Phentermine, The Pill that Makes Me Crazy as a Loon

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Replies

  • gallowglasslass
    gallowglasslass Posts: 19 Member
    Do you remember what dose you were on?

    I started on 25mg and moved to 50mg two weeks after that. I do know the dose I am taking is far less than what is prescribed for seizures, but I do not know how much is prescribed for migraines. I know there are much higher doses of the phentermine and maybe the topiramate at the clinic I go to than what I am taking, although that does not mean I will keep going up on the dose.

    I appreciate the posts the help me do research.

    The more recent time I was to start at 25mg for one week, then increase 25mg per week after that, up to 100mg as the final dose. I lasted less than two weeks... unfortunately tend to have bad reactions to migraine medications. One might think that there is not much worse than constant migraines, but I guarantee being manic from the meds is far worse!
  • CarKiller2013
    CarKiller2013 Posts: 26 Member
    I combined Phentermine with a 1200 cal/day diet last year and lost almost 50 lbs. It was under a doc's supervision so I thought I was fine. I experienced all the "normal" side effects...

    -anxiety
    -mood swings
    -heart palpitations
    -profuse sweating

    Lovely, right? And here I am, one year later. Gained all the weight back PLUS some.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    The bottom line is that drugs, legal or otherwise, should not be used for weight loss. The results are temporary, and these drugs can cause long term effects you are not aware of.

    The big weight loss secret is to burn more calories than you take in, and this is generally done by tracking calories and exercising.

    Back in the early nineties, someone was selling some weight loss powder with ephedrine in it. My friend started on it, told me I should try it, and I did. I even bought my own. Wow, I could eat anything I wanted, as much as I wanted, and I lost weight. I didn't even have to exercise. Well, the side effect was a racing heart all the time, profuse sweating, and a really irritable personality. I'm sure people thought I was on drugs too. Soon after I decided not to use it anymore, ephedrine was made illegal in the state live in.

    OP, I want to encourage you to stop taking the diet pill and learn a healthier way to lose weight. :)
  • weezieweeks
    weezieweeks Posts: 152 Member
    The more recent time I was to start at 25mg for one week, then increase 25mg per week after that, up to 100mg as the final dose. I lasted less than two weeks... unfortunately tend to have bad reactions to migraine medications. One might think that there is not much worse than constant migraines, but I guarantee being manic from the meds is far worse!

    Gallowglassla: Thank you for your post. So far I have not had any manic symptoms.

    I am also lucky that I have not had the profuse sweating that many others report. I already have some warmth from post-menopausal hormones, or lack there of, so I guess that is enough. I also have noticed any heart palpitations. My blood pressure has gone down; somehow, I think that is related to the 50mg Top dose, so right now I am not on bp meds and am just monitoring my blood pressure.

    I do find that I am quick to become irritable and am definitely working on self awareness of that, especially at work and around my husband. I am hoping that feeling better about getting a little weight off and making some progress will improve my outlook. I do notice some increased anxiety, but that is hard to sort out from my regular everyday life. My road has been rough for a while.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I've did it. I'm most likely in a crazed and crazy as hell state again. I've been dieting for 2 weeks before and lost 3lbs, decent weight loss, then I went back on Phentermine and Topiramate and I've lost 12lbs in one week. It's not a healthy weight loss, and the worst part is the anxiety it causes me, and the fact I'm aware of it. It's a horrible feeling, feeling like my world is going to come crashing down. I worry about money and everything when I'm taking Phentermine, it makes no sense. When I'm not on it, never, I'm fine. Weeks might cut close, but I never worry about it, when I'm on Phentermine, I FREAK the heck out.

    Are you certain that it is the Phentermine that is causing your anxiety? I was prescribed Topiramate on two separate occasions for migraines, and it caused me to have a manic episode each time - sort of a medication-induced bipolar, given that I already have depressive episodes. Apparently it is not a common side effect, but it happens.

    Combine that with a stimulant like Phentermine and I would be a gibbering wreck. Maybe you are another person who cannot tolerate the Topiramate, ask your doctor about that possibility.

    You had a manic induced episode because its a mood stabilizer (just as people can have manic episodes from SSRIs). I would say considering phentermine is an amphetamine that it would be the obvious choice for the anxiety... Unless OP has underlying bipolar and has had similar results on other mood stabilizers!
  • gallowglasslass
    gallowglasslass Posts: 19 Member
    You had a manic induced episode because its a mood stabilizer (just as people can have manic episodes from SSRIs). I would say considering phentermine is an amphetamine that it would be the obvious choice for the anxiety... Unless OP has underlying bipolar and has had similar results on other mood stabilizers!

    Yes, that was what I was asking OP. He might be bipolar and not even realise it, if he's not been on mood stabilisers before; the Topiramate could have triggered his first episode. I myself only have manic episodes when taking certain medications (SSRIs, tricyclics, certain anticonvulsants that are prescribed for migraines). Had I never been prescribed those meds I might not have ever had a manic episode.

    OP's posts do not make it clear whether he was taking the Phentermine/Topiramate combo the first time he tried it (when the side effects were not as bad), or just the Phentermine. He also started in at a full 100mg dose of the Topiramate rather than gradually working up to it.

    The Topiramate may have nothing to do with his symptoms at all, but on the off chance that it does, it is worth considering talking to his doctor about. Soon.

    Edit: Fixed HTML tags.
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    You had a manic induced episode because its a mood stabilizer (just as people can have manic episodes from SSRIs). I would say considering phentermine is an amphetamine that it would be the obvious choice for the anxiety... Unless OP has underlying bipolar and has had similar results on other mood stabilizers!

    Yes, that was what I was asking OP. He might be bipolar and not even realise it, if he's not been on mood stabilisers before; the Topiramate could have triggered his first episode. I myself only have manic episodes when taking certain medications (SSRIs, tricyclics, certain anticonvulsants that are prescribed for migraines). Had I never been prescribed those meds I might not have ever had a manic episode.

    OP's posts do not make it clear whether he was taking the Phentermine/Topiramate combo the first time he tried it (when the side effects were not as bad), or just the Phentermine. He also started in at a full 100mg dose of the Topiramate rather than gradually working up to it.

    The Topiramate may have nothing to do with his symptoms at all, but on the off chance that it does, it is worth considering talking to his doctor about. Soon.

    Edit: Fixed HTML tags.

    Hey guys,

    I was just taking Phentermine the first time and I didn't have any problems as bad, I had some anxiety, but it's been much worse this time.. This is the first time I'm taking the topriamate with the Phentermine.

    I don't think I'm bipolar, I've never been diagnosed as bi-polar or anything. I've been diagnosed with OCD (It gets bad some times) and a little bit of anxiety.
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    I combined Phentermine with a 1200 cal/day diet last year and lost almost 50 lbs. It was under a doc's supervision so I thought I was fine. I experienced all the "normal" side effects...

    -anxiety
    -mood swings
    -heart palpitations
    -profuse sweating

    Lovely, right? And here I am, one year later. Gained all the weight back PLUS some.

    I was just Phentermine before lost 100lbs, didn't gain hardly any back over 2 years, I just want to jump start the loss to the final 50-60lbs. I lost 15lbs this week for the jump start. Just a little bit loony.
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    Melissa22G, who are you directing your post to?

    The OP.

    " I'm most likely in a crazed and crazy as hell state again"
    " It's not a healthy weight loss, and the worst part is the anxiety it causes me, and the fact I'm aware of it."
    " It's a horrible feeling, feeling like my world is going to come crashing down. I worry about money and everything when I'm taking Phentermine, it makes no sense."
    " when I'm on Phentermine, I FREAK the heck out."
    "I decided to jump start it again, and while the loss has been wonderful, the anxiety and everything has been just incredibly horrible."



    I just quoted everything that has caused concern with the pill the OP is taking.

    I'll say again, *I'd* prefer to lose weight while not freaking out or having anxiety.

    That is what I said, and I believe it. I follow it, just wanted a jump start, usually I let my Dr. talk me into it. I just hate the anxiety but I like seeing the scale move like a race car.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    People talk about rebound weight, but I really have never suffered rebound weight from Phentermine the last time I was on it.

    ....

    I gained about 30lbs back over a period of a little over a year, a very very stressful year.

    rebound....

    inigo-montoya.jpg
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    People talk about rebound weight, but I really have never suffered rebound weight from Phentermine the last time I was on it.

    ....

    I gained about 30lbs back over a period of a little over a year, a very very stressful year.

    rebound....

    inigo-montoya.jpg

    People keep saying how they gain it all back and more while on Phentermine. Hell, regular dieting I lost and gained all the weight back before keeping 70lbs off after losing 100lbs for over a year, I'll take it. I don't consider that a rebound by any means.
  • weezieweeks
    weezieweeks Posts: 152 Member
    Hey guys,

    I was just taking Phentermine the first time and I didn't have any problems as bad, I had some anxiety, but it's been much worse this time.. This is the first time I'm taking the topriamate with the Phentermine.

    I don't think I'm bipolar, I've never been diagnosed as bi-polar or anything. I've been diagnosed with OCD (It gets bad some times) and a little bit of anxiety.

    So you started with 100mg of Topiramate and are planning to move to 200mg Topiramate after you take it for a month? That seems like a lot higher dose to start with and step up to...just passing along information that I know...
  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    The easy way out is always more difficult.

    No to pills yes to eating at a deficit and exercise.

    END THREAD.
  • jrmccoy78
    jrmccoy78 Posts: 5
    To BellaIron- If only it was that easy, sister. I have worked so hard for two years and the scale has barely moved. And I'm a dancer who eats clean. I am well educated in food and fitness. But, some people actually do have an extremely tough time losing weight and medical help is necessary. For example, I did Insanity for two weeks straight, and I did not lose even one pound. Not even one single pound. So, please do not judge by saying that taking a physician prescribed medication is the easy way out. Because even if it helps, eating right and exercising are still required. Thanks.
  • jrmccoy78
    jrmccoy78 Posts: 5
    It's actually not an amphetamine. It's a "distant cousin" so to speak.
  • NonnyMary
    NonnyMary Posts: 982 Member
    To BellaIron- If only it was that easy, sister. I have worked so hard for two years and the scale has barely moved. And I'm a dancer who eats clean. I am well educated in food and fitness. But, some people actually do have an extremely tough time losing weight and medical help is necessary. For example, I did Insanity for two weeks straight, and I did not lose even one pound. Not even one single pound. So, please do not judge by saying that taking a physician prescribed medication is the easy way out. Because even if it helps, eating right and exercising are still required. Thanks.

    You are right - meds are a tool. but we still have to watch what we eat. its still that amount of challenge to be able to eat within our calorie/macro budget here.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    To BellaIron- If only it was that easy, sister. I have worked so hard for two years and the scale has barely moved. And I'm a dancer who eats clean. I am well educated in food and fitness. But, some people actually do have an extremely tough time losing weight and medical help is necessary. For example, I did Insanity for two weeks straight, and I did not lose even one pound. Not even one single pound. So, please do not judge by saying that taking a physician prescribed medication is the easy way out. Because even if it helps, eating right and exercising are still required. Thanks.

    Weight loss is about the calories you consume not eating clean and not the exercise you do. Exercise can help, but as they say, "can't out exercise a bad diet"

    I'm not judging the prescription but if you are focusing on "clean" and exercise, I would suggest you look more at total cals.
  • NonnyMary
    NonnyMary Posts: 982 Member
    To BellaIron- If only it was that easy, sister. I have worked so hard for two years and the scale has barely moved. And I'm a dancer who eats clean. I am well educated in food and fitness. But, some people actually do have an extremely tough time losing weight and medical help is necessary. For example, I did Insanity for two weeks straight, and I did not lose even one pound. Not even one single pound. So, please do not judge by saying that taking a physician prescribed medication is the easy way out. Because even if it helps, eating right and exercising are still required. Thanks.

    Weight loss is about the calories you consume not eating clean and not the exercise you do. Exercise can help, but as they say, "can't out exercise a bad diet"

    I'm not judging the prescription but if you are focusing on "clean" and exercise, I would suggest you look more at total cals.

    So if a person can eat 3 pounds of vegetables in a day, and total calories in a day add up to 3,500 calories, it is a good chance they will not lose that pound. even eating clean?
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    To BellaIron- If only it was that easy, sister. I have worked so hard for two years and the scale has barely moved. And I'm a dancer who eats clean. I am well educated in food and fitness. But, some people actually do have an extremely tough time losing weight and medical help is necessary. For example, I did Insanity for two weeks straight, and I did not lose even one pound. Not even one single pound. So, please do not judge by saying that taking a physician prescribed medication is the easy way out. Because even if it helps, eating right and exercising are still required. Thanks.

    Weight loss is about the calories you consume not eating clean and not the exercise you do. Exercise can help, but as they say, "can't out exercise a bad diet"

    I'm not judging the prescription but if you are focusing on "clean" and exercise, I would suggest you look more at total cals.

    So if a person can eat 3 pounds of vegetables in a day, and total calories in a day add up to 3,500 calories, it is a good chance they will not lose that pound. even eating clean?

    Yep.^ although it would probably hard to overheat on those particular items without preparing them with fats.
  • NonnyMary
    NonnyMary Posts: 982 Member
    I thought so. :)

    I went to the nutrition for the first time last week.. He said if I wanted I could take Qsymia. I might try it for a month to see what happens. if I get anxiety or any bad effects i will stop. I'd like to see what happens because I was on Phen Fen a while back and I lost a ton of weight.. and it was not a fad 800 calorie a day diet. it just took away my appetite and gave me extra energy and i went to the gym 3 x a week. dry mouth was the only annoyance.

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