Anyone else taken, thinking of taking, or on Phentermine?

I looked into a med that contains phenteramine but my insurance won't cover. I don't think it would help me long term, though because i have some poor eating habits. Good luck with whatever you do. This site is awesome. Whatever you do, keep track of your calories, macros here.

kirstinlee wrote: »

My dad took Phen-Fen in the nineties, a mix of that and Fenfluramine. It helped him lose weight, but when he came off of it, the cravings were so strong he ended up turning to meth. Sounds like a bad afterschool special, but sadly true. Just be careful.

I am so sorry. I hope he is doing better now. That story is enough for me not to even think about trying it. I just remember people in the 90's taking phen phen and then having heart trouble later. Not worth it.

I took Phentermine a few years back. Aside from the side effects that others have mentioned above of dry mouth and dizziness I also became extraordinarily cranky all the time. I was told by those closest to me that my whole personality changed, and not for the better. I decided I would rather be fat and happy than get thin on a drug that made me horrible to be around. Of course now I am trying to lose weight without drugs and doing great. Whatever you choose is fine, so long as you know what the potential downsides are.

chastity0921 wrote: »

kshama2001 wrote: »

chastity0921 wrote: »

I took it for about a year. Lost quite a bit of weight, and gained it all back and more afterward. I guess it depends on the amount you are needing to lose. If you only want to lose 20-30lbs, why not do it without medication? Just a question. Also, are your thyroid levels under control right now?

I'm confused because I didn't see anyone saying the were taking phentermine plus they only had 20-30 pounds to lose. I would consider a doctor irresponsible who prescribed a drug that could potentially mess up someone's heart to a patient who only had 20-30 pounds to lose. Phentermine is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine.

If you're only supposed to take it for a few weeks, and are supposed to "cut back on calories and try to exercise while taking the drug" why risk the side effects?

http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/phentermine

...People taking phentermine should also cut back on calories and try to exercise while taking the drug.

...If you take it for too long, or take more of it than your doctor prescribes, you may become dependent and develop depression or fatigue when you stop taking it.

...The FDA warns that you should only take phentermine for a maximum of a few weeks, and you should not take it with any other weight-loss drugs or herbal treatments.

...People who have any of the following should not take phentermine:

Sounds more like you're passive aggressive than confused. I didn't see that HER doctor was prescribing the drug. I also didn't see an amount of weight she was trying to lose. I went to a medical weight loss clinic both times I took the drug. Was not told that it should only be taken for a short time, and he just kept prescribing it to me. I was 24 at the time, and about 40 lbs overweight.

Anyway, good luck with the Phentermine, Heather. I think the dry mouth and fast heartbeat were the weirdest side effects I had. But I drank LOTS of water, and learned to love the hyperactivity. It sucks when that part goes away haha.

Is this more clear - who said anything about only 20-30 pounds to lose? Why did you bring that up?

chastity0921 wrote: »

I took it for about a year. Lost quite a bit of weight, and gained it all back and more afterward. I guess it depends on the amount you are needing to lose. If you only want to lose 20-30lbs, why not do it without medication? Just a question. Also, are your thyroid levels under control right now?

heatherhb2016 wrote: »

If so, Why or why not have you tried it yet? What has your personal experience been like on it? Side effects? Results, Pros and cons? Any thoughts would be very helpful, as I'm starting it tomorrow morning. Thank you!

Hey Heather

I am taking phentermine. I've been on it for a month now. Deciding to take Phentermine was a last resort and tough decision to make for me. Sorry this is long too.

Just alil of my background, I too was severely overweight and some charts would even put me in the obese categories. I began this journey at the beginning of 2014 weighing at 254 which is what I had been my heaviest. I had just separated and filed for divorce. But I felt like my life was out of control on the inside. I am an emotional eater like many of us are. I reach for something that tastes good and makes me feel better. I didn't want to do that this time. So I bought two work out DVDS and started working out in front of the tv and the cat. Lol i changed my eating habits I cut out fast fried food for about 3 months. I treat them as rewards. Weight starting coming off. I hit several plateus along the way but still kept at it. My mom is with weight watchers so she gave me some tips on eating better such as 6 small meals a day eating different snacks like more yogurt and string cheese. I lost weight that year but I wasn't at goal in clothes. See one thing I made a promise to myself was not to become obsessed about a number i.e. 155lbs no matter what or who said you have to be this weight for your height. I went by how I felt in clothes and how I felt on the inside about myself. Well 2015 came and I wasn't a size 10 just yet. I was teetering bt a 12-14. So I joined the gym changed my cardio duration and frequency of work outs and started lifting weights. More inches than numbers came off. I was okay with that. In the summer I got to be a size 10-12. I teetered on this for a few months and maintained the last 6 months at a 12 because I had alot going on and I stopped working out. However I still continued to be mindful of what I ate.

Now 2016 is here and I am committed to losing this last bit. I have returned to the gym and consulted w my doctor about phentermine. Before she even allowed me to have it we drew my blood to check my thyroid to rule out any issues w that. She also did an EKG as well. She gives me a 14 day Rx at a time and must come in every 2 weeks to be weighed and monitored. So far I've lost 12 lbs some of that is water weight. But this medication has helped curbed my appetite and address most of all my cravings. I discovered that even though I wasn't hungry I would still need to eat because I would get nauseated bc of too much stomach acid and not enough nutrition. So I started taking a box of quick oatmeal to work and protein meal bars and fruit. I do get the dry mouth I like water so I drink more of it. Constipation--Metamucil takes care of that lol...and for sleep I've been on something for that for a while bc of irregular sleep cycle my doctor upped my dose. So far all is working in my favor.

I don't believe the use of this medication should be a quick fix to anything. I believe certain things need to be put in place and you should be monitored by your doctor if taking this medication. Learning portion control and incorporating some form of exercise important and key to weight loss in my opinion. However I struggled to get this last bit of weight off so I made the decision to use this medication to help me for the short term. In addition I am also using this app the help log everything I consume and that way I feel good about myself as well. Everyone has different methods and different opinions about weight loss and goals and the use if meds. Hard work and dedication are definitely an absolute. But if you've tried everything short of surgery then I believe the use of medication is acceptable as long as you are being monitored by your doctor. I hope this was helpful in some way to you. Add me if you would like. Good luck in your goals.

kshama2001 wrote: »

chastity0921 wrote: »

kshama2001 wrote: »

chastity0921 wrote: »

I took it for about a year. Lost quite a bit of weight, and gained it all back and more afterward. I guess it depends on the amount you are needing to lose. If you only want to lose 20-30lbs, why not do it without medication? Just a question. Also, are your thyroid levels under control right now?

I'm confused because I didn't see anyone saying the were taking phentermine plus they only had 20-30 pounds to lose. I would consider a doctor irresponsible who prescribed a drug that could potentially mess up someone's heart to a patient who only had 20-30 pounds to lose. Phentermine is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine.

If you're only supposed to take it for a few weeks, and are supposed to "cut back on calories and try to exercise while taking the drug" why risk the side effects?

http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/phentermine

...People taking phentermine should also cut back on calories and try to exercise while taking the drug.

...If you take it for too long, or take more of it than your doctor prescribes, you may become dependent and develop depression or fatigue when you stop taking it.

...The FDA warns that you should only take phentermine for a maximum of a few weeks, and you should not take it with any other weight-loss drugs or herbal treatments.

...People who have any of the following should not take phentermine:

Sounds more like you're passive aggressive than confused. I didn't see that HER doctor was prescribing the drug. I also didn't see an amount of weight she was trying to lose. I went to a medical weight loss clinic both times I took the drug. Was not told that it should only be taken for a short time, and he just kept prescribing it to me. I was 24 at the time, and about 40 lbs overweight.

Anyway, good luck with the Phentermine, Heather. I think the dry mouth and fast heartbeat were the weirdest side effects I had. But I drank LOTS of water, and learned to love the hyperactivity. It sucks when that part goes away haha.

Is this more clear - who said anything about only 20-30 pounds to lose? Why did you bring that up?

chastity0921 wrote: »

I took it for about a year. Lost quite a bit of weight, and gained it all back and more afterward. I guess it depends on the amount you are needing to lose. If you only want to lose 20-30lbs, why not do it without medication? Just a question. Also, are your thyroid levels under control right now?

______________________________________________________________________________
I said, "I guess it depends on the amount you are needing to lose. If you only want to lose 20-30lbs, why not do it without medication?"

I did not accuse her of needing to lose 20-30lbs, I was making a general statement. Apparently, plenty of people have been prescribed this drug for a not so large amount of weight loss. That is fine if they want to take it (knowing that it has side effects), but since OP came here asking for advice I figured I would make sure she had opinions from both sides. I don't really understand why what I say is so offensive to you. She asked about the drug, and I gave my opinion and discussed my experience.

I can't help but wonder if this pill is teaching the wrong habits. I completely modify my diet to lose weight. I eat salad with dinner to increase my stomach fullness. I switched to plain cheerios instead of the sugar laden cereals I ate before. Plain cheerios are far more filling than the sugar cereals. I switch rutabaga or Zuchini for pasta. I eat more vegetables with my dinners and less rice. I hit my calorie goals easily with no hunger when I'm eating highly nutritious good food. I only struggle on days when I eat processed/pre prepared food.

Problem is that it's a short term solution. You got to think long term, and your appetite will come back once you stop... and you won't have learned how to deal with it...

VintageFeline wrote: »

Asianbutterflies wrote: »

heatherhb2016 wrote: »

If so, Why or why not have you tried it yet? What has your personal experience been like on it? Side effects? Results, Pros and cons? Any thoughts would be very helpful, as I'm starting it tomorrow morning. Thank you!

Hey Heather

I am taking phentermine. I've been on it for a month now. Deciding to take Phentermine was a last resort and tough decision to make for me. Sorry this is long too.

Just alil of my background, I too was severely overweight and some charts would even put me in the obese categories. I began this journey at the beginning of 2014 weighing at 254 which is what I had been my heaviest. I had just separated and filed for divorce. But I felt like my life was out of control on the inside. I am an emotional eater like many of us are. I reach for something that tastes good and makes me feel better. I didn't want to do that this time. So I bought two work out DVDS and started working out in front of the tv and the cat. Lol i changed my eating habits I cut out fast fried food for about 3 months. I treat them as rewards. Weight starting coming off. I hit several plateus along the way but still kept at it. My mom is with weight watchers so she gave me some tips on eating better such as 6 small meals a day eating different snacks like more yogurt and string cheese. I lost weight that year but I wasn't at goal in clothes. See one thing I made a promise to myself was not to become obsessed about a number i.e. 155lbs no matter what or who said you have to be this weight for your height. I went by how I felt in clothes and how I felt on the inside about myself. Well 2015 came and I wasn't a size 10 just yet. I was teetering bt a 12-14. So I joined the gym changed my cardio duration and frequency of work outs and started lifting weights. More inches than numbers came off. I was okay with that. In the summer I got to be a size 10-12. I teetered on this for a few months and maintained the last 6 months at a 12 because I had alot going on and I stopped working out. However I still continued to be mindful of what I ate.

Now 2016 is here and I am committed to losing this last bit. I have returned to the gym and consulted w my doctor about phentermine. Before she even allowed me to have it we drew my blood to check my thyroid to rule out any issues w that. She also did an EKG as well. She gives me a 14 day Rx at a time and must come in every 2 weeks to be weighed and monitored. So far I've lost 12 lbs some of that is water weight. But this medication has helped curbed my appetite and address most of all my cravings. I discovered that even though I wasn't hungry I would still need to eat because I would get nauseated bc of too much stomach acid and not enough nutrition. So I started taking a box of quick oatmeal to work and protein meal bars and fruit. I do get the dry mouth I like water so I drink more of it. Constipation--Metamucil takes care of that lol...and for sleep I've been on something for that for a while bc of irregular sleep cycle my doctor upped my dose. So far all is working in my favor.

I don't believe the use of this medication should be a quick fix to anything. I believe certain things need to be put in place and you should be monitored by your doctor if taking this medication. Learning portion control and incorporating some form of exercise important and key to weight loss in my opinion. However I struggled to get this last bit of weight off so I made the decision to use this medication to help me for the short term. In addition I am also using this app the help log everything I consume and that way I feel good about myself as well. Everyone has different methods and different opinions about weight loss and goals and the use if meds. Hard work and dedication are definitely an absolute. But if you've tried everything short of surgery then I believe the use of medication is acceptable as long as you are being monitored by your doctor. I hope this was helpful in some way to you. Add me if you would like. Good luck in your goals.

Now this baffles me. You lost a heap of weight all on your own by making lifestyle changes and smart food choices. You have a little left to go and now you go on this drug? And to cap it all you are having to increase non-essential medications that are potentially addictive (sleeping tablets) in order to counteract the side effects of a drug you have proven to yourself not to be necessary? Aside from anything else I don't understand how a doctor can agree to this course of action. As someone with chronic sleep and insomnia problems the last thing I want is to take a stimulant which increases my need for hardcore sleep medications!

I understand this is a common prescription in the US, I know of no-one in the UK who has been on it and maybe that's where my mind block comes from but I just don't get it. Almost everyone I have seen respond with a positive anecdote hasn't had long term success using phentermine because it's masking real issues. I see very very few people who actually use it for a few weeks and continue with their success off it. And for that reason I will never say it's a good idea.

To answer you and not trying to sound rude so I apologize if I do, to begin with you haven't lived in my life or lived in my body. I am having trouble w the cravings and am an emotional eater. I cant lose this last bit of weight. I have tried. Being not a candidate for weightloss surgery as it is only alil bit. This is the method i have chosen. Having this suppressant help curbs my appetite I eat less and my stomach is getting smaller. I track what I eat using MFP and am on reduced calories. It helps keep me accountable. When someone tells me I can't have something I'll want it more especially when I comes to food. I won't be controlled nor will anyone tell me what I can't and can have. Taking phentermine was a personal choice and one I didn't make lightly. I am aware of the side effects hence the lengthy conversation w my doctor and blood work and EKG and this is for a short term. To each his or her own on their stance about medication. This is what works for me.

Sometimes the easy road seems appealing but don't be fooled. Taking the easy way out usually results in failure.
For me , I learned the lessons needed for long term success.I was once like many others on this thread. I felt like I couldn't lose the weight, I felt like I couldn't fight the urges to overeat . but one day when I was truly ready for change I was finally able to do it.
There's no pill in the world that can replace hardwork and determination. No pill can replace willpower. These are things that must come from within. I really was ready for change so i made it happen. I wanted this bad enough so I did it.
I was once heavier then most of the other posters in this thread and have lost all my weight and kept it off for 2+ yrs so far. I'm currently 135.8 lbs . the one and only solution for weight loss is a calorie deficit. Eat less then you Burn and you'll lose weight. No special diets needed, no fads or gimmicks needed . just eat less then you burn . remember cico always applies.
Certain things in life must be worked for in order for lasting success .