Magic Pill??
 

As a nurse, someone asked me if I thought an advertisement on tv for a weight loss supplement worked? My answer was "YES it works if you follow the directions." I went on to explain my answer in that on the bottle of every weight loss supplement out there it says "when combined with a sensible diet and exercise program." There is the part of what they are advertising that works. A SENSIBLE DIET AND EXERCISE program is the only way to lose weight. They have us all duped. It amazes me that these companies can sell herbal supplements that can raise your heart rate, give you a stroke or heart attack and put you in a persistent vegetative state for the rest of your life without FDA regulation, but a dog treat or food has to be approved by them. Maybe we should all just become dogs!! We could blame our owners for all the snacks we get and for the lack of exercise. What a life, a dog's life!! Just kidding, but seriously, as a nurse this is upsetting. Any of these drugs that raise your metabolism, in general raise your heart rate. You may or may not be able to handle this depending on your condition. Many of us do not know we have high blood pressure. If you want to take a supplement, take a multivitamin, follow a sensible weight loss plan that includes all food groups and increase your exercise. Have a great life. Happy Weight Loss Journey.

If we had a Post of the Day, this would definitely be it.

This sentence rings especially true:

I've just recently found out that I'm entering the wonderful world of perimenopause :dizzy: and have to start watching my blood pressure. I'm over 40, and heart disease is the leading killer of women my age. :eek: These OTC diet pills, which are touted as 'all natural' (implying 'safe') are NOT safe for those with HBP.

Even if you're not yet 40, it's a good idea to get into the habit of taking your blood pressure on a regular basis - rather than waiting for your annual physical. Most pharmacies and drugstores (including grocery stores with in-store pharmacies) have free, easy to use blood pressure monitors available for customers' use. It has become a habit for me to take my blood pressure whenever I go shopping - I just sit down, stick my arm in the sleeve, push the button and wait - takes less than a minute.

Ladies and gentlemen - I KNOW we all want to lose weight and maintain our losses - but doing it HEALTHFULLY must be paramount. As Lovemylife has so eloquently said - just because these oft-touted pills are 'natural' does NOT mean they are safe, certainly they are not safe for everyone. It's not just LOOKING good - it's FEELING good and being healthy - and setting a great example for others to follow :cool:

Lovemylife--I have tried some "magic pills" in my lifetime and my husband always points out that they work with a "sensible diet and excercise program"

MrsJim--I try to give blood (I'm O+) at least 2x a year if my iron count is high enough. They also check blood pressure. The thing I hate about having my blood pressure taken is just because I am over 200 lbs they assume I have high blood pressure. I take after my Dad who has low blood pressure. My "normal" blood pressure is 100 over 60. I did have some trouble with it when it went up to 145 over 85 which the doctors didn't seem to bothered by since it is in the "normal" for most people range. Hubby pointed out maybe I should cut back on the diet pills and caffiene and it went back down.

You all make such good sense - thank you!! :bravo:

i have to second one of the above posters when they mentioned we often don't know we have high blood pressure. I am 21.5 years old and not "that" overwieght (150s, and i am 5'4") but due to a medication i was taking, i had seriously high blood pressure for someone in their 20s, like 190/100

Exactly! I crack up when I hear/see those ads! DUH... yah... a sensible diet and exercise program and you don't NEED their garbage.

If I could play devil's advocate for a minute here...I do not think all supplements are harmful. If you use them as directed they can be helpful. (And most will tell you up front that you should consult your physician before taking them if you have health issues). I know of a lot of people who have reaped the benefits of supplements (for example, blood sugar formula for diabetics). Though I would never replace doctor-prescribed medication with supplements, I would not have a problem supplement-ing my prescription with something perhaps a bit more natural. That being said, I agree that there is no magic pill that is a cure-all for everyone's health problems and that if we would all eat healthier and exercise perhaps we would not need to supplement our diets with pills.

Just wanted to provide a different perspective on this topic.:)

We were not talking about medicine for health problems, though.... the discussion is about "magic pills" for weight loss. Big difference IMO.

I actually found a magic pill
 

The prescription drug Topamax, which my neurologist gave me in order to reduce the frequency and intensity of my migraine headaches. She told me that weight loss was a side effect since the drug raises your metabolism. In my case, it also killed my appetite. I lost 40 pounds with almost no effort at a steady rate of 2 lbs. per week.

I had to stop taking it though. It gave me a really bad case of "brain fog" - couldn't get up in the morning, couldn't concentrate on anything. Also caused depression, so I had to take it in combination with an antidepressant.

Why did I finally decide to stop taking it? My purse got stolen and I didn't have access to my money in the bank for 3 days. The prescription had just run out. I suddenly realized that I could THINK again. Never went back on it after that. I slowly gained the weight back over time and now have 90 lbs. to lose... again. [sigh]

Just to clarify... "normal" blood pressure is considered to be in the range of 120 over 80 or lower (or some doctors still say 130 over 80). But 145 over 85 is not normal... it is stage one high blood pressure.

Magic pill- Ionamin. PROBLEM over $100.00 a month if you have BC/BS who does not cover it!! 2 lbs a week without thinking. PROBLEM can only take for 3 months at a time over the course of 1 year.

Ionamin is resin based Phentermine....slower release longer lasting and less side effects..... 30 mg. of Ionamin capsule is equal to 37.5 Adipex tablet. it's covered by my prescription insurance

Ya know I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that I think any suppliment would fail if a person insisted on eating all the wrong things and not moving. What I would look for would be something that would assist me in my appetite control and energy levels. What pill is gonna force you to put the HO HO down? You will always have to make better choices and move more, I think some of these pills could help you along.

Since this was in response to my post I will express my opinion... what's wrong with it IMO is that most of them are basically "speed."

Side effects of appetite suppressents: can increase chances for stroke, heart attack, etc, as the initial poster said.

Plus, while they may help you lose weight while you use them, most people seem to regain when they stop shelling out the bucks for them. How helpful is that?

So, you're shelling out hard earned $$ for something that risks your life and health while you take it and most likely will gain the weight back when you stop? That just doesn't make good sense.

LOL Wyllen, as usual you said it SO much better than I did. <G>

Ya know I'm going to have to agree to disagree. For some people the risks of severe obesity out weigh (pardon the pun) the POSSIBLITY of risks from a diet aid. It is unfair to make statements that sound so absolute and final and that have the possiblity of scaring or misinforming people who really need that medical help. You SHOULD be proud of yourself for what you have accomplished and they way you did it, that doesn't mean that a different way isn't just as fabulous.

The problems with diet aids (pills) though is that they don't help anyone maintain long term weight loss. Time and time again, it is the changing of habits instead of the popping of pills that will lead to long term weight loss. If you just take pills but don't learn that you need to change your eating habits permenantly and incorporate regular exercise into your lifestyle, you will endure the risks of taking pills PLUS end up where you were originally.

But "diet aids" are not the only alternative to severe obesity. Unless people learn to eat healthfully and exercise, the weight loss from diet aids may come... temporarily... but according to just about every study source there is, the weight will come right back when they stop taking the aid. Yes, there are different "plans" to accomplish good nutrition and weight loss... but ALL of the effective ones work on the same principle... eat right and exercise. I stand by my opinion on diet aids and "magic pills." Besides, if anyone is really determined to try them they are not going to be swayed by my opinion on an Internet site. :)

I suppose this is an old thread, but one of my biggest pet peeves is when someone claims something is safe simply because it is "all natural." Poisonous mushrooms found in the forest are all natural, it doesn't mean they're safe.

It's unforutnate, but many of these ads pray on people's desperation. I'm sure a lot of intelligent people (Myself included) have wasted money on supplements with the hope that it will be the one thing that gets them over their personal hurdles.

Nope. Nada. No way.

LOL. I was thinking the same thing. A coworker was trying to give me a herb for cold remedy (I had heard of it before) and the thing that came out of her mouth was "it's safe, it's not medicine." HERBS have MEDICINE properties! Furthermore, they aren't regulated so if used incorrectly (or ignorantly) they can be unsafe ESPECIALLY if you don't know the reactions to other drugs or the side effects. I've always felt if you are relatively healthy and you research what you are taking, you should be fine. I'm more likely to ask my doctor though.

Ok, so we mostly all agree that these types of pills will raise your heart rate but I guess I am willing to take that risk.

You see I am in the state of out of control binging and I can not stop. (daily) As I see it...I have 2 options:

1. Go into treatment - where I won't have access to the outside and will be able to gain some control since the food is regulated.

BUT - I don't have insurance...so I could

2. Take something to curb my appetite - which can hopefully help me stop binging

There IS a dietary supplement that actually might help! It is call SlimStyles PGX (no I DON'T work for the company!) and the reason I like is it because it contains ONLY soluble fiber which is processed in a way to absorb water and swell significantly more than other fiber supplements out there on the market. There are no additives at all that increase heart rate, or "speed your metabolism". This is NOT a "metabolic booster". This product was developed by researchers at the University of Toronto in conjunction with the Canadian Center for Functional Medicine. It clearly states that this product is ONLY an aide to appetite suppression and is useful ONLY as part of a calorie reduced diet. Here is a website concerning the research behind it:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medi...p?newsid=10170
and
http://www.smartbomb.com/drmurrayweight.html
Please keep in mind that:
1. I ABSOLUTELY do NOT believe in a magic pill.
2. Herbal medications can be absolutely dangerous, as they are not regulated under the FDA, so you don't really know what you are getting. Ingredients such as "bitter orange" can cause kidney failure, for example.
3. Metabolic "boosters" only borrow energy from tomorow for results today. This DOES catch up with you, and one will generally regain what you have speedily lost.
This fiber product ONLY claims to reduce the sensation of hunger by filling you up with soluble fiber - it bulks up in your stomach by absorbing water and thus makes you feel full with food, when you are really full with fiber. The worst that can happen is your blood cholesterol is lowered and you are more "regular" due to the bump up in fiber intake.
For you, if you want to curb your appetite, this might be one solution. You might want to do some more web research on it. I find it helpful. It is the only "supplement" I even considered taking, because it specifically does NOT contain herbal supplements to "speed things up".
Just a thought!!!!

Nice post!..

they make the lettering so small :mad: It took a long time for me to be this size and I have finally come to the conclusion it will not come off fast!

There was a post in here on Topamax. I would like to throw in my 2 cents on that drug.

First I will say I am sure it is helpful to people and I am not saying DO NOT take it. But I want to share our family's experience with this medications. I don't want anyone to go through what we went through. This might get a little lengthy and for that I do appologize.

My son (now 17) began having severe migraines at the age of 5. They were so severe 99% of them lead to a trip to the emergency room. He would throw up so violently with them he usually ended up getting IV fluids to combat dehydration. He averaged around 4 migraines a week and at least 2 trips a week to the ER. Because of his age they would not use Imitrex, at the time it was not tested for children under 12. I am not sure if it is now or not. They did perscribe something that sometimes worked, I don't recall the name, he has been on SO much medication over the years. But it was a combo drug a narcotic, barbituate, caffiene combo. For the record we had him allergy tested, and triend an elimination diet, none of which could pinpoint the cause of his headaches.

When he was 11 we went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We were there for 4 days of testing. They perscribed Topamax for him as a preventitive. That was in November. I will say his migraines wen from 4 a weeks to 2-3 a month. However, from November until April he went from 90 pounds down to 57. We were giving him supplements, Ensure Malts (Ensure, Ice Cream, choc syrup, malt powder for the biggest caloric punch we could find) and he still dropped weight. That was the least of our problems.

Our son became suicidal. In the course of 6 weeks he made 4 suicide attempts. One of them nearly "successful". My son had undiagnosed depression. The Topamax compunded that problems. I also have a friend who became suicidal while on Topamax. That is one of the side effects of Topamax. I am NOT saying it is a drug that should be taken off the market. But if you or a loved one is taking it, monitor them very closely!! I don't want anyone to go through what we did with our son. Iw as never told this was a side effect...I found out later. It was perscribed by a specialist over 300 miles away and he said "Follow up with your family pediatrician." Our family Ped didn't know much (if anything) about the drug and what things to watch out for. Please PLEASE PLEASE use caution with this drug!!!

I am happy to say that my son's depression has been diagnosed and treated. He will be on medication for the rest of his life...hopefully that will be a long LONG time!!

Yeah no kidding! I did Hydroxy stuff and couldn't sleep very well. BUT after a week I started getting chest pains and became so fatigued I almost couldn't walk. That was enough of that junk!! My friend who's big into nutrition told me companies mix these herbal concoctions up and although there's no ephedra in it, it's just as bad, it can still be very dangerous for your body by overworking your heart and liver.

I can say from an experienced point of view.. "magic pills" do nothing but cause a headache. I went on these hoping to help me lose 30lbs, which it did. BUT, as soon as I went off of them (even though I had changed my eating habits and started exercising) I gained it all back. While I was on them, I was severely moody, tired all the time, I had very bad back pain/arm pain etc. from feeling like I was 'high' all the time. It was a complete rollercoaster.. that ended in nothing more than my weight going down, and then back up. I wouldn't recommed these to ANYONE. If it's too good to be true-it is. And they are dangerous to your health. I know a few people that have taken them and even gotten addicted. I have came to realize that I can't find a quick way out of losing this baby weight. Eating healthy, and exercising are my only way to a healthier me.

I wish I could find a magic pill that would give me the energy to exercise! I took Topomax for seizures...I didn't lose anything except energy! I have a non-functioning thyroid and just started taking meds for it, so I am forever hopeful that my energy level will increase. I went to the doctor when I gained 50 pounds when I quit smoking (10 months and counting) but at this point...I'm ready to start smoking again! How can you exercise when you can barely get out of bed? I've been told cinnamon pills can help boost your metabolism...any truth to that?

A regular multivitamin will help.. or just added B6 & B12 to your diet. They help you function and increase your energy.

I realize that this is an old thread but since I love the "Does it Work" part of the forum but sometimes can't find any thread that makes me really want to comment, I'll comment here.

This is a good thread and I support the majority of the posts here, especially the original one.

I am not new to 3FC (been here with a pause for years under another user name, as the administrators know). Years and years ago, I noticed that 3FC seems to take a position of "there is no magic pill" in regard to diet supplements and I just find that so great, although they allow discussion of the topic.

Many years ago I did try products with ephedra, which actually did for me boost weight loss. Long before they took this substance off the market, I had realized how dangerous and life-threatening this practice was for me because of physical conditions I did not know I had.

I think that's the main premise I saw in one of the posts, people are buying into this magic pill theory, taking this diet supplement and that diet supplement off the internet or the drugstore shelves and they have NO idea what is really in them or what it can do to their bodies.

An exception might be simple fiber tablets (I don't know, as just eating more fiber seems to be better than swallowing pills, to me) and another option is weight loss surgery where there is counseling available long term and even this option is meant to be in conjunction with major lifestyle changes and if there are no lifestyle changes, the WLS can reverse itself.

Some of the pills are prescribed by physicians and I guess that'd be a better way to go, but to me I really wonder if that's a good idea either, because in my opinion, most responsible physicians would understand that the safest and most long lasting weight loss is achieved by lifestyle changes related to diet and exercise and believe me I do realize that doesn't seem to work for everyone either and that there are exceptions to every rule and that the best guide for anyone's personal health care journey is always their personal medical team.

Not meaning to offend anyone. Someone set me a message noting that they used to think in a negative fashion (words to that effect) about posts I had made on here, but truthfully, I'm just interested in the topic of fitness and nutrition and like this part of the forum. However, it bothers me how many threads just seem to be about does the latest pill work and some people politely give their "no magic pill" opinion and other people get slightly mad about that and go away and I really like the sticky stuff here that is a good attempt to explain why there is no magic pill in 3FC's apparent opinion.

The magic pills are eating in the correct manner according to a healthful plan and increasing activity in a healthful manner according to medical advice, over a long period of time, indeed, over a lifetime.

Sorry, just felt like posting to this old, old thread.

I would like to add that I have been taking meridia for the last 6 weeks and have lost 18lbs so far. I will say that there is not a magic pill out there that will take your weight off without changing your life style. I have to write down everything that I eat and increased my exercise workout to 4 times a week. I have to go and see my family physician every 2 weeks to have my blood pressure taken and to be weighed. This was my last resort to try and lose weight due to health reasons I guess I just needed that boost to get me going.

Take care,
Barb :)

Yes, really... Yes, I am looking good, but I am feeling awful because of the backache and always feeling hungry. BUT when I am doing good workouts, I am feeling much better. Maybe sports is the key to success?

Hate to dredge up an old post (the other forum I'm on it apparently REALLY bugs people to see old threads brought back up...me, personally, I couldn't care less) but I have something to add.

A few years ago I started taking a diet pill (I can't remember the name but it was some kind of fat burner or something). At the time I had always had blood pressure that ran low. As someone mentioned above, every time I went for a physical the nurses assumed b/c I was fat that I had hypertension as well...I actually had one nurse apologize to me for thinking that after she had basically made me arm go numb. Anyway, I started taking these pills and right away I felt shaky ALL NIGHT...like bouncing off the walls shaky. I ended up only taking them for a few weeks b/c I couldn't stand the feeling. The next time I went to the doctor, I had high blood pressure!!! Never before had I had a problem w/ it...but now I'm on medication to regulate my blood pressure. Fortunately, w/ my weight loss, my blood pressure has started going down. 5 more pounds and my doctor is going to lower the dosage on my meds. Hopefully by the end of my journey I will be completely free of any blood pressure meds!!!

I wanna hear it from the experts....i was very afraid of those magic pills...i haven't tried it from my entire life!

if you are looking for energy, try taking a liquid vitamin B complex. I get them from walmart. They are basically the same thing as 5 hour energy

Ive tried all kinds of pills but like they say w/o excercise and a sensible diet it ALL COMES BACK.........

Hcg?
 

I realize this is an old thread but I also see new comments. I would like to see if anyone has heard or seen anything on the HCG injections or pills and what everyones thoughts are about this product?

3FC does not support HCG diets as they can be dangerous and definitely aren't the way to sustainable, healthy weight loss.

I studied pharmacology in university and I don't really believe there is a magic pill that will work long term. Often the cause of genetic obesity is neurological and trying to isolate neurons and chemical reactions is a long way off. Other pills probably work short term but I'm a skeptic