We, those who have gone before you, can offer up things that have worked for us, but until you start you will not know what you need.
What I’ve needed has changed over the six months I’ve taken this medication.
To start I needed daily gaviscon to combat significant acid. I needed protein shakes to be able to consume enough calories and protein. I needed plain food. I needed two days off work because of nausea and fatigue.
Then for months I happily rolled along with minimal side effects.
More recently I’ve needed a daily fibre supplements to help with mild but persistent constipation (psyllium husk at breakfast, game changing).
I tried electrolytes early on but hoping they’d help with nausea and fatigue. I got swollen fingers and felt no better (see, so personal).
I’ve needed a good haircut and to hold my nerve that my hair would start to grow back (it is starting to, I have not enjoyed the crazy shedding).
My tips. Start. Be kind to yourself. Hopefully you’re one of the lucky folk who get no side effects. If you’d not so lucky tackle each thing as it comes.
Gaviscon for acid. A laxative that works for you for constipation. Imodium for diarrhoea (I’ve found occasion bouts are directly tied to rich food and stop almost straight away without medication). Early nights and enough food for fatigue.
Do not spend time or stress finding a perfect supplement - they’re all pretty much nonsense.
Track calories if that works for you (I did) and definitely don’t if it doesn’t.
Perhaps have a breakfast lunch and dinner or two in mind / the fridge / the freezer / the cupboard.
Do not be surprised if you go off food completely for a while. Make sure you eat. Keep it clean whilst you’re without the food noise (you may as well)
Food noise will come back. It’s okay. It’ll probably be different. Or you will.
The feeling of suppression is different to the absence of food noise. For me it’s waned over the months and I now rarely have it. It was super helpful in the beginning. I do not miss it. Some people chase it.
Some will tell you to go up the doses each month. Some will say stay on as low a dose as possible for as long as possible. I’ve gone up when it felt right. It’s worked for me.
Please exercise. I’m not how you’re moving your body at the moment. If you have a good routine stick to it and about six weeks in assess if there is anything you can add. If you are adding: add weights. If you are a woman of a certain age, I insist: add weights. If you’re not in a good place with exercise walking is your friend. Start where you are and gently, see how you can stretch what you do - five mins longer, add a hill. I walk an hour a day every day I can and love it.
Protein. Yeah. It is important. But don’t fetishise it. Add some every meal. An aim of 0.8g per kilo you weigh a day is a good starting point. But if your currently heavier and that adds up to more than you can manage without sacrificing everything else eat less.
Well, that turned into an essay. I hope some of it is helpful. Good luck. I hope in six months you’re typing an essay to hopefully help someone else.