Mounjaro, Weight, Scales, Type One DM: Pump & Decom G7, My Journey

TW: ***SA, Child Abuse***

I'm a type 1 diabetic on Dexcom G7 & Tandem t:slim X2 Control-IQ+. I'm doing extremely well. I started at 332, am down to 298, and am continuing to improve. I feel better, and my pain has decreased. I have gotten off four medications. I'm on a ton of medications. I'm severely and chronically ill and use a wheelchair. I have had arthritis all over since I was a kid, and it makes exercise harder to get psyched up for because of the pain. I'm a chronic pain patient, and that will never go away.

I mainly wanted to talk with other type 1 diabetics who are doing well and give hope to those who are seeking it. I'm disabled due to PTSD originally, and a bad lower back from a work injury and two low-speed car accidents where the rear quarter panel was hit. (People changing lanes not paying attention.)

one of the biggest things more than the weight, is mental health. my face is most obvious, but I carry my weight in my stomach. I'm a dude. Getting your head together is as important as losing the weight. If you can afford it, get into the support group for your trauma (even if only online - there's tons of free ones and ones with amenity if that's your thing.

The one I go to regularly is for male SA survivors. I was drugged and raped, given HIV at 25. I was also molested as a kid by a doctor. I was verbally abused by my dad for my entire childhood. As an adult, I went NC for 15 years. Figuring out I ate to hide, I ate to cope was huge. Not only did it make sense, (I'm introspective and analytical), I know I don't have a reason to be afraid anymore. I'm safe.

I tried EMDR and that fucked me up and made my trauma worse; I don't discount it though because it has helped thousands or more the world over. For y'all who can't do it or don't want to because it feels too scary, know this. We know how talk therapy can be even more effective than credit was given for its efficacy. What I did aside from years of that, was trauma therapy with a PhD level provider who was LGBTQIA affirming. Part of what was hard between my dad and I was I was out as a kid and relatively content.

He couldn't stand that he felt he had to be in the closet and felt trapped. his prison was his own mind and emotions. His anger was directed at me for no óther reasons than his own fucked family trauma, his emotions and his own mind. Stop the cycle, it stops with you. What therapy really clicked aside from getting a very capable, compassionate and educated person, was journaling therapy aka W.E.T. therapy. Writing Exposure Therapy.

It's essentially the same model as EMDR, but writing under the guidance of an educated therapist. Some was in office, some was at home was how I did it. On its own, it helped me to start to get my eating under control, by dealing with the root cause. It's a critical part of the weight loss journey. Everyone has reasons. It's rarely one thing. We also know for a lot of us, it's genetic.

My HIV/PCP/diabetes doc is all one person. I'm very lucky. I'm on Medicare and Medicaid, but Medicaid pays their part, because Medicare pays the 80%. My qualifiers were drug-induced obesity (Rx), central and obstructive sleep apnea (either or both count with Medicare), morbid obesity. She said I had at least 3 and any one of those counted. I have traditional Medicare. I am not a fan of advantage plans. I'm not affiliated with anyone or any business.

I just want y'all who are looking into it, to know it's possible even with type 1. A pump and MDI PLUS a CGM I recommend because of safety. You ALWAYS know what your sugar is. I have my regular profile on my pump, and a Mounjaro one for the first 3 days after a shot. So I switch to that on Thursday morning when I do my shot, and back to regular profile Sunday night. It's about 18% lower than my normal profile for basal rates throughout the day.

AI will show you the math to reduce by 15 to 20% so you can check it to make sure it's accurate; that's the amount a lot of us need to adjust for those who do. It was at 5 mg when I had to. 2.5 mg I didn't. Talk to your doctor BEFORE you start with a plan to adjust the first 2 to 3 days if you're type 1 diabetic. Have glucagon filled and available. I'm team Basquimi for glucagon, no shot. Easier for someone else to do if needed. The risk of hypoglycemia is high, and sugars can be unpredictable for that first 48 hours is what my experience has been.

In closing, keep the hope. Know it gets better, but you have to put in work. GLP1's aren't a shortcut, it's not cheating; it's a tool. With the help of the doctor, you can get it sorted. Don't be shy to ask for copay assistance or discounts. Ask your doctor, ask your pharmacist and options like GoodRx or a Costco. AI is a great tool, know it can be wrong, but used properly it can be wonderful. Run whatever by your doctor.

If anyone has questions let me know.