Phentermine support

2

Replies

  • lag923
    lag923 Posts: 2 Member
    edited April 2015
    I am in agreement that Phentermine is NOT to be used as a miracle pill, to replace healthy eating habits or be used for long periods of time. Just like any other weight loss pill that is prescribed by a physician, it is to be used to AID weight loss, not be used as the ONLY solution to your weight loss goals. Healthy eating habits and exercise is the key to long term weight loss. Blessings to everyone and good luck on your weight loss journey :)
  • maillemaker
    maillemaker Posts: 1,253 Member
    I took phentermine and lost 64 lbs in a matter of about 6 months. I didn't learn a thing.

    This is what I don't get though. Well, I do get it, but it kind of goes against the "learn new habits" mantra.

    If you are eating properly for 6 months, this should be sufficient to learn new eating habits.

    So why doesn't it stick after you get off the drug?

    I'll tell ya why: Because hunger comes roaring back when you get off the appetite suppressant. All the habits in the world won't matter much when you are starving. And so the willpower breaks as it is wont to do and you're back to fat city again.

    It's depressing.
  • yadykaryn
    yadykaryn Posts: 2 Member
    edited April 2015
    I started taking it in mid-March or so, and started using MFP at the same time. I have lost about 25 lbs since I started using MFP religiously and taking the drug. (Most of my initial loss was water weight from edema in my legs)

    The biggest benefit this drug has had for me has been the energy. Before I started taking it, I was constantly exhausted. No energy no matter what I did. (I won't go into the laundry list of other problems I have that contribute to this.) Even though I still got hungry while on it, I believe that the drug helped me control cravings in the first two weeks when I adjusted to the calorie deficit, and gave me the energy to add daily exercise to my routine.

    My doc prescribed it for me, and I had to get weighed before renewing the prescription. I went off it for a week or so, and will try round 2 starting tomorrow. In the week I was off the medicine, my exhaustion came roaring back. I have been able to keep eating at a calorie deficit off the drug, but because of my low energy, it was more difficult, because I usually eat when I'm exhausted to perk myself up.

    I have read by so many of the forum posters here that when they lost weight they had so much more energy. I am hoping that as I lose more weight, my energy will improve and I won't need stimulants like caffeine, this medication, etc.

    I haven't had any serious side effects on it, and the speed-like effects wore off after the first day or so. Had my side effects been bad, I would have stopped it at once.

    I don't know if this experience helps anyone. My doctor was the one who suggested the medicine, and she only did so when my weight began effecting my health (the edema). I had never heard of it before she suggested it.

    I lost weight on MFP a couple years ago and it came back when I stopped monitoring my calories. I used no drug the last time around. The difference this time is my real commitment to CICO and weighing and logging my food. I realize I will probably have to continue to do so for the rest of my life to make this new lifestyle a habit and the weight loss lasting.

    *ETA: My weight loss now is about 1-2 pounds per week, which is what I set my MFP goals to be, so nothing crazy fast.
  • kevinpruitt
    kevinpruitt Posts: 50 Member
    I believe Phentermine gets a bad rap. It's not for everyone much like any prescription drug, it works for some people and some have bad experiences. Does it make you "speed"? For some it does, others may have a different reaction. My wife for example tried it once and declared it to be a better sleep aid than Zzquil. I feel like it has a place for those who have exceedingly high body fat levels. I also recognize that it is not a long term solution and does lose its potency after so long. I do not believe in the mentality that some have about it being "the easy way out". The only way to lose weight is to expend more calories than you take in. By no means is it the easy way out if you're putting in the work at the gym, on the road or at home. Phentermine, when used correctly to develop healthy eating habits can be a valuable tool when starting. Just remember, when you stop taking it and the medicine is out of your system, you will have only eating and exercise habits to rely on; good or bad.
  • Jackie9950
    Jackie9950 Posts: 374 Member
    I believe Phentermine gets a bad rap. It's not for everyone much like any prescription drug, it works for some people and some have bad experiences. Does it make you "speed"? For some it does, others may have a different reaction. My wife for example tried it once and declared it to be a better sleep aid than Zzquil. I feel like it has a place for those who have exceedingly high body fat levels. I also recognize that it is not a long term solution and does lose its potency after so long. I do not believe in the mentality that some have about it being "the easy way out". The only way to lose weight is to expend more calories than you take in. By no means is it the easy way out if you're putting in the work at the gym, on the road or at home. Phentermine, when used correctly to develop healthy eating habits can be a valuable tool when starting. Just remember, when you stop taking it and the medicine is out of your system, you will have only eating and exercise habits to rely on; good or bad.

    ^ this!
  • maceyanglin
    maceyanglin Posts: 33 Member
    I lost about 40lbs on it and gained it all back plus about 5 to 10 lbs. Now I'm learning to do it the right (slow) way but I feel 20 million times better. I ended up having a mental break down of sorts because of this drug. not fun. Don't cheat yourself out of your weight loss journey . Don't waste your time (and money) because after you go through the process of losing weight and then gaining it back you could already be a much healthier and stronger you. Please be the person that says no and throws them away IT IS NOT WORTH IT!
  • pdwhitlock
    pdwhitlock Posts: 83 Member
    I'm torn on both sides of this argument. Is phentermine safe to take? Yes and No. Does it work? Yes and no.

    I began dieting and changing my lifestyle in October 2014 and went the first two months without phentermine. I was losing weight but struggling horribly to maintain a deficit in my calories because I was so hungry ALL the time. In december, I spoke to my doctor, who weighed me in, took my body fat percentage and saw I was classified as "obese". He discussed my medical history, the reported side effects of the medicine and we both decided to have it prescribed to me. I weighed in once a month. I got the prescription refilled twice following my next couple appointments. It assisted with my weight loss, in that, I wasn't hungry all the time and I still kept up with my log in MFP and regular exercise and eating healthy. After coming off of the medicine, about the end of february or so, I saw that having taken the medicine, I was used to eating less and more healthy foods and exercising as a way of increasing my energy. I have come off of the medication safely and have continued to lose weight and hopefully one day will hit my goal. I still continue to see the fitness and nutrition specialist who weighs me in and checks my body fat percentage and looks over my food/exercise log to give her input. I've seen that it helps to have someone professional there to give input and encouragement or constructive criticism. It works logically: during the use of the medication that curbed my appetite, I became used to eating less. As long as I continue to control what I eat and the amounts, my desire to eat like a cow is less likely to return.

    On the flip side, there is no "magic" pill or diet out there that you can just pop a tablet, lose weight, eat what you want and sit on the couch and expect to be healthy. I've known people who take the medicine, eat like crap and some lose weight and some don't but either way, those people don't have long term success.

    I guess in a nut shell, my weight loss was more due to my changing of eating habits and exercise rather than any medication. The only thing phentermine really did was help me in not being hungry all the time. I've heard that over time, the effects of the medicine tends to decrease so you probably wouldn't want to take it nor would it help long term. Also, this is a controlled substance so as with any medication, (pain pills or what ever) it comes with an obvious risk of abuse and side effects.

    Hope this helps!
  • Jackie9950
    Jackie9950 Posts: 374 Member
    I still say if you took the medication, lost weight, stopped taking it and gained more than you lost, that it's not a medication issue. That is an eating issue. The same thing could happen to anybody who loses weight with or without medication. The medication did what it was suppose to during the time you took it, the only way to gain back the weight is to eat more calories than you burn. It was the person that didn't learn during the brief stint of hunger reprieve Adipex gives. That's the reason to take the medication is to try and teach yourself better habits. More than likely, the people who gained saw it as a cure all to their weight issues and didn't learn anything. I don't see weight gain after discontinuing the medication a side effect or a good reason not to take it.

    Side effects: They can be annoying. The dry mouth is the worst for me, but it helps me reach my water goals. I feel energized, which also helps me get a lot done during the day. Honestly, I barely notice it in my system anymore and I know that I have this small amount of time while on it to try my best to learn healthy habits.

    If I GAIN weight back after stopping I will be the first person to tell you it was my own darn fault for stuffing my face, not the big bad pills fault.
  • pdwhitlock
    pdwhitlock Posts: 83 Member
    Jackie9950 wrote: »
    I still say if you took the medication, lost weight, stopped taking it and gained more than you lost, that it's not a medication issue. That is an eating issue. The same thing could happen to anybody who loses weight with or without medication. The medication did what it was suppose to during the time you took it, the only way to gain back the weight is to eat more calories than you burn. It was the person that didn't learn during the brief stint of hunger reprieve Adipex gives. That's the reason to take the medication is to try and teach yourself better habits. More than likely, the people who gained saw it as a cure all to their weight issues and didn't learn anything. I don't see weight gain after discontinuing the medication a side effect or a good reason not to take it.

    Side effects: They can be annoying. The dry mouth is the worst for me, but it helps me reach my water goals. I feel energized, which also helps me get a lot done during the day. Honestly, I barely notice it in my system anymore and I know that I have this small amount of time while on it to try my best to learn healthy habits.

    If I GAIN weight back after stopping I will be the first person to tell you it was my own darn fault for stuffing my face, not the big bad pills fault.

    I agree. In my post when I was saying "does it work? Yes and No" I only meant that the medication would be appropriate for some people. If you don't care to change your eating habits and be successful, then it's prob not best to take the medicine.

    And I'm with you, in that, the only side effect I ever experienced was dry mouth. This worked in my favor, however, because I noticed I drank much more water during the day. The side effects mentioned rapid heart rate and so on and so forth, which is why it's important to communicate with your doctor about your medical history. For example, a friend of mine can't take it because she is on medication for high blood pressure and it can raise your blood pressure. Again, I think it's ok for some people and not a good choice for others.
  • nurselroy
    nurselroy Posts: 67 Member
    I agree with the above posters regarding Phentermine having its good and bad points. I've taken it in the past and lost weight only to regain. I can honestly say that is because I relied solely on the appetite suppression effects of the pill and did nothing to try to improve what I ate or increase my activity level, so totally my fault. This time around, I began in mid March and am very focused on the quality, and not just the quantity, of the food I am eating. I'm cooking more at home instead of eating out, and log every single bite every day, no exceptions. The pill does not work as well as it did the first time I took it years ago, but it has helped me immensely with my sugar cravings. I used to eat candy all day every day, but I can easily say no to candy now which is a huge win for me. Its definitely not for everyone, but I'm using it to help me for the first few months of this journey. My mind is in a lot better place than it was when I tried it years ago. Like someone else mentioned, if I regain after stopping, its my own fault.
  • Taraparker1013
    Taraparker1013 Posts: 13 Member
    I took ALli for about a year and lost about 35 lbs changing my eating habits and exercising. I felt that Alli was very helpful and found much success. Alli is one of the few drugs that is FDA approved and it really forces you to learn how to eat better. As long as you ate less than 15 grams of fat or less per pill/meal, you were safe. I have thought about staring to take it again just to help me even more as it blocks 20% of the fat your body absorbes. There is no altered feeling with Alli and no stimulates. Just make sure you take with a multi vitamin.
  • caramia_20
    caramia_20 Posts: 3 Member
    Phentermine is the equivelent of speed. It does serious, unrepairable damage to your heart. I took this drug for 2 years about 13 years ago. Lost A LOT of weight. Went from 240 lbs. to 160 lbs. I stopped taking it and ballooned to almost 300lbs. I have now realized how unhealthy my choices were then. I have lost 103lbs. by eating right and exercising. And it has taken me 15 long months to lose that. You don't need a drug. Find what motivates you.
  • MamaOfThree88
    MamaOfThree88 Posts: 54 Member
    The thing about this drug, which I take, is that you can NOT eat unhealthy on this drug. I mean, you can, but you won't lose weight the "right" way. I am currently eating a Paleo diet and have eliminated all gluten/carbs and bad foods as well as increased my water intake (120 oz). If you continue to drink soda, sit on your behind and eat twinkies, then yeah you "might" lose some weight, but boy will it come back plus more.

    You have to learn to eat healthy. Eliminate your sugars, carbs, bad fats and put in healthy fats (avocado is my fav!) and drink. more. water.
  • cardozm
    cardozm Posts: 78 Member
    hello everyone.. I have been on and off pf phentermine as of 4/4/15 . starting at 208lbs and now 200lbs.. I have felt the side effects of dry mouth and heart racing.. and also I noticed that not hungry... the reason of being on and off of pill is because I really had a bad case of constipation.. but lesson learned metamuzil is helping me.. I understand its not a magic pill ,, but I like the motivation.... have a great day .
  • NextPage
    NextPage Posts: 609 Member
    edited May 2015
    I still don't get why anyone would take this drug since it has caused heart problems for many people. It is like taking up smoking because well, it has shown to help some people stay thin and not everyone gets cancer. Everyone who has been successful in keeping weight off has said that they still had to do the hard work - watch calories and exercise. In the end, this is what it comes down to and there is are no health risk with this route. I totally get the difficulty with dealing with "hunger" both the literal and emotional kind but this means that for many of us it is also time to get down with some behaviour changes, ways of distracting ourselves, eating the kind of food that makes us most satisfied etc. I really think that the problems that posters have said they were trying to overcome with a drug are common and there are other less risky routes. That said you are adults and if this is the choice you make please at least proceed with caution. I am saying this because I had a friend who had a heart attack while taking this drug, she survived thank goodness, but up until the heart attack she was a real advocate of phentemine. And yes, she was taken them only as directed by her doctor and she wasn't someone who otherwise engaged in high-risk activity.
  • prowlingrowlin
    prowlingrowlin Posts: 7 Member
    I think there are a lot of people that take medication or have help in one form or another in losing weight, doctor supervised or otherwise, but it is so stigmatized here that it is very, very rarely discussed. I don't know of other places/forums that provide the support, but I have seen enough posts to know that you aren't alone in taking them. It's just a touchy topic. People have very strong feelings about it one way or the other. Do what is right for you with your doctor's advice and use your own brain about whether it's best for you given your own total circumstances. I hope you find somewhere else for medication support if you need it.
  • MonsoonStorm
    MonsoonStorm Posts: 371 Member
    I am currently taking phentermine with topiramate. This is the generic equivalent of Qsymia.

    Phentermine is amphetamine - speed. Topiramate is used to treat seizures and is somewhat of a depressant. Both drugs have appetite suppressant qualities.

    They are, however, serious drugs and require a prescription. Doctors generally will not prescribe unless you have a BMI over 30 and at least one comorbidity due to obesity, such as high blood pressure.

    Qsymia is a time-release, once-a-day pill of phentermine and topiramate. But it is expensive - about $180 a month. Doctors may also prescribe generic phentermine and topiramate. I take one 15 mg phentermine first thing in the morning (it takes all day to burn off ) with a 25 mg topirmate. I am supposed to take a second topirmate in the afternoon but I never do as I do not need it. The generics cost me about $30 a month.

    These are low doses of phentermine and topiramate. The topiramate is given in doses far lower than generally given for migraines or seizures and so the risk of side effects is low.

    The first two weeks I felt very uncomfortable. Very edgy. But that has gone away. I definitely feel "amped up" in the morning after I take the pills but this goes away by lunch. It is definitely an effective appetite suppressant for me.

    Topriamate can effect taste. I can no longer stand the taste of Diet Coke. So after drinking it for decades, I quit cold turkey on February 18th and now drink nothing but water. So that is a pleasant side effect.

    My doctor will only prescribe for 6 months then I have to take a 2 month break.

    I find the pills very effective as my biggest problem with weight loss and maintaining a calorie deficit is hunger. The pills get rid of hunger, so willpower is no longer an issue. This makes weight loss much easier.
    Is it sustainable? No.
    Does it teach you to eat properly? No.
    Does it teach you to maintain your loss? No.
    Does it provide the knowledge needed to maintain your new weight? No.
    Does it help you count calories and learn about nutrition? No.

    I agree that if you are going to do this, you still need to log your food as it is essential that you learn what proper portions are.

    However, if learning to eat properly is simply a habit formed over time, then over the course of, say, 6 months to a year you should learn the new eating habits over that period of time.

    However, I suspect that when you stop taking the drug the hunger will come roaring back as the body detects the fat loss and decreases metabolism and increases hunger to try and compensate, and this effect has been seen in the lab for weeks and extrapolated out for years.

    So while you may learn new habits, my fear and suspicion is that when you get off the drug the hunger will come roaring back and you will be back on willpower again to try and stick to what you have learned about calorie counting and proper eating. Unfortunately, as my past experience with Redux back in the 1990's showed, willpower usually loses in the end.

    But, I'm willing to try it anyway, because it makes the weight loss effortless while I'm on the drug. My mother-in-law lost 60 pounds over last year while on it.

    I'm going to ride the train as long as I can to get what results I can.

    Reading this just made me shudder.

    Topamax also makes you dumb as bricks. Horrible drug, and I can't believe they actually plucked up the balls to remarket this as a "weight loss" supplement.

    Why anyone would want to take any kind of medication that messes with your brain in the hopes that it will make them lose a few pounds is completely beyond me.
  • prowlingrowlin
    prowlingrowlin Posts: 7 Member
    [/quote]

    Reading this just made me shudder.

    Topamax also makes you dumb as bricks. Horrible drug, and I can't believe they actually plucked up the balls to remarket this as a "weight loss" supplement.

    Why anyone would want to take any kind of medication that messes with your brain in the hopes that it will make them lose a few pounds is completely beyond me.[/quote

    It's not for people who are trying to lose just a few lbs. It is for people who are very obese and have very significant comorbidities where the potential side effects are not nearly as severe as the consequences of their other health problems.
  • maillemaker
    maillemaker Posts: 1,253 Member
    Reading this just made me shudder.

    Topamax also makes you dumb as bricks. Horrible drug, and I can't believe they actually plucked up the balls to remarket this as a "weight loss" supplement.

    Why anyone would want to take any kind of medication that messes with your brain in the hopes that it will make them lose a few pounds is completely beyond me.

    Topirmate can cause memory problems, but generally in the doses prescribed for weight loss, which are far lower than prescribed for migraines or seizures, side-effects are mild. The doctor did tell me that I might have trouble coming up with a word (like being on the tip of your tongue) and I have noted that a couple of times but I don't know if it is related to the drug or if I simply had a word on the tip of my tongue.

    I have not noticed any degraded cognitive ability. However, I am only taking half of even the prescribed dosage - I never take my afternoon pill.

    Also, as noted above, these drugs are not for people looking to "lose a few pounds". In order to get a prescription for them you generally need a BMI over 30 plus at least one comorbidity such as high blood pressure. I have both.

    In such cases, the risks of the obesity outweigh the risks of the drug.

  • angieward39
    angieward39 Posts: 6 Member
    I took phentermine for a period of 2 months back when I was in my early 20s (that was 15 years ago).

    I felt great for the first couple of months and lost 30 pounds. Everyone was complimenting me and I basically felt on top of the world. Then I was out in my backyard doing yard work one day and bent over to pick up a pile of sticks and blood started pouring out of my nose. I thought it was a simple nose bleed but it wouldnt stop. I ended up going to the ER and was told my BP was in stroke range.
    Fast forward 2 days in the hospital and thousands in medical bills. I ended up getting off of the pills, gained most of the weight back and never looked back.

    I started my own journey of eating healthy and moving more on Halloween of 2014 (about 7 months ago) and have lost 105 pounds on my own with no pills, no surgeries, no crazy diets, and very little stress.
    I eat whole foods. I don't drink soda. I walk a lot. I cut out 99% of my meat consumption. I weigh in once a week. I track every bite of food that goes in my mouth. I don't use food to "celebrate" anymore.

    It can be done. You have to really want it. You have to be willing to be angry, sad, tired, and irritated. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable. You have to stop making excuses. You have to stop eating junk.

    Most of all, You have to be honest with yourself and others.

    It can be done. :)
  • BodyByBex
    BodyByBex Posts: 3,685 Member
    Reading this just made me shudder.

    Topamax also makes you dumb as bricks. Horrible drug, and I can't believe they actually plucked up the balls to remarket this as a "weight loss" supplement.

    Why anyone would want to take any kind of medication that messes with your brain in the hopes that it will make them lose a few pounds is completely beyond me.

    Topirmate can cause memory problems, but generally in the doses prescribed for weight loss, which are far lower than prescribed for migraines or seizures, side-effects are mild. The doctor did tell me that I might have trouble coming up with a word (like being on the tip of your tongue) and I have noted that a couple of times but I don't know if it is related to the drug or if I simply had a word on the tip of my tongue.

    I have not noticed any degraded cognitive ability. However, I am only taking half of even the prescribed dosage - I never take my afternoon pill.

    Also, as noted above, these drugs are not for people looking to "lose a few pounds". In order to get a prescription for them you generally need a BMI over 30 plus at least one comorbidity such as high blood pressure. I have both.

    In such cases, the risks of the obesity outweigh the risks of the drug.

    I have both a BMI over 30 and high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Also the high body fat percentage increases my chances of getting cancer, which are already increased with my BRCA2 mutation. You know what my doctor said? Reduce your caloric intake, eat nutrient dense foods and find an activity you enjoy doing for at least 30 minutes everyday.



    Considering the risks are pretty high for me, don't you think MY doctor should have prescribed me some sort of 'magic pill' to help me lose weight?
  • MamaOfThree88
    MamaOfThree88 Posts: 54 Member
    I took phentermine for a period of 2 months back when I was in my early 20s (that was 15 years ago).

    I felt great for the first couple of months and lost 30 pounds. Everyone was complimenting me and I basically felt on top of the world. Then I was out in my backyard doing yard work one day and bent over to pick up a pile of sticks and blood started pouring out of my nose. I thought it was a simple nose bleed but it wouldnt stop. I ended up going to the ER and was told my BP was in stroke range.
    Fast forward 2 days in the hospital and thousands in medical bills. I ended up getting off of the pills, gained most of the weight back and never looked back.

    I started my own journey of eating healthy and moving more on Halloween of 2014 (about 7 months ago) and have lost 105 pounds on my own with no pills, no surgeries, no crazy diets, and very little stress.
    I eat whole foods. I don't drink soda. I walk a lot. I cut out 99% of my meat consumption. I weigh in once a week. I track every bite of food that goes in my mouth. I don't use food to "celebrate" anymore.

    It can be done. You have to really want it. You have to be willing to be angry, sad, tired, and irritated. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable. You have to stop making excuses. You have to stop eating junk.

    Most of all, You have to be honest with yourself and others.

    It can be done. :)




    The thing is, you took it 15 years ago and who knows what was in it compared to today. People don't eat junk on the Phentermine pill. I certainly don't, I'm eating Paleo.
  • fitmomma99
    fitmomma99 Posts: 29 Member
    I used it I lost 35 lbs in 3 weeks. Gained it all back and what I lost was muscle. My body has never been the same.
  • Junebuggyzy
    Junebuggyzy Posts: 345 Member
    edited May 2015
    Here's my dilemma now. I feel like I can't do this without Phentermine. Last year, with careful logging my food and exercise here, I went from 162 to 118 in less than a year. On Phentermine. I am short, so that's still a Size 10. Phentermine was a useful tool for me, but I still had to work hard to not overeat.

    My doctor is at a weight loss clinic. She is very caring, so that helps a lot. I go in once a month for blood pressure, weight and heart rate. I also weigh in and get measured. The doctor wanted me to gradually taper off the Phentermine. That did not work well for me at all, so I just quit taking it. I still checked in with the doctor every couple of months.

    I had a hard time keeping up with my healthy habits. I started eating unhealthy foods. I overate. I didn't feel right without the Phentermine. I stopped logging my foods. I didn't want to see in writing how badly I was eating. I was so disappointed in myself started drinking again. A bottle of wine almost every night. I quickly gained back 15 pounds.

    I don't ever want to be in plus sized clothing again. I felt great at 118. I had not been that thin in as long as I can remember. I went back to my weight loss clinic doctor. I wanted to nip this in the bud. She did not really want me to go back on Phentermine, but agreed to a couple of months. I feel better. I am logging my foods again. I am coming here for support from my small group of friends I have met here.

    My problem is I don't feel right when I am not taking Phentermine. It's supposed to stop working after awhile, so maybe it's the placebo effect. I just feel so much more motivated when I am taking it. I wish I could stay on it forever.
  • maillemaker
    maillemaker Posts: 1,253 Member
    I have both a BMI over 30 and high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Also the high body fat percentage increases my chances of getting cancer, which are already increased with my BRCA2 mutation. You know what my doctor said? Reduce your caloric intake, eat nutrient dense foods and find an activity you enjoy doing for at least 30 minutes everyday.

    Considering the risks are pretty high for me, don't you think MY doctor should have prescribed me some sort of 'magic pill' to help me lose weight?

    Not all doctors will prescribe it, regardless of your issues. Some doctors, like some of the people here, are of the opinion that you should just be able to tough it out on your own willpower and if you can't, too bad.

    I had one doctor tell me that she would rather sign me up for bariatric surgery rather than prescribe phentermine/topiramate. Now surgery is more effective than drugs for long-term weight loss, but I think it's crazy to go straight to surgery.

    Your doctor's advice is spot-on. Unfortunately not everyone has the willpower to do it. Drugs can help some people with that.
  • maillemaker
    maillemaker Posts: 1,253 Member
    The thing is, you took it 15 years ago and who knows what was in it compared to today.

    Phentermine is an old drug (1959), so it's quite possible that she was taking the same stuff. High blood pressure is a possible side effect and my doctor looks for it when I have my monthly check-ins. So far no issues.
  • MamaOfThree88
    MamaOfThree88 Posts: 54 Member
    I'm sure those are taking this and losing so much weight and then gaining back is because of poor eating habits. I cannot stress enough that this is not a miracle pill. You HAVE to learn how to eat.
  • maillemaker
    maillemaker Posts: 1,253 Member
    I'm sure those are taking this and losing so much weight and then gaining back is because of poor eating habits. I cannot stress enough that this is not a miracle pill. You HAVE to learn how to eat.

    I suspect it's because the hunger comes back, not habits.

    New habits form after about 6 weeks. So if you are on a diet pill for 6 months, new eating habits should be well and truly formed by that point. The problem is once the appetite suppressant is gone, the appetite comes back, and now you're on willpower again to maintain while your body is trying to restore fat stores back to their previous levels.
  • I started adipex late March and loss 3 pounds not sure why so little loss
  • MamaOfThree88
    MamaOfThree88 Posts: 54 Member
    I'm sure those are taking this and losing so much weight and then gaining back is because of poor eating habits. I cannot stress enough that this is not a miracle pill. You HAVE to learn how to eat.

    I suspect it's because the hunger comes back, not habits.

    New habits form after about 6 weeks. So if you are on a diet pill for 6 months, new eating habits should be well and truly formed by that point. The problem is once the appetite suppressant is gone, the appetite comes back, and now you're on willpower again to maintain while your body is trying to restore fat stores back to their previous levels.

    Appetite will come back and it is up to you what you eat. Are you going to reach for carbs? Or sugar? Develop a clean eating habit. When you are hungry, grab a boiled egg for protein or make yourself a clean smoothie.
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