Phentermine

essbee · 02-13-2012, 11:16 AM

So those of you that have taken it, yes or no? I went to a weight loss doctor today and he pretty much seemed like a pill pusher. I have been researching Phentermine for the past week or so and reading the reviews both here and elsewhere and I'm absolutely terrified of gaining the weight back after losing it. At the same time, I'm desperate to shed the pounds.

I expressed my concerns to the doctor and he said plainly that, yes I will gain the weight back after unless I "run a marathon everyday." When I asked about how he prescribes it (x amount of months on, x off), he told me he doesn't do that and will basically give it whenever you want/need it. The guy was friendly, but I don't know... He just seems like a total pill pusher. Part of me wants to try it with the first month's supply and kind of jump start my efforts, but again I'm afraid. Another thing, this doctor automatically starts you off at the highest dosage. He said we're all there to lose weight, so why not.

I've been working on a lifestyle change where both food and exercise are concerned, but I'm afraid that by taking this medicine, I will be taking one step forward and two backwards in the long run. Any additional input, suggestions, opinions or experiences are greatly appreciated!

Immafatty · 02-23-2012, 04:21 PM

well I starting taking phentermine this week...I am only on day 2...so i guess we will see where this takes me. I been working out and watching what I eat. I am actually not even hungry but I force myself to eat every 3 hours (something small). I know this might not be healthy but I been doing Lean Shake 25(bought at GNC) for my meal replacements. and yogurts as my snacks. I am trying to lose 100 lbs. so I hope I stay motivated to reach my goal. mY Dr is also giving me B12 shots once a month... I have the options to get two, but Im going to see how my first month goes. I have took this pill before and lost 48 lbs in 2 and half months..I kept the weight off for a few years then just gained it all back. I think it is all about how you eat..there is no magic pill but this does help with my hunger.

Ame D · 02-23-2012, 04:27 PM

I am planning to request this at my appt with my doctor next week. It was offered to me before, and then he reneg'd and offered to sell me some Medifast instead! Kind of a conflict of interest, I felt.

I am apparently "grossly obese" according to multiple doctors I see and need to lose 75-100lbs or something insanely daunting. I know a few friends that lost significant weight with this medication, and I am hoping that maybe a combination of this and something else will help me finally break through the 50 lbs I keep gaining and losing. And keep it off when I get there.

It is my understanding though that you can only take this for a few weeks at a time?

Immafatty · 02-23-2012, 05:24 PM

I need to lose 75-100 too!! and I know it is going to suck! BUT I am going to stick to this crap and get it over with..so I guess I am grossly obese too ha...I work with skinny chicks that eat allllllllllllllllllllllllllllll day and never gain weight.. i always tell them I hope they blow up :/ ha...it is just so hard to be around food all the time in a office and not eat it...these pills have helped a lot with that. I am planning on walking today after work... I just wish there was a faster way to lose weight....like maybe....go to sleep and wake up perfect?

I am on this website to stay focused...not really sure how to work it yet or how to talk to people so I guess I will just randomly post stuff.

Is anyone else taking this pill right now???

astrophe · 02-23-2012, 05:47 PM

Your guy does sound a bit too carefree with it, esbee.

I've struggled with PCOS/IR/Hypothyroid obesity for 20 years. For the first 10 I didn't even know WHY it was so hard because I didn't have the dx. Then I got the dx but took a TTC detour and made it through a high risk pregnancy, infancy, extended nursing etc. My hormones were a wreck and I regained over those years.

Anyway, I'm trying to focus on my own needs now.The first time my GP suggested it in my mid 20's and I said no thanks and that was it for that. I was wanting to lose weight and TTC and I didn't want to think about extra meds in my system. You are NOT supposed to get pregnant on phen!

Many years later my endoc brought it up and I took 2 years thinking it over. I'm mid 30's now. I finally agreed and together we decided on a Feb, Mar and April run and she'd evaluate me at my check up. So it wasn't a decision I made lightly and it was for a supervised short run. I don't want it after my April check up!

She warned me it isn't a magic pill, and that I still need to manage my exercise and food log or else I'll regain again. I'm supposed to call the office if I feel weird at any time. It's a restricted substance and one of her nurses had to clear it with my insurance too.

My side effects are dry mouth mostly.

I've lost 5 lbs this first month and I'm happy with that. I wasn't expecting miracles. Usually I fight to not GAIN!

It does help with appetite suppression for me and with the IR, that's a huge relief. It's fighting the RAVENOUS hunger that drove me crazy. I'm hoping to lose enough while on this phentermine tool to get the IR to improve some from weight lost, and with a better IR be able to continue the rest of the way without the Phen.

I was expecting the appetite suppressant part. I did not expect the much better sleep! I struggled with afternoon fatigue and now I can get through it without a nap. Which means I can sleep properly at night instead of being night owly. I feel rested when I get up, and can actually get stuff done like my workouts, errands and so on.

(PCOS fatigue is another huge obstacle -- not just the crazy IR hunger. )

So while my experience so far is positive, I really want to get to the place in April where I'm OFF it. Diet drugs make me leery. To me it's a last resort, not a first pick.

I'm glad I'm being monitored but I'll be gladder off it.

A.

ghlover · 02-29-2012, 01:46 PM

Is Phetermine legal?

Immafatty · 02-29-2012, 04:34 PM

yes it is legal.....you get it from a weight loss doctor....or a doctor.

Stephanie7878 · 03-01-2012, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by essbee

So those of you that have taken it, yes or no? I went to a weight loss doctor today and he pretty much seemed like a pill pusher. I have been researching Phentermine for the past week or so and reading the reviews both here and elsewhere and I'm absolutely terrified of gaining the weight back after losing it. At the same time, I'm desperate to shed the pounds.

I expressed my concerns to the doctor and he said plainly that, yes I will gain the weight back after unless I "run a marathon everyday." When I asked about how he prescribes it (x amount of months on, x off), he told me he doesn't do that and will basically give it whenever you want/need it. The guy was friendly, but I don't know... He just seems like a total pill pusher. Part of me wants to try it with the first month's supply and kind of jump start my efforts, but again I'm afraid. Another thing, this doctor automatically starts you off at the highest dosage. He said we're all there to lose weight, so why not.

I've been working on a lifestyle change where both food and exercise are concerned, but I'm afraid that by taking this medicine, I will be taking one step forward and two backwards in the long run. Any additional input, suggestions, opinions or experiences are greatly appreciated!

I have taken it on and off for years but have gain the weight back everytime, but my doctor said 2 refills only then off for a month.

astrophe · 03-02-2012, 04:07 PM

Yes, it is legal but it is a controlled substance. My doc has me on a half tablet for a short run to see if it helps. I thought it over for 2 years before taking the plunge.

My first time on it and I'm a little leery but it is helping with the crazy hunger from the PCOS/IR. I'm looking forward to coming off. Hoping that I lose enough on it so that the IR chills out some so I can go the rest of the way alone.

A.

ringmaster · 03-04-2012, 08:14 PM

would a regular doctor be able to give a script for this? how overweight do you need to be for them to give it to you?

Zumbachica · 03-04-2012, 08:38 PM

Ringmaster, there is no rule about how overweight you need to be to take it. I was not a big girl by most standards and found some diet doctor that was more than happy to take my money for the pills. It was one of the more stupider things I have done in my life. Phentermine works...no doubt about it. Side effects are usually dry mouth, palpitation, insomnia and a lot of people get cranky while on it. In the beginning it works great, but then your body gets used to it and it doesn't work as well. The drug is not meant to be used forever, I think the recommended time to be on it is six to eight weeks..it is supposed to make it easier to make lifestyle changes. I don't want to burst anyone's bubble here but I know many people who have taken it, and they all put the weight back on when they stopped. I also think the drug has side effects we aren't told about.....like it effecting our hormones. To each his own, just know that is a tool to help you, not the only thing to help you. YOu are still going to watch what you eat and exercise.

98DaysOfSummer · 03-05-2012, 08:40 AM

I find it's a good appetite suppressant/energy boost WHILE YOU GET YOUR NEW HABITS IN PLACE. It is JUST like ANY other weight loss method - if you go back to your old habits, you will go back to your old body. Don't blame the method, you know?

As for me, it makes me mean and cranky so it's just not an option now that I have a child I don't want to scar for life and a husband I don't want to run off.

ringmaster · 03-05-2012, 12:58 PM

people that regained, is it just from going back to old food habits and lack of exercise (from less energy)? there is no boost to your metabolism or any magic in the pill that just melts the fat, right?

IronsInTheFire · 03-12-2012, 04:19 PM

I took phentermine in the past, and it worked beautifully. I will say that it gave me splitting headaches if I didn't drink enough water, and if I didn't exercise...the extra energy made me jittery. I'm on Phenobestin now, which is non-prescription and supposed to be similar to phentermine. So far, no headache, no dry mouth...but I do have the jitters. Time to get out of this classroom for the day and work some of that energy off!

tugelia · 03-13-2012, 01:50 AM

I'm taking phentermine at the moment, and I think what you get out of it is entirely based on your attitude to it.

The first time I took it, years ago, I lost 8kgs in two weeks (which was a lot considering I was only 4kgs overweight when I started). I slowly slipped back into old eating habits and put 5kgs back on within a few months (and kept gaining thereafter!)

I started taking it again last week and have so far lost 3kgs in 6 days. I think the best way to look at it is as a tool to wipe the slate clean and start a blank canvas. As sad as it sounds I think I was actually addicted to junk food and coke and when I take Duromine I don't have cravings at all! I never feel hungry and I have to literally FORCE myself to eat (which I assure you, has never been a problem before haha). It's so much easier to apply yourself to a healthy diet of five small meals a day when you're not craving junk and you never feel hungry. Once the habit is formed the idea is you will no longer need the phentermine, you will have adopted the tools needed for discipline and portion control. And that's where the work starts!

As for the side effects - to me the biggest was the constant thirst. On the upside though I drink in excess of 3 litres a day now! I also experience a fair bit of nausea but a lot of the time it's only when I forget to eat. I'm a bit of a control freak and sometimes I notice that my head feels really "thick" and foggy which I don't like at all but in the end none of the effects aren't manageable.

I've struggled with weight my whole life and I've learnt that the only way I'm going to lose it is to love myself at the size I am now, and love myself more 1kg down at a time.