Using Diet Pill for help

I'm 23 and have struggled with my weight my entire life: dealt with not eating in junior high to lose weight, then gained it all back, had success a few years ago working out and eating better, got hurt and gained it all back. I've tried all the fad diets and exercise tapes you can think of, and nothing worked.

About 2 weeks ago, my dad took me to a weight loss clinic, and the MD put me on Adipex 37.5. It started working immediately, and I cut myself down to the 1200 calorie diet, no exercise. I figured with the side effects the MD mentioned, it would be best to let my body adjust to one thing at a time, so the exercise will start next week. My concern is right now is I'm 5'9 and weighed in at 291 on 7/12. It is now 7/22 and I weighed in this morning at 272. It's been just ten days, and I've lost nearly 20 pounds. I'm happy that the weight is coming off, and I'm not hungry so much anymore, but I am slightly worried if it is normal to lose that much so fast. My clothes fit mostly the same, with some extra space in some areas, but not as well as I would have thought for being 20 pounds lighter. I eat 3 meals a day, including an afternoon snack, and get my 1200 calories a day (or sometimes 1190ish). I'm taking vitamins, drink tons of water, and paying close attention to protein and making sure I get enough of what I need. I cut down significantly on bread, and no longer drink pop. Is my experience normal, or should I call my MD?

I had a friend who once took Adipex. She found it very very hard to eat on it. So I'm glad you are forcing yourself to eat. Are you also working out as well? You are a tall girl, like myself, and you are carrying alot of excess weight. It is not crazy to believe that you are carrying at least 20lbs of water weight. After 2 weeks, if you are still seeing the same results, maybe you should increase your intake of food a bit. Rapid weight loss will not be good if your body can't catch up. You need to work out to tone up. Otherwise your next problem will be loose skin. I hope the pill works for you. Good luck!!!

I have used Adipex in the past on 2 different diets. I gained all my weight back and now take medication for chronic hypertension (High Blood Pressure). To give you some number ideas I am 5'7ish and my high weight was 215. I lost down to 150 (diet pills) gained back to 200, lost to 160, back up to 190. I am pear shaped by the way. I am now down to 175 with no diet pills. It has taken me a lot longer than with pills, but this time I have discovered a few things. I actually like the taste of many veggies and look forward to them. Not just iceberg lettuce, tomato, and pizza type veggies either! I am learning to control portions and adjust meal plans according to social plans. I have splurges here and there and I feel like I am still on track. Good luck with the Adipex, watch your BP and experiment with new healthier recipes and foods! You might check out http://growlinmytummy.com/ for recipe ideas (not my blog, but inspiring!) You are already off to a good start using MFP.

Contact your doctor. That being said, I would probably say that if you did all the other things you are now doing without the Adipex(fancy name for Phentermine), you would still lose weight. The concern with diet or appetite suppressing pills is what happens when you stop taking them. I have not met a patient in 12 years who have not gained the weight after stopping the pills. I am not saying it will happen to you, because I am a strong believer that everyone is different.

I would advise you to start getting your mind right and training your body to eat right, drink water, and exercise. There is no magic pill that helps you lose weight. There is only one formula that have been proven time and time again. If you burn more calories than you take in, you will lose weight. If you do it correctly, you will keep it off.

Good luck to you, and I am sending you a friend request. BTW, get ready to be hammered because most MFPers frown on quick fix pills.

E.

not sure if this is true or not, but my mom said a lot of that stuff is similar to meth. I don't think it is a big deal to use diet pills if it is only short-term though, as i doubt it is as addictive as meth <.<

ps: its great that you are also working on lifestyle etc! I think you will do well the way you are going.

Phentermine and Methamphetamine are both amphetamines. That being said, they are chemically different. I live in the area of the country that up until this year was the meth production capital of the US. Daily I see people who are OBVIOUSLY dealing with or have dealt with a Meth addiction. Meth is pretty immediately addictive, like first time out addictive. Phentermine does have a small possibility of addiction, I believe it is classified as a class 3 or 4 narcotic. I have taken Phentermine twice in my lifetime, the first time for about 3 months and this time, a little over 1 month now. When I stopped taking it, I did not have any of the HORRENDOUS side effects of a Meth addict stopping meth. The differences I found between taking Phen and not were these: my appetite returned (thank God for retraining habits or all the weigh does tend to come back!), my energy level decreased some (but it had been doing so over the last month and a half I had been taking it, thankfully the exercise habit had already been formed), and I sweated less. As far as being similar... no picking at scabs, no tooth loss, no emaciation, the only time I was "pinging" was the first 3 days and it was sorta like having WAY too much caffeine. This is a MEDICATION, your doctor will not renew the monthly prescription without seeing you in his/her office monthly (If they do, they are wrong and I would go to a different doctor.), and it is only effective short term, for some people a couple weeks, for other MAYBE a couple months. As with any medication you need to take it as prescribed. My doctor does not make a whole lot of cash outta me being on Pentermine... I pay the pharmacy $32. I pay for a office visit. And I only pay for a couple months. This isn't a big money maker for doctors... If your doctor has determined that for whatever reason you should consider taking this, become educated on it.

With Friendship and Warmth from Missouri,

Sonia