Phentermine?

hello!
I took this medication for about 6 months in 2007.. I was being monitored by my PCP and having monthly visits.
I was 29 yrs old at the time - and in good health other then being over weight..
I did loose weight - 60 pounds in 6 months... but the lack of sleep (3-4 hours a night if I was lucky)
I ended up having 2 seizures and It also made my blood pressure sky high.
I ended up in the ER twice. they couldnt even get my heart rate down! they put me on a heart monitor for 24 hours.
the reading on it showed heart palpatations and it required me to wear a heart monitor for 30 days and to have a stress test and a ultra sound of my heart.
I think that the seizures was my body telling me that it had enough! this was the start of the worst part of my life.
I had sever memory issues that lasted several yrs. The seizured changed my personality. I am still not the same person that I was before. My fiancee had to fall in love with me all over again because I just wasnt the same person.
I dont know why the FDA hasnt pulled this medication from the Market.

!I Took phentermine several years ago and had excellent results. I lost 30 pounds and kept it off because I went into it realistically. I used the time I was taking them to change my cooking style, exercise level, and general lifestyle. So when I went off of them, i continued to lose weight. As long as a doctor is prescribing them and monitoring you regularly, go into it willing to change.
ALso, not to sound harsh but the people who are saying "oh you're definitely going to gain it all back!!''...why be so negative? That's not a true statement by any means. Myself and several people who have posted in this thread have proved that otherwise.

I absolutely agree. I have been on them for about 20 days. I have lost 8 pounds. I am not in a race with myself to drop as much weight as possible in the shortest time. It doesn't make me speedy at all (I can nap on it). I have gone from sedentary (bed +car+desk+car+table+couch+bed) to being able to work out for 2 30 minute reps on a bike and do some dancing. I still get hungry but because I am not out of control hungry I can take the time to make the right choices, cook differently, shop differently,learn to measure and weigh to learn what is a portion. and to educate myself in nutrition. So I don't see how if I continue to do these things that I will gain the weight back. I will end up getting off the pill with the stamina built into my body to be able to exercise and knowing what choices are better for me and taste good too, and fill me up. Win, Win

The risks involved do not out weigh the benefits. Plus, what are you learning about changing your lifestyle? I guess it boils down to what works for you. However, I don't recommend it!

I took it for fatigue. I lost my appetite and so lost weight, but I hated the way I felt. It was like being a giant raw nerve ending. I was compulsive on it-- couldn't sit still and did tasks constantly. I could never really focus on anything but I also couldn't just sit still or zone out. It was awful, I wouldn't take it again.

I am currently taking Phentermine, and I can definitely say it has helped me jump start my weight loss. I am using it along with diet and exercise for healthy long term results. It is great to see a few others who have had positive results!

I tried it but it made me nervous and just didn't feel good taking a chemical I didn't need.

Not worth the risks...

I did one good round for about 4 months with phentermine in 2007 but I was young, single, going out quite a bit, and not eating healthy or exercising. I ended up losing about 30 lbs and finally made it back to "one"derland with it. I took my BP regularly at home and tracked it. The reason I quit taking it is because I had a lump in my throat in the last month that would not go away. After some blood tests and a thyroid ultrasound, nothing showed up as abnormal. But I quit taking it, and the lump was gone was a few days of being off of it.

I also met my now-husband in month 3 of this cycle, so once I got off it, found a guy who liked my body as-is, I definitely got into a way-too-comfortable zone, and hence why I'm back 5 years later.

Do I still take phentermine? Yes, but I refuse to take it regularly, I mostly take it on days I feel like I may be around some of my triggers and it personally helps me. (potlucks at the office, parties, etc.). My mom and 3 of my aunts are RNs, my best friend is a nurse, I work in the medical field as an IT analyst, and I do my research on any meds I take. Doesn't make me an expert by any means, but I feel I know my body and I have resources. I know it's an amphetamine and it's not just for anyone. I do believe the abundance of Phentermine RX's out there is absurd. I have friends who have 5 pounds to lose and they've found a Dr. to write them a script, some of them getting 2-3 a DAY! I've never taken more than 1 and I'd be scared to do so. I think that's insane and reckless. Now me, who likes the control it gives me over not wanting ice cream and cookies at 9pm and has 100lbs to lose? I think it's a great short-term tool in ADDITION to diet and exercise.

I've had very good luck with phentermine in the past. Used it to 'get me started' - lost the weight and enjoy the benefits of smaller portions and exercise, which is what i DID while on phentermine. Never gained the weight back either. Don't listen to all the negative nellies on the internet.

My ex took it and had major personality changes that were not for the positive. Eventually she had a mental break and the professionals I talked to told me that any stimulant along those lines would have been a trigger for her. I am sure there are a lot of other reasons not to take it and it most likely doesn't effect most people that way but for those it does, their life will never be the same.

As for it causing her to lose weight, at the time it did but for me that wasn't the issue and it certainly wasn't worth it.

TifffanyM thanks for the encouragement. I just started taking 37.5mg today and I weight 205. I' ve had two babies in the last 3yrs so im trying to get down to 165lbs. I dont plan on using this forever just to jumpstart my weight since I've stil be eating like im eating for 2 people. Hopefully I can lose at least 20lbs and i would feel alot better about myself. I'm joining the Journey with you:happy:

Me too. i will take it 3 months with drs. supervision. Plant to change lifestyle permanently with respect to food though. And stay with MFP too. :flowerforyou:

What's the rush? Diet and exercise will do the trick, and you will be more likely to keep the weight off. It amazes me that people spend years getting overweight, but then want the weight to disappear overnight.

I was on it a few years back. After going off it, I went through withdraw and eventually gained all the weight plus an extra 20 back. Although, I loved the energy and the lack of appetite I had while taking it, I will never ever take it again. My body became dependent on it and going off sucked majorly!!

I started taking Phentermine 2 years ago to jump start my weight loss. I was checked every month by my doctor. It really helped me with no health problems. With eating healthy and exercising I have not gained a pound in two years. Everyone's body is different so just because the pill didn't work for one person doesn't mean it want work for another.

i take a half a pill in the am, gives me the energy to excercise and fight the cravings, and still be able to sleep at night, and i dont feel like i am crawling up the walls! i lost 40 lbs in 3 months one time i was on them! on them again, because in the winter i have no motivation!!