u/ChipperChickadee568

As a disclaimer, I’m seeing my new PCP tomorrow and will be asking about this, I’m just trying to make sure I know best what to discuss/ask!

I’m nearly 4 years post partum with my last kiddo having been 10 pounds 11 ounces when they were born 🫠 My second was just shy of 9 pounds and first was 8, so the big kids definitely did a number on my abdomen. I’ve had issues with lower back pain/strain ever since having them, and my posture has gone to pot.

I self measured for the first time in a year or two and my belly button gap is about 4 fingers, above and below is 3 at least. And I can press deep into my abdomen especially in my belly button. Is this considered moderate to severe? I’m willing to try PT but is a gap that big even fixable without surgery? Looking pregnant after eating, even after drinking a lot of water, is getting old. So now that the littles aren’t so little anymore and my husband having a schedule change, I’m hoping this will be my chance to fix the issue.

Anyone’s personal experience or perspective is definitely welcome!

So I began my Kit 3 journey mid November (Bupropion XL 300mg and Naltrexone HCL + Topiramate + B12 118mg) in earnest. I got the meds in mid July and saw some good results but had some side effects and due to an unrelated allergic reaction in August I stopped the meds.

My beginning stats:
37, 5’7, 171

My second go around my side effects were less than the first which was nice. My weight steadily dropped even during the holiday season and my food noise was significantly decreased. But beginning March or so I noticed that began to diminish. But still I was being better about snacking and portion sizes which I’m happy about. But I’ve pretty much in a plateau since then even with me walking 30-50 miles a week as consistently as I can.

Current Stats:
37, 5’7, 149

So I’m at my goal weight. Yay! I would honestly like to stay on the meds till I hit 140 pounds. But I’ve made the decision not to and here’s why:

Brain fog. It’s almost always been present but seems to be getting worse. It’s manageable but I’m not a fan.
Low libido. Now I’m not saying I’ve always been revvin and ready to go but I’ve had literally ZERO sex drive since being on these meds. Could literally care less. So I don’t want this to impact my marriage.
Excessive hair shedding. I have lost 50+% of my hair volume. It started almost immediately when I began the meds in July, and when I restarted them in November I also started Nutrafol a couple weeks later and it’s had zero impact. Prior to these meds I would rarely lose more than a dozen or two hairs in the shower. I’m now losing golf ball sized if not larger when I’m showering (that’s if I wash my hair every 3 or so days). If I run my fingers through my hair, dozens of hairs come out. When I brush, dozens fall out. It’s terrifying. Even when I was post partum it wasn’t this bad and it’s been consistent for at least 4 months.

So could all these symptoms be perimenopause? You bet. I’ve got an appointment with a new doctor week after next to do panels and to check things out. I checked my thyroid just over a year ago but beyond that I haven’t done much else. But there’s a direct correlation between me starting these medications and my symptoms. So I’m grateful for the weight loss, and the work I’ve put in has paid off. But the cost isn’t worth it anymore.

So to those just starting, monitor yourself. Don’t gaslight yourself into thinking something might just be normal. And for those still on your journey, keep tabs and make sure you’re doing best by yourself as well. I know these meds work, but they don’t always treat us the best while doing so. Everyone’s experience is different so please don’t invalidate others because of your own journey!