When Prednisone, Zepbound & Perimenopause Walk Into a Bar…

Let’s talk about what it’s like when your body decides to throw a full-blown hormonal tantrum, complete with party favors like perimenopause, a fiery autoimmune flare, and the not-so-fabulous trio: Prednisone, Zepbound, and Tremfya. Sprinkle in your monthly cycle for extra flair, and you’ve basically got a three-ring circus with no ringmaster.

At 42, perimenopause & fibromyalgia showed up like, “Hey girl, hope you weren’t using your brain today!” Because let me tell you—brain fog is real. So are the hormonal cravings that used to have me thinking about snacks 24/7. Thankfully, Zepbound has stepped in like a quiet hero, calming the constant food chatter and silencing those cravings that used to control my mood and my grocery list.

But this isn’t some effortless magic medication fairytale. Nope. Now it’s a daily balancing act:

Not feeling hungry at all… but still needing to get enough protein and fluids to protect my muscles and joints.

Fighting nausea when my blood sugar dips too low—because even though I’m not hungry, my body still needs fuel.

Learning how to listen to my body in new, unfamiliar ways while juggling swelling, exhaustion, and trying to just function.

And here’s the honest truth I’ve always been scared to say:

I have never felt beautiful.

Not like the “pretty girls.”

Not like someone who belonged in a bikini or felt totally at ease in her own skin.

And I’ve never been skinny—not even close. But you know what?

Skinny isn’t the goal. Never was.

The real goal is healing.

It’s waking up with less pain in my back, my knees, my hips.

It’s reclaiming my energy. My movement. My peace.

It’s being able to chase my dreams without my body constantly dragging behind.

Even with all the ups and downs, I’ve lost 16 pounds since starting Tremfya, Zepbound, and yes—even Prednisone (though it’s more the villain than the hero with its lovely swelling and insomnia ). That progress is worth celebrating—even when it’s hard to see through inflammation, water retention, and body image fog- Horrible Body dysmorphic disorder.

Top row is today and bottom row is at the end of Feb 2024

So I’ve started documenting my journey in photos. Not for likes. Not for external validation. But to see me. To track the changes my scale and mirror might not show. To prove to myself that I am growing, shifting, healing—even if it’s messy and nonlinear.

Some days I still struggle to share. Some days I look in the mirror and feel unsure, anxious, or like I’ll never “get there.” But the truth is, I already am. Every step forward is enough. Every ounce of effort matters.

So here’s to showing up—brain fog, puffy cheeks, protein shakes, and all.

Not to be skinny.

But to be strong.

To be nourished.

To finally feel like myself—maybe for the first time ever.

Much love and many blessings,

Mrs. B