Hello^-^! I was recently prescribed phentermine...

I haven't been on it, but I did have a friend who was on it shortly. I don't know what her weight was, but she was not morbidly obese. Her blood pressure shot up through the roof (we're talking like 150/90) - which is not good, especially in a 20 something year old. She went off it and is still around the same starting weight.

From what I know of the drug (it acts similarly to amphetamines; therefore it's a CNS stimulant, at a higher risk of being abused, can cause hypertension, insomnia, etc), I wouldn't personally want to take it. Cutting back calories reasonably and exercising won't cause any adverse effects and can easily transition into a lifestyle.

Some people do have medical conditions that prevent them from losing weight or they've honestly tried a lifestyle modification and failed, and maybe that's when phentermine could be considered. Whatever your case may be, if a medical doctor prescribed it and thought it was right for you, then that's all that counts. Best of luck!

It was the combination of Phentermine with the "fen" part that created a dangerous drug - phentermine alone is regularly prescribed and monitored for a short period, usually up to three months. I have taken it in the past and it helped me somewhat with no bad side effects, but the medication I now take for binge eating disorder, which was my true problem, is helping me far more.

As far as phentermine, I found it best to start a three month course by taking a half-tablet at first, and as my body got accustomed to it toward the last half of the 12 weeks, I increased to a full tablet. Doing it this way kept me from feeling too weird on it. It did put a bad taste in my mouth, so I kept sugar free mints and gum around. It's not "the ultimate answer", of course, but it can be a helpful tool for some people when used properly, in my opinion.

I just stopped it after taking it for 4 months. I met with my doctor monthly to ensure that my blood pressure was good and to do a weight check. It really does suppress your appetite... however, you still have to make good food choices, which you mentioned you will be doing.

As for the shakes, insomnia... I did experience it in I'd say the 2nd and 3rd week -- but it went away and I got to a point where aside from appetite I wouldn't know if I hadn't taken it.

Since being off of it I have gained about 7 back -- during that time though were New Years and my Birthday (weekend was spent splurging). I would recommend it and I look forward to doing it again if/when my doctor allows it.

mjon11 -- did you try cutting back the dose by taking 1/2 a pill? that helped me tremendously and then I was able to ramp back up to a whole one.

Mary_Anastasia wrote: »

It had no effect on me. I was 259# and Rx'd the 37.5 pill. I took it for a month before throwing it into the back of my cupboard. I had no dry mouth, no increased heart rate, no thirst, nothing, and no added energy in fact it made me rather tired. I even tried taking it on an empty stomach a few hours before bed and I could tell it was taking effect because I would feel like I was -less- buzzed and slept like a baby. But it really did nothing for me at all, it was like having a cup of coffee which likewise does not give me any buzz: I drink coffee at night because it relaxes me, like a cup of tea or warm milk-- but yeah, no weight loss or anything. It was kind of disappointing.

It didn't give me any energy or buzz either, it just made me feel kinda weird - sort of foggy and with the yucky taste in my mouth. But it did reduce my appetite for about 8-10 hours or so.

I was on it about 10 or 11 years ago. I lost a lot of weight and it worked very well for me, however, I did not learn good eating habits so after I stopped taking it, I gained most of the weight back. A few years ago, my co-worker went on it and the same thing happened to her-she lost a lot of weight just to gain it all back once she stopped taking it. Just be sure to eat healthy and exercise now and keep it up even once you are not on it anymore. When I was on phentermine, the weight just fell off so I was like, wow, this weight loss thing is not hard at all. When in reality, it is a lot harder without the help of it. Use it as a tool to jump start your weight loss and to get motivated but keep in mind the real hard work will start once you are not on it anymore.

I've taken phentermine and it worked great but has side effects. Once you are off of it it's very hard to maintain that weight you lost. So be careful on what you eat stay low calorie. I've ballooned up to 255, before phentermine I was 215.

I took it when it was phen-phen. One doc said I have a valve leakage and the newest doc said I don't. There was a thread a few days back and people wrote they take a diet drug. I called the pharmacist and the drug they were taking is a narcotics and not allowed in my state. I did ask him about phentermine and he said it is a stimulant and if you have high blood pressure, you should check with your cardiologist first. He also said it was short-term usage. I did lose taking phen-phen but I believe I knew I was on it so I just ate healthy and in the right proportions.

I took phen with fen in the 90s, lost 60 pounds effortlessly, learned nothing as my appetite was artificially suppressed by an amphetamine-like drug, and gained it all back when I stopped taking it.

Having heart problems these days and just had an echocardiogram today.

It's not just fenfluramine that causes problems; see this post by @itschanelle :

itschanelle wrote: »

I have seen a lot of posts on and off about this and other weight loss drugs. I can vouch that they absolutely work. I have lost a lot weight using Phentermine on and off throughout about a 10 year span.

BUT...

The weight doesn't stay off. And those side effects? They are real.

You could take Phentermine and lose the weight, but you might end up like me. I'm 30 years old, slightly over weight, and have moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation. As in, I might need open heart surgery because my heart was damaged by Phentermine. To be clear, I never took it for more than a few months at a time, was monitored by a doctor, and did everything "right".

My lifespan has likely been shortened to lose a few pounds. Weight I could have lost on my own with a little bit of gumption. It wasn't worth it.

witchyitchyaya wrote: »

You're so lucky. I would kill to get a hold of that shiz. I used to take all kinds of diet pills when ephedra was allowed! I would've taken phen phen if i could've gotten it.
I really appreciate a good appetite suppressant cuz of my lack of self control. And an energy stimulant. Gets me moving and losing.

But what happens when you stop taking it? You can't be on an artificial appetite suppressant forever. I'd say your liver and heart would give out eventually if you did.

Mary_Anastasia wrote: »

It had no effect on me. I was 259# and Rx'd the 37.5 pill. I took it for a month before throwing it into the back of my cupboard. I had no dry mouth, no increased heart rate, no thirst, nothing, and no added energy in fact it made me rather tired. I even tried taking it on an empty stomach a few hours before bed and I could tell it was taking effect because I would feel like I was -less- buzzed and slept like a baby. But it really did nothing for me at all, it was like having a cup of coffee which likewise does not give me any buzz: I drink coffee at night because it relaxes me, like a cup of tea or warm milk-- but yeah, no weight loss or anything. It was kind of disappointing.

Do you by chance also have adhd? It's common for folks with adhd to react that way to stimulants; some people who are undiagnosed into adulthood self-treat with massive amounts of coffee/caffeine without even knowing it. I don't know about phentermine specifically but your post has me curious now.