It's ironic that even the most obscure things we hope for can come true. I can't tell you how many times I've thought to myself how much easier it would be to lose weight (or manage my blood sugar) if I could just completely lose the desire to eat or if I could feel just a bit queesy all the time to discourage my mindless eating habits.

In contrast, I can't tell you how many times yesterday I said, "I'm not taking that damn medicine anymore."

Last Monday when I visited my endo, I asked about Symlin. I wasn't having trouble with post-prandials. In fact, I was very happy with where my numbers were. What I wanted Symlin for was the weight-loss aspect, that full feeling patients are supposed to get from it. I suspected that the possible side effects (namely nausea) would add to my weight-loss quest. What's a little nausea, I thought. Plus, after my lackluster experience with Byetta, I really didn't think the side effects would be that bad. I started that day on the lowest dose--15 mcg.

This Monday, I emailed an update to Dr. C telling him that my numbers were great, I wasn't having any lows and that I felt great. He advised me to start taking the 30 mcg dose for three to five days and to up my insulin-to-carb ratio by two across the board. I did so and Monday everything seemed fine.

Yesterday I hit a roadblock that had me pretty close to emailing Dr. C to tell him there was no way in Hell I was going to continue taking Symlin. Yes, it got that bad that fast. Let's just say that the tummy trouble side effect was in full force. I spent my lunch hour on the couch at home, nibbled on some Cheez It Party Mix for "lunch" and spent much of the day in the bathroom.

"This is so not worth it," I kept saying to myself. "If this is what I have to go through to lose weight on this then I don't think I want to; I'll figure something else out."

But there was this little voice in the back of my head that urged me to give it at least one more shot (no pun intended!). So I listened. Last night The Mr. and I had a late dinner (it was 8:30 p.m.!) from McDonald's. I could barely finish half of what I would normally eat. "Is that your medicine working?" The Mr. asked. Maybe it wasn't so bad, I thought, to put up with a little nausea, and maybe the bathroom problem would resolve, I reasoned.

I decided to test the scale this morning; I've lost roughly 1 lb. since Monday. At this rate, I may reach my goal of losing 20 lb. by California. While I could barely scarf down half of my normal breakfast of lower sugar oatmeal this morning, the constant nausea and related tummy problems seem to have mostly subsided. (However, I did feel rotten enough at 5:30 this morning that I skipped my walk.)

What are you willing to endure in the name of weight loss?