I always knew I liked sweets a lot, but know I am realizing that I may be a sugar addict.....BUMMER....Not having sugar is the very most difficult aspect of this whole trip for me. I have a very stressful job which consissts of 95% complaints all day with nasty and pissed off people......(Anyone know any companies hiring in Houston? I DESPISE this job. I've only been there for 6 months and have been looking for another job for 3 months)...I am finding I am running to the candy machine when I get stressed or bored at work. I try not to have things at home so there so I don't deal with the craving much at home, just when I am at work with all the many candy machines.

My new trick is to leave my wallet in the car so I don't have any money to buy any. That seems to be working pretty good for me.

I am eating more now that I am feeling better, so I have gained 3 of the 11 pounds I lost. I go see my doctor on the 20th and sure hope I can get a fill.

Any other Dr. Spivak patients get a fill that early? Please let me know. I am doing great so I don't see any readon why I should not get one. What is the usual time for a fill after surgery gang?

Well. It worked out pretty well. The day I saw the psychiatrist, I was sick as a dog with the flu, but we changed the meds. This type of change requires 'coming off' the original drug, which throws you into a sort of 'flu like' symptoms of basically withdrawal. So, luckily, I already had the flu and it wasn't any worse than I was already dealing with. After 3 days of stopping that one, I started a new one called Cymbalta. This is one of the newer drugs, not quite in the same family as the Pamelor, so the results will be an experiment. So far, the swing from one to another hasn't been as bad as some of my past attempts. My mood seems pretty stable. I am having some sleep issues, but they say give it 2-4 weeks before you can really rely on the results, so I'm being patient. I am keeping a journal in the process, so that I can report everything accurately when I return next week for follow-up. We did not discuss the eating disorders counseling yet. I was too sick to stay any longer than I did - which was over 3 hrs. ugh..

I don't know if it's the new drug or not, but I have lost 3 more lbs for some reason since this began and I can definitely say that my appetite has wained. It's also helped in that I take this pill in the morning as opposed to the evening and it is a smaller capsule, so I don't have to have that extra yogurt/jello etc in the evening to take it with. I'm not real sure about the cravings for sweets. Interestingly, I've had some. I even indulged in ice cream when I was so sick with a sore throat and still lost.

I can tell you some things that I AM doing differently, however, which may be contributing.

I have startd a regimen in the morning where I fix up a carnation instant Breakfast with Hood Carb Countdown milk for my breakfast. I also pour an 8oz glass of crystal light which I add 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of Vitamin C to. I have been bringing my tuna salad lunch kit to work and avoiding the cafeteria (and the evil homemade Cookies there), I may have a V8 to boost my lack of veggies, then in the evening, I either bake a chicken breast, baked scrod or crabcakes for dinner and add some veggies or not. I have also been taking a dry bowl of frosted mini shredded wheats to munch on during the day. Interesting thing, this past week or so, I haven't cared so much about the munching. Something's working..