Phentermine - Adepix P

2

Replies

  • jenifr818
    jenifr818 Posts: 805 Member
    IGNORE THE HATERS.

    Phentermine worked for me.


    In June 2013, my physician started me on a medically supervised 1200 calorie weight loss program. I took Phentermine for appetite suppressant in the morning, visited his office once each week for a B-complex shot, and got an In-Body analysis each month.

    The Physician's Assistant suggested I try MyFitnessPal to go along with my 1200 calorie diet, and I am quite pleased that he did. This has been a great way to track my food -- I tried hand writing my own tracker but it was a disaster.

    For the first month, I took 18.5 mg phentermine each morning, and found myself consuming around 1450 calories. The appetite suppressant gave me the control to avoid cravings and start making choices about my food. However, I did not start learning seriously until the second month.

    For the second and third months, I took 37mg phentermine, and regularly hit my goal of 1200 calories. I started learning how to eat at 1200 calories because it is not just about eating less of the same stuff as before; it is also about hitting my macro targets. I started walking in the second month, and increased that in the third month until I was walking 5k several times per week. I regularly hit my macro targets, and started eating back my exercise calories.

    For the fourth month, I started tapering the Phentermine back to 18.5 mg, and I shifted my calorie goal to 1600. Since I burn around 300-500 each day in exercise, I simply quit viewing it as eating back my exercise calories and started seeing it as the appropriate caloric intake for my activity level. That helps me avoid coming to the end of a day, being starving after working out, and eating whatever is handy. Eating 1200 plus eating back exercise calories always meant that I was hungry in the evening and eating whatever was handy to cover my exercise calories. Eating 1600 and not worrying about exercise calories lets me have more control over the day and over the week.

    For the fifth month, I tapered my phentermine down to 9.75mg (1/4 pill), with the goal of stopping the appetite suppressant entirely. I maintained my target of 1600 calories, although the colder weather made it a little harder to get my exercise.

    For the past 7 weeks, I have been completely off the Phentermine and I continue to make progress. I am still losing around 1 pound per week. My food choices are much better because the drug allowed me the time to learn. I cannot imagine people being able to learn about food and choices without having the support of the suppressant. I guess that's why most people who do it on their own end up failing and gaining back all of the weight. They never learned what was necessary because they were always struggling with their choices.

    I have made steady progress each month. The appetite suppressant gave me the ability to make choices and learn about food. As I have learned more, I have been able to rely less on the pills. Now I don't take them at all but I continue to use what I learned.

    Phentermine stops the cravings so you can learn how to make choices.

    Yep, because we're telling the OP not to take what is essentially speed, we're haters :noway:

    I'm glad you're doing well and learned how to make choices that worked for you as far as moderating your calories. However, you're definitely the exception and not the rule when it comes to this drug. Very few will recommend it, because most never learn proper choices and wind up right where they started and then some
  • Dreya711
    Dreya711 Posts: 79 Member
    I took it back in 2009 and lost the weight very quickly. However, I couldn't sleep, was always agitated and as soon as I quit taking it the weight came back. In my opinion it is not a good choice. (it's speed) Diet and exercise is the way to go :) Best of luck to you.
  • sunnymoon8
    sunnymoon8 Posts: 14 Member
    :)
  • scottkjar
    scottkjar Posts: 346 Member
    Yep, because we're telling the OP not to take what is essentially speed, we're haters :noway:

    I'm glad you're doing well and learned how to make choices that worked for you as far as moderating your calories. However, you're definitely the exception and not the rule when it comes to this drug. Very few will recommend it, because most never learn proper choices and wind up right where they started and then some

    I recognize that not everyone learns to make good food choices. That is irrespective of Phentermine. I would say that most of the people on MFP -- with or without Phentermine -- never learn how to eat correctly (judging from the comments in the forums), and MFP is a far better population than the population at large.

    I'm pleased that you have now recognized that Phentermine might be of some benefit to some people who are trying to lose weight. And as such, your future comment might be that no diet pill is a cure-all, and that many people don't succeed, but that some do succeed using Phentermine.

    That IS your new position, is it not? Or are you still rejecting all uses for all people under all circumstances?
  • happieharpie
    happieharpie Posts: 229 Member
    I took it several years ago and had zero results, so don't blame yourself if it doesn't help. Some of us just seem to be able to override it and keep on eating. My appetite just remained as it was.

    It may also have been because I had taken Meridia a while before I took phentermine.

    Meridia was WONDERFUL for as long as it worked, but when it stopped working I regained about 75 pounds in about 17 minutes.

    I've never actually known anyone who maintained weight loss after using one of these medications. I'm not saying that it's impossible- just that no one I ever knew was able to do it.

    I wish you good luck with whatever you find helpful.

    Wanted to add- I knew the difference between eating well and eating badly BEFORE I took Meridia, and as you've noted, I couldn't fight cravings enought to be successful.

    Before I embarked on my present course of action, the most successful attempt I've ever made in about 50 years, I researched everything I could find about craving and binging. I've found that limiting salt and sugar seems to go a long way to help me control craving, as well as including a measured portion of nuts each time I eat.

    A highly nutritious diet also seems to help. My meals are based on veggies, berries or green apples, eggs and egg whites and nuts. I have meats every once in a while on no particular schedule. I eat the same foods most evenings. I eat no grain added sugar or added salt, and my daily dairy is a couple TBSPS OF 1/2&1/2 in my morning coffee. Since eating this way I've craved very, very infrequently and if I've binged, I'm very positively reinforced by getting back to business the next day.

    I believe we all have to find and be comfortable in our own way of doing this work.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Yep, because we're telling the OP not to take what is essentially speed, we're haters :noway:

    I'm glad you're doing well and learned how to make choices that worked for you as far as moderating your calories. However, you're definitely the exception and not the rule when it comes to this drug. Very few will recommend it, because most never learn proper choices and wind up right where they started and then some

    I recognize that not everyone learns to make good food choices. That is irrespective of Phentermine. I would say that most of the people on MFP -- with or without Phentermine -- never learn how to eat correctly (judging from the comments in the forums), and MFP is a far better population than the population at large.

    I'm pleased that you have now recognized that Phentermine might be of some benefit to some people who are trying to lose weight. And as such, your future comment might be that no diet pill is a cure-all, and that many people don't succeed, but that some do succeed using Phentermine.

    That IS your new position, is it not? Or are you still rejecting all uses for all people under all circumstances?

    That would only have to be their position if they thought that the only way for you to have learned to moderate your eating was by taking the drug.
  • leslie_shoemaker
    leslie_shoemaker Posts: 22 Member
    I took it several years ago and had zero results, so don't blame yourself if it doesn't help. Some of us just seem to be able to override it and keep on eating. My appetite just remained as it was.

    It may also have been because I had taken Meridia a while before I took phentermine.

    Meridia was WONDERFUL for as long as it worked, but when it stopped working I regained about 75 pounds in about 17 minutes.

    I've never actually known anyone who maintained weight loss after using one of these medications. I'm not saying that it's impossible- just that no one I ever knew was able to do it.

    I wish you good luck with whatever you find helpful.

    Wanted to add- I knew the difference between eating well and eating badly BEFORE I took Meridia, and as you've noted, I couldn't fight cravings enought to be successful.

    Before I embarked on my present course of action, the most successful attempt I've ever made in about 50 years, I researched everything I could find about craving and binging. I've found that limiting salt and sugar seems to go a long way to help me control craving, as well as including a measured portion of nuts each time I eat.

    A highly nutritious diet also seems to help. My meals are based on veggies, berries or green apples, eggs and egg whites and nuts. I have meats every once in a while on no particular schedule. I eat the same foods most evenings. I eat no grain added sugar or added salt, and my daily dairy is a couple TBSPS OF 1/2&1/2 in my morning coffee. Since eating this way I've craved very, very infrequently and if I've binged, I'm very positively reinforced by getting back to business the next day.

    I believe we all have to find and be comfortable in our own way of doing this work.

    Your comment about 17 minutes made me laugh. Hysterical. I'm currently working on my cravings for sugar. I've eliminated soda and sweets. I know this is a "cure". I just wanted a little help. We shall see.
  • HappyChater
    HappyChater Posts: 3 Member
    I took it back in 2011 for 2 months and with diet & exercising.. I lost 27lbs in 4months. After 2 babies, I tried it again last month for 3 weeks. I started having major breathing issues and my heart hurt all the time. My blood pressure would shoot up along with my heart rate. I even woke up in a sweat with my heart rate at 118. This was from taking half of the 37mg pill at 8am. I stopped taking it and my heart feels "healthier". I am not severely over weight. I have a BMI of 30% and I have never had any medical issues except having my Gall Bladder removed. This medicine really scared me this time! If any of you are taking it or think about taking it.. please read all side effects. The 1st time I took it I only had a few side effects.. mood swings, dry mouth, head aches. This time I had about every side effect listed. Don't use phentermine for a short term goal. If you do not change your eating/exercising habits you will gain the weight back!
  • cruciia
    cruciia Posts: 94 Member
    i have taken phentermine/duromine/reductil before and on it lost over 30kg (66lbs).

    Many say that you will just regain the weight you lost, however you will regain the weight you lost with ANY diet if you do not relearn healthy eating habits and correct your food portions. I kept my weight off for two years until a death in the family made my emotional eating skyrocket again.

    The side effects I had were dry mouth and my heart was constantly beating faster, which made it more difficult to sleep. However, it was easier to function on less sleep.

    Feel free to add me as a friend, or message me if you have any questions.
  • janesmith1
    janesmith1 Posts: 1,511 Member
    The "grave and serious heart valve" issue would definitely deter a lot of people from this.

    This is a story about the Rise & Fall of Fen-Phen. The PHEN in Fen-Phen was Phenteramine, what the OP was prescribed.

    Scary stuff. But then again, it reminds me of other "doctor" advice given to my family. Douche with Lysol (great aunt). Give speed to my gm for weight loss. Cigarettes are fine, etc.

    OP, not slamming on you at all, but this article is enlightening.

    http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chance/course/Syllabi/97Dartmouth/day-2/fen-phen-1.pdf
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    wonder how long until the class action suits start for this stuff.
  • janesmith1
    janesmith1 Posts: 1,511 Member
    From the FDA's website it says "Phentermine hydrochloride tablets USP are indicated as a short-term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, behavioral modification and caloric restriction in the management of exogenous obesity for patients with an initial body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, or ≥ 27 kg/m2 in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., controlled hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia)."

    So, FDA says it's ok for just a "few weeks", that does not mean a month even.

    "Valvular Heart Disease

    Serious regurgitant cardiac valvular disease, primarily affecting the mitral, aortic and/or tricuspid valves, has been reported in otherwise healthy persons who had taken a combination of Phentermine with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine for weight loss.***** The possible role of Phentermine in the etiology of these valvulopathies has not been established and their course in individuals after the drugs are stopped is not known.******* The possibility of an association between valvular heart disease and the use of Phentermine alone cannot be ruled out; there have been rare cases of valvular heart disease in patients who reportedly have taken Phentermine alone."

    More here:

    http://www.drugs.com/pro/phentermine.html

    I believe someone on this thread said that their physician said there were no instances of heart issues, but the fact is, it remains an unknown quantity in this regard.
  • Shawver83
    Shawver83 Posts: 7 Member
    I took it years ago with good results. It took me about nine months to lose 45 lbs., and I kept almost all of it off for seven years. At that point I got pregnant, and since then my weight has been out of control. But the phentermine worked well for me, if a bit slowly. I didn't suffer any ill effects from it, at least not yet. The only side effect I had was dry mouth all the time.
  • Slasher09
    Slasher09 Posts: 316 Member
    The doctor I work for would give phentermine out like candy. In all honesty, only about 1 in 50 or less actually had favorable results. Most saw no result. As a PP had said, it needs to be used as a tool towards better habits, not as a crutch (and most people used it as such.) The diet and exercise is the key, if you absolutely need this under medical supervision just to help establish good habits, then that's between you and your doctor. But if you don't absolutely need it, then save your cash on the co-pays and the prescriptions. Best of luck!
  • I have used phentermine in the past and it will absolutely curb your appetite. Just remember you will have to get off the pills eventually. Make sure you develope lifestyle changes as you lose weight. Thats why I ultimately gained my weight back. I did not learn to change the way I eat and exercise. All my goals were based on the idea of a "quick fix" to a lifetime of bad habits. Once I stopped Phen it was just back to my old self and all the pounds piled back on. Now my goal is to change the way I live with the belief weight loss will follow. No quick fix to my issues.

    Nothing wrong with taking the drug as a tool as long as your Doctor is on board. Good luck!!!
  • leslie_shoemaker
    leslie_shoemaker Posts: 22 Member
    From the FDA's website it says "Phentermine hydrochloride tablets USP are indicated as a short-term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, behavioral modification and caloric restriction in the management of exogenous obesity for patients with an initial body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, or ≥ 27 kg/m2 in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., controlled hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia)."

    So, FDA says it's ok for just a "few weeks", that does not mean a month even.

    "Valvular Heart Disease

    Serious regurgitant cardiac valvular disease, primarily affecting the mitral, aortic and/or tricuspid valves, has been reported in otherwise healthy persons who had taken a combination of Phentermine with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine for weight loss.***** The possible role of Phentermine in the etiology of these valvulopathies has not been established and their course in individuals after the drugs are stopped is not known.******* The possibility of an association between valvular heart disease and the use of Phentermine alone cannot be ruled out; there have been rare cases of valvular heart disease in patients who reportedly have taken Phentermine alone."

    More here:

    http://www.drugs.com/pro/phentermine.html

    I believe someone on this thread said that their physician said there were no instances of heart issues, but the fact is, it remains an unknown quantity in this regard.

    I definitely understand the heart issues. My doctor said that if my heart ever felt funny or like it was racing at all to discontinue use immediately. I haven't noticed any sleep issues or my heart beating faster.
  • a friend of mine was taking them last year. she had tons of energy, cleaned constantly, worked constantly but couldn't sleep and just didn't eat because nothing tasted good. she got a lot done and lost 40 or 50 lbs, I was way jealous. my doctor wouldn't prescribe them to me :( when she lost enough weight, her doctor called it good and cut her off. I watched her gain everything back and more. I don't know her numbers but if I had to guess probably close to double what she lost. so glad my doctor told me no!!
  • red_road
    red_road Posts: 761 Member
    Is everyone on this drug in the states? I live in Ontario Canada and the doctors here would never prescribe that. Maybe I just have very strict doctors i dont know
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    My gf was super successful at weght loss with it in high school. She was prescribed phentermine by a dr, and lost about 15 pounds in two weeks. She also only slept maybe 24 hours total in those two weeks, rearranged her room 5 times, dranks about 3 bottles of water each period, and had a panic attack during class because she invisioned herself going to her locker and shooting herself in the head....call it walking nightmares if you will.

    Will your experience be like this? Who knows, maybe not...but do you really want to take the chance? My advice: just buy crystal meth and take it in small doses, its basically the same thing and way cheaper
  • alexandriax03
    alexandriax03 Posts: 289 Member
    I will answer that for you. I have taken Phentermine, prescription strength because, like you, I have PCOS and nothing would help me lose weight. I did find Metformin helpful for a while though at maintaining my weight. . I didn't find Phentermine effective at all. It didn't change any of my cravings, but I did have a bit of the jitteriness that most diet medicines have. Unfortunately, through many years of diet meds, as well as with the bypass, I developed non-alcoholic fatty liver. I would be careful of the side effects. It's really hard to have an illness that affects your weight, but many people do. There are a number of PCOS support sites out there. I would suggest that you review the information about the phentermine on different sites to get the skinny on all of it. Having done all the diet meds, as well as weight loss surgery, I decided to just try to eat differently and exercise for a bit. I would love to cheer you on if you need a friend. :wink:

    I second the Metformin. I take it too and it's worked well for me.
  • Docmahi
    Docmahi Posts: 1,603 Member
    i havent read any of the most likely idiotic responses on this thread - if you have phentermine it means youre GP/specialist prescribed it, dont listen to anybody here who says not to take advantage of a proven pharmaceutical weight loss aid

    I think when combined with diet and exercise - or at least an appropriate diet and learning how to count calories/manage your intake (nothing drastic - just small changes that you can maintain) it is a great tool. Ignore the vast amounts of negativity you will most likely receive in this thread

    best wishes to you with it
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    i havent read any of the most likely idiotic responses on this thread - if you have phentermine it means youre GP/specialist prescribed it, dont listen to anybody here who says not to take advantage of a proven pharmaceutical weight loss aid

    I think when combined with diet and exercise - or at least an appropriate diet and learning how to count calories/manage your intake (nothing drastic - just small changes that you can maintain) it is a great tool. Ignore the vast amounts of negativity you will most likely receive in this thread

    best wishes to you with it

    But a lot of those "idiotic" responses were from people who took the drug prescribed by their doctor so.....
  • toiletski
    toiletski Posts: 126 Member
    Every drug on the market has side effects.

    Anyway, I took Phentermine for a few months a couple years back, but the doctor also gave me a list of meal plans I should eat including a 50g carb diet. If I just ate like that and skipped the drugs I would have lost weight. Unfortunately I took the pills, didn't work out and ate what I wanted so they didn't do a thing. Haha...but I had no negative side effects aside from it not being a miracle weight loss drug/appetite suppressant.

    In all honesty though, I think tracking your calories will work better. Either way, good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    Yes, because drs would NEVER prescribe you anything that you would get hooked on, meaning they would collect more money from regular visits. Thats why oxycotin, aderral, and klonopin are soooo hard to get from drs, and they just NEVER give out those prescriptions to people unless it was last resort
  • farmers_daughter
    farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
    In 2012, I took them. They did work and I lost 30 lbs. But when I stopped taking them I gained slowly my weight back. But part of that was not eating correctly. However, I have now lost that 30 +5 more I feel the right way. I have followed MFP on the calories end, made adjustments to my macros, exercise and I am losing! I encourage u not to take them. I also had withdrawals when I went off of them like sleep problems and headaches. Whatever u decide....I hope u have a great weight loss journey. Ignore rude comments.....there are a lot of people on here that do not know how to be kind and answer questions.

    This is true, alot of people do not know how to answer questions without changing the subject or being a plain *kitten*. I didn't read past this comment for that reason so if you did answer with respect please don't be butthurt. :)

    Honestly I took them, lost 30 lbs in 3 months without any exercise or any regard to what I ate. I wish I would have never taken them. I'm 50 lbs heavier and my metabolism is the worse for it today.

    I honestly think that if I would have exercised and ate right, I would have lost even more weight, but after I got off the pills, because they are issued on a short term basis only, I would have gained all the weight back again.

    There's no logical or healthy amount of exercise or eating plan you can follow to equal those pills. They are the legal form of speed....that is an exact quote from my current doctor. (Not the one that wrote the script for them)

    I througly enjoyed the results I got, for the first time in my life I was out of the 200#'s but I would never recommend them regardless of the health issues.
  • cmcmommy
    cmcmommy Posts: 197 Member
    Dr put me on it. The first week i craved water so bad & didn't want to eat I lost like 8 lbs . But everything i ate tasted like a block of salt. By second week i lost another 2 lbs but the side effects were driving me crazy . by the beginning of 3rd week it started effecting my chest & heart , That was enough to scare me and i quit . By the time I went back to the Dr at the end of the month I had gained back almost 8 of my 10 lbs back. I'll never do that again.
  • mommafish2
    mommafish2 Posts: 5 Member
    worked for me, lost 30lbs in 3 months (got it to help with baby weight after the birth of my 2nd son) not a long term weight loss tool, but helps to get you going. Worst side effects: SLEEPLESSNESS, made me irritable at times, at 1st I felt like I was on speed...that goes away after you get use to it. Helped me focus at work, which was good..
    Hope this helps!
  • mommafish2
    mommafish2 Posts: 5 Member
    I exercised and watched my calories while taking adipex...kept the weight off
  • elyelyse
    elyelyse Posts: 1,454 Member
    IGNORE THE HATERS.

    Phentermine worked for me.

    In June 2013, my physician started me on a medically supervised 1200 calorie weight loss program. I took Phentermine for appetite suppressant in the morning, visited his office once each week for a B-complex shot, and got an In-Body analysis each month.
    So you are a middle age man who was instructed by his doctor to eat 1200 calories a day? That should have been the first indication that your doctor is uninformed in the area of nutrition. 1200 is the minimum recommendation for women. Small women.
  • I took it many years ago and I found that I kept forgetting everything. It wasn't for me.
    I understand how hard it is to lose weight, we all do. But If you eat healthier and exercise you will lose weight. I am a prime example of that. You don't need pills to help you lose weight and keep it off. I've lost over 100 lbs by just tracking my food and exercise. I eat about 1300-1350 a day and I don't eat back my exercise calories. Why? Because I'm not hungry and don't feel like I need them. So I don't. Good luck
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