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Phentermine experiences?

Posts: 20 Member
edited November 19 in Health and Weight Loss
alright I am aware that this forum is about healthy eating so please don't jump on me for this lol. I have been on a medically supervised diet. Logging all my food for about a year and my weight loss completely stalled for 6 months. Tried various things with my nutritionist and finally we along with my doctor decided to try Phentermine (after a full physical and ekg).

Diet pills make me nervous but this is day two and I haven't had any side effects so far (knock on wood) but did get just a bit of extra energy which is a huge thing for me that I struggle with.

So now I'm just wondering if anyone else has used or is using it and if it worked for them?

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Replies

  • Posts: 4,252 Member
    You've been on a medically supervised diet but have lost 0 pounds out of the 103 you have to lose?
  • Posts: 20 Member
    I don't think I've updated my stats on here... I lost 10lbs in 6 months then nothing after that.
  • Posts: 5,481 Member
    In. ;)

    OP when you stalled were you weighing your solid foods??.....measuring liquids??.....counting every bite you took?? If not, that's probably why you stalled you were eating at maintenance.

    Taking pills, especially phentermine is never ever a good ideal.

    READ THIS and forget the pills: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
  • Posts: 4,252 Member
    laura617 wrote: »
    I don't think I've updated my stats on here... I lost 10lbs in 6 months then nothing after that.

    10 lbs in 6 months on a medically supervised diet…… Most people on a medically supervised diet lose 10 lbs in a month because of calorie restriction. So you must be eating too many calories.

    How many calories are you eating? Do you use a food scale?
  • Posts: 20 Member
    On an 1800 calorie diet. Was told they could go lower but that seemed crazy to me. I weight everything and count everything (have to keep a log). I also do light exercise at least 1 hour daily 4/5 days a week (it varies by a day if I just have too much to do honestly) and I eat back any calories I lost during exercise.
  • Posts: 4,252 Member
    laura617 wrote: »
    On an 1800 calorie diet. Was told they could go lower but that seemed crazy to me. I weight everything and count everything (have to keep a log). I also do light exercise at least 1 hour daily 4/5 days a week (it varies by a day if I just have too much to do honestly) and I eat back any calories I lost during exercise.

    When you say weigh… Do you use a food scale or measuring cups/spoons?
  • Posts: 154 Member
    I would ask yourself and them what medical problem the phentermine is supposed to be solving. You could be drastically underestimating your food, but it sounds like something else is going on. I would definitely get a second opinion.
  • Posts: 20 Member
    I use both. I measure my liquids in cups and solids on the scale.

    I have no issue getting a second opinion and think that a good idea that I will do.

    I honestly appreciate any advice I can get but I do still want some opinions from anyone that has tried it as well.
  • Posts: 5,481 Member
    laura617 wrote: »
    I use both. I measure my liquids in cups and solids on the scale.

    I have no issue getting a second opinion and think that a good idea that I will do.

    I honestly appreciate any advice I can get but I do still want some opinions from anyone that has tried it as well.
    Every person that I knew of, friends and family members who have tried it, lost weight only to gain it all back plus some. Pills don't teach you anything, it keeps your hungry at bay, that's it.
  • Posts: 20 Member
    That really is one of my top concerns. Gaining back.
  • Posts: 5,481 Member
    laura617 wrote: »
    That really is one of my top concerns. Gaining back.

    I lost 121 pounds doing the slow and steady weight loss, took me 2 years and 9 months to do it, now been maintaining for 8 months now.
  • Posts: 12,942 Member
    Serah87 wrote: »
    In. ;)

    OP when you stalled were you weighing your solid foods??.....measuring liquids??.....counting every bite you took?? If not, that's probably why you stalled you were eating at maintenance.

    Taking pills, especially phentermine is never ever a good ideal.

    READ THIS and forget the pills: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

    Pass the popcorn, please. :)

    Popcorn-boom-Is-there-room-for-growth-competition.jpg
  • Posts: 20 Member
    That's really good to hear Serah and good job!
  • Posts: 12,942 Member
    laura617 wrote: »
    On an 1800 calorie diet. Was told they could go lower but that seemed crazy to me. I weight everything and count everything (have to keep a log). I also do light exercise at least 1 hour daily 4/5 days a week (it varies by a day if I just have too much to do honestly) and I eat back any calories I lost during exercise.

    Where do you get your exercise burns from?

    Do you ensure you are using correct entries for calories in? There's a lot of inaccurate entries in the database.
  • Posts: 5,481 Member
    laura617 wrote: »
    That's really good to hear Serah and good job!

    Thank you. :)

    If i can do it, so can you. Read the link above that I gave you and get started today!! Good luck. :)
  • Posts: 6,652 Member
    You might try not eating back all of your exercise calories. They are often egregiously overstated.
  • Posts: 4,252 Member
    laura617 wrote: »
    That really is one of my top concerns. Gaining back.

    Diet pills don't teach you portion control or moderation. They take away your appetite. So when you stop the pills, you gain the weight back because your hunger returns and you never learned how to practice portion control.

    Honestly, the pills are not worth your time or money. You can lose weight naturally, through a simple calorie deficit. Since you weren't losing at 1800 calories, I would suggest lowering your calories to 1600. Make sure you are religiously using your food scale to weigh EVERYTHING you consume.
  • Posts: 3,886 Member
    It just seems like there are other things you could try first, before the pills, if you are hesitant about them. Why not try 1600 calories without eating back your exercise calories for 6-8 weeks first? (Or even 1800 without eat-backs for 4 weeks, then take it to 1600 without eat-backs). The drop from 1800 to 1600 shouldn't be so extreme that it really ramps up your appetite, but it might be enough to get the scale moving again.
  • Posts: 20 Member
    I'm willing to try anything and I think that's what made me take the advice to use them but think I might at least stop and try the 1600 first and give the slow and steady a chance.
  • Posts: 51 Member
    Good for you for tracking your food for so long. I think getting a second opinion is a good idea too. I have a lot of friends that have been working with their doctors to lose weight and I've never heard of any of them trying a medication. It is pretty odd that you haven't lost much if everything is being accurately recorded. The only thing I would suggest trying is strength training with weights... and I don't mean ab workouts. Try weighted squats or other weighted exercises that would give you more muscle mass in the big areas like glutes/quads
  • I took it about 10 years ago. I had to BEG my doctor for it and he told me about the potential heart effects... I did lose weight, quickly. It made me very hyper, very fast... However, I gained most of the weight back just as quickly once I stopped the 60 days I was given. If I could go back in time, I never would have chanced it.
  • Posts: 3,886 Member
    Depending on where you're getting your exercise burns from (the gym machine, MFP estimates, etc.), there can be a lot of room between 1800 + all exercise cals and 1600 + no exercise cals, so you can try out some different things to find where you're losing weight without feeling ravenous.

    Just a question: if you've been successful with sticking with 1800 for awhile, why did they recommend phentermine? I could be wrong, but I thought it was primarily an appetite suppressant. If the doctor sees "I'm being successful at limiting my calories to 1800 but not losing weight" and their answer is "I don't know, let's try killing your appetite," I'd find a new doctor.
  • Posts: 20 Member
    I took it about 10 years ago. I had to BEG my doctor for it and he told me about the potential heart effects... I did lose weight, quickly. It made me very hyper, very fast... However, I gained most of the weight back just as quickly once I stopped the 60 days I was given. If I could go back in time, I never would have chanced it.

    Thank you for your review. Glad to hear from someone who used it.

    I had to show at least 3 months of good blood pressure (which I have always had) and ekg.
  • Posts: 20 Member
    AliceDark wrote: »
    Depending on where you're getting your exercise burns from (the gym machine, MFP estimates, etc.), there can be a lot of room between 1800 + all exercise cals and 1600 + no exercise cals, so you can try out some different things to find where you're losing weight without feeling ravenous.

    Just a question: if you've been successful with sticking with 1800 for awhile, why did they recommend phentermine? I could be wrong, but I thought it was primarily an appetite suppressant. If the doctor sees "I'm being successful at limiting my calories to 1800 but not losing weight" and their answer is "I don't know, let's try killing your appetite," I'd find a new doctor.

    I think the hope was that I could gradually lower my calories on it without feeling deprived and also that it would give me an energy boost to be able to exercise more.
  • Posts: 4,252 Member
    laura617 wrote: »

    I think the hope was that I could gradually lower my calories on it without feeling deprived and also that it would give me an energy boost to be able to exercise more.

    Given you have 103 lbs to lose, I'd think you would lose weight eating 1800 calories. But maybe you aren't burning as many calories as you think you are. Definitely give 1600 calories/day a try. And toss the pills! One more question… Do you have any medical conditions? If you have any endocrine condition, your calorie output may be lower.
  • Posts: 1,233 Member
    I have used phentermine before...lost a 50 lbs, gained 20 or so back, now losing those again plus more. Honestly, regaining weight loss is a struggle no matter how we lose it. I needed the phentermine at that time for a jump start.

    when you feel strong enough to go without it, taper back to one every other day or go down to 1/2 a pill and when you are ready, do it on your own. I also got a little energy boost from it and a serious thirst....both excellent side effects in my opinion!

    I do feel good that this time around I am seeing success just by counting calories (down 29 since Jan) BUT...if I needed the aid of phentermine again, I wouldn't hesitate!

    Look forward to following your journey!
  • Posts: 20 Member

    Given you have 103 lbs to lose, I'd think you would lose weight eating 1800 calories. But maybe you aren't burning as many calories as you think you are. Definitely give 1600 calories/day a try. And toss the pills! One more question… Do you have any medical conditions? If you have any endocrine condition, your calorie output may be lower.

    I don't have any medical problems at all. I just had blood work back yesterday and am always surprised given my weight that my health is actually good. (Very lucky)

  • Posts: 20 Member
    suruda wrote: »
    I have used phentermine before...lost a 50 lbs, gained 20 or so back, now losing those again plus more. Honestly, regaining weight loss is a struggle no matter how we lose it. I needed the phentermine at that time for a jump start.

    when you feel strong enough to go without it, taper back to one every other day or go down to 1/2 a pill and when you are ready, do it on your own. I also got a little energy boost from it and a serious thirst....both excellent side effects in my opinion!

    I do feel good that this time around I am seeing success just by counting calories (down 29 since Jan) BUT...if I needed the aid of phentermine again, I wouldn't hesitate!

    Look forward to following your journey!

    Thank you for your reply as someone who has tried it.
  • Posts: 20 Member
    I want to thank everyone that has replied to this because you all have been very helpful and given me a lot to consider.

    I also want to say that I think it a bit sad that so many of the replies I got had to be in private messages because people who have used it were worried about being jumped all over.

    I think logically we all know that slow, steady and as healthy as possible is best but of course sometimes we all get frustrated and I know that frustration leads in different directions for all of us so if you have done it with no help then that's fantastic but if you were one of the people who messaged me and needed that extra help then I'm happy all is well with you and your doing a good job too (even if others don't agree).
  • Posts: 35 Member
    It never worked for me.
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