phentermine

Maybe I missed a post but in my estimation to summarize the last 4 pages... everyone that has tried this drug has gained the weight back once stopping it. Is that right?

Nope. Consider the sampling. Self selecting group.

So, [Almost] everyone who is here on MFP (and replying in the forums) that tried it has gained back the weight.
But perhaps the people who kept it off are no longer coming to MFP. So not everyone who took it has regained the weight (or is on MFP). Only those who failed to learn the lessons the first time have to repeat it. Just a thoguht.

(Nott trying to be harsh, just informative. This and causation<>correlary are a couple of my internet bugaboos.)

I was told I was Type 2 diabetic a year ago. I changed my diet and started MFP. I did awesome and lost 58 lbs. Life got busy and I stopped logging my food and I got lazy. Slowly I had gained back 10 lbs and could not get myself back in the routine of dieting. I had to go back to my dr for a check up and she told me my increased appetite was from my blood sugar being out of whack since I wasn't eating well. She prescribed Bontril for 30 days. Im going into my 2nd week of taking it and I do have an appetite still but its just taken the edge off. I had a headache the first day and couldn't sleep well. Now I sleep fine and I have a little dry mouth.

To me it was worth getting in the routine again. It was that little boost I needed. I would never feel comfotable taking it for very long.

PCOS doesn't make it impossible to lose weight. I have had it for years. Didn't get it until I gained the weight. I have lost 40 pounds with it. It does make it harder to lose weight but not impossible. I have never taken any drugs to lose weight either. Saying that PCOS makes it "impossible" to lose weight is just an excuse and will make it impossible if you're using excuses. I have used excuses for a long time and I've learned to try not to do that anymore.

I have read all 6 pages of this thread. And I must say, for the most part people have been very respectful . People have honestly tried to give advice pro or con very considerately. Thank You everyone.

I would especially like to thank the woman who so pressed the side effect of leaking heart valves. She is correct in stating that this is a very real side effect of this med. And it can take years to show up. I believe all 3 of her doctors. Leaky heart valves can be life-threatening.

I had Endometriosis for 16 years. It is a painful and excruciating medical condition. The last three years the pain was so bad. Imagine battery acid being poured on an open rotting wound. Truly uncontrollable pain. Pure evil pain. I was put on depot lupron, a hormone. This drug helped to lessen the pain but I gained 30 pounds in one month. Honestly. And I was very overweight to begin with since I was struggling with a debilitating medical condition.

I needed help to lose weight that a life-saving med made me gain. My doctor prescribed Phentermine.

I think I am in the minority in that I don't have too many of the side effects that are mentioned. I sometimes will get a dry mouth. My doctor suggested Biotene mouthwash. I have a blood pressure cuff at home. My highest BP has been 128/88. Not too bad. I don't feel any heart palpitations. If I drink a bunch of water the effects of the Phentermine are diluted.

I take half a pill. I have been on this med for 80 days. I may stop soon. I am fully aware that if I do not stick to my exercise and calorie burns the weight will come back. I am eating more protein and less carbs. I am learning about how to eat like a slender person. I have never known this before. Education about proper eating and exercise will help me to maintain my weight loss. Plus I would like to be a lifetime mfp member. So I plan on logging in for the next 60 years!

By the way, Phentermine lessens my appetite. It does not stop my urge to eat, eat, eat. I still have to do the work of high protein diet, low carb, and a lot of vegetable intake. And exercise. This is not a magic pill for me. It is a stepping stone. When I stop this med I know that I still have half the river to cross. Many a stepping stone will still lie ahead of me.

Again, be mindful of your heart while on this med. It does have an adverse effect for some. I think most of us would rather be fat than have a heart that pumps poorly. Just a reminder.

They gave me TONS of energy. So much that if i took half of one at 6am, i couldn't sleep until about 4am the next morning, and I had to be right back up at 6.. Not to mention it gave me TERRIBLE mood swings. I saw on the consent form that it could cause "psychological effects". As a psychology major this really worried me. I asked the doctor about it and he told me "don't worry about that". I notice after taking one, I get EXTREMELY HAPPY, in such a great mood...and within just a few hours, I am super pissed and I don't want to deal with or talk to anyone. For me, it wasn't worth it. I am a very happy person, and would rather not "come down" from this "drug".

I have been on phentermine for 3 weeks now. It is not a miracle drug and not all medicines are poison as some members have stated. People can gain the weight back, because if you don't make lifestyle changes with the medication the effects won't last. Phentermine is also only for people who are obese with a BMI over 31. My doctor prescribed it to me after an interview process and along with a nutrition plan and exercise plan. I see her weekly for the first month, then biweekly till I reach my goal weight of 140. Once my BMI reaches 29 she will wean me from the medication and continue to work with me to reach my goal.

To me Phentermine is much like antidepressants. Without the "therapy" and lifestyle changes I won't get better. I need to do that in conjunction with the meds. Weight loss is the same way. Phen curbs your appetite while you learn proper cooking methods, healthy alternatives, portion sizes, craving control and fitness routines.

I don't expect Phen to be the miracle drug that makes everything better. I expect it to help me lose enough weight initially to keep me on the path to a healthier lifestyle. By learning about portion control and healthier food choices I am not dieting, but on the path to a lifelong change. No "diet" is going to give you those long term results. Phen helps me to push through the aches and pains, fatigue and overeating that comes from being obese. Under the guidance of my doctor, I'm confident that I will lose the weight and keep it off because I've been given the proper tools to do so.

And for those who would like a success story. My mother had an illness requiring long term steroid use which caused her to gain over 150 pounds. After her condition was finally under control the doctor prescribed her phentermine and she was able to lose all of the weight in a little over a year. Four years later she still looks great and didn't gain more than 5 pounds.

Today i have been on phentermine for two weeks. I am also seeing a doctor with this medication. I wanted to try this after I watched a close friend of mine shed the pounds. She was well over 200 lbs. She started March 2011, and when I seen her in July 2011 she looked like a different person. It motivated me to give it a try. I am not proud to say this but, I was hoping it would be a quick fix.. Now, that I have tried this, i know its hard work. I find it working less and less, this morning I woke up and felt hungry for the first time.. So I ate, and then felt okay. I wonder why it seems to be wearing off for me??? If nothing else, its got me motivated and I have been eating right and exercising.....alot more then I was doing 2.5 weeks ago... Plus I have lost 14lbs as of today!!

I have stuck to the 1200 calories... I am pretty new too, and I am confused about the whole eating back calorie thing.. I thought losing weight would mean burning more calories then your taking in.. I have researched it, and there is not deffinate conclusion that I am able to find.. I am gonna just try the 1200 calories for a while, and If i start to feel tired, I will try to eating back my calories... Trial and error, i suppose..

bump

I will be starting phentermine tomorrow. My doctor suggested it, after hearing of my ongoing struggle, despite counting calories, watching sodium to keep bp low, and working out 4-5 times a week. I am not a person who typically indulges or supports taking medications, I will try and avoid it at all costs. However, I feel that I really need a kick start to get me going, in combination with continuing and being more vigilant with my change in lifestyle. My doctor was quick to point out the many possible side effects and to suggest that I only start with 1/2 a pill a day. She also requires me to come back in for regular checks of heart and lungs.

Everyone reacts to medications differently, so if I have strong side effects I will most certainly discontinue use. That does not mean I think that NO one would benefit from it. I also know there have been some very serious medical issues from use of the product, but working in the health industry, I also know that there are many medications that run that risk. I am going to choose, with all this knowledge, to use this product...but to use it as wisely, and as briefly, as possible. I will be using it as an additional tool, not a crutch to rely on for results.