Taking Phentermine, eating 1200 calories, not losing weight

My doctor suggested the phentermine and said I was overweight for my height. I weighed 167 and am 5 foot 7. I got to a point where I was eating all the time, even just because I was bored, then eventually I got used to it and was hungry all the time, even after eating a meal. The phentermine has curbed my appetite. I guess I will force myself to eat more. I am eating very healthy. I am not excercising because I have an issue with energy. I had this problem for a couple of years. My doctors don't know what is wrong, I am low on iron, so I take a supplement, and I've tried vitamins. I barely have enough energy to do normal everyday things without getting exhausted.

I seriously, seriously, seriously was JUST like you when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease almost seven years ago. Same height, same weight. From "I know you have an autoimmune disease." My doc and I went through a five year process of elimination and found it. To say I had an issue with energy would be understated, some days my husband had to put my feet on the floor for me and help me lift myself out of bed. To say I had low iron - well, I guess when you need transfusions that's one way to describe it. I am BEYOND glad that my doctor would not worry about my weight until we had an answer. Then she wouldn't worry about it until my symptoms began to resolve (and they aren't all gone, but they are all improving). My last visit to her was in late June weighing 193; she gave me the go ahead for weight loss then, if I didn't want to wait for the next iron labs. In August, at 192, my favorite dress didn't fit anymore. I came here and I've lost 13ish pounds in 6 weeks.
All of that was to let you know that I understand where you are coming from and I think you need to fire your doctor and find one who find out what the underlying issues are that are causing your weight problem. That's just my opinion. I own it and you can toss it, but a doc who worries more about 30 extra pounds than he worries about chronic anemia is scary...

Phentermine...... just NO.

If you are being medically supervised, you are OK. Just because DR billybob jimbo shabadoo Interweb MD hates them dern prescriptions, you are entitled to see if they help you.

I DO agree that you and your doc need to dig deeper into your energy issues. If you can, seek second opinions, then thirds.

PLEASE DO NOT STOP TAKING YOUR PHENTERMINE until you talk it over with your doctor!!! Seriously. Bipolar disorder is a very serious disorder which needs to be carefully medicated, with very specific doses of drug combinations working in a given patient. Your weight gain may have been due to previous (or current) medication that you have been/are on. Your medication can also be causing your fatigue. Unfortunately, if that particular medication has been the only one successful in helping with stabilizing your moods, you would unfortunately have to work with the side effect. That being said, I am assuming that your doctor is very familiar with your disorder and likely prescribed the phentermine with full knowledge of all other drugs you may be taking. I am also assuming that your doctor has experience in treating bipolar patients and is working together with the psychiatrist treating you, if it wasn't the psychiatrist who prescribed it. If that is not the case, speak to the doctor who diagnosed you and is treating you for the bipolar disorder very soon (like today or tomorrow). Do not abruptly stop taking any medication without first consulting your doctor as it can trigger a manic or depressive episode. This is very important.

You need a new dr, I don't know what dr would give u diet pills for being a few lbs overweight. I get your tired but that's no excuse. I have leukemia and just finish doing chemo in May and have no energy, but I still workout. I can literally sometimes fall asleep while working out but I never stop. Just don't set your expectations to high and continue to eat healthy drink your water and get your body moving.

I'm seriously going to keep you/this in the back of my mind next time I'm 'too tired' to workout. You're amazing and strong. :flowerforyou:

I do have an iron deficiency, but I admit I haven't taken the iron supplements every day. There have been times I thought I had chronic fatigue syndrome, but never mentioned it to my doctor.

Then take your iron! How would you know if you had CFS if you're not properly treating a condition where the #1 symptom is fatigue?

I've taken Phentermine in the past a couple of times I'm 5'7 & 210lbs. I'm in the UK & I used to get it through a "Dr" *cough cough* at a slimmng clinic. Yes, I dropped a couple of stones both times. Yes, I gained it right back with a few friends too.

It's great at curbing your appetite but it won't teach anyone how to stop over eating, portion control, or finding a good balance of nutrition. Personally I don't think it's worth it as even if you don't get any side effects. It is actually just legal speed. You can fail a narcotics test when you're on it. Speaks volumes really......:noway:

Iron deficiency, together with your medications, can definitely cause fatigue. Iron tablets can cause some side effects like constipation which can be very uncomfortable, but you have to take them. Increasing your fiber, fresh fruit and vegetable intake can help. You must talk to your treating physician about your fatigue because, like I said, it could be due to your meds. There might be another combination that could work better for you. Don't be afraid to tell your doctor anything that you are feeling, even if you might not think it's important it very well could be. If you don't feel comfortable talking to your doctor then you should try to find one that you feel more comfortable with. Your health comes first and you need a doctor that works with you as a team. If you haven't had a full lab work up, then it's time to get one. And definitely eat more than 1200 calories a day as a low calorie intake can just make it worse.

What does OP mean?

Original poster

I didn't go looking for a pill to fix my weight problem, I just want to make that clear. My doctor suggested I take it because he said I had gained too much weight.

You seriously need a new doctor! Wow! I'd be running far and fast away from this quack!

The doctor that prescibed the pills was a primary care doctor who I have seen sporadically the past couple of years. It had been a long time since seeing him when I went in for bronchitis. He weighed me and said I had gained weight since my last visit, then he calculated my BMI. He said I was overweight, suggested the phentermine, and told me I should eat healthier and excercise. I am not going back to see him because he is not on my insurance any more.

not going back to that doctor is wise.
"Bronchitis? Have some phentermine"

If I were you I would find another doctor. He should have referred you to a dietitian instead of just giving you a pill. Did he ask about what you're eating? Are you getting enough sleep? Exercise? This DRUG will help with weight loss but unless you learn how to EAT LESS AND EXERCISE MORE you will just gain the weight back when you stop it. I bet the pharmaceutical rep took him on a cruise or took him out to dinner and so he is pushing Phentermine

When I started MFP, I logged to see how much I was eating and then gradually started making healthier choices. You don't have to "eat clean". Just find out where you overeating and eat less, drink less and be more active. People here are quick to give advice but be careful because some don't know what they are talking about!

Good luck whatever you do

The doctor that prescibed the pills was a primary care doctor who I have seen sporadically the past couple of years. It had been a long time since seeing him when I went in for bronchitis. He weighed me and said I had gained weight since my last visit, then he calculated my BMI. He said I was overweight, suggested the phentermine, and told me I should eat healthier and excercise. I am not going back to see him because he is not on my insurance any more.

Um. Not cool. It's best that he is no longer your doctor because that is a drastic move for a slightly high BMI. I thought he may have prescribed it to help with issues relating to your other medication. Definitely call the doctor treating you for your bipolar to make sure it's safe for you to stop taking phentermine right away, and then do so. Also make an appointment with your psychiatrist to discuss your current medications, these side effects (fatigue, weight gain, anemia which may or may not be due to the drugs) and see if there aren't other medications you can take with less severe side effects. And ask for recommendations for a new primary care doctor (from the doctor, friends, family) and try to find one you really feel comfortable with. I really wish you the best. I know it must be difficult, but there is a way to fix it. It just won't be a quick fix so be patient.

I am confused. My primary care physician suggested I take phentermine because I am overweight, I didn't ask him at all about losing weight, he pointed it out to me. If it's so unhealthy, why did he think it was a good idea?

... Because the Phentermine drug rep probably takes your Primary care physician out to dinner on the regular. That, or your PCP if banging the drug rep. Big pharma's a ***** yo, don't trust her.

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. But, more importantly, what in the world is your profile pic of?

Looks like a Capybara. It's the largest rodent in Australia.

That is correct! I couldn't resist the little glasses. In related news, here is a picture of a guinea pig riding a capybara.



Enjoy.