Would you take a appetite supressant from doc?
Replies
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No, I wouldn't because I can manage my weight reduction without it - but if I had real difficulties, I'd consider it. You aren't even slightly obese, I think that suggestion was really stupid.
You already know what you are doing wrong, or parts of it. Get more active in registering what you eat. Eat at a reasonable deficit, and a well balanced diet, primarily wholesome and healthy food, whatever that means to you, and some treats inbetween. Are you sure you are hungry and not just wanting something tasty? We who are overweight, sometimes have to learn what it feels like to be hungry and full, and it isn't dangerous to feel a little hungry now and then, when one's nutritional needs are covered. Experiment with different kinds of food and meal plans, to find something that works for you.0 -
Follow your gutt! You know this is not the solution to long lasting weight loss so why risk your health. Nothing worth having comes easy. So get back to the basics and loose your weight the healthy way. jmho0
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I would try eating healthier and logging for a while. You shouldn't feel super hungry. Eat filling healthy foods. It does work but consistency is the key0
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I wouldn't recommend it.
I've been taking Topamax (Topiramate) for a while for migraines. Yes, it makes you have no appetite. It also makes you chronically nauseous and have a feeling of disgust toward food. My diet consists of plain chicken, brown rice, mashed potatoes, crackers, bananas, and oatmeal. I can't tolerate anything else because of the nausea caused by the medication.
Topamax has a lot of cognitive side effects… memory loss, impairment of depth perception (I would see stop signs way before the stop sign was actually in front of me), trouble forming sentences, etc.
It's not worth the side effects if you are only taking it for weight loss.
Heck no I wouldn't take these!0 -
I wouldn't recommend it.
I've been taking Topamax (Topiramate) for a while for migraines. Yes, it makes you have no appetite. It also makes you chronically nauseous and have a feeling of disgust toward food. My diet consists of plain chicken, brown rice, mashed potatoes, crackers, bananas, and oatmeal. I can't tolerate anything else because of the nausea caused by the medication.
Topamax has a lot of cognitive side effects… memory loss, impairment of depth perception (I would see stop signs way before the stop sign was actually in front of me), trouble forming sentences, etc.
It's not worth the side effects if you are only taking it for weight loss.
Same here. I was on it for quite a while and the side effects were absolutely horrible! When I was on it I lost a ton of weight because all food tasted awful to me. I was surviving on meal replacement shakes. I got all these symptoms plus tingling/numbness in my hands, as if they would suddenly go to sleep. But the worst was forgetting words/not being able to complete sentences. I need to lose weight, and I know if I wanted back on this drug I could have it any time I want, but no freaking way!0 -
Having taken it myself, I wouldn't recommend it for you. You are not that overweight and do not seem like you have exhausted your other options. I actually have had my best results the good old fashion way, here. Just tracking and logging everything on here. It certainly will kill your appetite for a few months. But, the side effects are pretty bad. I felt terrible. Pins and needles in my hands and feet, weak, dizzy, on edge. Lost 40, gained 60 after the tolerance for them wore off.0
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I am taking one - it is Phentermine 37.5mg tablets. I am seeing a doctor who is a board certified bariatric physician. He said it would only be effective for about 2 months but I wanted to try it to get me over the "hump" while my body adjusts to fewer calories so I didn't want to chew my arm off. I needed to make my stomach adjust to feeling full on less bulk. I eat only whole grains, raw veggies at lunch and cooked at dinner, lean proteins and nuts but would still be super hungry and exercise made it even worse. So I needed a little help for a jump start. So far it has really helped me ignore hunger. I'm still a little hungry but less aware of it.
Also the HGC injections for abdominal fat. Although they would let me have them indefinitely, I did my research and found that studies showed they were only effective for about 40 days. Speculated reason is HGC makes a woman's body draw on fat stores when she is pregnant before she KNOWS she's pregnant. Mother nature's way of making sure a fetus is well-fed when Mom doesn't know to pay attention to eating well. After a woman has been pregnant long enough to recognize she is, the body tapers off making HGC. For fat loss, it is recommended to use 40 days on, 6 weeks off and repeat as necessary. So I'm not going to use it continuously as I feel it's a waste of money.
I have been chunky since 3rd grade and fighting it off and on my whole life. I'm 46 and for the first time my BP was borderline high (everything else has always been good) and I realized I needed to do something before I'm full-on menopausal!
I have dropped 25 pounds in 2 months; the first month without regular exercise until I got in my groove. I've been tracking calories and exercise for a really long time. So I have a good idea of what my maintenance calories are (at my heavier weight of 220) including 2-3 days of treadmill or elliptical. I've been chastised that 1200 is too few calories but based on my tracking, My BMR is 1200 and my RMR is about 1700. Now I've added the gym 5x a week doing elliptical for 30 minutes burning about 300 calories each time but I add that and eat 1500 on those days so I don't drop below BMR needs. I've been stuck for about a week at the same weight now. But I stopped the HGC about 2 weeks ago so I wonder if it's been out of my system for a week and that's why I'm stuck? I'm just going to keep on track.
DO measure your food until you have a good idea of what it looks like. I find that separate measuring cups really help me visualize when I don't measure. Now I have a good idea of what 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, etc LOOK like because of the individual cups. Measuring 1/2 cup in a 2 or 4 cup measure isn't as helpful in visualizing to me. I know how much wine is 5oz in MY glasses. I account for everything. Even the two chocolate eggs from my kiddo's basket. If I cheat by not recording, I'm only cheating myself. It doesn't change what I put in my body.
Also when I'm hungry but I don't have calories left or it's not meal time yet, I grab a pickle (yeah, sodium) or a 16oz glass of water flavored with crystal light or pop a stick of gum. Flavors seems to help over plain water.
Good luck!0 -
Hi,
I had tried Topiramate for moodiness by my psychiatrist. He also knows I have a bit of a binge eating issue so that would also be a reason he prescribed them to me. What I found was, yes they did suppress my appetite, but not by much. I still had binging days and was still relativelly over weight for the four months I was on them. I decided it wasn't worth it. It would have been worth it if I had dropped 10 pound over that time but I was just maintaining. they are pretty bad for the kidneys as well I know that they weren't something I wanted to be on for the rest of my life.Could I imagine myself on medication in five years for appetite? That scared me..so why not make the change without.
Its a challenge and hard for those who have eating impulse control issues, but if you keep trying and trying and forgive yourself for when you do over do it, you will eventually learn to control your appetite.0 -
With all due respect, it's not silly..First off, you don't need any "help" such as pills to lose weight. You said it yourself- the fault is on you (no offense intended) for not accurately logging, sporadic weighing of food, and eating a surplus of calories.
The solution is to start logging accurately, weighing all your solid foods and measuring liquids, eat within a calorie goal that includes a deficit.
You want that 40 pounds to come off slowly. It took me about a year to lose 42 pounds, and I'm glad I did it that way.
Also, throw away the pills and get a new doctor. I question any doctor who does not tell you exactly what medication is for before prescribing it, as well as prescribing a seizure medicine for a person who does not have seizures.
Topamax's primary use is to treat seizure disorders. It's off label uses are migraines, mood stabilizer, and an appetite suppressant in overweight/obese patients.
Plenty of medications are used for a variety of purposes. I take Topamax and I don't have seizures. I take it for migraines because it's a miracle drug for them. She doesn't need to find a new doctor just because he gave her a drug that is used to treat multiple conditions. That's silly.
You are taking Topamax for your migraines, and other people take it for seizures, which are the uses for the drug. However, isn't appetite suppression just one of the side effects? Therefore she was given a drug she does not need for the advantage of the side effect.
How does that make sense?
I specifically stated Topamax is used as an appetite suppressant as well.0 -
May I ask what the name of the pills is? I once lost 45 pounds in around 3 months without really trying on pills I was taking for migraines (that were also used to treat seizures). If they're the same pills, I wouldn't recommend them solely for weight loss. They made me grumpy and, if you like soda at all, you won't after you've started them. They make anything carbonated taste like what I'd imagine moldy cheese tastes like.
I couldn't see how that would be a problem lol
But... no. I'm like you and avoid "unneeded" pills when possible.
It wasn't! Lol, that probably contributed largely to my weight loss after I started the pills...I just wish there had been a warning, I guess! I took a drink of Dr Pepper, per the norm at the time, and thought it was the most disgusting thing ever. I still don't drink soda to this day, even though I decided over a year ago to stop taking prescription pills for anything--just the occasional ibuprofen/excedrin for headaches, as I started the pills for stress-related headaches to begin with.0 -
With all due respect, it's not silly..First off, you don't need any "help" such as pills to lose weight. You said it yourself- the fault is on you (no offense intended) for not accurately logging, sporadic weighing of food, and eating a surplus of calories.
The solution is to start logging accurately, weighing all your solid foods and measuring liquids, eat within a calorie goal that includes a deficit.
You want that 40 pounds to come off slowly. It took me about a year to lose 42 pounds, and I'm glad I did it that way.
Also, throw away the pills and get a new doctor. I question any doctor who does not tell you exactly what medication is for before prescribing it, as well as prescribing a seizure medicine for a person who does not have seizures.
Topamax's primary use is to treat seizure disorders. It's off label uses are migraines, mood stabilizer, and an appetite suppressant in overweight/obese patients.
Plenty of medications are used for a variety of purposes. I take Topamax and I don't have seizures. I take it for migraines because it's a miracle drug for them. She doesn't need to find a new doctor just because he gave her a drug that is used to treat multiple conditions. That's silly.
You are taking Topamax for your migraines, and other people take it for seizures, which are the uses for the drug. However, isn't appetite suppression just one of the side effects? Therefore she was given a drug she does not need for the advantage of the side effect.
How does that make sense?
I specifically stated Topamax is used as an appetite suppressant as well.
Also, if you're going to put it that way, treating migraines is pretty much just a side effect as well. But Topamax is wonderful for debilitating migraines. So should those taking it for migraines stop taking it?0 -
Thank you all so much who responded - especially the ones who have taken this medication.
I am going to work harder at logging my food, and give it all I can - I went and bought a food scale, measuring spoons, and very conscious of what I am putting in my mouth.
My doctor did tell me that along with the pills, I should really listen to my body, and not eat if I am not hungry. He told me it would be OK to skip meals. Well, I really dont want to skip meals, but I am going to work harder at just listening to my body. I think like someone said, I do tend to eat for other reasons other than hunger.
So the pills are stashed away, and I am going to work hard this month, and see what happens. Thanks so much again everyone - your input means a lot to me.0 -
When I went to my doctor asking for help with losing weight she pulled out her perscription pad and I walked out the door and found a new doctor. I lost 130lbs without popping pills.0
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No I would not personally. Point is to learn how to exercise self-control and self-restraint. That is not possible if you are voluntarily making yourself dependent on something external.0
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taking pills sounds crazy if you just have 40 lbs to lose. I am 60 and I have logged my food and lost 45 lbs. I use to take those dexatrim otc pills and I was so hyper when I was young. I guess we always want the easy way. I think we have to dig in to why we don't take care of ourself. Are we looking for food because we are bored, lonely, distraction so we don't have to make a change like get away from toxic people, just plain greedy, looking for happiness but know it is just short term and then oh the consequences, do we need to change jobs, problem solve in life situations or relationships. . Yep it is easier to eat than do this soul searching stuff but so worth it. I have to remind myself daily to take care of myself, don't do destructive overeating and get some discipline. Too high a price to pay when I cant fit into those clothes! and of couse the health problems.0
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Have you ever tried making your own appetite supressant ?
Blend : 1 glass of water, tea spoon of flax seeds (Fiber/protein), 1 apple (fiber/vitamins), 1 tea spoon of Hoodia powder (Natural appetite supressor/increases energy), 1 tea spoon on Guarana powder (increases energy),pinch of cinnamon (can help reduce the effects of a fatty fiet).
I have a shake in the morning and dont feel hungry until lunchtime, you can add whatever fruit or veg you like. Works for me, so might help someone else
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NO!
Ive been there done that with diet pills and they did not help me change my attitude to food in the long run.
Also always makes me emotional and crazy.0 -
Yes, I absolutely would.
There is no reason not to at least try the pills.
If you don't like the way you feel on the pills, or they don't help with your appetite and weight issue, you can always stop taking them. It's not like you have to take them for life.
Some of us have to take prescription medications for life and they can never be discontinued .
Like these two I have to take . Check out the side effect list.
http://www.isentress.com/raltegravir/isentress/consumer/common_side_effects_for_isentress/
http://www.truvada.com/truvada-side-effects
The list for topamax side effects is mild in comparison.
http://www.topamax.com/about-topamax/side-effects
Don't be chicken.0 -
Personally no I wouldn't take them as you can loose weight by watching calories and exercise. However the question is whether you will take them, if you feel they will help you start off a healthier lifestyle then that is up to you, please bear in mind that it is willpower, dedication and determination that will work long term.0
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No. Just because a doctor suggests something, doesn't mean it's a good idea. Case in point: the psychiatrist who told me I shouldn't be friends with so many gay men because it would turn me into a lesbian.
No, really. That actually happened0 -
I would only take them if my gp deemed them necessary. I don't see the point of going to the doctors just to ignore his/her advise.0
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No.
GP .. General Practitioner i.e not a nutritional expert ... [generalisation Alert] can often be Pill Pushers!! :-p0 -
OMG this is crazy! I would change my doctor right away! What he suggests you can be very dangerous. This is kind of the american mentality that I´m always surprised about (as a German). I have the feeling Americans take pills against everything possibly imagineable. What you guys can get free at the supermarket is always shocking for me!
Try green tea instead to reduce Hunger. That´s my healthy advice
And maybe change the diet too. You don´t need to be hungry in order to lose weight. Just eat the right filling things. There are plenty advices for filling meals in this community. I barely get hungry while doing this. If you want some meals I´m happy to mail you some of my recipes. Just let me know :-)0 -
No. Just because a doctor suggests something, doesn't mean it's a good idea. Case in point: the psychiatrist who told me I shouldn't be friends with so many gay men because it would turn me into a lesbian.
No, really. That actually happened
Oh my.... Let´s just pray that we never become sick! There are so many creepy doctors with weird ideas!0 -
You are taking Topamax for your migraines, and other people take it for seizures, which are the uses for the drug. However, isn't appetite suppression just one of the side effects? Therefore she was given a drug she does not need for the advantage of the side effect.
How does that make sense?
With all due respect it make sense because its like taking a benadryl to help fall asleep, due to the side effects being drowsy or sleepiness. I would not take the medication but its her personal choice. No one can make that decision but her. I just thought being a medical professional just to inform you that many medications are used for things are not intended its call off label use. You can look in drugs books and it would state in a section where the medication is used and it would state off label uses.0 -
You are taking Topamax for your migraines, and other people take it for seizures, which are the uses for the drug. However, isn't appetite suppression just one of the side effects? Therefore she was given a drug she does not need for the advantage of the side effect.
How does that make sense?
With all due respect it make sense because its like taking a benadryl to help fall asleep, due to the side effects being drowsy or sleepiness. I would not take the medication but its her personal choice. No one can make that decision but her. I just thought being a medical professional just to inform you that many medications are used for things are not intended its call off label use. You can look in drugs books and it would state in a section where the medication is used and it would state off label uses.
Absolutely. It is very, very common for drugs to be prescribed for "off label" use. It's not illegal, it is not unhealthy, nor is it any other way wrong. Once a drug is approved by the FDA, it can be prescribed for any purpose. Sometimes after a drug is on the market other uses become known, but the manufacturer chooses not to spend the millions of dollars it would take to get the drug approved for the additional use. That doesn't mean the other use is invalid.
And by the way, topiramate is approved for weight loss as a component of the new weight loss drug Qsymia. (It is combined with phentermine.) So this isn't really an off-label use.
I have taken topamax as an add-on to my anti-depressant (another common use for topiramate) in the past and it did not help me lose weight but I did have slightly unpleasant side effects. But it does work well for some people, hence the usage. I don't think there's any harm in trying it and finding out for yourself which camp you fall in.
OP, it is your decision, but don't let yourself be swayed by fears that your doctor did something wrong or ill advised.0 -
First off, you don't need any "help" such as pills to lose weight. You said it yourself- the fault is on you (no offense intended) for not accurately logging, sporadic weighing of food, and eating a surplus of calories.
The solution is to start logging accurately, weighing all your solid foods and measuring liquids, eat within a calorie goal that includes a deficit.
You want that 40 pounds to come off slowly. It took me about a year to lose 42 pounds, and I'm glad I did it that way.
Also, throw away the pills and get a new doctor. I question any doctor who does not tell you exactly what medication is for before prescribing it, as well as prescribing a seizure medicine for a person who does not have seizures.
Topamax's primary use is to treat seizure disorders. It's off label uses are migraines, mood stabilizer, and an appetite suppressant in overweight/obese patients.
Plenty of medications are used for a variety of purposes. I take Topamax and I don't have seizures. I take it for migraines because it's a miracle drug for them. She doesn't need to find a new doctor just because he gave her a drug that is used to treat multiple conditions. That's silly.
Exatly. Plenty of drugs have multiple uses. It's not dangerous. People in this thread are fear-mongers.0 -
Topomax is approved for weightloss, so it in't really an off-label or necessarily unhealthy use. However, I have been taking Topomax for about 4 years now for migraines and based on my experience with the weightloss side-effect wouldn't recommend taking it unless absolutely medically necessary.
The reason that it is so effective in causing weightloss is because it initially takes away your appetite and changes your taste buds. There were many days that I would simply forget to eat, have to force myself to eat, or end up eating no more than 400-600 calories per day. Due to the lack of hunger and shift in my taste buds, it made me extremely picky about what I ate and I found it very difficult to make healthy choices.
I was not overweight to begin with (5' and 120lbs), but I was down to about 103lbs within a couple of month of taking it. While it didn't take any effort whatsoever, the appetite loss subsides after awhile and when you start to eat more it is extremely easy to gain back all the weight -- especially since you haven't learned any healthy habits in getting there! I also noticed that I lost a lot of muscle mass as I wasn't eating enough to maintain my muscle or exercising due to low energy. Apart from the weightloss, the drug also has a lot of pretty scary side effects that I recommend you look into. I luckily escaped most of them, but do still suffer from a bit of memory loss, pins and needles in my feet, inability to sweat properly, etc.
I would definitely educate yourself about the other side effects and consider whether it will truly help you in reaching your goals by teaching you healthy habits along the way.0
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