Looking for people who are trying out Contrave? Thoughts? Is it working?

Did anyone feel sad the first week on it? I'm on day 4 and am impressed with how well it's working with my obsessive thoughts on food and haven't binged or even wanted to binge since I started but I feel so down. Not sure if this will pass in time.

I wonder if I'm feeling down becuaSe food had always been my go to and I need to find something elsE to take its place. I like miss it. I know I sound crazy but food was always my bff.

I have been on Contrave for a couple weeks but I'm taking it separate Wellbutrin and naltrexone and I am having major joint pain. My back, neck and shoulders are killing me. Anyone else? Even my gums hurt?

How do u reply to people lol

Not really a person who does a lot of posting on internet sites---basically none. But because of the incredible experience that I am having with contrave feel the need to let others know of my experience. Here's what I posted on November 3.

I started contrave on October 1--32 days ago. I followed the directions, beginning with one pill for the first week, two pills the second, three pills the third and then didn't feel the need to go to the four pills. Luckily I have experienced no side effects. So far I have lost approximately 14 lbs and have about 50 more to go.

I find it very difficult to explain the way it has changed my attitude towards food other than to say, i'm just not hungry in the ways that I used to be.

I have been very careful in limiting my food intake but don't find it difficult at all unlike previous attempts without it. I was very skeptical going in and still can't quite believe that its working as well as it is.

Since then, 36 days later I have lost another 16 lbs for a total of 30 lbs in 68 days. I am scrupulous about putting all my food into MFP which I think is important as an aid.

Not much to add from my original post other than that it continues to work. If you've struggled with weight loss, and your doctor agrees, give it a shot. From what I've read from others, it seems like a large percentage of users can't deal with it and another group has had a similar experience to mine.

For me, it has been life changing.

Hello. I'm 37 yrs old and started logging my calories, exercise and weight over 2 years ago. I'd log my calories and exercise and most days I'd binge and blow up my allowed calories. I didn't start losing weight until I started taking contrave. My doctor offered me this diet pill saying it contained wellbutrin and neltrexon and has given people good results with minor side effects in comparison to other weight loss pills. In the last 4 months I've lost 20 lbs and now I'm no longer considered obese. Yes, I'm overweight and I can loose many more lbs, but with contrave I can actually stay within my allowed calories. I'm more proactive with self care activities and exercise. I have less negative thinking and emotions. I really haven't ever experienced sustained good emotions like I do now. It is not because I lost 20 lbs, it's because this medication works good for me. I lost the weight because I now feel so much better as a person. I'm so thankful for MyfitnessPal, for my friends and family who joined me in logging, for my doctor who prescribes me contrave and for the community of people I've met at the gym

I just started week two with dose at night. Keep me awake all night. Can I take this right before bedtime so I can sleep?

Thrilled that this medication exists. If you believe that I can do this long term without this medication, then you do not understand addiction. I am on a journey to long term healthy living. I have been on this since July and have lost 30 pounds. I gave myself leave to not worry about losing weight in the past month or so. Today I started being serious again and am logging my food, exercise and water. I did have a few side effects in the beginning, but none now. I appreciate that I no longer obsess about food. It is refreshing to think about things other than food. If you are on this journey as well - feel free to add me as a friend! I love the motivation of others on the same journey. Happy new year all!

i am on qsymia not contrive but for those of you who are having such bad side effects (I was on topirimate alone and had bad side effects) talk to your doctor about belviq and qsymia and there is another that is daily injections. I go to dr Kushner (dr in Chicago) he knows his stuff.

Just checking back in - I see not too many new posts or updates - sorry to see that, but I'm going to keep updating and hope others will follow. So as I said above - started Contrave on 01/02/2016 and am up to 2 pills a day (start 3 pills a day on Saturday) still nothing significant to complain about. I have lost 8.5 lbs. in the 13 days I've been on it and that's without any exercise - just cutting calories, keeping to 1200 calories a day and logging everything - I MEAN EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth. This really does help as I can see if at lunch I'm getting too low on remaining calories for dinner and can adjust before eating that cheeseburger or as I did one day - third street taco!! Damn those street tacos!! Back to the Contrave though - I am not going to say that I don't feel hungry occasionally as some people have indicated sometimes due to nausea (I haven't really experienced nausea) but when I do feel hungry I can quickly curb it by drinking some water and having a healthy snack. What I'm not doing is obsessing about food...what I'm going to eat next, what's for dinner, where should I go for lunch, which dessert item to order...etc. That definitely has to be from the Contrave. As for the mood swings - the first couple of days I was on them and there was some issues at home - nothing horrible - just life stuff and I found myself crying and thinking oh no...it's the Contrave. Fortunately, this passed along with the issue that now I can't even recall what the problem was. Heading to sign up at a local gym really close to my house this afternoon and start to get moving in hopes of dropping the weight maybe a little faster but more so to add to my lifestyle change of getting healthy in 2016. Would love to hear some updates - especially from those that have been on Contrave for a few months.

You've done really well kbob - Congrats! Day 17 and down 12 lbs. I was hoping it would be faster but just over 2 weeks and down 12 lbs. --- I'll take it. I know it will slow at times but if I could keep this up I will be to my goal weight (or have lost my goal % body weight in about 6-8 months. I just joined a fitness place as my work insurance covers the cost of membership and that 12 lbs. loss has not included any exercise at all. So starting this evening going to go get on the treadmill for an hour or so and check into Yoga classes too...I love Yoga! Keep posting when you can as it seems like there's not too many that "check in" after starting.

Oh, one thing though - I'm on the 3 pills a day as of Saturday and went out to lunch yesterday afternoon - felt eehhh the rest of the day. Not sure if it's what I ate for lunch (Mongolian BBQ), the pills or perhaps I have a bug as still feeling blah today. Other than this - I've really had none of the drastic side effects some others have reported.

Started 12/18. I've been on full pills for about 4 weeks. I am NOT sleeping ... Anybody else?? I'm thinking of getting off. I'm only getting 4-5 hrs and up a lot during night. Help! I even changed 2nd dose to 5pm...

I have been on Contrave since Nov. 9, and have lost 20 pounds. I'd lost 10 lbs in the three months before this, so I definitely feel Contrave has been a successful tool for me. I have been logging food, watching calories, and light exercise the entire time, so I feel like I have a good comparison of weight loss with and without Contrave.

I have had some constipation - OTC meds help with that - and sleep issues. I'll wake up in the middle of the night, and have more vivid dreams that interrupt my sleep. I've tried making sure I take my second dose earlier in the day, which helps somewhat. Anyone else have any tips on the sleep issue?

For me, Contrave has given me "breathing room" to concentrate on changing eating habits and exercise, by removing the urge to eat. It's really that simple - food is just not important to me while on the drug. It's not a long term solution, but it is allowing me to work on changing the underlying habits that I need to change.

I started on Contrave 10/1/15, and it has been life changing for me. I have yo yo dieted my whole life, take off 50lb and put more back on....you all may know what that feels like. I am a mother of 7 yo twin boys and my 50 yo husband, a marathon runner, had a massive stroke earlier this year. When the stroke occurred my weight was up, but I pretty much ate my way through all of the stress, fear, anxiety and any other emotion that came my way while he was recovering and my weight topped out at an all time high. Once he finished rehabilitation and returned home, I decided it was time to begin taking care of me and I scheduled all of my yearly MD exams. When I visited my GYN who I have known for many years I just broke down, I came to the realization that if I did not take care of myself, our boys could be left without a mother. We talked and she recommended Contrave because of my emotional eating issues. Pretty much immediately it impacted the way I manage emotions and food. I definately still have stressful, difficult days but I no longer have the urge to pacify it with food. I like to eat, and enjoy good meals and MFP has helped me find a way to enjoy good food within the right calorie range to lose weight. As a result I am down 40lb and I am so close to onederland I can taste it (pun intended . I don't think Contrave is for everyone, I have heard of folks having significant side effects, but I have not experienced any. My biggest fear is once I get to my goal and stop taking the Contrave, how will I manage to keep the weight off. I am hopeful that the lifestyle and habits I am creating for myself through this journey will sustain me through maintenance.

Keep up the good work all...it feels good for me to know I am not alone.

At what times are you taking your doses?

I have been taking contrave for 3weeks. It definitely helps the cravings but I have bad nausea and achy head, I hate to stop but not worth feeling this bad . Any suggestions?