Well, it’s officially autumn, and you know what that mean, loyal reader…winter depression is a few small months away. I’m headed to the doctor this morning to do med adjustments, as well as check if I have a gluten allergy, and ask for advice on getting my deviated septum fixed. I’m also going to let them weigh me, which I usually don’t because I want praise from my APRN on the weight loss (25ish sustainable pounds this year). He better have gluten free cookies that I can eat while mouth breathing, am I right?

1. Med adjustments: Honestly, I considered doing this on my own. It’s usually a small boost in my antidepressant, and a little cut-down of my antipsychotic. That’s a bad attitude, don’t change meds without guidance, please. Nary ye be so foolish. With my independent streak and wildly overestimated knowledge of how these meds work, I feel quite often that I could manage this on my own…and yet that’s reckless and I know better. (You know better, Future Jady, reading this back to yourself next year around the same time. You really do.) Also, I took on meds for ADHD this summer, and I honestly have no idea how those get adjusted for winter. So I’m going to my handsome APRN…honestly, so cute, talking with him about digestive issues sucks…to ask questions, get advice, and work things out for the inevitable winter doldrums. C’est la vie.
2. Gluten Allergy: I am sick of my stomach committing the digestive equivalent of war crimes on my tummy and guts every time I eat noodles or bread, and frankly I just need confirmation that I cannot, should not do that anymore. It’s deeply, deeply uncomfortable. But, it took quite a while to even bring this up to my VERY CUTE provider (his brother also works in the practice and is likewise adorable, and telling them about this whole thing suuuucks.) Still, it’s worth not..you know…doing what people with gluten allergies end up doing when they eat improper foods. God dammit, I will really miss bread and noodles. No, replacements are not the same. stop lying to yourself and the world.
3. Deviated Septum: The hits just keep on coming. I have a significant hole in my septum. I was told, about two years ago, when a covid tested struck pure brain matter (ok, maybe not exactly, but sure felt that way) and made me cry during a covid test, that this was the case. I’ve avoided having this checked out, confirmed, and fixed. Not only because I’m deeply embarrassed about how it happened (maybe existed before but certainly exacerbated by my addiction), but because this would potentially be my 14th surgery, and I was so contented with lucky 13. But, once again, BE YE NARY SO FOOLISH, my dears. It’s probably making my sleep apnea happen/worse, it makes it tricky to blow my nose, and every year I get at least one sinus infection/miserable congestion that simply will not go away. I’ve also heard that you could get two black eyes following the surgery, and obviously I want to rock that hot panda look.

So….a visit to the doctor’s office is in order. It’s certainly not my favorite trip, but it’s not as if this doesn’t happen every 3-6 months. My diagnoses are not to be trifled with, and require care. If not now, it’ll be after I start feeling as if the world is closing down, darkening, shutting me out into the shadows, and I’m pretty sure we hate hearing about that whole drama every holiday season. I can make better decisions with my eating habits, however much they may suck. I might even snore less, breathe better, and feel more confident in my body. It’s worthwhile, go figure. I loathe the trip, but I hate the consequences of avoiding it even more so.

Putting on a casually flattering and slightly unnecessarily outfit and heading out. Wish me all the luck, and remember the important take-away from this very belated post…My practitioner is dreamy and he hears all about my poop. Sigh.