Open for opinions here, but no harsh bashing, please...

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MissElvira88
MissElvira88 Posts: 6 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I went to a weight management appointment for help with extreme and constant hunger pains and weight loss. I was prescribed Phentermine and Topamax. I HATED Topamax due to horrible side effects, stopped it and trashed it. The Phentermine alone has been fine... It has increased my blood pressure though and heart rate as told it would. I told the PA I was on a diuretic from my PCP to lower my sodium for water retention and blood pressure when I went to my first visit. When she checked it, it was at a normal range. Cool, right? Since being on it, it's shot back up to the 140+/90+ range and then 150/106 today... I go to see the PA tomorrow to discuss this, but I'm a little freaked out... Any similar experiences? I've heard people have tried Phentermine while taking Lisinopril at the same time. Ugh, just not feeling this med... She mentioned at the first visit changing if it did to something else, but I'd deal with possible nausea.

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  • Lillymoo01
    Lillymoo01 Posts: 2,865 Member
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    I would personally ditch the medication because the side effects are not worth it. I'd increase your healthy fats (monosaturated and polysaturated) protein, and possibly wholegrains while reducing refined carbs like white flour and sugar. Playing around with your macro balance and meal timing can really help you with feeling satiated Maybe also up your calories a bit too so your deficit isn't as aggressive if you can. should help with your hunger.
  • Jozzmenia
    Jozzmenia Posts: 252 Member
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    usmcmp wrote: »
    I think you should step back and evaluate whether you feel the Phentermine is actually helping or if it is causing you more problems than it is worth. I understand the extreme and constant hunger at first and I struggled with weight loss for a long time. The secret to fixing that is some trial and error along with really good advice from those who walked in your shoes. The Phentermine seems to really just be causing you problems and you can do this without the Phentermine.

    What you should do is go into your goals on here and change your weight loss rate to either 1 pound per week or half a pound per week. I know that sounds crazy, we want to lose weight as fast as possible. Dieting seems miserable when you try to lose it fast. When you slow it down a bit the hunger is more under control and it doesn't have to be miserable. Focus on getting protein at each meal and eat a bunch of vegetables, but don't be afraid to fit in foods you like (I have candy in my diary over half of the days I log).

    Sticking to a medication that is causing you health issues when that medication isn't vital is more dangerous than taking a little longer to lose the weight. You can do it. You'll struggle sometimes, but you have what it takes.

    Halo top ice cream is lifesaver lol
  • timeforwork
    timeforwork Posts: 114 Member
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    Don't take medication that can cause you harm. Being over weight is bad for you and losing weight can be hard but at least hunger pains won't kill you . As others have said play around with food types and meal timings to find what helps you feel less hungry and maybe decrease your loss to start with. It takes a lot of willpower to lose weight and it can be abumpy ride but it can be done, good luck x
  • puzzledstill
    puzzledstill Posts: 67 Member
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    Well done for asking for help and being persistent.
    I'm in the UK so not familiar with some of the abbreviations and names you have used. Any here are my thoughts .....
    I'm trying very hard to make how I lose weight a practice for when I get to my target and want to maintain.
    So that means not having any special 'low' anything foods. I would not take medication unless I had an illness. I'm not saying hunger and pains aren't real - but they are a consequence of decisions you are making - so I wonder if you can manage that differently ?
    You don't say how much you have to lose. So difficult to be precise. Can I suggest you set a less ambitious rate of lose and experiment with filling foods ? More protein maybe. I've seen lots of posts about little changes so maybe small changes are part of the answer.
    It takes time to work out what's best. Looks like you are getting some well thought out suggestions. Best Wishes. I'm sure you'll work it out.
  • pennygm72
    pennygm72 Posts: 179 Member
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    Not bashing but shocked that you would be precribed medication known to cause a rise in HR and BP when you alreaday have issues with your BP, what monitoring did the PA put in place for your BP and is your PCP aware you are taking phentermine? Whilst I agree it is your decision to take or not to take it, it is the prescribers decision as to whether it clinically in your interests to prescribe. Please speak to your PCP asap.
    You've been given great advice above about logging and deficit, please follow it, losing weight more slowly is MUCH less risky than high BP.
  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
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    I know it is not phen-phen but that one causes heart valve problems. Lisinopril - caused me a year of seeing lots of specialists for lots of phelgm(sp?). A person at the gym looked up the side effects for me and yup, that was one of them.

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