Phentermine??

I took it in the 90's as part of Phen-Fen. Worked great I lost 80lbs but when they took me off of it I gained all back plus some

And how many of the people who took Phen-Fen ended up with heart damage? Cost the manufacturer millions in that class action lawsuit. And the families of the people who suffered heart valve damage are grateful.

This is the problem with every diet drug that comes along.

To all of those who say slow and steady, etc, etc, I couldn't agree more. However, I am about to start taking phentermine short term, and let me tell you why. As a member of the military, we are tested on fitness regularly. However, one of the awesome tests of "fitness" is a waist measurement. So, despite the fact that I can pass the run and sit-ups with flying colors, my waist is 1/16" over the requirement. Granted, I am currently heavier than I have been for a while, but my waist measurement was over even when I was 30lbs lighter (it's still the same now as it was then, I think my butt and thighs finally gained weight) But, overall, in order to keep my career, which I love, I am willing to do this. I am a PA, so I am well aware of the side effects and risks, but at this point, my career is worth more than any short term headaches, jitteriness, etc.
BTW, America is great, free world. If someone wants to use a method you don't agree with to do something, and they are an adult, it's absolutely their right. I stand by that every day, and put the uniform on to protect that. 10 years so far, 10 more coming.

Okay, so just as a defense for myself from the posts by rjt1000--- no where in MY post did I mention "Sure try it, its a wonderful drug" however, in my MEDICAL experience when people want to do something, they are going to do it, where there is a will there is a way, no matter what you think of the persons actions or trials...or what you say to them....THEY are going to do what THEY want to do. The best thing someone can do for those people is to educate them on the dangers, personal experiences and precaustions that need to be taken. So did it work for me? Yes, initially it did....did it wreak havoc on my body....why yes, it did. Would I recommend it to anyone....no....can I stop someone from taking it by being a complete *kitten* and screaming at them telling them they are an idiot....no. So the best thing I....me....I...can do for them is inform them of my personal experience and side effects and ultimate failure in the end of the medication. Sharing on message boards should be informational, people should be able to ask questions and get honest answers. I see that you have lost alot of weight congratulations to you, slow and easy does win the race, you need to modify your lifestyle and usually if it souds too good to be true it usually is, hence the "no insta fix for fat". I am sure that you have lots to share about you weight loss journey, and I am sure much could be beneficial to the masses here on MFP. Your responses seem abrasive and you are okay with that, your opinion is your opinion....and ya know, thats okay too , opinons are like *kitten* everyone has one. It's just normally if you want someone to listen to you, approaching them with respect is step 1.
that.is.all.thankyou.

"FDA Approved" doesn't mean a whole lot.

My father-in-law is currently dying from end-stage liver failure. Never drank in his life. The cause: "FDA Approved" drugs taken over a long period of time. All prescribed by his doctor(s).

I took it a couple of years ago & lost 35 lbs. Once you quit taking it your appetite comes back with a vengeance! I actually went to Dr about a month ago & took phentermine for a week & then weaned myself off. You can't just quit taking all of a sudden. I decided while I had success the side effects just weren't worth it for me. This time around I need to change my mindset or I will end up in the same boat I'm in now.

ImaSongbird - I think that is what I would need it for. I think just the hectic nature of my week will help me lose a pound or two then monday morning its back. I guess its not so much that I overeat on the weekends but I have more time to sit and do nothing and without any energy I don't exercise.

I guess I am just curious as to why peole are looking for the "quick fix" when slow and steady wins the race. Learning how to eat and changing your lifestyle permanently, seems like a much healther way to do things, was 240 at my heaviest weight, and I have learned how to eat...smaller, healthier meals, more frequently, excercising daily....and I am down to 182-losing about 1-2lbs every week, and I am totally okay with that because I know in establishing these habits I am much less likely to put the weight back on.
Just my opinion.

I just started taking Phentermine for weight loss, and I'll tell you why. For the past 10 months, I have been on MFP. I have tried setting my weight loss goals anywhere from 1/2 lb a week, to 2 lbs a week. I simply am unable to to lose right! Particularly when I started out. I had mine set to lose 2 lbs a week, I worked out 6 days a week, did things like JIllian Michaels Shred, I drank 8+ cups of water daily. I lost 5 lbs, then I sat there... for the last 9 months! Sure there were 2 times when I got really busy, or else super depressed about how long it took me to lose and I quit watching what I ate so closely. However, I never gained above my start weight, and currently I am 2lbs lower than my start weight. I am a full time student in school, and while I did (and do) watch what I eat, drink plenty of water, and try to exercise, I cannot seem to lose! So I am taking it short term to hopefully jump start my metablolism, and help me to lose. I am 22 btw, and weigh 264 lbs. It is not normal that I can't lose weight after 10 months of (mostly) watching what I eat, exercising, etc. Also, thos two times I "quit" MFP, that was only for two months total, and as I said, I didn't gain above my start weight. Anyways, I am really tired of being morbidly obese! I talked to my family practitioner, and she said she has seen a ton of people use it successfully, but she stressed that it is only for the morbidly obese, that you have to eat a healthy diet, both while you are on it, and once you get off, and that exercise is an important part. She told me that if the person who is taking it is not ready to commit to a healthy lifestyle then Phen doesn't ever work for them long term. She also told me that you have to wean off of it, and that it is for short term use only. I am totally okay with it, even with the potential side effects, because I know that I have a doctor who cares, who is prescribing it with my best interest in mind, and one who will monitor me for potential problems. I know that she won't give it out to someone who just wants an Insta-fix. I trust her, and I think that phen can be used safely, short term, with the correct medical observation.

To the user above who was talking about the medicine she was on that she had to slowly take and wean on to higher and higher doses... Yes you did. That was a barbituate (FYI they've been around longer than most of us. Since 1903 to be exact) They can be dangerous if you do not take them correctly, and yes they are gonna have side effects, but so do all drugs. I am not for drugs all the time, definately not first choice, but they are nessacery for some people. As a nursing student that is currently learning about drugs, I find it interesting how some people think drugs are so bad, and how all the side effects are so terrible, and how they could kill you if you overdose, etc, etc, etc. While this is true some of the time, nobody EVER tells you when they encourage you to drink lotsa water when you are losing weight, that you can litereally die from drinking to much WATER! Water is one of the healthiest things we can drink, I agree. And no, your average joe isn't gonna die cuz they drank to much water, but if your average joe who is on drugs prescribed by his doctor and is taking those medications properly, and REPORTS unusual signs and symptoms to their doctor, they pry aren't gonna die either.

okay, off my soapbox now. Just irritates me that people constantly try to self-diagnose and self-prescribe. Your doctor went to school for YEARS, learned EVERYTHING about the drugs he prescribes, good and bad. Yes you will get a few bad doctors out there who are only in it for money, but lots of them do care about the health of their patients. I have full faith in my doctor, that she will not prescibe me anything that she would not be willing to give to her family if nessacery. Again, I"ll digress. Sorry.