgeoness said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

curmudgeoness said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

done. latest available. stuck with pfizer.  have  received every booster.

have addressable co-morbidities which are being worked on.

drive a truck. random pit stops at truck stops/rest areas .  brief exposure to co-workers from multiple states.

tested positive once in 21(?), incredibly mild case where as others in the house were far worse on j&j vax.

flu shot at same time, different arm. same soreness in each. headache as a side e$ect.

I always get the flu shot, so might as well get the booster while I'm there.  But I'm always concerned about getting it too early, and it wearing off if there is a late season flu.

doc suggested to me as soon as available.....

I think it depends on whether or not you're high risk. For most people, October-November is the best time to get the flu shot; if you have other issues that put you at risk, and it sounds like you do, then getting it asap is recommended. As always, I'm not a doctor; I live with someone who has a sh!t-ton of pandemic/flu management experience.

overweight, blood pressure, apnea. went as far as dec for both before.

and regular flu shots didnt begin until 2021 for me. had a bad experience in boot camp in 1988 and hadnt had one since until getting slammed jan 2020 with whatever that shit was going around then just as pandemic was revealing itself overseas....

Ozempic...  

I hope you're kidding. 

If someone has weight issue and causing co-morbidities?  Not kidding  I haven't used it but I know plenty of people using that or similar and it definitely works for them.  

My husband was told that if you're not diabetic, it costs something like $1200/month.

There are other ones besides that one, but I'm sure it is expensive.  But how much is your health worth?  Certainly if you are capable of diet and exercise to lose your weight, that's the better option.  But for many, especially as they age, that's a tough one.  

I did see something the other day that for the first time in over a decade, obesity rates actually went down.  THANK YOU PRESIDENT BIDEN! 


https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obesity-rate-us-adults-cdc-data-map/#:~:text=Now the CDC estimates that,virtually every year since 2011. 

I mentioned that to him. I mean, we spent three months in a hotel room to get cancer treatment for me in a health network we trusted, so, yeah, health is a priority for us. He said he really just needs to have better discipline. Then he ate a pepperoni pizza last night at Ohana 🤦 so I won’t be dropping the subject.

With regard to HFD’s comments about the FDA, I would have to disagree — that’s not how the FDA works. They weigh the benefits of the drug against the potential risks and side effects when making their decisions. Source: someone who also is very (C-suite) high up in healthcare and has many years of experience with dealing with the FDA and their audits and ways of doing things.

mickeyrat

curmudgeoness said:

mrussel1 said:

curmudgeoness said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

curmudgeoness said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

done. latest available. stuck with pfizer.  have  received every booster.

have addressable co-morbidities which are being worked on.

drive a truck. random pit stops at truck stops/rest areas .  brief exposure to co-workers from multiple states.

tested positive once in 21(?), incredibly mild case where as others in the house were far worse on j&j vax.

flu shot at same time, different arm. same soreness in each. headache as a side e$ect.

I always get the flu shot, so might as well get the booster while I'm there.  But I'm always concerned about getting it too early, and it wearing off if there is a late season flu.

doc suggested to me as soon as available.....

I think it depends on whether or not you're high risk. For most people, October-November is the best time to get the flu shot; if you have other issues that put you at risk, and it sounds like you do, then getting it asap is recommended. As always, I'm not a doctor; I live with someone who has a sh!t-ton of pandemic/flu management experience.

overweight, blood pressure, apnea. went as far as dec for both before.

and regular flu shots didnt begin until 2021 for me. had a bad experience in boot camp in 1988 and hadnt had one since until getting slammed jan 2020 with whatever that shit was going around then just as pandemic was revealing itself overseas....

Ozempic...  

I hope you're kidding. 

If someone has weight issue and causing co-morbidities?  Not kidding  I haven't used it but I know plenty of people using that or similar and it definitely works for them.  

My husband was told that if you're not diabetic, it costs something like $1200/month.

There are other ones besides that one, but I'm sure it is expensive.  But how much is your health worth?  Certainly if you are capable of diet and exercise to lose your weight, that's the better option.  But for many, especially as they age, that's a tough one.  

I did see something the other day that for the first time in over a decade, obesity rates actually went down.  THANK YOU PRESIDENT BIDEN! 


https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obesity-rate-us-adults-cdc-data-map/#:~:text=Now the CDC estimates that,virtually every year since 2011. 

I mentioned that to him. I mean, we spent three months in a hotel room to get cancer treatment for me in a health network we trusted, so, yeah, health is a priority for us. He said he really just needs to have better discipline. Then he ate a pepperoni pizza last night at Ohana 🤦 so I won’t be dropping the subject.

With regard to HFD’s comments about the FDA, I would have to disagree — that’s not how the FDA works. They weigh the benefits of the drug against the potential risks and side effects when making their decisions. Source: someone who also is very (C-suite) high up in healthcare and has many years of experience with dealing with the FDA and their audits and ways of doing things.

look into compounded versions of ozempic or wegovy through your doc?  online places too.

HughFreakingDillon

This is the stuff I’m talking about with the FDA. I know it’s an instagram video, but this stuff is everywhere: 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAWIHhouNqf/?igsh=NTM0aHI1cXRjeno5

FiveBelow

Being skeptical of the FDA should be common practice, given the overall health of the US compared to most other developed countries. The good thing is, they probably have an approved drug to counter the skepticism if you're interested.

Gern Blansten

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

curmudgeoness said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

done. latest available. stuck with pfizer.  have  received every booster.

have addressable co-morbidities which are being worked on.

drive a truck. random pit stops at truck stops/rest areas .  brief exposure to co-workers from multiple states.

tested positive once in 21(?), incredibly mild case where as others in the house were far worse on j&j vax.

flu shot at same time, different arm. same soreness in each. headache as a side e$ect.

I always get the flu shot, so might as well get the booster while I'm there.  But I'm always concerned about getting it too early, and it wearing off if there is a late season flu.

doc suggested to me as soon as available.....

I think it depends on whether or not you're high risk. For most people, October-November is the best time to get the flu shot; if you have other issues that put you at risk, and it sounds like you do, then getting it asap is recommended. As always, I'm not a doctor; I live with someone who has a sh!t-ton of pandemic/flu management experience.

overweight, blood pressure, apnea. went as far as dec for both before.

and regular flu shots didnt begin until 2021 for me. had a bad experience in boot camp in 1988 and hadnt had one since until getting slammed jan 2020 with whatever that shit was going around then just as pandemic was revealing itself overseas....

Ozempic...  

I hope you're kidding. 

If someone has weight issue and causing co-morbidities?  Not kidding  I haven't used it but I know plenty of people using that or similar and it definitely works for them.  

it can, but the shit I've read that's coming out about it and what it's causing...no thanks. And I'm a fatty desperate to lose weight. And I will NOT do it. 

try Zepbound....I highly recommend it

I've lost 35 lbs and have cut back on my bp meds already. No real side effects other than I can't drink much beer anymore lol

Gern Blansten

tempo_n_groove said:

curmudgeoness said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

curmudgeoness said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

done. latest available. stuck with pfizer.  have  received every booster.

have addressable co-morbidities which are being worked on.

drive a truck. random pit stops at truck stops/rest areas .  brief exposure to co-workers from multiple states.

tested positive once in 21(?), incredibly mild case where as others in the house were far worse on j&j vax.

flu shot at same time, different arm. same soreness in each. headache as a side e$ect.

I always get the flu shot, so might as well get the booster while I'm there.  But I'm always concerned about getting it too early, and it wearing off if there is a late season flu.

doc suggested to me as soon as available.....

I think it depends on whether or not you're high risk. For most people, October-November is the best time to get the flu shot; if you have other issues that put you at risk, and it sounds like you do, then getting it asap is recommended. As always, I'm not a doctor; I live with someone who has a sh!t-ton of pandemic/flu management experience.

overweight, blood pressure, apnea. went as far as dec for both before.

and regular flu shots didnt begin until 2021 for me. had a bad experience in boot camp in 1988 and hadnt had one since until getting slammed jan 2020 with whatever that shit was going around then just as pandemic was revealing itself overseas....

Ozempic...  

I hope you're kidding. 

If someone has weight issue and causing co-morbidities?  Not kidding  I haven't used it but I know plenty of people using that or similar and it definitely works for them.  

My husband was told that if you're not diabetic, it costs something like $1200/month.

Yes.  My Ins won't cover Ozempic, I asked.  I'm a big dude, not lethargic, just big.  I want to lose some weight and i can't get that.

So.  My ins would rather me be heavy and have other things possibly go wrong than right that ship.

OOOOkkkkkkk.

I honestly don't understand it either. Maybe insurance companies will come around at some point.

I do pay $550/month for zepbound (go to Lilly website for it) but it's worth it to me. I look at it like my non-existent car payment.

My doctor told me about compounding options but the pharmacy I talked to really wasn't much cheaper surprisingly. Plus...you have to use a regular syringe and vial to inject yourself rather than the self injectors which are unbelievably easy. 

OnWis97

I'm no expert but I think losing weight through lifestyle is preferred to taking something like Ozempic. But maybe as a last resort...

Anyway, anecdote time regarding the current vaccines:

About 10 days before a nine-day vacation, I got the updated vax. My wife did not. We go on vacation and upon arrival home, I feel like I have a cold or maybe strep (I'd home-tested negative on the trip) and I test positive (with a faint "positive" line). My wife never got it (at least so far; I'm still positive).

• Me: Vaxxed and outrageously mild covid bout. It's my second time and last time was much worse including missing a whole day.
• Wife: Unvaxxed and not sick.

Our theories:

• Covid being random like it always is?
• Wife had it first with no symptoms and gave it to me?
• While the vax has kept my symptoms down, the reason I caught it and she didn't is because of our current vax status? Covid is a disease of the vaccinated?*
• Wife will still get it? (First time, she brought it home and it took me like four days to show symptoms; we're on day 5 at home...)

*That's my theory, which prompts her to say "get the fuck off Twitter."

njhaley1

OnWis97 said:

I'm no expert but I think losing weight through lifestyle is preferred to taking something like Ozempic. But maybe as a last resort...

Anyway, anecdote time regarding the current vaccines:

About 10 days before a nine-day vacation, I got the updated vax. My wife did not. We go on vacation and upon arrival home, I feel like I have a cold or maybe strep (I'd home-tested negative on the trip) and I test positive (with a faint "positive" line). My wife never got it (at least so far; I'm still positive).

• Me: Vaxxed and outrageously mild covid bout. It's my second time and last time was much worse including missing a whole day.
• Wife: Unvaxxed and not sick.

Our theories:

• Covid being random like it always is?
• Wife had it first with no symptoms and gave it to me?
• While the vax has kept my symptoms down, the reason I caught it and she didn't is because of our current vax status? Covid is a disease of the vaccinated?*
• Wife will still get it? (First time, she brought it home and it took me like four days to show symptoms; we're on day 5 at home...)

*That's my theory, which prompts her to say "get the fuck off Twitter."

Bolded is my theory.  She had it recently and symptoms weren't severe enough to test.  She either gave it to you or was infected long enough ago to still have high level defense.  Incubation period has been really short - like a couple of days, so I would guess she's in the clear.

Similar thing happened in our family - after the Seattle shows my kid and I were traveling.  I had a scratchy throat and mild aches, but we were traveling and I didn't think much of it other than it could be Covid.  Couldn't test because we were on the road. 

Two months later my wife gets sick after taking the kids to an indoor playground.  My mom got sick the next day, wife's parents got sick a couple days later.  All screaming positive - first time in our family, honestly, in part because we've followed common sense preventative practices.  I never got sick, my daughter never got sick despite being all up in my wife's business taking care of her.  

Alternatively, she just has a better immune system than you.  Just as plausible - for various immunological reasons the disease hits certain people harder even with otherwise similar backgrounds (age, health status, etc.).  

I'm a clinical virologist so would be happy to point you to primary literature if you'd like. The common sense practices are things I've learned from my profession.   

Gern Blansten

OnWis97 said:

I'm no expert but I think losing weight through lifestyle is preferred to taking something like Ozempic. But maybe as a last resort...

completely agree....I looked at it as a last resort for me. I don't have the discipline. I'm hoping this "do-over" allows me to make exercise and diet more important. The last thing I want to do is gain that back.

njhaley1

Gern Blansten said:

OnWis97 said:

I'm no expert but I think losing weight through lifestyle is preferred to taking something like Ozempic. But maybe as a last resort...

completely agree....I looked at it as a last resort for me. I don't have the discipline. I'm hoping this "do-over" allows me to make exercise and diet more important. The last thing I want to do is gain that back.

I'm glad to see the BP effects.  I've been trying to manage mine via exercise but it's just not cutting it.  I'll give it another 6mos, but after that might consider a little assistance.  I think insurance companies will eventually recognize the currently off-label benefits and consider covering it for overall general health.  

But man, we have to start early with the kids to teach them about an active lifestyle.  That's really hard to do when it's 110 degrees here the first week of October.  Oh well, at least we'll have beachfront property soon.