My Dr. Won't Prescribe

[Lorin]

My doctor's nurse just returned my phone call in which I was asking for a prescription for Phentermine. He does not write prescriptions for this drug. He says it is not beneficial. Any benefits, he says, are outweighed the the risks.

My question: What are the risks? Aren't there risks with anything like this?

What is the history of this drug?

I have tried to research it, but whatever I pull up on Google or whatever are simple advertisements for it.

Thank you to anyone who can answer my questions!

-Lorin

[Pretty Lola]

I'm sure you've already tried this, but have you typed in "dangerous" and "risks" or "complaints" along with the word "phentermine" when you google it? I did some internet research before I started taking it too, and did find quite a bit of info online including other chatrooms and a basic history of phen's use without any problem. You can also do a search at this chatroom if you have a specific question about the phen. I *personally* would think that any risks associated with phen would be because it's in the amphetamine family...so of course anybody with heart problems or anything like that is going to have trouble.

My GP wouldn't prescribe it either, but I was approved through an online physician. The only con to that is that you pay a lot more than you would at the pharmacy. But even with the online doctors, you can ask questions and they WILL turn you down if you're not a good candidate. HTH

[Lorin]

Thank you for the response! I'm gonna go do all that now.

Are there any doctors that will prescribe? Maybe I could go to my OB-GYN instead of my GP. Does insurance even cover this medication? I hadn't thought about that. It's certainly quite pricey, but if you're only supposed to be on it 3 months, you need only buy that amount, right?

Thanks again!! I'm off to do research.

[Pretty Lola]

I don't know about the Ob/Gyn unless they've delivered your baby recently and you've been talking to them about pregnancy weight gain...? You can always make some calls around to different GP's and switch over to one that does prescribe it. I don't know if the insurance picks up the tab or if it's just less expensive because it's prescribed and picked up at a pharmacy. Maybe somebody else here knows. Did your GP tell you that YOU aren't a good candidate, or does he just not prescribe it at all? Mine just doesn't prescribe it period.

One thing if you DO order it online, don't get the full 3 month supply- you can't return it if you don't like it or if the phen wears off and you need to up your dosage. You'll be out all that cash. Just try it for one month. A lot of people order the 15mg and then up to the 30mg and then the 37.5mg after a while since it loses its effectiveness. I *think* the 3-month limit is there because by that time people should've used the phen to develop healthy habits that they can do on their own instead of depending on phen to help them lose weight forever. If you can't lose or maintain on your own, you'll gain it all back once you go off the phen!

Good luck, hope you find some answers on google!

[Babygirl78]

IF you really want to know the risks and dangers or experiences of this medication, you can find it out there.

However thats not why Im replying. Your topic caught my attention, so Im going to give my 2 cents worth.

Dont let your dr not giving you a ** for it be discouraging. I started out at 226, went to my dr of 4 years and she said NO, so I went to 3 others, they all said NO. That for me, at 226, it wasnt worth the risks etc etc. So I said "ok, I cant get this med to help me, lets see what I can do on my own" So I started on Jan 2, 2003, just over 200 lbs. I changed my eating habits, cut out all pop and extra junk. Set up an account at fitday.com and kept track of EVERYTHING that went into mouth. I added that thing called Excercise to my daily routine and ended up loving it. By june of 2003 I was down to my goal weight of 155 and in a size 6. Never took phen or anything else. The people here was just nice enough to let me stay around and give/get support here on my journey.

Ive kept most of it off, I am slightly up right now with the holidays,(at 168) lack of time and not enough workouts. But I know what I have to do to get right back to that point of 160 I been hanging at. (weight training added some pounds but for the good)

So what I'm saying is, dont give up. I am living proof that you can do this on your own w/o meds to help ya. I use to be 254 lbs and a size 26, you are no where near that girl. Get up and get going and you will be back to that goal in no time.
Best of luck to ya, hope it all works out for ya. DONT FORGET TO DRINK YOUR WATER.

[Fi]

It is very hard to find a Dr. who will prescribe this for you because it is an amphetamine. Sometimes, if you find an older dr...aka old school dr..then they might prescribe bc when they are used to prescribing whhat patients ask for...new dr.s...usually dont..if u understand what i mean. So, try finding another dr. And, insurance did not pay for my phentermine. I dont think it will. Good luck.

[Fi]

http://phentermine.**********/

go there

*Felicia*

[Lorin]

Babygirl ... thank you so much for your post. It was quite inspiring!! You make me feel as though I can actually do it.

I lost the weight once before by working out. Eating remains pretty stable, but working out is what did it for me (the 175 picture in my profile). However, 2003 was a rotten year for me and I lost my work-out habit that I had formed due to the inability to get to the gym. Then, at the end of 2003 I quit smoking. So, I put about 20-25 on from not working out and another 10-15 from quitting smoking. Now, my workout motivation is ZIP. I wanted to try Phen to give me that jump start that Ephedrine did four years ago.

Anyway, sorry for rambling. I am going to really give this a go. I have to get my butt moving!!

Thanks again!!!

[Lorin]

P.S. I joined FitDay (bought the 19.99 download) and am working my through it as I speak. This looks like a good start! (Thanks for this tip also!)

[Lorin]

Felicia, thank you also for your post. I'm checking out that website right now.

I appreciate all of you responding!! How helpful!

-Lorin

[Lorin]

Pretty Lola ... thank you for the information on the dosage and what to avoid. If I do decide to go the Phen route...I will take your advice and start small to see if it even works for me.

[FireplaceNut]

Hi Lorin...That pic looks great...must be great motivation for you. Good luck with whatever plan you choose.

Re: doctors not prescribing phen easily...has to be because the phen drug reps. aren't visiting them enough. All of my friends can get every anti-depresent medicine without even a second thought. This is because of the front-row tickets that the drug reps give the doctors to the basketball games, etc. I know b/c my mother-in-law is a nurse and tells it to me straight.

Unless you have high blood pressure or a heart problem, I would order phen or a similiar product online. It will get you jump-started. It is encouraging when you lose weight quicker and then gives you more motivation to exercise more, etc.

Good luck to you!

[Lorin]

Fire ... your pictures are great as well! (Thanks for the compliment, by the way.)

I kinda feel like that little "jump start" might be just what I need to get the exercise bug back. I was such a work-out nut, it's hard to believe I don't go any more. I was literally addicted to the gym!! So, I know it's in me - I just have to get it back.

I would like to combine all of it - Phen, exercise and healthy eating habits. I just know Phen will give me the starting motivation I need. 2-3 Months tops, is what I expect to be on it for and then I'll be on my way to a healthier me!

Thanks for the input and advice!!

Oh, PS, I have very good blood pressure and no heart conditions to worry about. Thanks for the info!

-Lorin

[beckyinvb]

Bariatric doctors specialize in weight management. They originally prescribed Phen to me last time I lost weight. My regular doctor finally prescribed it for me and saw the results last time I went in. I stepped up my workouts and Phen just helped get the appetite under control. I agree with the comments above about drug companies. Phen has been around since the 1970's. To me, it's safer than many drugs on the market today (look at Vioxx!). With many of the cholesterol drugs out today--we don't know the long-term affects. If Phen can help you keep the weight off and your cholesterol down, who's to say that's not better than taking Lipitor? I found some good articles on www.fatnews.com with a lot of info about Phen. I know if I stop working out I'll gain the weight back with or without Phen. Also, my doctor initially prescribed the 15 MG because I have elevated blood pressure. I didn't really get any benefit and upped the dosage to 30 MG. From what I understand, the 30 MG is the generic of Iomenin (sp?) which is slow release. The 37.5 MG is Adipex which is not slow release. Because of my high blood pressure, I intend to stick with the 30 MG and just take it off and on as I need it. I really need it over Christmas with my mom's Italian cookies!

[Lorin]

Rebecca, thank you for this information. That makes me feel a little bit better. I'm thinking of ordering the 30mg and cut in half for the first week, then up it to the regular dosage the second. (Does this make sense or should I just start at 30mg)?

Yeah, the holidays are brutal to the waistline!!

I'm heading off to look at that website now...thanks!!

-Lorin

[Lorin]

K ... I got another question. What is the difference between the yellow 30mg pill and the blue/clear 30mg pill?? I'm confused!!

Thanks!!

[Lorin]

Sheesh, I'm getting annoying!! Now, as I'm trying to order every place I go online asks for my primary care physician's name and phone number so they can verify the prescription! HUH? He won't verify it. I don't know what to do now.

(Sorry for all my posts ... I'm just confused - which is obvious.)

THANKS!

[beckyinvb]

The difference in the capsules is they are from different manufacturers. I think they are the same - I have both because I ordered from two different places. If you order the capsules, you can't cut them in half. The 37.5 MG come in caplet form that some people do cut in half and take half in the morning and half after lunch. Good luck!