Phentermine & Topamax Combination

fsnorkin

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone else has been on the combination of Phentermine & Topamax ?
I went to the DR today. I had lost about 13 lbs, but today it was back up 6 lbs again. I am
a type 2 diabetic, and every medication he has given me - with the exception of Actos has
made me sicker than a dog. There is just no medications that help my blood sugars without
adverse effects. So today he prescribed this combination to help speed up my metabolism
and hopefully get the weight off quicker which will help my blood sugars. I am extremely
sensitive to medications so he is starting me on very low doses, but I am very nervous to
start this program tomorrow. Does anyone have advice or experiences they can share?

Thanks so much!
Kim McNamara
Future Healthy Person.

lisa28115

I have never taken phentermin and topamax together
I have taken them seperately
topamax was giving to me when I could not take the phentermine
phentermine causes my blood pressure to raise quite a bit

topamax did not do much for me, maybe by combining them it will help

sorry...I am not much help

Debiojesse

I was on that same combination a couple of years ago and lost 40lbs in 4 months. I think it's a great combo but I'm not sure how it will affect you being diabetic

katiejarr

Im on Topamax for migraines and I have been on it since Thanksgiving but I'm not on Phentermine, I do mix it with Nortriptyline, but again thats for migraines so not sure if that helps you or not...Topamax took a few weeks to get used to and to get regulated and I increased the dosage each week also but now Im used to it and its fine...biggest side effect was nausea and lack of appetite (no problem with that!!!) and extreme thirst...otherwise it was fine. Hope that helps :bigsmile:

amoffatt

I took Phentermine and had to watch my blood pressure closely. It didn't make me hungary and I had no energy (I think a combo of not feeling hungary, not eating, I just felt blah) but that was me. I did lose weight, 20 pounds in just a couple months (if that) but gained it back (snuck up fast, I swear) plus 10 more because when I was off of it, I wanted to finally eat, even the healthy stuff I couldnt get enough of. I havent tried Topamax so I have no comment on that one. I have learned the hard way that a proper diet and exercise is better. Good luck but I wouldnt go this route, there is no quick fix for those are generally temporarily.

Edit to add: My son is a juvenile diabetic since 4 years of age and the specialist refused to put him on Topamax for his migrains due to the diabeties and possible liver issues, but this could just be his age as well.

fsnorkin

Thanks so much for all the great advice! I think I will try it and see how it goes, and watch extra carefully how it effects me. I am going to also watch my diet carefully. Since having my last baby I am allergic to most fruit and some vegetables - and most meat makes me feel sick, so my diet is quite limited.

Thanks again for all the great information!!

caro1275

Hi,
I take 100mg of topamax everyday to help prevent migraines. I started about 2 months ago. I was told lack of appetite could be a side effect, but since I've actively been trying to lose weight the past month, not sure that's worked in my favor. I did have other weird side effects that just recently dissipated; forgetting a word, or stumbling over words, wanting to write one letter and jotting something else. I think however, those effects are fairly normal, and like I said, in my case have already gone away.

I can't believe it's being given out as a diet aid! It was originally prescribed as an anti-seizure med I believe.
Caro

Ashers83

I take Topamax for migraines and I don't get any of the side effects. 25mg 2x a day At first, I had dry mouth but it went away. I was kind of hoping for the loss of appetite though!! I have a friend who is on it for migraines too and she lost a ton of weight. She is never hungry. I think it depends on your body.

ladyark

I am currently on Phentermine. I have just started my 3rd month. I was at a point where i just didnt care...felt it was just easier to be fat and enjoy the food that tasted good. I also had no desire whatsover to be bothered with exercise at all.

My doctor put me on Phentermine as a jump start ( i want to lose 60lbs). to get my mind where it needed to be. Well, i have to say she has given me my life back. It takes a good bit of my appetite away , took ALL of my cravings away and i was able to get myself off the junk sugary treats. It has given me the motivation and energy to exercise and WANT to exercise. It does have a few side effects i found tolerable ( dry mouth, constipation, insomnia) .

Month 1 i lost 17lbs
Month 2 i lost 11lbs.

Now going into month 3 i feel i have a good handle on the proper foods and portions and the exercise to start weaning off the meds after this month. My weight loss is slowing down and i need to learn how to eat/exercise under normal circumstances without the aid of the meds. I have 30 lbs left to go and i know it will take me a while to lose that but i am determined to have the best food/fitness lifestyle that i can going forward the rest of my life.

So id say give it a try and watch closely how it affects you . I want to start feeling like ME again thu....not someone on a pill.

n_gal87

I've been on topamax for about 3 years now for severe migranes, currently I take 200mg/day but its taken me a while to work up to that. Initially I had the traditional reactions, extreme agitation, forgetting/stumbling over words, confusion, dry mouth etc. and I lost 20 lbs. in about 4 months due to extreme lack of appetite.

I've gained about half it back (and lost it and gained it and lost it again) and the lack of appetite has pretty much dissipated even though I'm on a pretty high dose.

Sorry, never mixed it with Phentermine though.

Tellingithowitis

I started Monday on 37.5 of Phentermine and 50 mgs of Topamax along with a high protein diet and have lost 10 lbs in 5 days!

melimann

My doctor put me on the brand new medicine that actually combines those two drugs, it is calles Qysmia. I started taking it on October 1st and i have lost 20 pounds. I am currently on my second month of the medicine and have one more additional month. I have experienced some side effects like dry mouth, trouble recalling names of specific items but overall, the drug has given me the jump start that I needed. My appetite has definitely decreased and i have noticed that some foods taste different. :flowerforyou:

HazeD77

I have been on Topamax for 2 years now for migraines. I took phentermine several years ago with good results so my doctor agreed to put me back on it recently. I took it one month, off one, on one, off one (my doc is big on not becomming addicted to these types of meds). I just started my 3rd round and I've lost 9 lbs in the last 4 days. It will make you not hungry and if you don't force yourself to eat SOMEthing you will feel sluggish and have no energy. I always eat earlier in the day. I don't always eat healthy. When I do I get even better results. If I have to eat later into the evening I make sure it's a calorie count specific meal. I had trouble sleeping at first. Either I couldn't fall asleep or I would wake up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. Melatonin helps a LOT. I take 10mg melatonin every night about an hour before bed. My phentermine dosage is 30mg, Topamax is 50mg (supposed to be 2x a day but I have trouble remembering to take it the second time). Side effects, dry mouth, constipation (but nothing regular or out of control). My blood pressure has been great, maybe even more normal than before, No heart problems. I actually have a condition where my heart can start beating like crazy and I feel weak but I have even had an episode since I started losing weight. And so far I've lost 45 lbs.

josyjozy

I am a nurse and we currently have two patients on the Qsymia and 1 patient taking regular topamax and phentermine. I personally would only recommend it for those with more than 100 pounds to loose that need something to help with motivation, and then only for a very short period of time. The side effects outweigh the benefits for most people. I have been on both, separately - topamax for migraine prevention that eventually stopped working, and phentermine years ago, before I was a nurse and knew what I know now.

fsnorkin

UPDATE: I took the Phentermine & Topamax for about 2 months and dropped the Topamax and took just the Phentermine. Two months later, I dropped that too. The Topamax just made me feel (and respond) stupid! I was in a fog, couldn't finish sentences, wrong words and letters when both speaking and writing, and would just say random things at the end of my sentences that didn't make sense!! The Phentermine alone felt better, but my body adjusted to it rather quickly and I started having episodes where it felt like my heart was racing away without me. 2-3 hours long! I decided my body just wasn't going to adjust to it. I may have been on too low a dose, but I didn't get back with my DR to look at alternatives. We are also in a position I couldn't afford the medications and they weren't making enough difference to be worth fighting for. I think in that 4 months I lost MAYBE 4 pounds.

I have since opted to drop my current doctor and find a new one. I have spent 2 years trying to find solutions with him and he just doesn't have the answers. He wants to fix me with medications, and my body won't respond appropriately. Most medications make me sicker than a dog. I have an appointment with a new doctor the end of January. I have heard good things about him, and find myself hopeful he will offer something more than just maintaining my condition.

I am trying to watch my daily exercise and food intake, and focus on healthy low carb choices. Exercise is a huge help I know too. My son who is serving a mission in Texas had to come home just before Christmas for Knee surgery which happens this Wednesday. I am hopeful that after his recovery I can utilize myfitnesspal more regularly and finally get the weight OFF!

Discouraged, but not defeated.

Kim

ghostdivatonya

I was just given the combination of the two by my doctor. I have held on to the prescriptions for over a week now being unsure if I should take them or not. I take half a phentermine a day and I do work out and eat very healthy. I am afraid of the "mental fog" as well. With my job, I can't afford to make mistakes. So, I'm on the fence really with starting this. But, because I have been doing so well with exercise and diet my doctor thinks I just need some "help" I have been tested for everything under the sun and I am healthy outside of my weight and having to deal with Endometriosis (which is CRAP!!!!)

I'm on the fence... worth a shot or should I just take a whole phentermine a day??

rmhowell77

I went to to my doctor on January 3 asking for Qysmia. She stated it was quite expensive but went the route of prescribing Phentermine 1X day then I take 1/2 Topamax in AM then another 1/2 in PM to get the extended release like in Qysmia. I did get some side effects from the Topamax. Including dry mouth, lack of concentration or feeling foggy, the tingle around my lips and fingers and the loss of appetite I do have to check my blood pressure 3 times a week just to be sure everything is ok. Because It had run high years before but hadn't been in a while. But better be safe than sorry.
Now for me it's hard to gauge as I had a lot of things go on in January I had 2 root canals 2 weeks apart so I did a liquid diet for . 2 days. I also have a highly stressful job so the mental fogginess was a concern for me BUT I work 14 hour shifts so the added energy was a plus. After the first week my mind did get better, I'm not 100% as I do have to think extra hard on simple things some times. I ended up having to set alarms on my phone to make myself eat because I am never ever hungry. I drink at least a gallon of water a day and I eat 3 apples a day. My co-workers nick named me Eve. My work does not have elevators and I am required to go up and down at least 16 times a shift. In 32 days I went from 298 to 261. Size 28 jeans to a 20. 4XL top to a 2XL. I just started my 2nd month and I hope it goes as well as the first. BTW I'm using slim fast I drink it when I wake up since I don't have time to cook- then I have a salad at work with Romaine lettuce, Spinach, carrots, snow peas, cucumbers, and about 2oz of diced chicken breasts and a little bit of cottage cheese then another slim fast when I get home. I eat that or a variation of that 5 times a week. I really can't eat anything else it makes me feel sick to smell or see food. Maybe that/s just in my head.
Hope this helps anyone and I know it may sound funny and people may think I'm making a joke but I'm being serious when I say my results may not be typical so just because I lost so much in a month doesn't mean you will. I think it depends on a variety of things. Your body, your mind set, your support system, and what's going on in your life.

moonhat

Hello, rmhowell, how much of the topomax are you taking? Do you split a 50 mg tab or a different dosage?

pamwhite712

I tried taking topamax about a year ago. I had horrible side effects (like suicidal thoughts). I honestly thought I was going crazy. My doctor told me to stop taking the topamax. The relief was almost immediate.

I think my side effect is rare, but it's one, nonetheless. Track your moods and behaviors while on this drug.

ajstewart20745

I receieved my Qysmia in the mail today. I can't wait to see the results in 30 days from now.:smooched:

moonhat

Glynn, how did you get the Qysmia? Where did you order it, I see that Express Scripts has it now? I am doing phen and topamax but wish I could have qysmia!

Willowana

Never taken Topamax, but I'm on Phentermine at the moment. I've started not taking on the weekends. The only thing it has done for me is keep me from feeling hungry. I don't take it on the weekends, because I want to make sure that what I'm doing are MY efforts, and if I stop taking Phen, that I can continue with everything I'm doing now. (The answer is YES! I'm perfectly fine on the weekends without it.)

I was just recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, so I'm on a host of other meds (Lyrica, meloxicam, cyclobenzaprine, Voltaren gel, etc.) I haven't had any reactions with my med cocktail, but my ultimate goal is to lose weight, strengthen my body, and learn to live with Fibro without meds....or at least as few as possible.

mrnndj

I have been on Phentermine and Topamax since May of 2012 (every 3 months I take a 1 month break from the phentermine) I have lost 60lbs and my blood pressure has gone from 140/90 (on two different meds) to usually about 120/70 (still on the meds). My Dr said as long as I continue to take a one month break from the phentermine I can continue this forever. I go to see my Dr every 3 month for check ups and he is amazed at how it has worked for me. I take 37.5 of phentemine in the am and 50 of topamax in the evening.
I LOVE this!!! I have energy and last summer would actually exercise everyday ( I am a teacher and admit I have done a very poor job of keeping up the exercise during the school year).
I am rarely overly hungry. When I do eat I find myself eating about 1/4 of the meal ( my teenage son love this as he gets to finish my plate lol). and I am full and satisfied for the rest of the day or until the next meal.

farley109

Hi....Im new to the Phentermine & Topamax...has anyone that only had about 20lbs to lose tried this combination recently?

LoodleLovess

I have 20 pounds to lose and just statrted Phentermine , never tried topamax. I originally had 35pounds to lose, I lost 15 and am now trying to lose the last 20. I vlog about all these things and what I've tried if you want you can check it out http://www.youtube.com/user/adrian0616?feature=mhee


youtube name: adrian0616

alabamamommy

Phentermine is a quick fix but not for long term. I took it, lost a good bit of weight then gained it all back. I can't stand the fact that it makes me not sleep at night. I think diet and exercise are the only way to go. I have also heard that phen really messes with your metabolism. I do keep a rx of it, for things like food fests...where I know there will be lots of food and I'm struggling with will power. I also took a half a pill (for a day or 2) when I started my exercising and dieting because in the beginning I was STARVING all the time and needed to shrink my stomach, or whatever. I don't like to take it, tho.

I would stay away from it. I don't know anything about topamax.

Good luck!!!

arewethereyet

Huh. They give Topamax as a weight loss tool?

I am relieved to hear the side effects wore off for most people, because I am taking it for chronic migraines and need it to work!

The fact I have lost a few pounds is great, but I need it to take away the migraines.

Thanks for the idea of setting an alarm as a reminder to eat. I truly have forgotten a few times and this is a trigger.

christianteach

I'm not taking both but I've been on phentermine 37.5 for 3 weeks. I've lost 15 lbs., a little over have of that was the first week and a lot of it was water. My doctor gave it to me to give me a chance to shrink my stomach, break some bad habits and start exercising. I've done all 3. Before taking it I was hungry all the time, I was addicted to Diet Coke and would drink 8-10 per day and I constantly craved sugar. When I would try to exercise I struggled to stay on our elliptical for 15 minutes. I can now go an hour. I only drink 2-3 Diet Cokes per day and the rest is water. I no longer crave sweets either. I know some lose a lot more on this than I do but my doctor also told me to eat 1200 calories today. I'm not eating that many but I do try to eat at least 1,000. I'm not eating back my exercise calories either, which I've been reading on here I should. I took a day off last week and I plan to take this weekend off. I'm going to intentionally eat more today to see what happens on the scales.

I've been reading a lot on here about tdee...I'm not real sure how to use it but looks like tdee minus 20% would put me between 1600-2000, depending on which activity level I choose. I know if I quit taking the pill and immediately started eating that much I would gain back all I lost. I have a follow up appointment Monday. I would like to keep doing what I'm doing for a little while longer. My doctor told me that those that develop good eating and exercise habits while on phentermine have more success at keeping it off. But now I'm starting to worry that I'm messing up my metabolism.

Anyway, I'm not having many side effects. I'm thirsty so I drink a lot of water and my GERD has been acting up some but I've delt with it for years. I only had difficulty sleeping the first couple of nights. I haven't checked my blood pressure yet because I don't have a way to but my doctor will check it Monday.

kristylynn83

I just got put on it yesterday. I have about 60+lbs to lose and I have always worked out and tried to eat healthy but I just keep gaining. I'm hoping that this will help me not feel like I'm starving as I try to stick to the 1000 calories diet he put me on. I'm also worried that once I stop taking it any weight I'd lost will come right back on... Keep me posted on how it's working out for you. I'm glad to hear you haven't really had any side effects and have been able to lost some weight. Good luck!

christianteach

I just got put on it yesterday. I have about 60+lbs to lose and I have always worked out and tried to eat healthy but I just keep gaining. I'm hoping that this will help me not feel like I'm starving as I try to stick to the 1000 calories diet he put me on. I'm also worried that once I stop taking it any weight I'd lost will come right back on... Keep me posted on how it's working out for you. I'm glad to hear you haven't really had any side effects and have been able to lost some weight. Good luck!

Good luck to you too! I would like to lose another 40 at least.

SummerNights32

I took phentermine about a year ago and lost 40 pounds. I kept the weight off and really learned a lot from it. Then November hit and I told myself that I was going to take a break from dieting and enjoy the holidays. I enjoyed them allright lol! I am up about 15 pounds, but I am going to be very honest. I ate what I wanted, drank a lot of soda and cut the water out, and hardly worked out. I pretty much hibernate in the winter haha!

I am not going to blame the weight gain on the lack of pills. I kept the weight off for a long time without them, so all of the blame goes to me. The weather is warming up again and I feel like my motivation is coming back. Not to mention summer is almost here! I have been thinking about doing a month of the phentermine again to help lose what I gained. In fact, there is a new clinic here that does a two month program, that also involves nutrition classes. I don't know if I will stay on them for two months, but I will be at my goal weight if I lose 40 more pounds...so I will see. It would be great to be there by summer.