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genderqueerdykes · 1 year ago

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Feminizing HRT Overview, Guide & Information for All People Seeking It

we also have a version of this post for testosterone/masculinizing HRT as well. we wanted to write a companion piece as many folks have asked about this. it has take a bit of time, but here we are!

The testosterone HRT post is here.

Getting Your Prescription

To start taking estrogen, you will need to find a general practitioner, family doctor, endocrinologist or informed consent clinic where you can discuss gender affirming care with knowledgeable staff. Planned Parenthood is a good option for many trans people in general. Your mental health may also be evaluated, and your heart health and screening for a few other health conditions, as well as having access to your family health history if possible will be required.

Check to see if you have medical insurance, either through your family, your job, or if you are low income, a program like medicaid. Search for low income insurance plans in your area if it is needed, many places offer insurance plans for those who can't afford care on their own.

Here is a map of informed consent HRT clinics in the US.

You will discuss any gender dysphoria, gender presentation needs, if you have a support network, how you are impacted by your gender in your every day life with your provider and so on before being given a prescription. You will only be given a prescription after you discuss the risks of HRT and are screened for possible health problems and diseases or ways your body could react negatively to HRT. If you have needle trauma or phobias and can't inject hormones, it's best to bring it up before you get your prescription to save time and confusion.

The Medications

Treatment typically starts with spironolactone (aldactone), an anti-androgen that blocks androgen receptors ("male" sex hormones) for a few weeks, and then add estrogen, but many folks start with spiro and estrogen at the same time. Spiro will lower the amount of testosterone your body makes. For some people, spiro isn't necessary at all!

Some forms of spironolactone are reported to make folks pee like crazy, others do not have as bad of a time with it. Your mileage will vary depending on manufacturer. Spironolactone is intended to be a blood pressure medication, meaning it is a diuretic and is intended to help your body flush out fluids + salt. You will need to keep yourself hydrated if you notice this effect, as well as increasing electrolyte intake where possible.

Estrogen also lowers how much testosterone your body makes, and triggers changes in the body that occur during puberty in afab & adjacent people. Estrogen can be taken several ways, and is usually taken daily, and several times a day. You can take it in a pill or shot, and several forms of estrogen that can be applied to the skin like creams, gels and patches.

Make sure you thoroughly sanitize the skin of any injection sites or areas you will be applying gel or patches. If you are given topical estrogen, make sure you wash your hands after application and do not have someone else apply it for you. Make sure you do not go swimming or shower within several hours of application to make sure your skin absorbs the hormone.

You may not need to take anti androgens if you are doing estrogen injections, depending on how effective the estrogen injections are for you. Some people may not end up needing anti-androgens at all, and may be able to skip that entirely as spiro has unwanted side effects. Your natural hormone levels will dictate whether or not it's necessary, but it is not necessary for everyone.

You may end up being recommended to switch from one form of estrogen to another as your transition progresses, depending on how your body responds.

It's recommended to not take estrogen as a pill if you have personal/family history of blood clots in a deep vein or in lungs (venous thrombosis).

Some people also end up taking progesterone as well alongside estrogen. Progesterone is typically taken to encourage breast tissue growth, as this is the most prominent effect of the hormone. If sufficient breast tissue growth isn't seen from estrogen alone, progesterone can be added to your regimen, though this is only done later on into treatment, around a year or so in.

If you choose injectable estrogen, make sure to listen to your provider and ask for instructions about how to use needles and syringes, as well as injection angles, how and where you'll be injecting. Do not inject in the exact same spot every time, this can prevent the issue from healing properly and create scar tissue or cause infections or skin tissue necrosis (death). You also need a sharps container to safely dispose of your needle tips. Never re-use a needle, even if it was used previously on yourself. Always ask the pharmacy if you need more needles. A lot of places let you get them in bulk.

If you are going the injection route, make sure you know whether or not you are instructed to do intramuscular or subcutaneous injections. Intramuscular injections usually taper out of the system more quickly and need to be done more frequently, where as many patients find subcutaneous injections less painful and easier as they can be done less frequently.

For more information on safe intramuscular or subcutaneous injection for estrogen, please read here.

Another option for feminizing HRT is to take gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analogs. They lower the amount of testosterone your body makes and may allow you to take lower doses of estrogen without using Spiro. Gn-RH analogs are usually more expensive, but are an option if for whatever reason the conventional route can't work for you.

DON'T GIVE UP IF YOU DON'T SEE THE EFFECTS YOU WANT TO SEE RIGHT AWAY! Many of them can take a long time to develop, often times patience is the key. If you wait it out and still don't see the results you'd like, you can try another route. Don't give up, a lot of people get deterred in the early stage of transition, you'll get there with patience and communication.

Stay patient, stay positive!

What to Expect from Feminizing HRT

Less facial and body hair growth: typically happens 6 - 12 months after treatment starts. Full effects within ~3 years on average.

Slower scalp hair loss: begins 1 - 3 moths after treatment begins. Full effect between 1 - 2 years on average.

Softer, less oily skin, and changes in general skin texture: 3 - 6 months after treatment starts, full effects within 2 - 3 years on average

Rounder, softer features including face and body, and more body fat: 3 - 6 months after treatment starts, full effects in 2 - 5 years.

Breast development: begins 3 - 6 months after treatment starts, full effects within 2 - 5 years on average or more, according to medical studies, but it can vary wildly from person to person, give dosage and hormones taken. If desired effects are not seen, progesterone can be taken alongside estrogen to help after around one year on estrogen. When breast growth begins, it starts with hard lumps under the nipples along with some soreness and itchiness. Some have sore breasts for a long time, and some may get scared and think they have cancer during this stage. Breasts will be swollen and tender for good while, and nipples may be especially sensitive to even light touch.

Reduced muscle mass/density: 3 - 6 months after treatment starts, full effect in 1 - 2 years on average

Potential decrease in libido if on estrogen alone, though not guaranteed: If it happens, it's generally within 1 - 3 months in and can last a while, but may even out over time

Fewer erections, decreased ejaculate volume, and erections that can become painful or uncomfortable if frequent erections are not maintained. This begins 1 - 3 months after treatment starts, and the full effect is within 3 - 6 months. Regularly maintaining erections and frequent ejaculation can ease some of these uncomfortable feelings in some people.

Changes in how orgasms feel, changes in texture and degree of sensation of penis and scrotum skin as well as changes in body odor: typically begins within 3 - 6 months, though it varies from person to person. Often times the way one's body responds to orgasms completely changes, many people find themselves experiencing full-body orgasms and more intense erogenous zones elsewhere in the body other than the genitals.

Smaller testicles, or testicular atrophy happens within 3 - 6 months and the full effects are usually seen within 2 - 3 years.

Increase in size of bladder and decrease in size of prostate over time which can lead to making one's gspot harder to find, and make prostate examinations more difficult, though they are still vital, as prostate cancer is still a possible factor.

Potential mood fluctuations while adjusting to the hormones, many report increased crying and sadness during the first 3 - 6 months with this tapering off after a full year at most.

Increased fatigue while adjusting to the hormones, sleepiness and becoming easily exhausted are common reports. This can vary drastically from person to person, ymmv.

If you have testicles and choose to have them removed, you may need to take testosterone as well as estrogen in order to have a healthy endocrine system. You will need to discuss the effects of this with your specialists if you want to go this route. If your androgen levels get too low because your body cannot synthesize enough testosterone after bottom surgery, you may need additional medication.

Potential infertility, though this is not a guarantee, and safe sex should still be practiced at all times. No timeline projected though the longer one is on E the more likely it becomes.

Monthly cycles akin to menstrual cycles: these are not present in everyone, but many people report entering a cycle of extreme fatigue, body aches, abdominal cramping in the approximate area where a uterus would sit, headaches, and more for around the duration of a menstrual cycle (4 - 10 days on average).

Progesterone inversely to estrogen can cause an increase in libido in most who take it, and is the primary hormone used for breast growth. Lactation may also occur while taking prog, if this happens, talk to your doctor right away.

Keep track of your progress when and where you are able, and don't be afraid to bring up any concerns you may have with your professionals or trans friends, or any other trans resource. Your transition is in your hands and you're allowed to modify it as you see fit. If you do not see the effects you want from traditional HRT, you may be able to seek the Gn-RH route, and if you aren't seeing the results you want from just estrogen, progesterone might be of use to you.

You will need to keep an eye on your bone health as high levels of estrogens can increase your chance to develop osteoporosis, and potential new cancers like breast cancer may arise, as well as heart problems. Getting checkups as frequently as possible and communicating with your doctor/s will be of great use when and where possible

Either way, we hope this helps in some way! We will add to it as we find/think of more information. Good luck to everyone seeking feminizing HRT, you deserve to look and feel like yourselves!

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middleagedenragedmama · 6 days ago

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Repealing the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) - What Does It Mean for Me?

Trump has made it clear that one of his first acts as president will be repealing Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He has also made it very clear that he does not have a plan to replace the ACA. Most people understand that the ACA allows individuals and families to purchase Marketplace health insurance coverage. Marketplace health insurance is the best option for many self-employed individuals, as the US mostly depends on employer provided health insurance plans that are cost prohibitive to small businesses.

With the announcement that Trump won the election, I was reminded that many of you did not live through or were not aware of what healthcare was like prior to the ACA (enacted in 2010). I wanted to get on my soapbox a bit to explain what the ACA did to help individuals and what the repercussions of losing these protections could mean.

Pre-existing conditions – Prior to the ACA, health insurance companies could deny coverage or charge more for anyone with a pre-existing condition. If you experienced a lapse in coverage for any reason (even a single day!), health insurance companies could deny coverage for any pre-existing health condition as well as any complication that arose from that condition. Pre-existing conditions were not limited to severe health issues, it was any health condition that you were diagnosed with (ex: eczema, asthma, migraines, cancer, diabetes).

If you had high blood pressure and switched jobs, there is typically a 90-day probationary period before your new employer health plan kicks in. During those 90 days, you would need to obtain COBRA insurance to ensure that your new employer plan would continue to cover your high blood pressure. COBRA plans can easily cost between $600-$1800/month, so you could spend $1800-$5200 during those 3 months to prevent a lapse in coverage. If you cannot afford to pay for COBRA, your insurance lapses and your new employer plan does not have to cover your high blood pressure. If you end up with complications later down the road such as kidney failure or a heart attack and the insurance company decides that this is related to your high blood pressure, they don’t have to cover the cost of those complications either.

Lifetime Caps – prior to the ACA, each health insurance would list a lifetime cap on their policy. This was generally somewhere between $1-2 million dollars. This was the maximum amount of healthcare charges that they would insure you for, and once reached, you would become uninsurable for that healthcare plan.

A $2 million dollar lifetime cap sounds big right? The average person will not be eligible for medicare until they are 65, so that’s 65 years of healthcare costs that need to be under that cap. We have 2 major health insurers (Anthem and United Healthcare) with some minor plans in play as well (Cigna, Aetna, Humana, and a few others). Prior to the ACA, I have watched parents switch jobs from one job that provided Anthem insurance to another job that provided another type of insurance just to make sure they didn’t reach their lifetime cap. These were individuals that didn’t want a new job, they had to find a new job and the next year, when their new employer changed their insurance plan to what the previous employer had, they had to find a new job again. Each time, they had to pay for COBRA to ensure that their families didn’t have a lapse in coverage, otherwise their pre-existing conditions wouldn’t be covered.

Healthcare is expensive in this country. If you have diabetes, cancer, a heart condition, or any chronic disease, you will have no problem reaching a $2 million lifetime cap in a few years.

Once a lifetime cap is reached, that insurance will not provide you with any insurance coverage. You are uninsurable by that company. If you reach that cap at age 30, you have 35 years until you get Medicare, and that’s 35 years of scrounging around for other jobs that don’t have that type of insurance.

There were annual limits as well, and the same applied. In this case, once you reached the annual limit, they just wouldn’t pay any more healthcare charges, and you were liable for 100% of the costs after that limit was reached.

Disability - If you are deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration, it takes an additional 2 years before you are eligible for Medicare. In the interim, if you can no longer purchase a Marketplace plan, your only option is a state-funded Medicaid plan. In order to qualify for Medicaid, there are income limits. Remember you just got approved for disability and depending on your previous work experience, the average disability check is for $1542/monthly, but could range up to $3822/month. Do you have a little bit of a savings? To qualify for most state Medicaid plans when you are disabled, your income needs to be <$1255/month and you can have a maximum of $2000 in assets (savings, stocks/bonds). The average disability payment makes you ineligible for Medicaid, and if the ACA is repealed, you will not have an option for health insurance unless your spouse carries you on their employer provided insurance.

Preventative Services – the ACA requires plans to provide preventative healthcare services at little to no cost. This includes well baby checks, vaccines, annual physicals, annual gynecological exams, annual lab work, mammograms, and colonoscopies. Before the ACA, we paid for these services, and many people just didn’t seek preventative care because they could not afford the cost, even when insurance covered a portion of the charges.

Emergency Care – the ACA requires emergency room care to be considered in-network. Prior to the ACA, if you were out of state and experienced an emergency that required an emergency room visit, you were charged out-of-network charges. Many plans wouldn’t cover out-of-network providers, so you were liable for the entire cost of the ER visit. A rough estimate for the average ER visit is around $2600 but could be significantly higher depending on the reason for the visit.

Protections from Cancellation – the ACA made it illegal for your insurance to cancel you for costing them to much money. Before the ACA, similar to homeowners or car insurance, if you had too many claims, they just cancelled your coverage.

Birth Control and Contraceptives – prior to the ACA, birth control pills, IUDs, and other contraceptives were generally excluded from coverage and you had to pay for these out of your pocket.

The ACA did much more than just offer Marketplace plans for individuals to purchase. It’s easy to take these protections for granted now that we are almost 15 years out from when they were enacted, but do not doubt that healthcare in the US is a business. Every day, insurance plans deny coverage for treatments because it’s too expensive, and doctors are continually frustrated by the red tape required by insurance to get patients what they need. Insurance plans will not hesitate to go back to the way healthcare was prior to the ACA, as it’s more profitable for them to do so. They do not care that patients will suffer, that people will die, and people will be financially crippled in the process.

#affordable care act #fuck trump #fuck around and find out #healthcare #health insurance #us elections #election 2024 #health information #health inequality

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tf2heritageposts · 2 months ago

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saw your post about chronic pain and thought i'd give some pointers (from someone who is developing chronic pain themself and is learning how to deal with it)

stretching is important. yes i know this is the most basic ass response someone can say but trust me here. i am an artist who has been in shrimp position for more than 50% of my life (thus far) and just doing simple shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand stretches before/after working helps a T O N in the long run. it will be painful at first! it always is! but stretching does help to prevent even more pain down the line. i am unsure what pain bothers you the most (mine is my feet, lower legs, lower back and arms), so i'd suggest starting with some simple stretches in the regions where you tend to have pain.

collagen. if you don't know what that is, i can give you a summary without the science-speak: its the stuff in your joints that keeps your cartilage from breaking down. best way(s) to get it? if you are simple, and can afford it, they sell the stuff as vitamin supplements. if you're looking for a way to just naturally get more into your diet, i would suggest bone broth. (yes you could buy bone broth, but if you go through meat on the regular, and are able to cut bones out of them, don't toss out the bones! make bone broth with em. i would give an entire guide of how to do it but i would be here for much longer)

waterrrrr. the drinkerrrrrrrrrrrrr. hydration is also really important for preventing joint pain (or really pain of any variety). making sure to get proper hydration is important. if you live in a city area where the tap water might not be good, please be sure to get mineral water and not pure distilled. while distilled does taste better, it lacks a lot of minerals that water can naturally have that would be of benefit to your health.

don't overexert yourself!!!!!!!! please please PLEASE be sure to sit down if you need to (and are able to). repeated overuse of your muscles/bones/tendons can have a negative impact in the worst ways possible. (also getting a walker or cane is ideal!!! most walgreens and/or cvs's have an asile dedicated to mobility aids!!! do not feel ashamed to use it if you need it!! please!!!)

in terms of short term solutions, ibuprofen will not kill you. just be sure to rotate tylenol and ibuprofen. doing this will prevent you from unintentional ODing. (you may have heard this one before. if so feel free to ignore it)

going to an arthritis clinic sooner rather than later is a good idea. i don't know what your physical/insurance situation is like, but as someone who just recently was told by a primary care that the symptoms i am having is similar to rheumatoid arthritis [which runs in the family] (and really needs to move into a different state or city or town and get a different insurance that can cover the cost of multiple arthritis doctor visits AND a doctor who will take them seriously), it is important that you go to an arthritis clinic as soon as possible. If you do not know where to go, and are able to ask your primary doctor for a referral, most primary care doctors will refer you to something that is on your healthcare plan

i do apologize if this was really really long and winding... i am not the best at keeping things short

well i just realized i am living badly because

- i never stretch

- i am comstanrlh underhydrated

- i am always up and out and about hyerexerting myself

- only use ibuprofen

thank you kindly man

#not a heritage post

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bottlecaprabbitgames · 1 year ago

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Weight Loss, Dieting, Medical Shit Goin' On

At the request of @meethisharma , I'm making a big post of like. EVERYTHING I've learned so far since truly trying to lose weight and do better since February of this year. I'm of course going to go into my background as to why I need to lose weight and my life as an obese person, different references I've used to help with my weight loss, dietary changes, THE WHOLE SHEBANG.

So uh. Buckle up, it's a LONG post.

(Also, shout out to Jordan Shrinks over on YouTube, I've followed this woman for years and she is still the biggest inspiration and my favorite fucking person who has helped me shape my routine for weight loss.)

Why did I start trying to lose weight?

I have been obese pretty much my whole life. In high school, I weighed 260-270 lbs. Both of my parents struggled with drug addiction, and that meant that we ate a lot of unhealthy, over processed food as it was the cheapest. I also rarely, if ever, drank water growing up; we mostly had soda in the house, and that's what I drank.

Last year, in May of 2022, I weighed 330 lbs. This was after I had already lost an unknown amount of weight, as I put on a LOT working at McD's given the food was free and I was broke most of the time. This was still not enough for me to start losing weight, but I did start packing my own lunches and at least started eating better. In September, I started my first hotel job, and with the better work and pay, I was finally able to afford insurance for 2023 and start going to doctors like I needed to. I've always had a LOT of chronic issues, but none were ever diagnosed as I really didn't go to the doctor much unless it was an absolute dire emergency.

Timeskip to the first week or two of February, 2023, and I finally get in to see a nurse practioner who will lead me to find my current primary care doctor. I weighed 312 lbs, and she was very... well, blatantly, she didn't even give me the time of day LMAO. She didn't even bother to tell me I was pre-diabetic, I had to find that out from looking at my lab results myself.

Week 3 of February, I get in with the guy who's now my primary care doctor. He's also fat, like I am, and he was also far more direct with me about my situation. As it turned out, I was in like stage 3 hypertension (my blood pressure was 150 smth over 140), I was almost 90% deficient in vitamin D (y'know, the shit that makes your bones HARD), my iron saturation in my blood was in single digits (aka severely anemic, borderline needed a blood transfusion), I was well into my way to being a Type-2 Diabetic (my A1C was 5.8, you need to be 6.4 to be diagnosed), AND... my liver was struggling really, really badly. Side note, he's also a mental health professional, and he's the one who originally diagnosed my severe PTSD and got me in with my therapist.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS NOT IN THE BEST CONDITION. I was actually well on my way to developing early heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, blood clots, like everything I was the MOST afraid of was what I was about to have. Because I wasn't taking care of myself, I was living off of ramen and fast food and processed as shit food all the time, TV dinners... I'd make a meal out of a family-sized bag of chips or a whole roll of crackers and several slices of cheese.

My doctor was very point fucking blank about my outcomes. I could've died if I did nothing. A really horrible way to die, too. He told me that if I wanted to make changes, he'd get me every resource possible he could to help me, but I had to want the changes if they were gonna stick. Keep that in mind, right? YOU have to want the changes needed.

And that's when everything started.

THE GAME PLAN

SO, what did I do to start losing weight? What changes did I make?

Everything. FUCKING everything. My doctor said I needed a low-as-possible sodium diet, so I changed it. I needed to start exercising, so I did. I needed meds and to get into therapy to help deal with my mental health, so I religiously take my meds and I go to therapy as many times as possible each month. He also wanted me to get a daytime job, as my overnights were likely making things worse, and I finally got that done now, too.

A big thing to add here, too: my doctor has not talked to me about BMI. The only thing he has asked me to do is get to 200 lbs. He says so long as I don't drop under 120, he's said it's fine whatever weight I stop on, so long as I get to 200.

But where did I begin? The SIMPLE shit.

I started with ten minute walks. That's it for exercising, I started with TEN MINUTE WALKS. And you know what? It was fucking hard. It still is. It's like pulling teeth sometimes to get me to get up and go take a 30 minute to an hour walk. But don't let these fucking fitness influencers bully you into thinking that if you can't handle pumping iron in the gym for 6 hours straight then you're always gonna be a fat slob or whatever those fuckheads say these days. And, if you don't like walking, if you'd rather lift weights, you can do that too! If you don't want to go to a gym like I don't, order some cheap ones off of Amazon or Walmart. Go cycling or swimming or jumping rope. You don't have to go big and hard into exercise to be healthier. Start small.

Now, diet-wise, I threw myself in it a little too vigorously and I also paid the price of wasting like $50 each payday in shit I didn't eat or still haven't, and I also fucked up my GI tract for a solid month. I was ROUGHING it. Raw-dogged the low sodium diet and it did it back double time, do NOT do what I did. There's gonna be a WHOLE section after this one on dietary shit. Big thing, though? MEAL PLANNING. I don't care if you only meal plan one meal of the day, I only do my damn dinners. Just take time on your day off to batch cook a bunch of shit to be able to eat for one meal throughout the week.

MAKE GOALS. I don't care if the goals you set seem shallow to you or not, make some fucking goals. Keep them on a list you can easily find, especially like on your phone. HELL, keep the list in SEVERAL ways, like a paper on your wall. I have another section planned for like examples and my own goals on down.

EXERCISE

AGAIN, start small. Don't go hog wild and try to do an hour a day at the gym to start; that's gonna burn you out and wear you down before you even get started. Also, you don't need a gym to exercise. If you never wanna step foot in a gym, you NEVER have to.

Start with a five to ten minute walk every other day. You don't like walking? Cool, get some cheap weights (or a kettlebell weight) and lift weights for 5-10 minutes. I just recently got a 5lb kettlebell on Amazon for like $8.55 after tax so I can start doing weighted exercises. (NOTE: don't start with big heavy weights. You'll fuck up your muscles and joints. You'll want to research what weight to start with first.)

I think it wassss two weeks of me walking for ten minutes every other day before I moved to 15 minutes? Now, in May, I can go for an hour at a leisurely pace.

My Routine:

45 minute-hour walk at LEAST 4 days a week.

One day of 30 minute power walking or walking-jogging intervals. I walk along the street I live on, and I do 1/3 of the way jogging, the rest walking.

At LEAST one day using resistance band exercises. Resistance bands are like $10 at Walmart, I recommend using a light one to start WHILE AT YOUR HEAVIEST WEIGHT. Resistance bands work by using your own body weight as the resistance, so it's best to start while you're still at the heaviest.

Hoping to work the kettlebell in on at least three days of the week, doing weighted HIIT exercises (high intensity training).

DIETARY CHANGES

The BIGGEST piece of advice I can give you is to make sustainable changes. The reason diet culture doesn't work is because you can't survive off of diet food for a long period of time, meaning you'll just regain the weight back once you return to a normal diet. Also, carbs are not bad for you. Unless a doctor specifically tells you to lower carb intake, PLEASE do not just suddenly decide to stop eating carbs as you can permanently damage your major internal organs.

Now, I am not on a diet, persay. The changes I've made I plan to keep for the rest of my life. Now, I can only tell you what I do, and not what you should do. I have some formal training in nutrition, and I can give you advice on what not to do, but again, I can mostly tell you what works for me.

NOW THAT THAT'S OUT OF THE WAY, HERE WE GO! I am on a low-sodium diet, meaning I do not add salt to shit. I use Accent, a shit ton of seasoning and spices, and I get my canned food no salt added when I can. I also mainly only eat turkey and chicken (mostly chicken), while beef and pork are like... a treat every once in a while. I also get low sodium canned tuna or like... actually good fish sticks. And, as I live on the Gulf Coast, I get fresh shrimp once or twice a month. I also do NOT add sugar to something unless it's a recipe for like bread to feed the yeast. I get canned fruit in 100% juice, or I get it frozen mostly. If I want to add something to make it sweet, I dump fruit in it. I've also recently been adding like... one packet of splenda ALONG WITH FRUIT to my oatmeal. Tastes p good, do not recommend splenda in coffee. Shit's nasty.

I am also a calorie counter and believer. The easiest way to think of calories is like... energy. One calorie is one unit of energy. I HIGHLY recommend using a couple of calorie calculators to help figure out your daily intake, and I use the My Fitness Pal app to keep track of what I eat, especially as I am prone to boredom eating and binge eating, as I do still struggle with disordered eating. I also keep an eye on my macros (protein, carbs, fats), as well as my cholesterol, sodium, and saturated fat levels.

So, what does Cy do for food? A lot but also... not very much, lol. I am a convenience bitch. I ain't here to cook several times a day and shit, I ain't got time for it. I be makin' shit as easy as possible.

I do often drink protein shakes before or after I walk or have an intense workout. You don't have to, just keep in mind you DO need high protein intake before or after working out, to help your muscles repair themselves. I get the cheap af Purely Inspired brand at Walmart, mix it with frozen fruit and milk in my blender.

PLEASE, GOD, DRINK WATER! Drink plenty of frickin water. Your body has to be hydrated and the more water you drink, the less water your body retains as extra. A bit weird, I know, but take it from me as I carry about 10-12 lbs of water weight a day, and it was a LOT more when I wasn't hydrating properly.

I meal prep one meal a week. It's dinner now, so I take a day I'm off, make a big batch of smth, and separate it into like 5-7 containers, freezing some and fridgerating the others. I post recipes and total costs over on @cylentlycrafting , and I get those cheap ass Mainstays meal prep containers. It's like $5 for 5 of em, and I have like... 3-4 sets.

The main meat I eat now is chicken, as it has the highest amount of protein across all meats. I also pretty much exclusively eat whole grain foods (brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole wheat or brown rice or quinoa pasta), and I keep instant brown rice and instant oats on hand. Listen, I'm an impatient ass mfer, I don't have 45 mins to cook some goddamn rice.

I also luv eggies. And cheese. And dairy. Though I typically get reduced fat dairy products, except milk. Reduced fat sour cream, reduced fat cheese, sometimes reduced fat yogurt, but I take any yogurt I can get my hands on.

I use a LOT of canned beans, peas, chickpeas, and tomatoes. I also get frozen broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, red potatoes, and carrots as far as veggies go. I also often get chopped romaine lettuce, carrot chips, grape tomatoes, and onions. That is the beginning and the end to the veggies I eat, and best be fucking sure I put red kidney beans and chickpeas in everything almost it. Broccoli, too. Tomatoes.

Fruit wise, I have a LOT of fruit cups and canned fruit in 100% fruit juice, frozen fruit, and I also have a thing for clementines lately. Been eating tf out of them.

Snackies wise, I usually get that big box of baked chips from Lays. Peanut butter and graham crackers. Dark chocolate. Power Crunch protein bars because PROTEIN BARS DON'T HAVE TO BE DISGUSTING!!!!!

I pretty much exclusively use olive oil, but canola oil is also pretty damn good if you're on a budget! Just avoid regular butter, that shit's got so much calories and fat in it.....

Listen, you don't have to go broke buying shit. I tend to allot more money to food than most people because I have a LOT of food issues, and because I commit hard to shit. I have olive oil mayo and butter replacements, I keep low sugar and low sodium ketchup, and I buy expensive ass Lucini tomato sauce. You don't have to. Like I also buy tater tots and off-brand coco puffs and mini wheats.

I have experimented with a LOT of brands in the past few months, which I will probably make another post about eventually? Maybe? Also more budget-friendly shopping hacks and shit given I be trying to save as much money as possible.

GOALS

Listen, like every big project, you need goals. Getting your body healthy is a big project, and you should make goals. Goals on why you want to get healthy, goals on why to keep going even when shit gets hard. I don't care if it's the most vain shit ever, if it's a goal it's a fucking goal.

Here are some of mine:

More clothing options. If I lose more weight, I will be able to fit into smaller sizes and have more choices on what to wear.

SELF CONFIDENCE

Feeling less embarrassed when eating out somewhere.

HEALTH. A large part of me always feeling shitty is my diet and lack of proper vitamins and nutrients.

Prediabetes. I don't want to be like my mom and papaw and have to poke myself multiple times a day nor be reliant on insulin.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The main things I can impress upon y'all:

Build sustainable habits. If you don't think you'd be able to do it for the rest of your life, maybe rethink the habit before it becomes too set in stone.

You're gonna fall off the horse sometimes. You're gonna cheat, you're gonna make slip ups. And that's okay. Don't feel guilty, don't overrestrict or punish yourself for it. You're human, and you're trying, and that's okay. You can only do as much as you're able to right here and right now.

It's a hard and long road. Getting healthy and fit isn't going to be a breeze in the park. This shit is hard, especially if you're building new habits from scratch. But you got this. YOU CAN DO IT.

You HAVE to want this for yourself. No one else can want it for you. It has to be on you and you alone.

You're gonna find people wanting to sabotage you, as horrible as it sounds. Sometimes people feel threatened when others attempt to better themselves, because that person or those persons know they wouldn't put the time or energy into doing so themselves. And, unfortunately, some of those people are your close friends and family :/

TRY NEW THINGS. FAIL AND KEEP GOING. I have tried so much shit in the last few months, and some has stuck, some has not. I have learned I do not like a lot of vegetables, and that's okay. I also make taco salad (from 'scratch') at least two to three times a month. What works, works!

You are going to bloat A LOT when you start amping up workouts. Your body holds extra water and nutrients for up to FOUR WEEKS after you start exercising or start a new exercise routine/build up on your existing one. This is to repair your muscles and joints as they grow.

Scales like to lie, and they won't tell you how much water weight you're holding. And yes, you will be able to tell you're bloated. I never knew of bloating until now and sometimes shit fits weird when I'm majorly bloated. It SUCKS

Measure yourself. Your stomach, chest, waist, hips. All of it. Keep it. It'll be amazing to see how much you've changed eventually.

I actually would LOVE to keep making posts like this. But, here's my current progress:

I am a little under 270 lbs, unsure of how much as I am starting and trying new exercises, as well as my new job being HELLA more active than my old one.

I do have more processed stuff in my diet, but i do try to balance it with healthier food, too. Budgeting is.... hard.

My blood pressure tends to run 110/70 now.

I hope this helps someone out there.

My heart rate has gone down from 100+ bpm, to now it's at 60-75 bpm.

I also drink diet soda now, usually one a day.

#weight loss #weight #nutrition #health #health and wellness #wellness

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alyjojo · 4 months ago

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July 🍯 2024 Monthly - Scorpio

Preshuffle: You’re purposely not cooperating with a parent, spouse, or a belief system of some kind. Could be government related, a doctor or something involving school as well. Whatever it is would force you to give up something you’re flat out not giving up, I heard “red meat” 🥩 and chuckled. No way Jose.

Meditation: Wasn’t even a meditation, just a clip of Taylor Swift yelling out “who’s afraid of little old me?”…it seems like you’re feeling very powerful this month - it’s a whole vibe here.

Main energy: The Devil rev

I’m seeing work, Strategy, Triumph, and Home - some of you are flat out done working with other people, something has become toxic and if you have any chance of working at home you’re going to be pushing for that, for the tech crowd and anyone else that’s able. For others, any situation you deem as unfair, imbalanced, getting on your nerves - you’re going to be a powerhouse of potential when it comes to the battles you pick and choose this month, because whatever it is, you’re going to win 💯 “There is no other option” is how I’m hearing it, and it could be about anything.

What’s going on in July:

Justice rev:

An unfair and imbalanced situation is still going on, probably has for some time now, and you’re fed up with it. You see this as The Devil currently, something that’s keeping you in chains, and it probably has something to do with your job or finances - maybe health insurance. I’m seeing someone have a close call with their health that should’ve been prevented but for some financial/work reason ended up having to be delayed or become worse than it needed to be, and I’m hearing “it’s fucked up.” So unfair and The Devil would be the best thing to cover it tarot-wise. Health insurance could be the reason you’re staying in a toxic situation/job, until you find something better. I do see you actively looking for what you want, probably have been for a while, and now you’re getting impatient.

Temperance rev:

There may have been a health situation where you had no choice but to take time off, and because of some policy at your company, there was no paid time off, no back-up plan, there’s nothing financially to aid you during this time period. You could’ve lost your job altogether, and forced to just “figure it out”. I’m not seeing any assistance here from anywhere, you’ve had to fend for yourself during a very difficult time - Strength has been on the bottom of every row. If you’re trying to leave a place behind, you don’t have the resources to do so yet, but you’re so ready. Using everything you’ve got in terms of willpower and mental strategy to manifest healthier situation for yourself. Maybe your job doesn’t even offer insurance and you’ve been there for a long time but enough is enough, you could be giving them an ultimatum or planning to jump ship altogether. This could also be someone outside of yourself that you’re fighting or caring for, a parent/grandparent that’s dealing with medical issues - that’s the main energy this month.

8 Pentacles:

Your job is a heavy burden to bear for you this month, some of you are sick and still working because you don’t have a choice. Some of you could be caring for elderly family members and can’t afford a nurse or anyone, but still have to go to work too - and assistance is giving you the runaround. If it even exists. You’re definitely having to strategize in more than one area this month, everything seems to be on you and you can’t take it, while at the same time not having a choice. It’s like you’re trapped in chains, likely waiting on someone or something like a call back, a message, approval, assistance, something. Red tape. Or again, you have a good argument for working at home and some of you are definitely pursuing that route, wherever possible.

7 Cups rev:

I’m seeing you as having no choice, there’s only a few things you can try and you’ve probably tried them all, it’s coming down to you stepping up and speaking up to those who aren’t cooperating, messaging back, approving, answering, whatever. Queen of Wands isn’t one to be played with, Strength again at the bottom, you may be someone having to step in and fight a battle for yourself or someone else, because if you don’t things won’t change - and it’s too much pressure on you for things to continue as they are. You’re willing to fight for it 🔥 whatever it is.

3 Pentacles rev:

This row is tricky because you’re going back to something. Back to chains, back to The Devil, you don’t have a choice. Or that’s the reason you’re going back to people you’ve already gotten an answer from? Maybe to fight back. These may be family members that need to step in, management or siblings that need to step up, healthcare/work policies that are a roadblock of progress to you, systems of assistance that are being held up for whatever reason, etc. You are determined to make progress, and I do see success here, whatever you’re doing keep doing it. Eventually something has to give, and Carrot Colored Cloak shows something being right around the corner, right when you’re about to give up. A lack of finances is a major issue for you this month, or some kind of debt or lack generally, and you’re going to champion the cause to whoever tf isn’t hearing you properly.

Advice, what can Scorpio do?: Page of Swords & 9 Cups. Research 💯 More effort into learning what’s out there and more of a focus on the things you want. There are opportunities out there for you, and you need to use all of the confidence and direct problem-solving energy you can muster, Queen of Wands is you here, and she doesn’t take no for an answer. For someone, I’m seeing generic prescriptions. Sending you lots of love 🧡

Signs you may be dealing with:

Capricorn, Libra, Scorpio, Virgo & Sagittarius

Oracle: ✨

44 Home 🏡

This card represents a homecoming of the soul, of finding your tribe, of coming home. The situation you are inquiring about has the potential to be a homecoming - a safe and secure place that both nourishes you and facilitates your growth, whether it be a school, a relationship, a job, or truly a home. Go for it! All paths lead home. Home doesn’t have to be where you grow up; family doesn’t always mean the people of your birth family. Look at an expanded meaning. Family are people who share the same core values and path. Home can mean a place you have yet to visit or experience, but once there, it feeds your soul in a way that gives you no doubt you are home. Alternately, find your safe place. This is where the answers you seek will be found.

Triumph 🏆

Success - Victory - Achievement

Strategy ♟️

Planning - Prediction - Mind Reading

We enter into July as:

Blue November 🕊

“ A window is opened as a door gently closes.”

The passing of things in our lives is inevitable. Jobs, people, friendships, or relationships. This card is a message that whatever is going on requires a release on your part. There is no healthy escape from your own feelings. This card is a reminder that what is taken away is replaced with something else, in some form, eventually. You may not even be aware of the loss, but others around you are feeling it, in some cases. This could represent some unexpected news. You must be grateful for what you have. A coming celebration will pull you through whatever is coming. Do not be afraid that you are avoiding your feelings by celebrating. Your feelings will surface, and resurface, when they’re supposed to. Whatever is pending that you must face will not be as frightening as it is in your mind.

What is to be learned in July:

The Carrot Colored Cloak 🥕:

“Don’t quit before the miracle!”

You are being told that changing your direction at this time is not wise. We never know where our miracles lie in the path, often just beyond the boundary of our faith. You may not see it, but it lies ahead. When we do the work that is chosen for us, we are serving a higher order, and if we stop we upset the balance of our lives. Stick with it and have blind faith, an exciting change is coming. You must press on in the direction of your vision, what you’re working for will come to fruition.

Orange may be a lucky color 🧡

#Scorpio #monthly tarot reading #july 2024 #monthly #tarot #astrology #tarot reading #Spotify

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lucysweatslove · 1 year ago

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I got a notification that a claim for my ADHD neuropsych testing was approved.

I wanted to write up a whole thing about how absolutely ridiculous this is. But it’s honestly too much effort. (Edit, lmao I proceeded to write up a whole thing anyway)

I have incredible insurance. We have BCBS through my husband’s work, and they have amazing benefits. Like, “not possible to get a plan this good on the marketplace” amazing. The best plan on the marketplace rn is like $1130/month for two people, with a slightly lower PCP copay but higher deductible, OOP max, AND coinsurance. Can’t remember how much we pay in premiums, but it’s like… a couple hundred?

So, I’m not super mad that I have to pay $360ish to the neuropsych for the testing. I know it could be worse.

And that’s part of the problem. Sure, I have Cadillac insurance. I’m LUCKY. Incredibly fortunate or blessed or whatever. And maybe my state’s Medicaid would pay out for this too, but I don’t know. What I do know is that there is a significant care gap ALREADY for rural and low-income people here. What happens if you don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford good health insurance? What if you can’t find a neuropsychologist in network? What if you end up responsible for the original $2,580, or even “just” the $1,330 allowable for BCBS? People can’t just afford that here, and this particular office won’t release any reports to you until you have paid. Meaning if somebody requires this service for a diagnosis but can’t pay- highly likely because ADHD can make holding down a job difficult- they’re SOL. They can’t get treatment.

I had to see a total of five people to get to this point. To be frank, I don’t even know yet if the report will corroborate my loved experience. I still don’t understand the point of this testing to begin with; I’ve had three people in the sphere say it’s likely, two of whom (a PhD and a therapist who specializes in neurodivergence) formally diagnosed me with ADHD. But this wasn’t seen as “good enough” for the third (a psych NP and PsyD) to fully diagnose me to prescribe me anything. I’m considered a “complicated case” because I was good at school growing up, have a trauma history, and have a history of depression, an eating disorder, and likely autism (also diagnosed by the same neurodivergence specialist, but that wasn’t good enough I guess to have it on my medical record). But here I am, having spent thousands at this point in copays, therapy for behavioral interventions, medications to treat other issues to “rule them out,” and various assessments. Thousands most people don’t have. Thousands that could be tens of thousands for the uninsured. And this most recent assessment? It involved a test that literally CANNOT differentiate between ADHD and other forms of cognitive and attention deficit, such as depression.

ADHD is a clinical diagnosis. I don’t mean that there is never a place for neuropsychology, but in the psychiatric world that my family is part of (note: dad is a psychiatrist; sister is in residency to soon be a board certified attending psychiatrist too), it’s not a hard diagnosis to make based on a structured clinical interview. (Even my therapist, the PhD, who has not just taught but been a DEAN, agrees- she is frustrated with me).

Why are we gatekeeping this diagnosis so heavily? Why is there such a strong assumption that people malinger to get an ADHD diagnosis and access to the scheduled drugs they need to participate in society? Why, when we have research that shows that ADHD is a huge risk factor for actual illicit drug use, abuse, and SUDs? You know what happens when you treat individuals who you clinically diagnose with ADHD? Rates of illicit drug use, drug abuse, and SUDs go down. Not up.

I’m just mad about it all.

#personal #adhd

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affordablehealthins · 2 years ago

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Benefits of having a medical insurance

Medical insurance has become inevitable these days. If you ant to avoid any kind of hassle during the time emergency, then you would surely invest in the best affordable family health insurance plan. When any emergency will occur, your priority will be to save the patient instead of arranging funds from the sources. If you will have no insurance then you will not be able to think about which hospital to choose and where the treatment will be the best and in all this, you end up admitting the patient at a place where either the treatment is not the best or very costly. So, choosing medical insurance is always beneficial.

#best affordable family health insurance plans #best affordable family health insurance plan #affordable family health insurance plans #affordable family health insurance plan #best family health insurance plans #best family health insurance plan #family health insurance plans #family health insurance plan #health insurance

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bethanydelleman · 2 years ago

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Difficulties Part 1

I usually keep pretty well to Austen or British literature of the last century, but as Jane Austen is very concerned with the plight of women, I wanted to share two small things that happened to me, that impress upon me the difficulty living in the world as a woman.

I had a job that I really loved at a university in Canada. I was unionized, had unlimited sick days, medical benefits, paid time off, a pension, and reasonable compensation. After about two years at this job I left for maternity leave, which in my country was 1 year at half pay. I was worried however, because my department had a nasty habit of laying off women during mat leave. This would usually be illegal, but research work is all based on grants and contracts, so it can happen more easily in my field than in others.

I was anxious about going back to work, but at the 10 month mark my boss emailed and asked if I could come back early. I agreed, partially because I was bored but also because I was worried I might lose my position if I didn’t go back. So I went back 3 days a week (I had actually started at this job 3 days a week and moved to five over time) and my son went to a great little home daycare. I made it clear to my manager that as I had a 2 hours a day commute, I didn’t want to work more days. I thought she would understand as she had also worked part time when she had young children.

2 months in, I was laid off. I was only 2 months away from my contract becoming permanent, something that happened automatically after 3 years. I also had worked so few hours that it was impossible for me to collect employment insurance. It turned out they just wanted me to cover a three month leave of another staff member.

Now I feel I must justify myself, I was good at my job. When the news got around, I was approached by several people I had worked with who offered themselves as references. One person even swore when she realized she’d have to train someone new on the complicated medical software that I had mastered (just ask a nurse or doctor how user friendly their medical records program is...). Even though they were not required to, many of the doctors I worked with still included my name on their published research papers.

Anyway, we were in a terrible position as a family. My husband and I had just purchased a new house, since my job had seemed secure. I fortunately had about a month’s vacation pay as a buffer, but that was it. My daycare graciously let me take my son out until I found another job, if I had lost my space it would have been worse. I desperately applied for jobs and eventually accepted one with the same employer that was not unionized.

I lost my pension, sick days, medical benefits, and paid vacation and was only given about 2 dollars more an hour in this new job. I never would have accepted it if I hadn’t been so desperate.

And the worst part is, the people who did this to me were all women. My manager and supervisor were both women. And they didn’t care. The one even seemed surprised that I was angry at the final meeting. She said it was best for the projects. I highly doubt it.

Anyway, this is my little proof that having a uterus and being a mother who wants to spend time with her child still can destroy your career and that you can’t rely on the compassion or humanity of your superiors.

Note: Why do I need medical benefits? I live in Canada, but we have a strange form of universal healthcare that covers all hospital and doctor visits, but not eye, dental, most therapy/mental health care or most medication. So for a person my age at the time, the most commonly covered would be things like birth control, glasses, dental visits, and physiotherapy.

And yes, this creates problems were someone with say, type two diabetes can’t afford their very cheap meds and instead ends up in the ER frequently which is super expensive. We have plans where if you are poor enough you get free medication but it’s a mess and honestly they need to fix it.

#this was before COVID btw so work from home wasn't big yet #difficulties #we clearly haven't fixed all the problems yet #at least it is clear to me #feminism #personal stuff #of which there is very little on this blog

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coverageguru · 2 years ago

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Affordable Health Insurance

Health insurance is a type of insurance that helps cover the cost of medical expenses. It can be provided by an employer or purchased individually from an insurance company. Health insurance plans typically have different levels of coverage, ranging from basic to comprehensive, and they often come with different costs, such as premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.

Before signing up for a health insurance plan, it's important to understand your specific healthcare needs and budget. You should consider factors such as your age, health status, and any pre-existing conditions you may have. You should also research the various affordable health insurance plans available to you and compare their costs and benefits.

Some common types of health insurance plans include HMOs, PPOs, and EPOs. HMOs typically have lower out-of-pocket costs but limit you to a specific network of healthcare providers. PPOs offer more flexibility in choosing healthcare providers but may have higher out-of-pocket costs. EPOs are a hybrid of HMOs and PPOs, offering some of the benefits of both.

Ultimately, choosing the right health insurance plan for you and your family requires careful consideration and research. By understanding your healthcare needs and the different options available to you, you can make an informed decision that best meets your needs and budget.

#affordable health insurance #affordable health insurance in texas #affordable health insurance in California #affordable health insurance in Florida #insurance policy #insurance types #cover insurance #health care insurance #medicare insurance #medicare health insurance #health plan #insurance coverage #medicare dental #dental vision #dental health insurance #dental vision insurance

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sanramonperio · 2 years ago

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The Benefits of Choosing Perfect Smiles San Ramon for Your Dental Care

Perfect Smiles San Ramon is a leading dental practice in San Ramon, CA that offers top-quality dental care to patients of all ages. The practice is led by Dr. Neda Ghomashi, who is committed to providing personalized and comprehensive dental care to every patient. Perfect Smiles San Ramon offers a range of dental services, from routine check-ups to advanced cosmetic and restorative procedures. In this article, we will explore the benefits of choosing Perfect Smiles San Ramon for your dental care needs.Comprehensive Care: Perfect Smiles San Ramon offers a wide range of dental services to meet the needs of every patient. Whether you need a routine cleaning or a complex restorative procedure, the team at Perfect Smiles San Ramon has the expertise and experience to provide top-quality care. Advanced Technology: Perfect Smiles San Ramon uses the latest dental technology to provide efficient and effective treatments. They use digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and other advanced tools to diagnose and treat dental problems with precision and accuracy. Comfortable Environment: Perfect Smiles San Ramon understands that many people feel anxious about going to the dentist. That's why they have created a comfortable and welcoming environment to help patients feel at ease. From the friendly staff to the modern amenities, every aspect of the practice is designed with patient comfort in mind. State-of-the-Art Facility: Perfect Smiles San Ramon's modern and state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology and equipment. This ensures that patients receive the best possible care in a comfortable and safe environment. Personalized Care: Dr. Ghomashi and her team take the time to get to know each patient and their unique dental needs. They work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that address their specific concerns and goals. Cosmetic Dentistry: Perfect Smiles San Ramon can help enhance the appearance of your smile with a range of cosmetic dentistry treatments. These include teeth whitening, veneers, and Invisalign. Same-Day Emergency Care: If you experience a dental emergency, Perfect Smiles San Ramon offers same-day appointments to provide prompt care. They can help with issues like a broken tooth, severe toothache, or a lost filling or crown. Affordable Payment Options: Perfect Smiles San Ramon offers flexible payment options to make dental care more affordable for their patients. They accept most dental insurance plans and also offer financing options like CareCredit to help patients pay for their treatment over time. Family-Friendly: Perfect Smiles San Ramon is a family-focused practice that welcomes patients of all ages. Whether you need a pediatric dentist for your children or a senior-friendly dentist for your elderly parents, Perfect Smiles San Ramon has you covered. Patient Education: Perfect Smiles San Ramon believes in educating their patients about the importance of oral health and hygiene. They provide patients with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums between appointments.

How Can Perfect Smiles San Ramon Help You and Your Family?Prevent Dental Problems: Regular dental exams and cleanings are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Perfect Smiles San Ramon can help prevent dental problems before they start by providing routine check-ups and cleanings. Restore Your Smile: If you have damaged or missing teeth, Perfect Smiles San Ramon can help restore your smile with a range of restorative treatments. They can help you regain a complete and functional smile that looks and feels natural. Enhance Your Appearance: If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, Perfect Smiles San Ramon can help enhance your smile with a range of cosmetic dentistry treatments.

#dentist #dental care

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noficbyhalves · 10 months ago

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In retrospect, I realize how that statement wasn't really the best or most clear way to phrase my point. I didn't particularly want to get super into the weeds about health insurance and savings plan details, and I overcorrected a bit. My apologies.

Amended statement: if you are not on Medicare part D, this may or may not reduce your insulin costs depending on your insurance situation, which formula you're on, which company you're buying from, and whether or not Novo Nordisk feels like fucking you in particular up the ass this month.

If you would like to wander into the weeds with me, see below

The relevant bit here is that a significant portion of these changes aren't administered via list price. They're through manufacturer savings plans, which are great in that they are one additional thing to keep track of, allow manufacturers to put conditions on who actually gets that $35 price point, and let them bleed the uninformed dry (or too-busy-to-remember-to-renew, as these things tend to last for only a year or so) with the massive list price anyway.

From a little bit of digging, Eli Lilly's seems pretty reasonable, all things considered. It only excludes people on state or federal health plans (which, if someone could fact check whether people on like military insurance also get the $35 price point that'd be lovely, my passing google was inconclusive), and AFPs (way beyond the scope of this discussion, they look kind of sketchy to me but if that's the only thing your employer offers... tough shit I guess).

Novo Nordisk, however, excludes the above, as well as does some obnoxious nonsense like setting the price point at $99 a month if your insurance copay is too high (disturbingly common, as insulin is almost always classed at minimum tier 2, often tier 3) or NN isn't in their formulary, and telling you to go fuck yourself if you don't have health insurance at all.

That sure sounds unfortunate, you say, but surely if you stick to companies that have good savings plans, you'll be good to go. (Please hold a moment while I laugh until I keel over and then gnaw off my own arm)

So fun fact for the uninformed, "insulin" is not a drug, its a category of like a dozen different formulae that conceptually do the same thing, but in practice vary from 'mostly interchangeable' to 'extremely not interchangeable holy shit do not do that'. (Don't quote me on the exact quantity here, I'm not super familiar with the extremely long-acting stuff on the other side of the aisle, and this also isn't counting 70/30 or 50/50 mixes, which are extremely common with some specs.) This more-or-less doesn't matter if you're on one of the more commonly accessible ones (human or glargine, even lispro to some degree), but certain types are only available from certain manufacturers. Novo Nordisk is especially bad about this - if aspart or degludec works markedly better for you than lispro or glargine, you better hope your insurance covers NN cause they have a monopoly on that shit. (Or, realistically, make all of your insurance - and to some degree, employment - decisions for the past 5-7 years around the fact that you can't afford to pay $500 a month out of pocket for what your friends and family know colloquially as 'the good shit' or suffer the Noticeable Medical Concequences(TM))

So, in conclusion, the new law is EXTREMELY GOOD if you are on medicare and POSSIBLY VERY GOOD BUT DON'T PLAN YOUR BUDGET AROUND IT WITHOUT DOING IN-DEPTH RESEARCH DEPENDING ON YOUR HEALTH AND/OR INSURANCE SITUATION for everyone else. Which is the point I was trying to get at while tired and pissy the other day, that the law does not unilaterially apply to everyone, manufacturer savings plans aren't new, they're just reducing some parts of the out of pocket cost when you use them, and that we should still push for $35/mo for everyone regardless of insurance situation without jumping through these stupid hoops while celebrating the (EXTREMELY GOOD) success that we did get.

#long post #tw: the american health insurance system #that's only kind of a joke #i am chronically ill and also tired #current events #it is not my intent to be doom and gloom about this #just that when my dad and i talked about this when i was unemployed last year it brought me a whole lotta hope #only to be immediately kicked into the dirt once i actually dug up more details

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nargis04shaikh · 2 hours ago

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Best Health Insurance for Working Women

Health insurance is a vital investment for every working woman, offering protection against medical expenses while managing professional and personal life. The right health insurance plan should cater to unique needs, such as maternity benefits, mental health support, and family coverage. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best health insurance plan for your needs.

Why Health Insurance is Essential for Working Women

Working women often juggle multiple responsibilities, from their career to taking care of their families. Health insurance provides financial protection in case of medical emergencies, illnesses, or unexpected health conditions. A good plan should address maternity care, chronic conditions, mental health, and family health needs.

Types of Health Insurance Plans for Working Women

1. Individual Health Insurance

Covers just the insured woman. Ideal for those without dependents or who prefer separate coverage.

2. Family Floater Plans

A single policy that covers the entire family, including spouse, children, and parents. Cost-effective for families.

3. Critical Illness Insurance

Covers life-threatening diseases like cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. Offers a lump sum payout for treatment costs.

4. Maternity Health Insurance

Covers pregnancy-related expenses, including delivery, prenatal, and postnatal care, and newborn coverage.

5. Group Health Insurance

Offered by employers, it typically covers basic hospitalization and treatments for employees and their families.

6. Top-Up Plans

Additional coverage on top of an existing policy, providing extra protection at a lower premium.

Key Features to Look for in Health Insurance

When selecting a health insurance plan, consider the following features:

Maternity Coverage: Essential for women planning a family, covering delivery, prenatal care, and newborn care.

Pre-existing Conditions: Ensure the plan covers chronic conditions after a waiting period.

Mental Health Support: Look for plans that cover therapy and mental health services.

Cashless Hospitalization: A plan with a wide hospital network offering cashless treatments.

Preventive Healthcare: Some plans offer wellness benefits, free health checkups, and discounts on treatments.

Top Health Insurance Providers for Working Women

There are several health insurance providers that cater specifically to the needs of working women, offering maternity coverage, critical illness insurance, and mental health support. Some top insurers include:

Star Health & Allied Insurance �� Known for comprehensive maternity and mental health coverage.

Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance – Offers critical illness coverage and protection for pre-existing conditions.

Religare Health Insurance – Affordable family floater plans with a wide network of hospitals.

HDFC ERGO Health Insurance – Focuses on mental health support and preventive care.

ICICI Lombard – Offers family floater plans with maternity and daycare coverage.

Conclusion

Choosing the right health insurance plan is essential for working women who need to balance work, family, and personal health. A good health insurance policy provides comprehensive coverage, including maternity, critical illness, mental health, and family needs. Always compare plans based on your specific requirements to find the best coverage for you and your family. With the right Insurance Plan, you can focus on your career and personal life without worrying about medical expenses.

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