Anyone else using Phentermine?

rubble20

I used Phentermine last year for 3 months and from October to January I lost 50 lbs. I mostly maintained but due to slipping back into a poor diet and not exercising I gained 15 back. My doctor recently started me on Phentermine again and I don't seem to be having very good luck with it this time around. In 3 weeks I have only lost 11 lbs.

I have also been working out at least 5 times a week w/ cardio/strengh training so I'm sure I am also gaining muscle which would decrease the amount of weight lost. And my clothes definitely fit better. However, in order for me to stay on the medication I have to be losing weight.

Some days when I take the medication I am not hungry at all and other days I feel like I'm starving. I have tried taking the medication with breakfast, as well as taking the medication on an empty stomach. I have tried taking it with a carb loaded breakfast and also with a light breakfast. It seems like no matter how I take it, it just depends on the day how it's going to work. I am usually well below my calorie goal which is normal when taking Phentermine but I have also tried meeting my calorie goal and I have the same results.

Is anyone else taking this medication? What seems to work best for you?

Also, does anybody know if alcohol consumption has a negative effect on the effectiveness of phentermine. I have a couple drinks two or three days a week. I'm still below my calorie goal, but wondering if this is hindering my weight loss. That's the only thing I can think that I've done differently than last year. I was in school last year and working full time and definitely did not have time for drinking.

CarKiller2013

I took Phentermine last summer. I was willing to put up with the horrible side effects because I was losing...a lot. After a while, it seemed like I built up an immunity to the stuff and it stopped working as well. I was hangry, sweaty and shaking all the time. NOT WORTH IT.

Forget the drugs. Eat at a deficit.

QuietBloom

11 pounds in 3 weeks is a HUGE loss. I'm not sure why you are worried that you are not losing enough. A safe weight loss is at the maximum, 2 lb/week.

willdob3

Many, many years ago I took it for a few months. Gained every single bit back so fast it made my head spin. Can't recommend any weight loss drugs.

I highly recommend healthy lifestyle changes to lose fat, feel good and get results that will last. It is so much easier! And healthier.

links_slayer

you've *only* lost 11 pounds in 3 weeks?

ditch the pills at eat fewer calories than you use in a day.

Cindyinpg

you've *only* lost 11 pounds in 3 weeks?

ditch the pills at eat fewer calories than you use in a day.

+1

SLLRunner

Welcome, Rubble.

11 pounds in three weeks is unsafe, just as 50 pounds in three months is, and both are pretty dangerous. I have found some threads on Phentermine that you might be interested in. Please PLEASE stop taking this drug. Sure, it gives you quick results because it stimulates your heart and messes with other bodily functions, but it is not a lifestyle change. IT's a drug.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1124876-anyone-else-using-phentermine?hl=Phentermine
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122686-phentermine-surgery-pain-mess-new-please-help?hl=Phentermine
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1113056-doctor-says-phentermine-long-term-not-a-problem-really?hl=Phentermine

I encourage you to set your goals up in MFP, or use one of the online calculators to find your calorie goal for where you are now, eat healthy, and continue your exercise, and see where it takes you. The results are not as fast, but you are learning a lifestyle change as opposed to a quick fix. This is the good example for your kids, not taking a weight loss pill.

Whatever you chose to do, the best of luck to you.

Stage14

You're literally losing at almost twice the high end of recommended weight loss.
Exactly how fast were you hoping to lose? You lost 50lbs in 10 months last time and now you're losing at over twice that rate so far.

I am not an advocate of weightloss drugs, but I realize than for some the risk of their obesity outweighs the risk of the drug so I'm not going to berate you for being on it. But, there is no reason to think you aren't losing weight fast enough this time around. Remember, the faster you lose, the more lean body mass you are likely losing along with fat (depending of course on your starting weight and BF%). Have some patience and realize that it takes time, even with the aid of a drug.

rubble20

Maybe I should clarify. I lost 10 lbs the first two weeks, which is actually typical for me when I start any kind of weight loss plan. So this last week I only lost the 1 pound. And this medication is designed for a faster than normal weight loss. To be clear, this medication is prescribed to me by my doctor who is monitoring me.

And I realize that it is a lifestyle and diet change. When I did the pills last year I was able to cut out soda (even diet soda) and any fast food and made healthier decisions about food. I kept up with that plan for 5 months and was able to maintain but had trouble losing. I stopped working out and started eating poorly again. I gained 15 lbs back in just 3 months. I started dieting and exercising again and wasn't having any luck so I thought I would try the pills again.

I don't actually have any weird side effects from the pills. My blood pressure is always great. I don't get sweats or palpitations. Worse thing I've had is dry mouth once in a while but I drink a lot of water so that isn't that big of an issue.

I know a lot of people don't agree with the pills but of all the things I've tried in the last 10 years, this is the only thing that has worked for me.

And I lost 50 lbs in 3 months last time not 10 Stage14, which is why I was expecting the same kind of results. I currently have a BMI of 34.2 which makes me moderately obese. Even losing another 50 lbs in this time frame would still leave me overweight but close enough to my goal weight that I should be able to accomplish that w/out using drugs.

Different things work for different people. I have seen numerous posts on here where people are going by their MFP guidelines for calorie intake and exercise and still have trouble shedding any weight. It's not always that simple. I do appreciate the concern but I intend on staying on the medication for the full 3 months. I was just simply asking anyone else who has tried it and had luck with it, what worked best for them.

thanks

silken555

Just to clarify, you are not building muscle.

Building muscle on a calorie deficit, especially for women, is nearly impossible without huge amounts of protein or assistance. You're losing fat and muscle right now seeing as you're dropping it so quickly.

SLLRunner

Rubble,

Have you had a chance to explore the links on Phentermine discussions that I posted for you? Some of the postings are recent.

It's true, losing weight by eating at a calorie deficit only (or with exercise), as many of the members at MFP do, is slower and takes much patience. Taking Phentermine is a quick fix, if you will, because it renders quick results.

I've tried many quick fixes out there, and the only one for me that has worked is eating at a calorie deficit and exercising (which I love).

I'm glad you are under a doctor's care and that you have not had any of the immediate side effects. However, weight loss drugs have been known to cause problems later on.

SLLRunner

Just to clarify, you are not building muscle.

Building muscle on a calorie deficit, especially for women, is nearly impossible without huge amounts of protein or assistance. You're losing fat and muscle right now seeing as you're dropping it so quickly.

So true.

Stage14

My mistake, I read the months in reverse. Still, the kind of weight loss you're talking about is dangerous. It can damage the heart and kidneys. My starting BMI was not much less than your and my husband's was (and still is) more than yours. Even with severe Type 2 Diabetes and hypertension (both attributed largely to his weight by his doctor) he was told his goal should be 2-3 lbs a week and losing more than 4lbs a week was a sign of too much too fast. The body is simply not designed to do what you are wanting it to do, and it can seriously hurt you to do it. Have patience, you're doing great as it is!