I had my annual last week.
I’ve continued to use the same OBGYN who delivered Persephone. He’s kind, always chats for a minute...listens to me babble and I never feel
rushed. I brought up my weight and how I’d
like to get it under control. But I feel
like I need a push, a nudge to get me started.
He said there were a few FDA approved diet pills available, but two of
them are ridiculously expensive even with insurance. Qysmia (phentermine/topiramate), Belviq
(lorcaserin hci) are the too expensive brand names. Then he mentioned a newer one, Contrave
(naltrexonehci/bupropion hci) which is a
little more affordable.
He gave me a
flyer, asked me to check with my PCP and make sure none of my current
medications will interfere with Contrave and said I could give it a try. What’s kind of interesting is the combo of the
two ingredients of Contrave; bupropion hci is more commonly known as Wellbutrin…which is an
anti-depressant. Naltrexone is used to
block receptors in the brain and curb cravings.
Naltrexone is marketed on its own to help with addictive disorders (smoking/drinking...etc.)
I’ve tried diets before.
I even went to a specific "weight loss" clinic where I weighed in weekly, visited the doctor monthly and was prescribed phentermine. The only downfall to phentermine was the cotton mouth, headaches, elevated blood pressure and irritability. But you're a controlled substance, a type of methamphetamine. I totally felt like I could concur the world, but the process got way too expensive. I tried ADVOCARE and failed miserably.
It’s my fault…I get excited in the beginning, but then get burnt out
either by the ongoing costs or the plateau.
Contrave’s ingredients would produce a pretty ugly “withdrawal” if I
just stopped taking it. So I’m using that scary scenario (along with older photos of
myself) as motivation to stay on the program.
Contrave also offers a “Scale Down” program; once you’ve filled your
first month’s prescription, the pharmaceutical company sends you a scale (free
of charge). You weigh in daily and it
sends your results to the program wirelessly.
Then they’re able to send you encouraging tips/tricks via text message
or email to keep you going. They also
offer a support group where you and other patients can lean on one another.
Diet and exercise are strongly recommended…so
I do plan on implementing something for myself as well. I'm the one at fault for all the weight I've gained, so it's time to gain control of myself.
Height: 5'3"
4/15/2015 weight: 218
4/15/2015 BMI: 39
I take my first Contrave tomorrow morning 4/21/15.
Week 1 : 1 pill ea morning
Week 2: 1 pill ea morning and evening
Week 3: 2 pills ea morning, 1 pill ea evening
Week 4: 2 pills ea morning, 2 pills ea evening
Good luck! You can do it!!!
ReplyDeleteLet me know how you feel! I'm on the phentermine right now.....love the energy, but it doesn't curb much appetite & I'm holding steady at having lost only 6 lbs. Smh
ReplyDeleteI lost 26lbs within 4 months on my longer stretch with phentermine. That was back in about 2005...but once I quit it all came back. You've got to train yourself not to eat as much which is my biggest issue. I don't eat all day long, but my portions at lunch and dinner need to be smaller.
DeleteFirst off, creeper alert - I found your blog a long time ago after reading Journey of Parenthood... I've since figured out that we live semi-close (we're in Bethlehem). Anyways, I am one of your *three* readers. :)
ReplyDeleteI, too, struggle with my weight. It all started when I was pregnant with my second child. I gained an enormous amount of weight and lost 75 pounds afterwards. She's five, and it's all come back now. I'm currently doing Weight Watchers, but it's a loooong process, so I understand where you're at.
Just thought I'd say hello and let you know that you're not alone in this weight struggle. :) Hang in there - your health will not just benefit you, but your husband and daughter, too.
Haha thanks Mandy! It's definitely a small world. Are you doing the weekly visits to weight watchers or just the online program?! Keep me posted on your progress!
DeleteYes, I go to the Athens location weekly. I realized that I needed the accountability. I lost my weight the first time with WW, and then I thought I knew it all, so I stopped going.... Apparently the only thing I knew was how to eat, lol... and I've since gained it all back. The meetings, which I lovingly call Fat Girls Anonymous, are necessary because I need someone there to see my weight when I get on the scale.
ReplyDelete