Hi there! I just thought I would jump in on this conversation. I also suggest checking out the buyer beware forum because it has some great threads on diet pills and medications.
I'm the michelle that Sugarholic was referring to.
I currently take Meridia and have done so for about 8 months now. I want to explain though that I need a bit of extra help and my doctor agreed to put me on it after she had seen that I wasn't making any progress on my own. I am hypothyroid and I also have a lung disease which has caused some extensive damage to the lower lobes of my lungs. My doctors agreed that since it was detrimental to my health to lose the weight that they would prescribe meds. I was a candidate for gastric bypass but my doctors didn't dare to put me through another surgery, as I have trouble breathing while under anesthesia and end up on a ventilator afterwards. I also have a hard time "coming to" after a surgery and always end up violently ill so surgery just wasn't an option. I have had better luck while being on Meridia but I am closely monitored by my doctors for any ill effects and so far have had none. I have bloodwork done every 3 months for my thyroid anyway so they also do a panel as well, to check kidney function and stuff like that. I also see my doctor every 4 weeks for a weigh in and blood pressure check. Now not everyone needs a diet pill and I'm not saying that I necessarily NEED it, but it has helped me to become successful, I have formed a healthy eating plan and exercise which I was doing before I was put on the meds with no results. The first month I was on it I lost an astonishing 17 lbs and I could breathe again without all that weight weighing on my chest I especially had problems at night and had to sleep in a recliner to keep the weight off of my chest just so I could breathe. I don't agree in the frivolous taking of medications and I have already voiced my concern to my doctors that once I am out of the seriously obese category (170 lbs) I want off the meds and to attempt the rest of my journey on my own. I stopped taking my meds 2 months ago just to see if I could lose on my own yet and my body was still resistant so I went back on it and have been losing once again. I didn't lose any weight during that time but I did find that I was able to maintain so that was comforting.
If you decide to take any sort of pills I strongly suggest you talk it over with your primary care physician first and have a check up done as well. I don't agree with peopl who order meds such as these over the internet as you can not be assured of their contents and you haven't been screened by a medical professional to see if you are at risk for any of the side effects associated with these drugs. OTC medicines the same thing, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR! I cannot stress this enough it's important it can mean life or death. The things that some of these companies can seriously mess you up.
Now that aside, have you tried to lose weight on your own first? Do you journal your food intake? (I have to turn in my food journal every month to my doctor for review) Do you have an effective exercise routine? This is the way that weight loss should be attempted if you feel there is something wrong and you aren't losing weight see a doctor to first screen for other problems such as low thyroid.
Okay I'm done ranting lol