Is anyone else taking Xenical/Orlistat?

livi_cowgirl
livi_cowgirl Posts: 198 Member
edited October 1 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been on these tablets for about 5 months and have so far lost just over 3 stone. About 2 months ago I fainted at the gym. I have fainted a further twice since. Lots of people suggested several reasons why this could be happening. I'm over doing it at the gym, I'm not eating enough, epilepsy, heart problems, etc...
I have been to the hospital for tests and I'm due back on Friday for further tests. There is no sign that it could be epilepsy. I know I'm not over doing it at the gym because it's too inconsistent. Usually when I faint I have done much less than other days. I know I'm eating enough because to be frank, I'm finding it hard to stop eating most days. They checked all my blood work at the hospital and said everything was fine. They done some basic tests on my heart and said it was fine. But I am going back on Friday for further tests on my heart. I know why they are going down the heart route. It's because something like two thirds of people taking Xenical/Orlistat develop heart problems. Some even have heart attacks.
My mum was on them for 5 months and developed liver problems and so had to stop taking them.
So what I'm asking is, has anyone else had or knows someone who has had a similar experience with these pills?
I'm trying to loose weight to prevent obesity related illness such as heart disease, so if these things are killing my heart, I need to know.

EDIT: I googled the side effects of the pills and not a single website says anything about them causing heart disease. I guess my pharmacist friend who told me about these so called side effects may be misinformed.

Replies

  • debswebby
    debswebby Posts: 326
    I don't know about the pills causing health problems but it is my experience that they are not needed. You have lost 3 stone in 5 months? That's bloody fantastic. Well done. But with dedication, exercise and a healthy diet (which you clearly have) you would have lost that anyway. Its not the pills making you lose weight, its YOU! Ditch the pills, seriously. Even if they don't cause health problems you don't need them.
    xxx
  • phoenix9115
    phoenix9115 Posts: 24
    hi there..i was taking xenical to help boost my weight loss to qualify by my bariatric doc for surgery. the xenical may have helped me lose a few pounds,but was definately not worth the heart palpitations i got,as well as dizziness.when my bariatric doc found out i was on it he ordered me off it.I have never ever had heart palpitations in my life except when i was on this drug. My suggestion?? stick to this site,aim to eat 100 calories under your goal calories and even if u add exercise to your day dont eat it all back..i would stop the xenical but tlak to your doc.I had the gastric bypass surgery on the 15th,after getting through 8 months of red tape and hurdles and losing 20 pounds thanks to THIS SITE.i dont believe the xenical helped me much.changing my eating is what helped me,and i swear by this site to everyone now..i will be on it for the rest of my life.
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    Have you had your blood pressure checked immediately after fainting? Does it mostly happen when you are standing? It could be postural hypotension. Orlistat, along with your incredible weight loss could have resulted in your blood pressure decreasing, which is great but if you are taking blood pressure medication it might now need reducing (but check with your doctor first). When you stand up or have been standing for a while your blood pressure can drop slightly so you faint. If you are on blood pressure medication it might be worth getting it checked to see if your meds need reducing. Perhaps Orlistat is no longer necessary for you or perhaps it isn't agreeing with you any more.

    I hope you get to the bottom of it soon
    As other posters have said, if you've lost this much already you can continue to lose without Orlistat. It may be a slower loss but it will be healthier for you. See what your doctor says about it. Good luck.
  • kendrafallon
    kendrafallon Posts: 1,030 Member
    is your GP aware that you're taking Xenical/Orlistat? Pharmacists are fab at what they do, but they're not Doctors. Get yourself checked out properly.
  • livi_cowgirl
    livi_cowgirl Posts: 198 Member
    Have you had your blood pressure checked immediately after fainting? Does it mostly happen when you are standing? It could be postural hypotension. Orlistat, along with your incredible weight loss could have resulted in your blood pressure decreasing, which is great but if you are taking blood pressure medication it might now need reducing (but check with your doctor first). When you stand up or have been standing for a while your blood pressure can drop slightly so you faint. If you are on blood pressure medication it might be worth getting it checked to see if your meds need reducing. Perhaps Orlistat is no longer necessary for you or perhaps it isn't agreeing with you any more.

    I hope you get to the bottom of it soon
    As other posters have said, if you've lost this much already you can continue to lose without Orlistat. It may be a slower loss but it will be healthier for you. See what your doctor says about it. Good luck.

    I have had my blood pressure checked after fainting. They said it was fine. I'm not on meds for my BP, never have been. My blood pressure has always been fine. Never had problems with it.

    I have been lucky enough to be sitting down each time I faint. I am very glad for that since I could cause quite a lot of damage falling. So far I have been lucky to get off lightly with a sore face.
  • maclynn62
    maclynn62 Posts: 29
    hi, i took these at the start of my weight loss, i was monitered closely by the doctor(brillant g.p.) had to have regular blood test. I didn't have side effects, but, a lady that i know who was on them did have a heart attack, although i do stress she did have other health issues as well.
  • livi_cowgirl
    livi_cowgirl Posts: 198 Member
    is your GP aware that you're taking Xenical/Orlistat? Pharmacists are fab at what they do, but they're not Doctors. Get yourself checked out properly.

    My GP prescribed the pills. And the hospital are aware I am taking them too.
    As I said, I'm getting more tests on Friday.
  • livi_cowgirl
    livi_cowgirl Posts: 198 Member
    hi, i took these at the start of my weight loss, i was monitered closely by the doctor(brillant g.p.) had to have regular blood test. I didn't have side effects, but, a lady that i know who was on them did have a heart attack, although i do stress she did have other health issues as well.

    See, that's the thing... Heart problems are common in obese people anyway, so how can anyone say that the pills caused any of it?
  • kendrafallon
    kendrafallon Posts: 1,030 Member
    My GP prescribed the pills. And the hospital are aware I am taking them too.
    As I said, I'm getting more tests on Friday.

    Good to hear!!

    I have to say I had a discussion with my own GP about Xenical/Orlistat after a relative of mine suggested taking it. My GP thought it would be a good short term option for me, to kick-start me into losing weight, but it was my decision not to.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    Even if a GP prescribed those pills, I wouldn't take them.. Diet pills are absolute junk in my opinion and you could be spending your money on much better things.

    As far as heart problems being more common in obese people, that is prob. true but these pills aren't helping that matter.. If you stopped taking them, I'm sure you'd feel much better.
  • maclynn62
    maclynn62 Posts: 29
    just wanted to say god luck for you're tests
  • kapeluza
    kapeluza Posts: 3,434 Member
    Never again! I tried Xenical and after farting and staining my pants with oily yellow stains I vowed to never touch that sh^t again, LOL!
  • fittertanme
    fittertanme Posts: 259 Member
    hi there
    well about 2 years ago before I started in the gym and the fittness programs I wan told and given xenical and had to take them 3 times a day with food and it should melt the fat but to be fair it did partly do the job but I found it gave me bad wind and lots and I mean lots of upset tum's and at time having to go the toilet many times but also it losens you up and lots of other problems so when I finished the course I did not go back to the doctors and its onl this year I have started to diet/lifestyle change and as od todate doing well both in the gym and food intake but hope this might help you
    steve
  • amyllu
    amyllu Posts: 432 Member
    I have just been prescribed Orlistat only to find ... as others have already said ... that apparently they are not being manufactured at the mo' and therefore none of the chemists have any in stock.
    I decided to buy the Alli which is a lower dose and quite expensive. However, whilst as rule I do not hold with these types of "remedies" I am very desperate to be able to get my weight to shift again...I lost 30lb from April 2010 to Xmas of that year, had a wee break..as one does..back to dieting in the January 2011 and not been able to lose hardly an ounce!!
    Saw a nutrionist at the hospital who was a very nice person and congratulated me for my efforts so far and then told me not to worry about losing any more!..:frown: ...Well, I am now 14st 10lb and only 4'11" tall so I DO need to lose at least another 3st and am keeping my fingers crossed that this will help...:smile:
  • amyllu
    amyllu Posts: 432 Member
    Am delighted to say that in just a few days these pills have made a difference and the great thing is ..I am not having any bad side effects!
    Looking forward to getting to my goal soon than later now!...YeeHah!!..:bigsmile:
  • chelseafxx
    chelseafxx Posts: 251 Member
    I was taking Orlistat for about 4 or 5 months but I heard long term use can cause health problems so I stopped taking them and have still been losing like before...ditch the pills!
  • grumpya
    grumpya Posts: 54 Member
    These pills work mostly by removing any excess fat you eat through your bowels mostly undigested. No-one knows what long term damage they are doing because they have not been around long enough to know what you might suffer in 10 years time. You have proved you can control what you eat so talk to your gp & stop taking them. Out of 30lb you have lost at least 20 lb of that YOU have lost according to the manufacturers claims. Why not ask for a gp excercise referral. It gives you 12 weeks free gym & swim with unlimited personal training & nutritional advice, far better for you & far cheaper than paying the prescription charges.
    I do hope there is nothing wrong with you, you must be very scared but I think the fact you asked the question means deep down you know you should & can do it on your own.
  • Naybelline
    Naybelline Posts: 407 Member
    I took them around 6 years a go and they messed my bowels up! don't touch them!
  • obeserat
    obeserat Posts: 218 Member
    My doctor prescribed these but there is a shortage of them so I was unable to get the prescription made up, however I have been using this site for 3 weeks and have lost 22lb , the weightloss has slowed down but I have showed myself I don't need pills
  • FJHutch
    FJHutch Posts: 34
    I have a perscription for them that I can't currently fill.

    I am not pro diet pills in general but I do have serious medical issues and there are a lot of reasons why shifting weight quickly would be beneficial... I'm glad I can't fill the scrip for now to give me more time to think :)
  • amyllu
    amyllu Posts: 432 Member
    Just thought I would add that at 77 and being disabled so not able to move about very much at all, and also having quite a few meds for various ailments, it all adds up to restricting any weight loss. As I stated before, I am not one for taking pills for dieting as a rule and think that a healthy fat free diet is the right way to go. However, after 2yrs almost, of not being able to shift anymore weight I feel needs must!
  • CookieCrumble
    CookieCrumble Posts: 221 Member
    I was prescribed these last year. I only managed ONE tablet. It made me feel more nauseous than I've ever felt in my life. I'd never take them again.

    Sorry that you're having fainting spells, OP. Have you had these checked out with your doctor?
  • Cal28
    Cal28 Posts: 514 Member
    My GP prescribed the pills.

    So did mine, & far too easily IMO. I didn't even take one, the side effects leaflet was enough on its own to put me off even trying them.

    You can do this without them xx
  • _HeathBar_
    _HeathBar_ Posts: 902 Member
    Orlistat (aka Alli) should not effect your blood pressure or heart. It has other... not so pleasant... side effects but that's not one that it's known for. I'm only a 1st year pharmacy student though so don't take my word as the gospel, always go to your doctor for the best answer.

    With that being said, if you follow their diet plan of eating less then 15g of fat each meal and taking the Orlistat it will only contribute to an extra 2-3 pounds lost a YEAR (5-7 if you take the prescription level pills). That's a pretty insignificant amount for the price (in my opinion).

    Also, if you are taking this you need to be taking a multivitamin at a different time then you meals or your body won't be able to absorb some fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E etc.). This is very important.
  • amyllu
    amyllu Posts: 432 Member
    Heathbar....Mon 03/26/12 12:30 PMOrlistat (aka Alli) ......

    With that being said, if you follow their diet plan of eating less then 15g of fat each meal and taking the Orlistat it will only contribute to an extra 2-3 pounds lost a YEAR (5-7 if you take the prescription level pills). That's a pretty insignificant amount for the price (in my opinion).

    Also, if you are taking this you need to be taking a multivitamin at a different time then you meals or your body won't be able to absorb some fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E etc.). This is very important.
    Edited by heathbar314 on Mon 03/26/12 12:32 PM

    Good point Heathbar. My diet is set for 40g fat and taking the Alli with that amount in my diet has not had any side effects for me.
    Good idea, however, about the multi vitamin!
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/2482-xenical-orlistat-alli-support-group
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