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Re: phentermine questionsFrom: Avalos (anonymous@obgyn.net)Tue, 6 Jun 2000 14:44:07 -0500
OK, I don't want to negate any positive effects of phentermine, and if it has worked and continues to work for people out there, then that is wonderful. Some points to consider: None of the insurance companies that I have had would cover phentermine , no matter which of my physicians wanted to prescribe it. When I called and asked, they explained (this is the abbreviated version) that this medication is used in conjunction with weight loss and weight maintenance programs that are not covered by insurance. (Interestingly, my insurance companies do cover xenical and meridia, so again, even though I am not a big fan of the insurance companies, I still wonder why that is....). Also, I paid $72.00 per month for it, not the $10.00 that you state, so it seems to me that prices can depend on circumstances. Phentermine can and does affect the heart. Common side effects are palpitations and rapid heartbeat, and each of the two doctors that prescribed it to me made it very clear that if I felt either of those effects, that I should discontinue use immediately and contact them. More importantly, a common side effect of PCOS is high blood pressure. And, coincidentally, doctors who prescribe phentermine warn patients with high blood pressure that phentermine could further elevate their conditions and may be harmful to them, hence my concern that phentermine is not the magic answer for those of us who have PCOS... Whether or not phentermine affects serotonin, I am not sure; I do know that I have looked up the class of serotonin enhancers on the web, and while I have found paxil, zoloft, prozac, and a couple of others, I have not yet seen phentermine listed as a part of that group. I did ask my pharmacist what phentermine was and he likened it to speed. I have a friend who is a sales executive at a prominent pharmaceutical company, and she said the same thing. Also, when I told her that I was taking it to lose weight, she warned me against this (and she sells the stuff...) This was all about seven months ago, in November of 1999. It made sense to me that it be described as a speed-type drug, since the side effects from phentermine are similar to those caused by over-the-counter weight loss products....(Also, in my state, it can only be prescribed in 30-day dosages, since it is classified as a highly addictive drug.... State law in Virginia requires doctors who prescribe phentermine to examine their patients every thirty days, and will not allow a doctor to renew a prescription without that routine follow-up exam.... that is a bit worrisome to me.) I'm no expert, but I was concerned enough about my blood pressure and the possibility of damage to my heart to stop taking phentermine (and my friend's warning also shocked me, since she, as a pharmaceutical exec. often will tell me great things about medications that are out there!). Also, I am one of those people who have a LOT of weight to lose. Phentermine, at the highest allowable/recommended dosage, did not help me lose more than 35 pounds each time I took it... so its effects on me were not as good as everyone had hoped, and it did nothing except make me ignore food. My story with phentermine is by no means a horror story. I've just raised concerns about a drug that is touted for weight loss, that has potentially serious side effects and could be harmful to many people out there, and whose effects are reversed once the dosage is eliminated. I have no problem with having to take medications for life to deal with a problem that will always be with me (lots of people have to do that, as do I with Metformin and Spironolactone); I just don't think phentermine is the answer for PCOS. With us, it is more than just losing the weight associated with PCOS. It is about making the choices that will help our bodies, not be potentially hazardous. I just want to get this information out in case women who read this board are considering taking phentermine... Just be careful, and monitor your blood pressure and your intake of the drug. That's all... I don't mean to offend anyone, my concerns are 100% health and safety related. Clara -----Original Message----- From: anonymous@obgyn.net [mailto:anonymous@obgyn.net Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 2:52 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PCOS Subject: Re: phentermine questions
Phentermine is the appetite suppressant part of the "phen-fen" combo.
The "fen" part (fenfluramine-Ionomin) is an antidepressant. I never
took that part of it. Contrary to popular belief, phentermine is not an
amphetemine (speed) any more than caffeine or sugar are. Phentermine is
an appetite suppressant that changes the seratonin levels of the brain.
If you want to use phentermine, you have to take it forever. The weight
quickly comes back after you quit. I have been on it for the past seven
years, and I can say that I haven't had to up the dosage at all. I take
30mg. every morning. I started out at 175lbs. (I'm 5'8") and was down
to 145 in about six months. I've been able to maintain my weight
between 145 and 150 for the past seven years. I tried quitting it once,
but I quickly gained 10 pounds. My doctor told me that the steriods
(androgen) racing through your system with pcos will make you gain
weight no matter how much you eat. This made sense to me since I have
always played every sport there is and am very active, but I've always
had a weight problem, even when cutting down to 1,000-1,200 calories a
day for long periods of time. My problem has never been will power.
I was only diagnosed with pcos three years ago. The four years I took
phentermine previous to that, my regular doctor monitored me closely.
Phentermine can make your blood pressure rise. Mine stays at about
90/50. I also run two miles a day, 6 or 7 days a week. I don't have
any more energy than I normally had before. Actually, coffee affects me
more in that respect than phentermine does.
>From the 25 years of research that I've been able to dig through, I
At Mon, 05 Jun 2000, A wrote:
>
-- kari
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