@parus

Thanks Parus. How are you doing these days? I'm having some recurring back pain so I decided to start yoga again. So happy I did that because I already feel more alive! I had forgotten about how great I feel when I do it.

I recently stopped taking Glipizide 2.5 mg. which was supposed to help my blood sugar. I also take insulin. I noticed that in the last 4 or 5 months I have gained 10 pounds and I couldn't figure out why. Then I read the prescription info and it mentioned weight gain. I stopped taking it that moment. I paid too much in $$, pain and work to lose weight with an RnY gastric bypass to gain it back because of a pill!

I also stopped taking the 10 mg of Valsartin, which probably wasn't doing me any good anyway. It was for blood pressure, but my pressure has actually been too low for nearly a year. I read on NPR that certain manufacturers of the drug (for high pressure), use a process that results in a cancer causing NDMA chemical and the FDA has blocked prescriptions from those manufacturers until more research. The other day I read that the FDA has expanded its research into all manufacturers of Valsartin. I stopped mine om that day. I feel fine, and my blood pressure has remained low.

Many years ago I had decided never to "take a pill for the side effects of another pill." Now, I've decided to not take pills that cause other problems if I can help it. My only remaining pills are Citalopram and Omeprozole (for occasional gastric inflammation). I know you too have stopped many medications.

I also wanted to let you know you have inspired me to go to an oil painting class/group, and watercolors are next. I love your work so much! I'm thinking these will help me be more interested in life (and more interesting too), and I will hopefully make some new friends. I have been lonely here, even with my husband as he reads most of the time. I need to have women friends to talk with I think. I decided that for me, loneliness is a choice I can change. I recognize that this isn't a choice for everyone, but it is for me. I need to be more active.

Have a good Labor Day Parus.