Phentermine(Has anyone tried it?)

blufire07
blufire07 Posts: 14
edited September 21 in Health and Weight Loss
I recently went to the dr. and he put me on phentermine because i have polycystic ovarian syndrome. He said by losing just ten pounds it could put my hormones back in balance so instead of putting me on medicine for the pcos he would rather help me lose the weight and learn how to keep it off. I was wondering if anyone has tried this and how well it worked for them.
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Replies

  • Owen08015
    Owen08015 Posts: 1
    I've tried it and it worked really well for me. Be prepared because at first it gives you the jitters but the results are amazing.
  • sunshine79
    sunshine79 Posts: 758 Member
    Have tried it before and would not recommend. It does work for a while in that it takes away your appetite but the side effects are soooo not worth it. It made me jittery, irritable, hot and constantly thristy. It also makes you feel generally weird and not quite your usual self. Plus usually once you come off of it your appetite returns so you eat more and gain all the weight back. This is just my exerience though, others may be different. :smile:
  • blufire07
    blufire07 Posts: 14
    im hoping to see great results.......He didn't put me on a high dosage so i don't feel the jitters but before i was only eating one meal a day and I found out I wasn't helping my body i was just putting my body into starvation mode. So now im actually eating two to three meals a day and trying to keep my calories under 1400. My goal is to step it up this week and start an exercise routine that i can actually stick to.
  • leavinglasvegas
    leavinglasvegas Posts: 1,495
    I have PCOS. I'm not sure that losig 10 pounds will get your hormones back in balance. It will ease the symptoms though. Your eating habits will help your hormones. Phentermine also won't last forever. Are you being monitored by a dietician as well? PCOS is treatable by letting go of processed foods and lowering carbs. Also, birth control can help regulate hormones. Phentermine seems a little odd to treat PCOS. I would get a second opinion by a doctor who is experienced in treating PCOS... a gynocologist, endocrinologist.
  • OnieBee
    OnieBee Posts: 67
    I too have been on phentermine and I felt like I was on crack. The benefits were that my house was always sparkling and I did not have an appetite The negatives were that my heartbeat became rapid, I was extremely irritable and had insomnia. It is also unsafe to be on for long periods of time.
  • blufire07
    blufire07 Posts: 14
    My doctor is an OBGYN. He advised me that this is a short term thing that is why he wants me watching what i eat an exercising regularly, he is actually the one that referred me to this site and I am already on birth control.
  • EmmmyK
    EmmmyK Posts: 21 Member
    Yes, I was on it for about 2 1/2 months. I lost about 25 pounds. With that all my eyelashes fell out, my hair did to. I didn't grow any hair on my legs, I got pale in my face and oh ya I had rapid heart palpitations, this started about 2 months into it. So needless to say I stopped it. and it took a good month for it to get out of my system. My period was 3 months late.

    Since then my eyelashes have grown back, My friend was on Phentermine too, she did not have the same side effects as me. Everyone is different. It's been 6 months since I stopped, and I am now back on the regular diet and exercise to loose weight. Just be aware of the side effects..

    Good Luck
  • goatskinlegs
    goatskinlegs Posts: 40 Member
    Phentermine is in the Ephedrine family of pharmaceuticals. Which means it's in the same family as Methamphetamine, aka crystal-meth or speed. Amphetamine's are not good for you they can cause Heart Disease, irregular hear beats and many other heart related problems. Drugs are never the answer, my mother took Phen-Phen years ago to help her lose weight and look what it did to people. Pharmacology has not really come that far in the last 25 years that they wouldn't do something like that again. You just have to train your body to eat when it's time to eat. I know it's hard and the pill pushers make it seem like a pill will make it all better but it's about willpower. I think you can do it without the aid of "modern medicine" GOOD LUCK!!! I believe in you! :happy:
  • Dreaj79
    Dreaj79 Posts: 212
    I was also on phentermine. I had the hair loss and irritability. I stopped. The side effects were not worth it. I've had better results doing it the good old fashioned way.
  • leavinglasvegas
    leavinglasvegas Posts: 1,495
    I guess I just don't understand the need for Phentermine if you are watching what you eat. It doesn't make sense, especially if its short term. PCOS wreaks havoc on your metabolism. The Phentermine does not treat the PCOS, but can cause dependency even in a short term, which can result in more damage to your metabolism when you go off it. I've done alot of research on this for myself. Sorry, but this approach sounds sketchy to me.
  • blufire07
    blufire07 Posts: 14
    Im not sure either and I don't know it all. Thats why I leave the doctoring to the doctors.
  • elmct57
    elmct57 Posts: 594 Member
    i would plan for after the short course. are you going to do low carb? low glycemic? you'll have to change your eating habits--like you're doing now with the several small meals. boost your water intake too. hope the jump start works for you, but also try to speak with a nutritionist so you can plan meals, etc.
  • gillbush123
    gillbush123 Posts: 21 Member
    I was on it for about 6 months and yes i did loose weight but the same as the others i was very on edge and it gave me terriable head aches, it was not worth the side effects and when i came off it i put the weught back on.
    I am now doing it the healthy natural way by eating healthy and going the gym 5 times a week and i have lost a stone in the past 8 weeks.
    Good luck with your weight lose xxx
  • MFPfriend
    MFPfriend Posts: 1,121 Member
    I really don't know anything about Phen, but I do have PCOS. My doctor told me to eat about 1400 calories a day- but cut out all High Fructose Corn Syrup. It's worked like nothing ever has before. I'd highly recommend trying other things before trying the Phen.. it sounds scary.
  • leavinglasvegas
    leavinglasvegas Posts: 1,495
    Im not sure either and I don't know it all. Thats why I leave the doctoring to the doctors.

    Just because a doctor is a doctor doesn't mean they are always right. I'm not trying to sound like I know it all, but I do know quite a bit. I am just offering support as someone who has been through this. I did my own research and questioned my doctors. And then I went off and researched their answers. It was more my active participation in treatment that got my well than the docotrs doctoring. Just saying...

    Good luck to you.
  • KiriKiriKiri
    KiriKiriKiri Posts: 227 Member
    I am a health care professional and I have NEVER heard of phentermine used in this situation. Also, it is typically prescribed, when prescribed since it is rare these days, for significant weight loss, not just 10 lbs. I would get a second opinion. Most people who take this medication typically gain back every ounce of that weight once the medication is stopped. It is HIGHLY addictive, regardless of the dosage. Your body becomes adjusted, therefore requiring more. You should search the database as there was just a discussion on this the other day... the health risks associated with this medication are drastic and in fact can disrupt your hormones and aggravate the PCOS. Of course, I am not your doctor. I would eat a healthy and balanced diet and seek guidance from a nutritionist. A quick fix won't help the PCOS nor will it help the weight loss, long term.

    I wish you the best of luck with everything. I am only expressing my concern as this seems very peculiar to me....
  • michlingle
    michlingle Posts: 797 Member
    I have been on and off phentermine for about 6 months. I usually take a half a pill a day when I do take it. I actually like it, I don't have too many bad side effects, it does make me a little bit more jittery, but not too bad. It's a great way to control your appetite, but I do find that my heart rate goes up really quickly right away when I work out, so I monitor it throughout the routine. As long as you don't go crazy after you stop taking it, the weight should stay off. I give it a thumbs up!
  • luvs2cook
    luvs2cook Posts: 2 Member
    I used it a couple of years ago. I had no side effects. The only thing is that you will gain the weight back. My doc wouldn't give this to anyone who doesn't have at least 50+ pounds to lose. I too would get another opinion.
  • blufire07
    blufire07 Posts: 14
    Thanks! I haven't had any side effects from it other than being thirsty. My heart rate has stayed normal, no headaches or insomnia. I really have no complaints about it but i see from other posts some people haven't had good experiences from it and im taking it all in. I think I would want to come off if i was having any side effects but as of now im not.
  • seansgirl
    seansgirl Posts: 2
    i have taken it and it worked for me,i took the brand name which is addipex 37.5 i loved it.Yes you have side effects they do make you irritable due to the lack of sleep and once you go off them you are really tired for a couple days but other than that i liked them
  • estherguas
    estherguas Posts: 113 Member
    I used it for a week and it kick started my weightloss journey but I wouldnt recomend using it too long I used it for 7 days and I felt sever withdrawl jitters sweats sleeplessness for a few days after I stopped taking them...
  • I had polycystic ovary syndrome and didn't take any medications at all....medicines made it a little worse and did not help at all....i ended up having a full hysterectomy which has obviously helped me with losing weight because i have lost 24 lbs total since my surgery in october.....
  • addipex is the name brand and I didnt take it for my ovary problem but I did take it for weight loss assistance and just a few words of advice.....dont take long...i took them for year, lost 57 lbs...my body went into full hunger mode once i got off of them and i gained that and almost double back......and it wasnt from overeating, it was from my body feeling like it was completely starved and deprived of food....
  • I've been taking Adipex since March 31 of this year and can say I have had no adverse side effects. The hirst few days it made me a little extra hyper but I kind of liked that effect. It did curb my appetite alot in the beginning but still has its effect. I still dont eat half of what i ate before but in the beginning i could barely make 1000 calories. My docter said she plans to keep me on it for 6 months and then see how I do on my own. Hope this helps some with what you want to know!!!!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • claw0416
    claw0416 Posts: 95
    I have PCOS. I have had it for a few years. nothing was done about it a few years ago,, Just told that I had it and could be controlled but needed to lose weight. Well, I should have educated myself on what exactly it entailed and would could happen if not treated. I thought it was basically a fancy way of telling me that I a worse case of endometreosis that before. I was already overweight at the time they diagnosed me. I was working on losing weight, but apparently not the way I needed to. 3 years later...I am sitting at 255..not my highest either. This past year I gained over 80 pounds. SO I went to a weightloss clinic thinking they could help..She did my health history and blood work. She had a fit when she saw my lab work and found out I had PCOS. I am now insulin resistant, high blood pressure and alot of other things that go along with PCOS. Ok..so let me give you a little background beside that..I did try phen last year by my normal doctor. he did not educate me on phen or anything just to eat less, and exercise with the pill..Well I lost a good 30 pound within 2 months..fantastic,...but guess what..I gained that and 50 more back..my hair statred falling out and was so brittle it looked like i had way too many dye jobs..My face started looking rough..I used to have great complexion..I did not have any of the normal side effects that time..but it really screwed me up..so when my weightloss doctor suggested me try it again I was not too hip..But this time she did educate me on it a little more..One of the most important things with it is to drink water..it keeps your body in check and eases alot of the side effects..it also keeps you from being constipated which is a side effect..second..EAT! Make sure you eat..don't go to town eating..eat healthy...ANd for me since I am now insulin resistant that meant eating a lower carb, higher protien..less fruits..but still have a daily serving..even when your not hungry..eat..make sure you get at least 3 meals in. With PCOS alot of women can''t do alot of the diets..our bodies don't like carbs and well sugar just isn't the best choice..WE need of coarse the good carbs, but watch the starches..3rd..Take your vitamins..That is alot of the reason I lost my hair and face looked like crap..with the combination of taking the phen and not really eating I had no real nutrients to take care of my body..and I think that is why I did end up gaining the weight back, I went from starving my self to just eating like I used to..Which is why I was over weight in the first place..This time I was put on 30 mg of phen in the morning and then another 15 at 2..I had to go to this dosage since I started on such a high dose last year my body did not forget the phen was there before and I built a tollerance for it..My doc also put me on a blood pressure pill to lower my BP and Metformin which helps treat PCOS, diabetes 2 and I believe a few other medical conditions.. If I would have been put on the metformin 3 years ago I would not have been where I am now..My hormones would have been at least a little better, the weight tha tIhave would not be here, I would not be insulin resistant and alot of other things.Anyway.. I lost a little with the phen..but I got sick and with th ecombination of antibiotics, inhalers, and phen did not agree with me..The hospital that I went to sent me home taking all my meds and the ones they prescribed..Guess what happened..my BP and HR went through the rood..Called my weightloss doc..she about had a cow..She was surprised my heart or head had not exploded..so I went off of phen..so with just the combination of the metformin, bp meds, exercising moderatly and eating healthy I have lost close to 20 pounds..The phen was fine..I stayed with headaches, but alot of that could have been contributed to the high blood pressure..That is a side effect of phen too elavated BP/HR and headaches..

    With all of that being said it is your choice what and how you choose to lose the weight, but do it wisely..I know phen is normally prescribed to people who are obese or close to it..It is not something that is recommended for someone who needs to lose a few pounds..I am not sure how much you weigh, but you may want to look into metformin for your PCOS, or at least ask your OBGYN about it..It seems to be one of the best ways to control PCOS and if you keep your health and weight under control you won't be where I am today, battling to lose this..But for me I am relieved that I now know why I wasn't losing the weight. I have struggled with it for the past few years and could never understand why I was not dropping the weight from my girls, I have always been active and I did portion control, never ate any more than my kids things like most people..But it was not knowing that my body cant handle certain foods due to the PCOS. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted you to understand where my 2 cents are coming from and why..But please if you do choose to stay on the phen,,eat healthy foods and take the vitamins..GOOD LUCK!
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    Yes, I was on it for about 2 1/2 months. I lost about 25 pounds. With that all my eyelashes fell out, my hair did to. I didn't grow any hair on my legs, I got pale in my face and oh ya I had rapid heart palpitations, this started about 2 months into it. So needless to say I stopped it. and it took a good month for it to get out of my system. My period was 3 months late.

    Since then my eyelashes have grown back, My friend was on Phentermine too, she did not have the same side effects as me. Everyone is different. It's been 6 months since I stopped, and I am now back on the regular diet and exercise to loose weight. Just be aware of the side effects..

    Good Luck
    Omg, Sweetie I'm sorry that all happened, how scary! :ohwell: It's crazy how drugs can act one way for someone and completely different for someone else. I can definitely see why you went off!! Very very smart girl, though with your experience I'm rather surprised your friend decided to take it after your experience, unless she didn't know about it when she started?

    Becca:flowerforyou:
  • SarahNicole317
    SarahNicole317 Posts: 302 Member
    Sounds like the doctor doesn't have confidence in you losing the weight on your own. Prove him wrong and skip the drugs.
  • Cytherea
    Cytherea Posts: 515 Member
    My doctor is an OBGYN. He advised me that this is a short term thing that is why he wants me watching what i eat an exercising regularly, he is actually the one that referred me to this site and I am already on birth control.

    An OBGYN is NOT a specialist in PCOS. PCOS is still a fairly new condition that very little is known about. It is very often misdiagnosed and undiagnosed. You NEED to see a specialist, especially if you are considering taking a risky medication. I've been diagnosed with PCOS, and neither my regular OBGYN or the specialist that I saw (who is very well known in the field) ever mentioned a medication like this one. I know a lot of people with PCOS and none of them have ever taken it or have had it suggested to them either. The only medication other than birth control that is common to prescribe to women with PCOS is metformin.

    Just because he/she is a doctor doesn't mean that they are always right. Do your own research and see someone else before committing to anything potentially dangerous.
  • mimi7grands
    mimi7grands Posts: 616
    I've tried many things for weight loss over the years, including a medically supervised fast and even a lap band. Anything can work - for the short term. The proof is in the long-term results. Most of these diet "aids" end up with the dieter gaining all the weight back and then some.

    I'm currently loving what I'm eating and envision doing this for the rest of my life. Instead of feeling deprived, I feel downright spoiled. My cholesterol has dropped 40 points and I feel better than I have since I was a kid. Finally, my head is in the right place and my eating habits (lots of veggies, fruits, minimally refined carbs) are too.

    You can tell I don't think the Phentermine is a great idea. The idea of it speeding up your heart really scares me. I have had atrial fibrillation for several years. It started with fast heartbeats (tachycardia). When those things happen, they cause what's called remodeling of the heart. There are actual, physical changes to the heart. Basically, the more you have them, the more likely they are to continue.

    I'd be concerned both about the short-term-fix aspect of it and about the possibility of heart damage. We'd like to think doctors know everything and can predict every possible outcome. Unfortunately, as hard as most of them try, they don't and they can't.

    Best of luck to you.
  • styanne
    styanne Posts: 7 Member
    i went on it years ago lost some but not a lot and i have put the weight back on and more i found that i couldnt sleep properly. the only thing that i could say is that my mum was taken ill, i spent a couple of days and nights in the hospital without sleep, they were handy then as she wouldnt let anyone go by her, she thought the dr's and nurses were out to kill her. she pulled all her tubes out except the catheta ripped up her notes and threatened to sue the security guard if he came near her .
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