Obesity Discussion Forums

[JerseyGirl]

The scary thing is that no one knows the long term health implications this drug could possibly cause.

That's my #1 reason of not taking stuff. Besides, I'm not big on popping pills or downing any drugs, even over the counter ones.

[johnita36]

I have to agree with you JerseyGirl no one really knows what the long term effects could be. Also having read some of these side effects this particular drug can cause is just very scary. While I know it doesn't cause it for every single patient just the fact that it could cause issues with your heart is scary. I still also think the key even if one decides to take this pill is to make sure you make a lifestyle change while using the medication as a tool to help you so when you go off the medication you won't gain the weight back.



Johnita

[JerseyGirl]

Johnita,

Agreed! Anything that could potentially do any harm, especially to the heart, is very scary!

I don't know - maybe it's just me. It's been 4 years today that i quit smoking cigarettes. People would say to me, "so, how did you quit?" And I would say, "cold turkey". Then I would hear, "what, no medication at all?". I said, "no - you just have to put your mind to it".

I kind of think weight loss is the same thing. I feel that pills can be a psychological crutch for some people. And I feel that at some point, you have to get off of pills! And that's just another habit you have to break. Good Lord, it's hard enough to break any bad habit. I sure don't need another bad habit to add to my pile!

[Evan]

I agree the long term effects are indeed scary, But you shouldnt take them for an excess of 3 months according to the FDA, that being said my doctor put me on them for 6 months. Sometimes people need that extra boost. Considering it is chemicaly similur to speed Its deffinetly not good for your body but neither is being 453lbs and I understand theres natural ways to lose weight but for me atleast, Im still young and resilient and I dont wanna take any unneccisary time trying to gain my life back. Any and all boosts are helpful at any risk.

"We avoid risk in life to make it saftley to death".

[MichaelB]

Evan, for what it's worth, not only is it healthier to go about losing the weight in a slower, more controlled fashion, but it gives you time to learn the habits and change the behaviors that got you to your current position in the first place.

As far as being "young and resilient", well, your weight is already putting a great strain on your body. I'm sure the phentermine isn't all that great on your heart.

Be careful. Lost weight is no good if it gets you dead.

[Evan]

Maybe it all depepnds on how you look at things then, cause to me Id rather be dead then live this way much longer. Its scarier for me to live this way then to risk my life to get better.I mean constant fear of being intimate with my girlfriend or having to act like a tough guy in public when Im not even close to a tough guy just so I dont have to handle ridicule. I cant live life scared and hiding. I suppose some people value life so highly its not worth the risk. But when you become scared to be close to the one you love or embaressed or have to put on a phisade to hide from the world thats not living, and I know not everyone does that but Im at that point where I do for a defense mechanism. so I guess I retract what I said about the pill think long and hard befor you take it if its worth the risk to you.

[MichaelB]

I understand where you're coming from...just be careful and realize that you're putting your heart into a stressed / compromised state. The combination of intense workouts and these sorts of drugs can end up in cardiac arrest.

At the same time, it's important to do what works for you. I used Alli when I was losing weight and it worked wonders. It has it's own complications...you just learn to adjust and deal with them.

In any case, I know that whatever combination works for you, you'll be successful if you put your mind to it and are persistent in working toward your goal. Just keep in contact with your doctor throughout the process and ask him for advice / guidance if you notice complications or anything changing for the worse.

[JerseyGirl]

Originally Posted by Evan

I agree the long term effects are indeed scary, But you shouldnt take them for an excess of 3 months according to the FDA, that being said my doctor put me on them for 6 months. Sometimes people need that extra boost. Considering it is chemicaly similur to speed Its deffinetly not good for your body but neither is being 453lbs and I understand theres natural ways to lose weight but for me atleast, Im still young and resilient and I dont wanna take any unneccisary time trying to gain my life back. Any and all boosts are helpful at any risk.

"We avoid risk in life to make it saftley to death".

I understand why you chose the diet pills. And I am sure your physician is monitoring you very carefully. You know your body better than any of us here - you do what is right for you. I wish you much success! Keep us posted

[monique]

I agree with what Johnita and others have said that any medication for weight loss needs to be IN ADDITION to a healthy diet and exercise program, because otherwise it just won't work in the long run.

As for whether or not to take a specific medication, I'm sure Evan and his doctor know at least as much as we all do about it so I'm going to assume he knows best what's right for him.

But Evan, I was so saddened to read that you think death might be preferable to living with obesity?!?! Please remember that you have people who love you, a girlfriend who it sounds like is there for you and willing to deal with your intimacy issues (and those are NOT just a problem for obese folks, just so you know, sex is so complicated emotionally for so many people regardless of their size!) and a family that's rooting for you and a doctor on your side! If you ever find yourself feeling suicidal remember those people and trust that you are a valuable and beloved part of their lives!

If being obese was really as horrible as people claim in their darkest moments, there would not be so many of us out there! I have had a good life so far and being obese has not really held me back! Every time I ate a piece of cake or took the elevator instead of the stairs I was proving that I didn't feel like I had to change and I was satisfied with staying the way I was. Now I am seeing my 30th birthday on the horizon and wanting to have kids, and finally trying to improve my health and it is not easy! I believe it's worth the work to try and be as healthy as I can and hopefully live a long life, but we need to stop thinking of our size as controlling our lives when it's the other way around! You can be fat and happy or thin and miserable, if you want to be healthy and happy you need to love yourself and respect yourself and believe you are worth the work of losing weight!

We got ourselves fat and we can get ourselves thin! This isn't something that was done to us, it's something we did to ourselves that we are in control of! You're recognizing your control over your own body and that's a good and empowering thing! A medication or a surgery or a personal trainer can help you on your way, but it's still YOU that has to actually make the choices and do the work, and you can absolutely do it!

If I can lose weight when I wasn't even that sure I was willing to give up my comfy fat lifestlye, then I truly think anyone can! If you're determined (not to say stubborn!) and it's a priority, you will not let yourself give up!

~Monique

[Evan]

Originally Posted by monique

I agree with what Johnita and others have said that any medication for weight loss needs to be IN ADDITION to a healthy diet and exercise program, because otherwise it just won't work in the long run.

As for whether or not to take a specific medication, I'm sure Evan and his doctor know at least as much as we all do about it so I'm going to assume he knows best what's right for him.

But Evan, I was so saddened to read that you think death might be preferable to living with obesity?!?! Please remember that you have people who love you, a girlfriend who it sounds like is there for you and willing to deal with your intimacy issues (and those are NOT just a problem for obese folks, just so you know, sex is so complicated emotionally for so many people regardless of their size!) and a family that's rooting for you and a doctor on your side! If you ever find yourself feeling suicidal remember those people and trust that you are a valuable and beloved part of their lives!

If being obese was really as horrible as people claim in their darkest moments, there would not be so many of us out there! I have had a good life so far and being obese has not really held me back! Every time I ate a piece of cake or took the elevator instead of the stairs I was proving that I didn't feel like I had to change and I was satisfied with staying the way I was. Now I am seeing my 30th birthday on the horizon and wanting to have kids, and finally trying to improve my health and it is not easy! I believe it's worth the work to try and be as healthy as I can and hopefully live a long life, but we need to stop thinking of our size as controlling our lives when it's the other way around! You can be fat and happy or thin and miserable, if you want to be healthy and happy you need to love yourself and respect yourself and believe you are worth the work of losing weight!

We got ourselves fat and we can get ourselves thin! This isn't something that was done to us, it's something we did to ourselves that we are in control of! You're recognizing your control over your own body and that's a good and empowering thing! A medication or a surgery or a personal trainer can help you on your way, but it's still YOU that has to actually make the choices and do the work, and you can absolutely do it!

If I can lose weight when I wasn't even that sure I was willing to give up my comfy fat lifestlye, then I truly think anyone can! If you're determined (not to say stubborn!) and it's a priority, you will not let yourself give up!

~Monique

Heh Im far from suicidal,I just believe that by any means neccisaryI want toacheiv my goal and if its dangerousthen so be it death isnt the worst thing in the world that could happen to a person.

but yea I still stand by that if you have an extreme amount of weight to lose and your body can handle the stress then it is very helpful along with diet and excersize. Im 12 days or so in to taking it now and Ive completly changed my eating habbits and excersize routine its not instant but the change is significant.

[kelcam]

I have taken them before and I love it. It gave me the energy to get moving and I wasnt hungry. But when I did eat, I didnt eat as much fattening foods as I use to. I went off the pills and kept the wieght off for awhile but then slowly started to gain it back because I was getting lazy inmy good food choices. The best thing I liked the most is that it helped me stop craving soda and drinking plenty of water. I had such a dry mouth when taking them, all I wanted to do was drink water. I actually have an appoinment in 2 weeks to see my doctor to go back on them again.

[Evan]

Originally Posted by kelcam

I have taken them before and I love it. It gave me the energy to get moving and I wasnt hungry. But when I did eat, I didnt eat as much fattening foods as I use to. I went off the pills and kept the wieght off for awhile but then slowly started to gain it back because I was getting lazy inmy good food choices. The best thing I liked the most is that it helped me stop craving soda and drinking plenty of water. I had such a dry mouth when taking them, all I wanted to do was drink water. I actually have an appoinment in 2 weeks to see my doctor to go back on them again.

careful they have addictive properties and yo-yoing on and off them can case alot of problems with your heart and nervous system

[Griffin]

Originally Posted by pharmgirl

As a pharmacy employee I have noticed that most insurance companies are not covering this drug. It makes no sense to me. I'd much rather cover a drug that will help somebody become healthier, rather than cover something much worse. At our pharmacy this drug runs $27.46 for a 1 month supply, which is affordable. However, I don't think this drug is for me.

My insurance company refused to pay the $40/month, but had a policy of paying for weight loss surgery. The big key is finding a place that will fill it at a lower cost. Costco is good, Target filled it for about double the price.

You must combine these with a good weight loss plan. Taking them without changing up your diet won't cause you to lose weight. That sounds like BS, but it's really true. Even day-to-day, if I'm not being good then I won't lose anything. At most, I'll gain less (or gain nothing) from having eaten a lot that day. My doctor actually mentioned this, saying that if I only wanted to take them when I knew I would be having a high-calorie day, that was fine. I was really nervous beforehand, so this helped me a lot at first.