Dr. Fett...phentermine

[agm324]

Dr. Fett,

There is a doctor in our city that is doing a weight loss program in his office. Several members of my sister in law's family is on the program. My mother has now joined as well. All of them are losing weight...the doctor is prescribing phentermine along with an eating plan and exercise plan. I took Phen Phen back in the day and lost lots of weight.. but then heard of all the heart trouble it caused. My question is... is it safe for me take this medication? I am fully recovered.. with an EF of 61%. I am off all meds and have been for 7 months. I think my health would be a lot better if I could lose some of this weight. For me it is getting the weight off.. last time, I kept is off for years. Anyway.. I am really leaning toward taking this medication. What do you think????

[heartfulloflove]

Hi! A few of us are having success with SparkPeople. I'm astonished at how well it is working for me and it's so easy with shopping lists, weigh-ins and motivations. It's actually kinda fun. Just a thought. After the Phen Phen scare, and even before, diet medications have always worried me.

[agm324]

Thanks for all the input. I went to sparkspeople.com and I love it.. so much good information. We will see how things go.. not going to call the doctor yet!

[margaretinva]

Not to be a downer but I've known 5 people who have been on and off pherntermine for years - it takes the weight off great but you can't stay on it forever so they gain weight and then go back on it. As with any weight control medication if you don't change your lifestyle and eating habits the weight will come back on again. In micromedex it says a common adverse reaction is finding of increased blood pressure, Palpitations, Tachyarrhythmia and is contraindicated in patients with heart disease - so while your EF is normal why take the chance.

[mikeyandBellesmommy]

I KNOW how you feel I would love to take something to help me lose weight BUT NONE of the weight loss drugs are good for you.. We have to just do it naturally! UGGHH why can't I just be skinny..

[heartfulloflove]

Yes, all dangers aside, any weight loss drug usually produces temporary results that go away when you stop the medication. :(

I'm glad you checked out SparkPeople! I've got my hubby on there now and he is looking forward to joining me. I see myself using it just as a healthy lifestyle site long after I reach my weight goals.

[JAMESFETT]

Be careful with any weight loss medication. We are still looking for an effective and safe medication. I think that phentermine is dangerous to use, and may in itself be associated with adverse effects related to the heart--I haven't researched the issue for quite a long time, so I am offering you an opinion only. My advice is just be very careful. Wonderful that you have experienced healing from PPCM!

JDF

[steph]

I tried phentermine back when I didn't think there was anything wrong with my heart, and it sent me to the ER with palps that wouldn't stop. A little about my story. I was diagnosed after my 2nd, but in retrospect all of my docs (and myself) believe the diagnosis was missed with my 1st. (In fact, I had WAY more symptoms and cannot believe no one picked up on anything. I had chest pain, gained 70 lbs that I lost right after birth, legs were so swollen they checked twice for DVT, SOB, couldn't sleep lying down so they sat me up, had diarhhea and vomited pink froth for 3-4 days after my c-section, was diagnosed with bronchitis and then exercise-induced asthma... And they basically told me to buck-up, that birth was difficult and I was an older mother). Anyway, I digress, but over time I did start to feel better. About 4 years after having my first I tried phentermine and like I said, ended up in the ER. They didn't find anything wrong, but when they looked back at my EKG and they could see there were potential signs of previous damage.

So, I would say to be very careful. The consensus was that phentermine, although considered safe for healthy people, probably had more of an effect on my already compromised heart.

Hope this helps!

Steph