Clarification/Follow-up by tarot10 on 06/07/05 4:03 pm:
In what way are you hoping the patches will help?

What kind of challenges do you have that you believe prevent you from eating the way you want to eat?

Clarification/Follow-up by Ccl471 on 06/07/05 4:46 pm:
I am on psychiatric medication. It is the only one I can take. I have been on all the others for the same condition and those others caused problems so the one I am currently on is the only one that will work for me.

This medication gives me a huge appetite. Even before I was ever on psychiatric medication, I already had a problem with binge eating. My medication has only made it worse. Not only that, the medication slows down my metabolism, so that makes the weight gain even worse.

I have now reached a body weight where the obesity is causing sleep apnea.

I am on Medi-Cal, the medical insurance that California provides for its disabled residents.

Medi-Cal won't pay for the medical procedure I will need to treat my sleep apnea. The clinics that do that procedure say that I need both Medi-Cal and Medicare to pay for the procedure.

I am receiving SSI. You need to have been on SSI for at least two years before you can apply for SSDI. I applied for SSDI in April of last year, and I have not been approved yet. Once I get SSDI, I will need to have been on that for at least two years before I can apply for Medicare.

Since I am disabled, and my SSI provides me with just enough income to barely scrape by, I can't afford to pay out-of-pocket for the medical procedure for the sleep apnea.

So if weight loss patches can't help me lose weight, then I don't know what to do.


C.L.

Clarification/Follow-up by tarot10 on 06/07/05 6:35 pm:
I take a square dance class which helps me feel better emotionally and reduces my appetite. Square dancing is known to help on an emotional/psychological level.

I also have physical limitations and this is one thing that I can do that doesn't make them worst.

Look through the internet for square dance organizations and classes in your area. It is an inexpensive hobby. Classes are commonly offered at senior centers. Contact your senior centers and recreation departments in your area. You might even find one walking distance from your home.

Some students take classes at 2 or 3 different seniour centers each week--something to aim for once you are more financially able.

Let me know if you are aware that starches and carbohydrates or other foods increase your appetite.

Clarification/Follow-up by tarot10 on 06/07/05 7:07 pm:
There are medical doctors who are also homeopathist and who may also take MediCal. You might look through your yellow pages and see what you find.