Anyone taking Adipex (Phentermine)?

I love your story Betty

Please eat right and exercise daily. Phentermine helps to reduce your appetite. That's all. But if you never learn to eat the right foods or to exercise, when you come off it you will gain it back.

Everyday I'm trying to eat the right things and do so in moderation. If I eat something that I deem as a little unhealthy I don't binge on it. I have a little and move on.

The exercise part is a big a part of our success. My coworker has been drilling this in my head and she is correct. She lost 150lbs and she hasn't gained it back but she changed her habits. She is no longer on the pill. She's been off of it a whole year. She exercises and eats a balanced diet.

I believe we can do the same.

I asked my doc about 3 years ago if he would prescribe this & he wouldn't because he had a patient who had a heart attack while using it. I'm going to see him again to talk about taking it on a short term basis.

Was the other patient taking fen-phen, or only phentermine?
Because the combination was taken off the market, dangerous to health.
Just phentermine by itself is safe, at least as far as problems like that.

I've only been on it a little more than a week, but it's really nice not to be hungry all the time.
It lets me eat small portions, less food overall, etc. and retrain both my brain (eyes) and body (stomach) so that when I have to stop taking it in 3 months hopefully I'll have better habits established.

And I'm working out every day. Every day I do 30 minutes on the elliptical and every other day I also do weights.
Let's hear it for Planet Fitness and their $10 a month deal! I'll probably use more than that in hot water over the month.

I took the drug called Fen-phen about 10 years ago... Yes I lost about 20-30 lbs in 6 months. I also got a damaged heart valve.

That's why the combination was taken off the market. Phentermine is the non-dangerous half.

You can lose weight without taking drugs if you have the perserverance to do it.

Not everyone can. It's not just a matter of willpower, and it's not helpful (or nice) to say that. Sort of like telling someone who's depressed to just get over it & be happy.

Especially people who have gone up & down several times have messed up their metabolism so it's trying to maintain the body at the higher weight, making the person very hungry when they're eating at a healthy calorie level.
Controlling that hunger can let the person continue to eat healthy.

Don't do drugs.

Using phentermine is not "doing drugs". It's taking a beneficial medication under the direction and care of a physician... just like for any other health problem.
I really wish people would stop being so negative about how other people are managing their lives.

This all seems so complicated to me and all these drug names are giving me a headache!

So because you can't figure it out, nobody should be using a diet aid?? :huh:

Phentermine is not Fhen Phen- The FDA took out the Fhen part of the medicine before allowing this medicine to come back on to the market.. That is why they check you before hand to see if you have any heart issues etc before they will give it too you.. I just started it and I will be monitored by my doctor and I will check my blood pressure daily... I have always had good blood pressure but need the jump start for my metabolism in order to start losing weight... I have been doing all the good stuff, eating right, exercising and still stay at 330.. that is not a good weight to be at so I am going to try it for the 3 months and see.. My doctor will check me at 5 weeks and if he feels that the pill is causing any problems he will stop it then...

Yes! I am 1 month in, had a few of the side-effects (dry mouth, restlessness at night - but then I never was a good sleeper, more focus and energy, and 90% of the time, I have to remind myself to eat) and in that time I've lost 6lbs.

Not a lot, huh? Well, let me tell you a little something about myself...

I'm 35, 5'8", SW 236lb (CW 230). I work out (bootcamp, cardio & resistance classes) 4-6 x week and do yoga 2-3 x week. I've run 3 half marathons and countless 5, 8, 10Ks in the last 5 years. Ignore my weight, and you'd think that iId be the poster child for a healthy lifestyle.

But I have a downfall... my nurition sucks.

Well, it really doesn't SUCK - I eat all of the good things, 100+ g protein, whole, fresh fruits and veggies. (and yes, I eat some of the worser things too.. I'm a foodie, I love most edible things!) Drink 80-150 oz water/day.

But theconnection between my stomache and my brain is faulty. I don't get the "hey stop! you're full!" signals. If there was food around - I had to have it. In fact, there were times I even obsessed over it. Counting calories, and logging things in meticulously - including my exercise to see if I can eke out a few extra food calories.

That wasn't as big deal when you added 1/2 marathon training in on top of my normal exercise routine. But it mattered when I stopped training. And when I am in a realtionship with someone who doesn't treat the gym like a second home, who loves food, wine and good beer as much or more than I do, and has an absurd tendency to try to make me clean my plate.

So I slid... and slid.... and put on 20 lbs in 1 year. (For reference, i was 206/size 12 at the end of my last half marathon - pregain.)

Then I did this anti-candidia diet, and lke magic - 20lbs poured off. Well, not magic really, when you're only eating 1100 calories per day! NOT ENOUGH, PEOPLE!!! For those of you who (and I read this entire string) are eating at 900, 1100, 1200 calories... how is your brain functioning????? (yes, I realize that I sound like a hypocrite... all I have to say is - we all get desperate sometimes.) As soon as I added back in dairy, grain and a modest amount of sugar, and in just 4 months - I was up 30 lbs. :sad:

I'm 100% supporter for calorie restriction. As long as it's smart. MFP has a tendency to under-suggest a proper calorie intake. Especially if people aren't eating back calories from exercise (which is what the MFP macro expects.) The only thing I can think of is that some of you aren't being exactly honest about portions or "forgetting" about that 10pm snack...

I digress though.

A few thoughts for all of you:

1) find our what your actual BMR and TDEE is. I like this calculator http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/ and the macro calculator http://iifym.com/iifym-calculator/ which is a combo of the TDEE and then figuring out what your actual protein/carb/fat intake should be. MFP tends to be very carb-centric. So find out what you should be eating and stick to it - either in a TDEE (not eating back calories, because you're working off a weekly average) or slightly above BMR level and always eating back your calories.

2) It's sometimes not just as simple as "move more, eat less" There are also psychological and chemical components to it. Example - even on the Phen, which helps me stick to my TDEE calorie limit (and usually only eat when I'm hungry) I still have to be cautious about when I'm bored. Because nothing makes grazing in the pantry/fridge/cafeteria more appealing than when my brain is not challenged.

3) With a few exceptions (some I've seen in this forum), those of us who are on Phen, know it's not a miracle drug. Know it's not a forever-thing. Know there's always a chance that if we don't support the loss with exercise and diet changes that we might regain.

4) At the end of the day, if we're choosing to add Phen into our arsenal of tools to help us reclaim our healthy weight bodies, please don't ostracize us. Anyone who has struggled with their weight already feels the emotional impact of being the "chubby" "thick" "big boned" "fat" "uncaring about their appearance" "lazy" "undisciplined" one in society. (Not trying to project anything here, just leveraging some of the things I've read as well as felt.) We don't need to feel like we're not welcome in a place (MFP) that is intended as a support tool to help us reach our healthy goals. MFP, like Phen, like educating ourselves is just one more tool in our healthy lifestyle arsenal.

I echo what another posted said - do research, educate yourselves and above all - be your own advocate. Others can provide you counsel, but no one but you can decide what's best for you. Good luck to you all on your journeys!

I started Adipex a week and a half ago. I have been heavy for my entire life, and have done every kind of regimen imaginable, barring surgical procedures. I was able to lose 70 lbs on Weight Watchers/low carb focus and keep it off until last year, when I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism secondary to Hasimoto's. This in combination with antidepressants, caused my weight to skyrocket very quickly, and make weight loss a huge challenge. I gained around 80 lbs, topping out at 320. My doctor decided to start me on Adipex, in combination with a calorie goal my doctor calculated based on my BMI, and moderate exercise.

Taking the Adipex, I am currently eating 2431 calories a day, mostly small frequent meals, and tracking every bite. I do not always make it to the full calorie amount, but I try, as my doctor is insistent that I eat what my body needs, and not put myself into starvation mode, which would inhibit rather than help my impaired metabolism. I am also exercising - cardio and weight circuit training 2-3 times per week.

In little over a week, I am now down to 309 and remain steadfast in monitoring my intake and continued physical activity. Adipex is working for me. I was afraid of the stigma of weight loss medications, but was at a breaking point with my weight, in desperate need of a way to springboard past medical limitations and jump start my metabolism so that I could progress towards my goals when this three-month plan is over.

For those who think medications are a crutch, know that there are some of us out there who have been fighting for our lives, and this method is allowing us a way to regain control over otherwise insurmountable challenges.

It is easy to label things based on your own experience, but we have to accept that what works for one person, might not work for all.
That being said...I am 5ft 3in and 138 lbs, 46 yo, F, size 8 pushing 10.......I know this might not seem like overweight, but for me it is and I do not feel good about myself. I never had weight problems until I quit smoking in 2006 (always a size 2-4)
I do not ever eat fast food, junk food, soda, etc...and never, means never. I exercise 4-5 times/week (play r-ball in a league and outside the league and to sculpt classes). I cook every meal for me and my family from raw ingredients (I do not buy anything packaged) and mostly organic, non-GMO stuff...yes, you can call me a food freak. I drink a glass of wine every day with dinner, never any other kind of alcohol or any abusing. I sleep 8-9 hours/night. Besides my smoking (stupid!) I never took any drugs (medical or recreational).
So, I have a pretty healthy lifestyle, yet I have been trying to lose 10-15 lbs for the past 8 years and I am not able to lose anything uless I go to 800-1,000 cal/day. I uually eat about 1500 cal/day.
I went and talked to a doctor and asked for some help to kick start my metabolism. Today I started taking a combination of 2 meds: Phentermine 15mg and Metformin 500mg. I will start at 1 day and depends how I fell and possible side effects, I will increase to 2/day (from each) for 3months. Then 3 months off. She recommended doing this for 1 year and than no more meds.
I will see how it works.

CBC 435
I know, and she knows this med is for obese people, I had to present my log with all my efforts (measurements and weights, my diet, exercise, etc) to get it as a last resort because I am so frustrated with my trials. I can't be doing 800cal/day on long term (that is the only way to lose weight for me....last time on 800 cal I lost 4 lbs in 3 weeks with 5 workouts a week) and the hope is to kick start my metabolism and make my insulin more active. If this fails too, I do not know what can I can possibly do.
I do not know how long it takes to see side effects from meds (I never taken meds in my life) , but so far I do not have any. I did follow her recommendation to drink lots of water (so far I had 2 l and I am going to the gym where I usually drink another 1 L)

Just started phentermine yesterday along with hcg drops......my weightngainnconfession, I now realize, never drank water, ever I am40, only soda sweet tea, only ate once a day x's 20 yrs......I always had a fast paced job no problems. Had my son 2 yrs ago and became stay at home mom, same diet soda and one meal a day, of course gained 25 lbs but work out 3 4 hrs a day, no weight loss.. frustrated went to dr, phentermine and hcg drops no diet but increase eating 80g protein a day and no caffeine, and no exercise. I have eaten more...sucks fill full, but still exercise....elelliptical and abs, lost 6 lbs in 2 days...I have been atb152 for 2 yrs and no wt loss like this. Phentermine so much energy, cant help but work out. Sure this may be water wt......

I took the drug called Fen-phen about 10 years ago... Yes I lost about 20-30 lbs in 6 months. I also got a damaged heart valve.

That's why the combination was taken off the market. Phentermine is the non-dangerous half.

You can lose weight without taking drugs if you have the perserverance to do it.

Not everyone can. It's not just a matter of willpower, and it's not helpful (or nice) to say that. Sort of like telling someone who's depressed to just get over it & be happy.

Especially people who have gone up & down several times have messed up their metabolism so it's trying to maintain the body at the higher weight, making the person very hungry when they're eating at a healthy calorie level.
Controlling that hunger can let the person continue to eat healthy.

Bump:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Phentermine in my opinin is very bad for the body, as all the diet pills you also need to do some exercises and change your diet if you want to have very good benefits and lose your weight. A person can lose weight just changing your diet and doing some fitness, we don't have to poison our body with drugs.

My husband has just started on this. We recently changed to a low carb high fat lifestyle. Has anyone else used this medication with LCHF eating? This is a lifestyle change for us. We do not count calories as calorie restriction in itself will backfire in the long run. That is why most 'diets' fail. I think my husband is addicted to carbs, so I'm hoping this med will help get him started with weight loss & over the carb addiction a little easier.

I've been on phentermine for about 6 weeks and have been doing low carb and low to moderate fat, at my doctor's suggestion. It's working well for me. I feel great and I'm losing well.

Hi. I am new to postings and new to adipex. I started two weeks ago and have only lost 4 pounds which was a disappointment as I expected more. I am afraid I'm eating too little. Can someone help me figure out how to eat the calories I am supposed to eat when I'm not hungry AT ALL. I am supposed to eat 1200 cal a day per my dr. I'm struggling and forcing myself to eat 1000 a day I'm just not hungry from the adipex.
I'm afraid eating too little is stalling my loss. How do you eat all the calories when your not hungry? Any suggestions please?