Has anyone tried Prescription Weight Loss???

AshleyNPeters

Hello,
My name is Ashley and I have been a member of MFP for about 2 years. I've been able to lose about 30 lbs over the course of that time and am still looking to lose another 20 or so. I need some advice for a friend of mine who is having trouble getting the weight off. She is about 150 lbs overweight and has tried just about everything and has yet to see any results. She was telling me about this place called Prescription Weight Loss Clinic where they put you on a low calorie diet, give you diethylpropion injections along with medical monitoring of your progress. It seems to be right up her alley. I'm looking for people who have actually tried or know someone that has tried prescription weight loss for some feedback. How much weight did you lose? What was the process like?

I appreciate your help!

Here is the place that she is looking to do this, has anyone ever been here?

http://www.rxslimclinic.net/

phatgirl30

Phentermine! I used it in 2006 to lose 25lbs for my wedding and it did the job.

xYumzx

My cousin used Phentermine and well she lost 40lbs in 2 months... her sister is abusing it and has lost almost 90 lbs on it (she was only 180 if that) and now her BMI is in under healthy. I would try something natural before RX

slayerdan

If ouare really big, its a good boost and the effects short term are better than carrying large amounts of weight long term.

People that need to lose less than 50, should just do what they need to do.

It has its uses, but is heavily abused i ehar.

wave143j

I used Phentermine also a while back. I lost 35 pounds but it all came back when I stopped taking it. I never changed my eating habits though. The meds just made me jittery and I had no appetite. So when I stopped taking it, I was lazy and all my hunger came back. That's just my experience though. I'm sure many have had success.

onedayillbamilf

I have never heard of it, but the idea of them injecting her with a diet drug is a lil skeery! If it were me I would be concerned about the possibilty of having a bad reaction to it. Unlike a pill, she won't be able to just stop taking it if she has uncomfortable (or worse) side effects. Sounds a bit dangerous to me.

Avalonis

Phentermine side effects

Signs of an allergic reaction to phentermine: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other side Effects:

Feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
Chest pain, feeling like you might pass out;
Swelling in your ankles or feet;
Pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
Confusion or irritability, unusual thoughts or behavior;
Feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; or
Dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious phentermine side effects may include:
Feeling restless or hyperactive;
Headache, dizziness, tremors;
Sleep problems (insomnia);
Dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
Diarrhea or constipation, upset stomach; or
Increased or decreased interest in sex, impotence.

Worth it? I would say not.

In addition, its only works for SHORT TERM weight loss. People that stop taking it haven't changed the underlying problem of how they eat and when they eat, and ultimately (Statistically) gain the weight back.

QUIT LOOKING FOR A MIRACLE PILL! IT DOESN'T EXIST!

Do it the right way.

detter11

I have been on phentermine and it has done great things for me. It helps by decreasing appetite but you must continue to follow a low calorie diet and exercise. I am on a 1000-1200 calorie diet, snack with healthy snacks during the day, and work out at least 3 times a week. I definitely try to do more during the week. In 7 weeks I lost 6 pounds. So losing a pound a week is healthy according to my dr. Hope this helps!

pbear15

I used it. It made me feel like my heart was racing all the time. It did nothing for me as far as decreasing my appetite or help me lose weight. I used it for about 2 weeks then stopped for fear that is was doing damage to my body.

MelanieAG05

Sounds (and looks) scary. Has she really "tried" everything? Or just pretending to try? Or just doesn't have the will power/patience to keep up a long term healthy eating plan?

I think in the first instance it would be less expensive to go see a nutritionist once a month to help with her needs and teach her healthy eating.

Secondly, has she been checked out by a doctor regarding thyroid problems which may be preventing the weigh loss? 150 lbs is a ton of weight to lose. Good luck to her whatever she decides but I honestly dont think quick fixes are the way forward.

Elizabeth_C34

The potential risks to your heart and cardiovascular system are not worth it IMHO especially since it's very possible to lose 150lbs without those risks with a little hard work and discipline.

AshleyNPeters

Thank you everyone! I'm going to print this out and show it to her! You guys rock!

Elizabeth_C34

Thank you everyone! I'm going to print this out and show it to her! You guys rock!

Also be sure to point out that MFP is free (way cheaper than injecting drugs for weight loss). Good luck.

mallory3411

I'm betting she hasn't tried as hard as she says she has. If she has, she should be going to the doctor to get a full checkup instead of a weight loss clinic. If she hasn't been able to lose weight the normal and healthy way along with whatever other things she has tried she probably has something medically wrong.

taso42

I'm betting she hasn't tried as hard as she says she has. If she has, she should be going to the doctor to get a full checkup instead of a weight loss clinic. If she hasn't been able to lose weight the normal and healthy way along with whatever other things she has tried she probably has something medically wrong.

this

jennilovesryan

that junk is expensive compared to just a regular work out and diet plan.

i tried it once and was like, lammmmmeeee: i'm all hyper and weird AND broke. not acceptable.

amandavictoria80

I would go natural first.

These are some natural products for weight loss that I like: CLA (conjugated linoleic acids), L-Carnitine and PG X Daily.

Dtho5159

I haven't read all the replies so Idk if this has been said but she can absolutely lose it on a site like this.. I too have about 150lbs to lose and have lost 41 so far. It can be done..

dirtbikegirl5

I don't think that this drug is good. I have heard of horrible side effects, including needing heart and lung transplants.
I would try to do it naturally first.

NiciS72

IMO I would suggest she STEER CLEAR of this. These are just quick fixes and when you stop doing them they stop working. The only thing that truly works is CHANGING YOUR LIFESTYLE. That means what you eat and adding in exercise. Even those brave folks who choose WLS have to make these changes. It's NOT EASY, but in the long run the weight will stay off.

Edit: I'd also like to say that I do go to see a WL Dr. and my husband I are consistently losing weight week after week by using our own food, exercise and NO DRUGS. We by far are surpassing all of their clients who us special meal replacements and drugs.

jamielise2

I LOVED Phentermine as a way to jump start my weight loss when my body was in a place where no matter what I did it would not let go of any weight. The 46 lbs I've lost are actually from diet and exercise and your friend may be one of those people who needs accountability to someone. Bottom line, if she doesn't learn to eat right and exercise, any diet aids are a short term fix...but they can start her off right.

And to the guy who thinks she hasn't been trying...Before my 3 month course of phentermine and metformin to wake my body up, I was swimming 4 days a week, and 45 minutes at a time, and not losing a lb. Some people, especially women, need a kick start. Our dang hormones can mess up even the most honest attempts. Case in point - in a month where I eat healthy every day, and exercise 6 days a week, I will lose 2-3 lbs for 2 of the weeks and 0.3-0.8 lbs a week for each of the other weeks. Doing exactly the same thing.

joeygirl84

I'm sorry, but I've lost almost 90 lbs the healthiest way with good diet and lots of exercise... and sometimes I can't help but feel irritated with these "quick fix" ideas.

You can't expect to correct something in a couple months with drugs... that you took years to screw up in the first place. I understand we all have stress and so on and we can get out of hand... but I wish people knew the satisfaction you get from knowing YOU did it... and not wondering what some drug will do in the long run, like allow the weight to come back because you never really did change your habbits which got you in trouble in the first place.

All the best to her, but if she were my friend... I'd give her as many high fives and hugs as it took to help her stick it out the best way for her health.

monicanicoletta

Look everyone is going to have their opinions and some people will lash out because they dont understand different things work for different people and they assume its a quick fix lazy people use etc etc. Here is MY story

I was 164 and 5'3.... I ate healthy, especially during the week. We are talking no breads or white starch's, lots of veggies/fruits/proteins. On the weeknd I would be a little more lose with my diet and wasnt till I started prescriptions that I realized how much I mindlessly snacked...grabbing chips here and there not logging but all those calories add up. I work out 6 times a week and we are talking real workouts: I do strength training, spin class, turbo kickboxing at a private studio, circuits at the gym made by my bf who is a personal trainer, running etc etc. Basically.. if anyone that I knew in my life aka co-workers/family/friends... ate like I did and worked out as much and as HARD as I did- they'd lose weight no problem! But that wasn;t happening for me.

Went to see a dietician at UCLA and after an ekg, blood work, body fat test, etc etc he determined I have an abnormally slow metabolism and I bet a lot of people do with similar issues. So he suggested I go on phentermine for a few months to jump start it since my life style easily proved I could maintain it and had the discipline and right habits. Now again remember I did heart/blood tests before going on this to make sure I could handle it beacuse yes it does increase your heart rate andlike everything, even some vitamins, it has side effects.

I started on December 29th, 2011..so it will be 4 weeks on thursday. I have lost 15 pounds (and that is as of saturday, i havent weighed myself because I am on my period and know i get heavier). 15 pounds in 3.5 weeks is pretty awesome if you ask me Now some lose a lot faster, some lose a lot slower- just depends. Now have I changed a lot in my life? not a whole lot... but I stopped the mindless snacking all day and really think about what I am putting into my body. I'm hoping to lose 15/20 more so that I can be in the 130's range. Its not good to be on it for more than 3 months because your body gets used to it and your heart/body needs the rest. But I would HIGHLY recommend it for a jump start...

however if you dont have an active life and plan on taking this then going back to a lazy/bad eating life, umm of course you'll gain it back; duh But if you really are changing and want the help, as long as your doctor makes sure you are ok to take it, take it and see the results!!! good luck

Phentermine side effects

Signs of an allergic reaction to phentermine: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other side Effects:

Feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
Chest pain, feeling like you might pass out;
Swelling in your ankles or feet;
Pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
Confusion or irritability, unusual thoughts or behavior;
Feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; or
Dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious phentermine side effects may include:
Feeling restless or hyperactive;
Headache, dizziness, tremors;
Sleep problems (insomnia);
Dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
Diarrhea or constipation, upset stomach; or
Increased or decreased interest in sex, impotence.

Worth it? I would say not.

In addition, its only works for SHORT TERM weight loss. People that stop taking it haven't changed the underlying problem of how they eat and when they eat, and ultimately (Statistically) gain the weight back.

QUIT LOOKING FOR A MIRACLE PILL! IT DOESN'T EXIST!

Do it the right way.

jmullis83

If you change the way you eat while taking the medication then you will continue the journey when off of it. I am on Phentermine and an inj at the same time and in 1wk I have dropped 5lbs and have started changing my eating habbits. But you have to change your mind set before you start the medication...

rocketpants

Drugs, supplements, miracle herbs..... are not necessary to lose weight. It may not be easy, but it is simple If she eats fewer calories than she burns she WILL lose the weight.

karenann1989

I was on phentermine along with about 14 other pills, some prescription and some vitamins under a Dr's direction. I lost over 50 pounds in a short amount of time and felt GREAT!!!! I had 20 pounds to go and the Dr I was going to moved and there wasn't any other Dr in the area willing to keep writing the prescriptions that he was. Even though I was still watching what I ate I slowly gained back the weight plus about 20 pounds extra. I went to another Dr and he told me that is what happens with that type of drug, as soon as you stop taking it the weight will come back along with some extra. We would all like a quick fix to out weight issues but I think the best way is just doing it naturally with diet and exercise and thinking of it as a lifestyle change and not a "diet". Diets are something that we start and stop ~ in order to be successful we need to make a change and stick with it for life.

MsTanya77

I took Phentermine briefly back in 2009 when I was about 30lbs heavier than now. It worked for a few weeks for me and then my body developed a tolerance to it and it stopped working. It had terrible side effects for me, dry mouth and horrible constipation. Everyone has different results, but for me it didn't do enough for me to want to keep taking it. I joined MFP and lost these last 30lbs with diet and exercise............

addy_rodriguez

I used Phentermine like many of the people responding to this post. I lost 5 lbs within the first two weeks but the headaches and nausea (and on two occasions actual vomiting) were so unbearable that I had to stop. I gained back the 5 lbs and a few others (but that's because of my crumby eating habits) with in the next 3 months. Did NOT work for me
However a friend of mine used it for the first 6 months and did great (its been a year and shes kept her 40 lbs off with diet and exercise)

AshleyNPeters

I LOVED Phentermine as a way to jump start my weight loss when my body was in a place where no matter what I did it would not let go of any weight. The 46 lbs I've lost are actually from diet and exercise and your friend may be one of those people who needs accountability to someone. Bottom line, if she doesn't learn to eat right and exercise, any diet aids are a short term fix...but they can start her off right.

And to the guy who thinks she hasn't been trying...Before my 3 month course of phentermine and metformin to wake my body up, I was swimming 4 days a week, and 45 minutes at a time, and not losing a lb. Some people, especially women, need a kick start. Our dang hormones can mess up even the most honest attempts. Case in point - in a month where I eat healthy every day, and exercise 6 days a week, I will lose 2-3 lbs for 2 of the weeks and 0.3-0.8 lbs a week for each of the other weeks. Doing exactly the same thing.

She is quite overweight - she needs to lose about 150 lbs to be a "healthy" weight. Phentermine is one of the options for them to use on her which is FDA approved. The thing I liked about the clinic she is looking at is that they constantly monitor her health by taking blood tests, blood pressure check, etc. She has tried the natural approach and has been honest with her eating and exercising, but just hasn't been able to loose the weight. This post is great for her so she can look at the pros and cons, I appreciate the comments!

nelson6500

I did the phen/phen thing. Lost 30 lbs quickly but now I have heart valve problems. That was FDA and dr approved. I gained it all back and then some. It has taken me quite a while and some ups and downs but finally loosing just by diet and exercise. It is the healthiest way to do it. It may take longer but worth it. If done properly, no side effects.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

To me it'd be about risk assessment. The drug you listed isn't Phentermine, but it might be related. I'd tell her to talk to her doctor to figure out whether the risk of using the drug/VLCD outweighs the risk of remaining 150 lbs overweight. I'd also look into the program as far as education. If they're not going to teach her how to count calories and maintain a healthy lifestyle then there's not much point. My father-in-law has been going to a weight loss clinic for just over a year. They give him injections, he loses weight until he's out of shots. Then he gains it back. But they've never worked with him on a plan for keeping it off (because he's paying them lots of money for the shots probably) and so he hasn't learned. Due to FDA scrutiny they've told him this round of shots has to be his last but they still haven't helped him develop a healthy eating plan.