Phentermine... yay or nay?

cassiepv

The weight comes back when you stop taking it because once the medication is out of your system, then your appetite goes back to normal, hence the reason why it is a proven fact that lasting weight loss requires a lifestyle change. Pills will give you fast weight loss, as will surgery, but if you don't change the way you eat and your relationship with food, you WILL gain it back.

Right, and the pills help you take control of your appetite, just like pills are used to help people stop smoking and weight loss surgery like the lap band and gastric sleeve.

So why all the hate for pills but no hate for people who had their stomach adjusted? Seriously?

"Phentermine is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system."

Because it's speed, that's why. If I came on here and said "hey guys, I started smoking meth to speed up my weight loss. I've lost ten pounds in a week!" What would everyone say?

^^^ I'd say " you're gonna get meth face "

CrazyTrackLady

I am loving all of the feedback.. Its awesome to hear both sides! Alot of you seem to think I dont want to diet or excercise... I admit I make bad choices sometimes but 80% of the time I eat good portions, get my servings of fruit and veggies and stay under 1200 calories and work at least 9 hours a day waitressing at TGIFridays (very busy restaurant = lots of walking)! I think my weightloss is so slow because of my PCOS. Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular disease run in my family. I have been told for many years that if I dont get into the healthy range fast I will get complcations early. And my grandma died because of obesity related disease. I really want to drop and be HEALTHY. I swear this isn't a lose 30 quick lbs for prom or swimsuit season this is a real deal attempt at a lifestyle change. I am hoping also that while on the Phentermine my stomach will shrink so it will be easier to be full off normal portion sizes because before when I would eat a weight watchers meal my tummy would STILL be grumbling.

I do understand your desire to lose weight and become healthier, and I admire and respect you for this decision. However, I don't understand why you would be "okay" with the super thirst, rapid heartbeat and the other potentially serious side effects this drug can give you, when simply eating healthier foods and exercising would be successful over time?

Your weight didn't magically appear on your frame one day - it happened over a long time. Why do you think you should lose it quickly, and the only way to do so is by altering your body and brain chemistry to do it?

True it is your body, but there are better ways to lose weight than by taking a pill, or trying some weird fad diet, supplements, starvation, deprivation, etc. It is through proper eating and exercising - and those two things are virtually risk free.

Our bodies tell us when we are in pain, we are thirsty, we are hungry, etc. That's the beauty of being alive. Why mess with that and shut off those signals?

But that's the thing, dry lips is my ONLY side effect. And the weight gain did happen rapidly. Not over time. On graduation day (May 25th 2012) I was 170. I hit 215 by Halloween 2012. So I've gotten down to 202 by diet and excercise... But now I just want a little boost.

Dry lips FOR NOW. That's like saying "I'm thinking of starting smoking cigarettes as a way to help control my appetite. I just want to drop a few pounds, and I think nicotine is a great way to do it." HUH????

Again, why do this to yourself if you risk the chance of more serious side effects down the road? You say you gained weight quickly - HOW did you gain weight? And if it weren't by eating too much and not exercising, did you see an endocrinologist to determine if it were something physically wrong with you? (hypothyroid, PCOS, etc)?

You are looking for a quick, temporary fix to a long term solution. Flip the script here and think about making a long term solution to a temporary problem.

Taking a pill to LOSE weight is never the right choice, when other healthy decisions can be made and done with will power and determination.

nhatalie

I am loving all of the feedback.. Its awesome to hear both sides! Alot of you seem to think I dont want to diet or excercise... I admit I make bad choices sometimes but 80% of the time I eat good portions, get my servings of fruit and veggies and stay under 1200 calories and work at least 9 hours a day waitressing at TGIFridays (very busy restaurant = lots of walking)! I think my weightloss is so slow because of my PCOS. Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular disease run in my family. I have been told for many years that if I dont get into the healthy range fast I will get complcations early. And my grandma died because of obesity related disease. I really want to drop and be HEALTHY. I swear this isn't a lose 30 quick lbs for prom or swimsuit season this is a real deal attempt at a lifestyle change. I am hoping also that while on the Phentermine my stomach will shrink so it will be easier to be full off normal portion sizes because before when I would eat a weight watchers meal my tummy would STILL be grumbling.

I do understand your desire to lose weight and become healthier, and I admire and respect you for this decision. However, I don't understand why you would be "okay" with the super thirst, rapid heartbeat and the other potentially serious side effects this drug can give you, when simply eating healthier foods and exercising would be successful over time?

Your weight didn't magically appear on your frame one day - it happened over a long time. Why do you think you should lose it quickly, and the only way to do so is by altering your body and brain chemistry to do it?

True it is your body, but there are better ways to lose weight than by taking a pill, or trying some weird fad diet, supplements, starvation, deprivation, etc. It is through proper eating and exercising - and those two things are virtually risk free.

Our bodies tell us when we are in pain, we are thirsty, we are hungry, etc. That's the beauty of being alive. Why mess with that and shut off those signals?

But that's the thing, dry lips is my ONLY side effect. And the weight gain did happen rapidly. Not over time. On graduation day (May 25th 2012) I was 170. I hit 215 by Halloween 2012. So I've gotten down to 202 by diet and excercise... But now I just want a little boost.

Dry lips FOR NOW. That's like saying "I'm thinking of starting smoking cigarettes as a way to help control my appetite. I just want to drop a few pounds, and I think nicotine is a great way to do it." HUH????

Again, why do this to yourself if you risk the chance of more serious side effects down the road? You say you gained weight quickly - HOW did you gain weight? And if it weren't by eating too much and not exercising, did you see an endocrinologist to determine if it were something physically wrong with you? (hypothyroid, PCOS, etc)?

You are looking for a quick, temporary fix to a long term solution. Flip the script here and think about making a long term solution to a temporary problem.

Taking a pill to LOSE weight is never the right choice, when other healthy decisions can be made and done with will power and determination.

Yes I do have pcos as stated above. But I have had that since I was 14. I think it was birth control that caused me to gain. I stopped taking it around... September 1st I believe. Oh and I started college at Ole Miss.

4n6babe

Like all medications, they affect different people in different ways. If it was recommended to you by a *good/legit* doctor it will be for a good reason and you would have to qualify for it by not having high blood pressure and by being very obese. I have been on it for about a month and though my weight loss has not been as much as some people have said theirs is, I am losing more than I personally have been able to with other methods such as just calorie counting or just exercising, which have never really worked for me. I have A LOT of weight to lose and I am not just taking the pill and not doing anything else. I am on here every day counting my calories and I do Zumba 4-5 times a week. The doctor who prescribed it is also having me go to an endocrinologist because after she was suspicious that my cortisol levels were high... sure enough - they were. So I have that appointment at the end of this month. Its all about figuring out what is going on with YOUR body - not everyone else's on this site...

I would take everyone's advice, including mine, with a grain of salt. Consult a doctor that you trust to see what options are best for you. That is what I did because nothing has been working for me and this pill is a PART of what is helping me. I am confident that after getting down to a healthier weight, I will be able to keep the healthier habits that I am working on right now.

megsmom2

Why would I take unnecessary medication....that are potentially damaging...to do something I can do without it? Oh heck NO!

nhatalie

Like all medications, they affect different people in different ways. If it was recommended to you by a *good/legit* doctor it will be for a good reason and you would have to qualify for it by not having high blood pressure and by being very obese. I have been on it for about a month and though my weight loss has not been as much as some people have said theirs is, I am losing more than I personally have been able to with other methods such as just calorie counting or just exercising, which have never really worked for me. I have A LOT of weight to lose and I am not just taking the pill and not doing anything else. I am on here every day counting my calories and I do Zumba 4-5 times a week. The doctor who prescribed it is also having me go to an endocrinologist because after she was suspicious that my cortisol levels were high... sure enough - they were. So I have that appointment at the end of this month. Its all about figuring out what is going on with YOUR body - not everyone else's on this site...

I would take everyone's advice, including mine, with a grain of salt. Consult a doctor that you trust to see what options are best for you. That is what I did because nothing has been working for me and this pill is a PART of what is helping me. I am confident that after getting down to a healthier weight, I will be able to keep the healthier habits that I am working on right now.

I wish you the best on everything girl! I'm trying to do the same as you so try and keep me updated with how you're doing!

msliu7911

The weight comes back when you stop taking it because once the medication is out of your system, then your appetite goes back to normal, hence the reason why it is a proven fact that lasting weight loss requires a lifestyle change. Pills will give you fast weight loss, as will surgery, but if you don't change the way you eat and your relationship with food, you WILL gain it back.

Right, and the pills help you take control of your appetite, just like pills are used to help people stop smoking and weight loss surgery like the lap band and gastric sleeve.

So why all the hate for pills but no hate for people who had their stomach adjusted? Seriously?

"Phentermine is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system."

Because it's speed, that's why. If I came on here and said "hey guys, I started smoking meth to speed up my weight loss. I've lost ten pounds in a week!" What would everyone say?

From what I've seen here, at least a dozen people would respond with something like, "Congrats! WTG! You have to find what works for you! We're all unique!"

+1:laugh:

CrazyTrackLady

Like all medications, they affect different people in different ways. If it was recommended to you by a *good/legit* doctor it will be for a good reason and you would have to qualify for it by not having high blood pressure and by being very obese. I have been on it for about a month and though my weight loss has not been as much as some people have said theirs is, I am losing more than I personally have been able to with other methods such as just calorie counting or just exercising, which have never really worked for me. I have A LOT of weight to lose and I am not just taking the pill and not doing anything else. I am on here every day counting my calories and I do Zumba 4-5 times a week. The doctor who prescribed it is also having me go to an endocrinologist because after she was suspicious that my cortisol levels were high... sure enough - they were. So I have that appointment at the end of this month. Its all about figuring out what is going on with YOUR body - not everyone else's on this site...

I would take everyone's advice, including mine, with a grain of salt. Consult a doctor that you trust to see what options are best for you. That is what I did because nothing has been working for me and this pill is a PART of what is helping me. I am confident that after getting down to a healthier weight, I will be able to keep the healthier habits that I am working on right now.

Actually, I believe doctors aren't all that "up to date" on nutrition. They don't get much training/education in this area. What she should do is see a nutritionist/dietician, who specialize in these issues. Doctors are quick to give pills out for every little ache, pain and problem. I trust my doctor with medical advice/diagnoses, but I would go to a nutritionist or a pharmacologist for information about weight loss and whether or not pills are the "best way" to go.

My body is the only one I have. I am not about to fill it up with unnecessary pills and strange fad diets when logic dictates healthy eating and exercise is the best way to go. I honestly do not understand the mentality of "Got a problem? Here's a pill to help you with that!" when other, safer options are available.

engrdad

Interesting topic and lots of strong opinions. My family physician is a D.O. instead of an M.D. They theoretically take a more holistic view of health than a normal M.D. He also does a lot of research/ studies and recently opened up a second business as a weight loss clinic. I found a Groupon for this clinic for a 4-week weight loss program and bought it. They do a comprehensive body analysis (height, weight, BMI, body fat, skeletal muscle, resting metabolism, body age, visceral fat and vital signs) weekly. You also get nutritional counseling, eight injections of B12, four lipotropic-plex injections and two B-complex injections. He also prescribed Fentermine 37.5. I started the program and just went to my second appointment (been on the program for one week). They do emphasize exercise and a proper diet. I lost 5.4lbs in the first week but increased a little in body fat percentage. They instructed me to include more protein in each meal due to this.

I feel comfortable in this program because 1) it is my family physician and 2) I am being monitored weekly. I also bought a blood pressure monitor and check myself just about every day. I do not get the severe dry mouth that everyone talks about. Actually, the only side effects I get are less of an appetite (not completely gone as other have said), more energy and an improved sense of well-being. Not bad, ehh. Now you must take into account that I am 50 years old and I did feel like my metabolism need a jump start (was feeling tired a lot). Of course, everyone reacts differently to medication and as a general rule, I try and minimize any medications as they all have side effects. However, for me so far this has been a good experience. We'll see how it turns out. Best of luck to you and all of us in getting healthy.

breeshabebe

I was on them for a few months... they work at first.. then your body gets used to them. I didn't lose 1lb that I didn't gain back when I quit using them. They made me super irritable and impatient. I had initially started them just because I wanted to jumpstart my weightloss... and I did lose weight... but like I said.. I gained it back because I became dependent on them and when they were gone I didn't know how to practice self control without a drug doing it for me.

windsong111111

Nay.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/phentermine/AN01715

sweetthickcoco

I like to put my 2 cent in. I have read people posting and what I dislike is when people assume things. For me I started working out last year in June I did wii active 2 then insanity for a month along with p90x and now I am doing turbofire 6 days a week i am on month 3. i lost 40 lbs but in Jan I go stuck at 160. I eat 1200 to 1500 calories a day. I burn about 300 to 400 calories with turbofire. I even added in chalean extreme three days a week. I tried eating more food then I tried eat more protein and less carbs. And I was not losing anything. So it's not that everyone on here is not trying to lose weight by exercising and eating right but sometimes you hit that plateau and nothing seems to work for you anymore. That is why I am taking the pills. I am not trying to find a easy way out. I still workout 6 days a week I am going to start weight training at the gym on Monday for 3 days a week. . I know that when u lose weight with pills sometimes it comes back. Because I tried other pills and lose a lot of weight and it came right back but I was not eating right or working out.. I love workout and i am not planning on stopping after i stop the pills. What works for you does not always work for everyone else. So until you are in our shoes you don't know what is going on in our lives. So please stop assuming everyone is trying to take the easy way out.

CrazyTrackLady

I like to put my 2 cent in. I have read people posting and what I dislike is when people assume things. For me I started working out last year in June I did wii active 2 then insanity for a month along with p90x and now I am doing turbofire 6 days a week i am on month 3. i lost 40 lbs but in Jan I go stuck at 160. I eat 1200 to 1500 calories a day. I burn about 300 to 400 calories with turbofire. I even added in chalean extreme three days a week. I tried eating more food then I tried eat more protein and less carbs. And I was not losing anything. So it's not that everyone on here is not trying to lose weight by exercising and eating right but sometimes you hit that plateau and nothing seems to work for you anymore. That is why I am taking the pills. I am not trying to find a easy way out. I still workout 6 days a week I am going to start weight training at the gym on Monday for 3 days a week. . I know that when u lose weight with pills sometimes it comes back. Because I tried other pills and lose a lot of weight and it came right back but I was not eating right or working out.. I love workout and i am not planning on stopping after i stop the pills. What works for you does not always work for everyone else. So until you are in our shoes you don't know what is going on in our lives. So please stop assuming everyone is trying to take the easy way out.

1. You aren't taking the easy way out. 2. IT IS NOT THE PILLS which are causing the weight loss, IT IS THE EXERCISING you are doing. 3. Give up the pills.

That is all.