Did you tell anyone you were taking Phentermine?

[kballard]

I told my husband, of course, that I was taking this medication, and my sisters (I tell them everything!) but I don't think I'm going to tell any friends or other family. What are your thoughts on that?

[insearchofme]

Hi KBallard--

It's so funny that everyone seems to wondering if we are sharing our use of phen with others. There was a thread a little while back "secret society of phen users" lol. I for one am a member of this secret society. I have told noone ---like you, I usually tell my husband and my sisters everything... but this is a battle that I am waging alone. I have met some great people here on the forum and that sustains my need to talk freely about my weight loss struggle. I do not want to put myself in the position of others judging me and the resentment I would surely feel towards them once the statementsof judgement eventually came hurling my way.... How wonderful it must be for you that you have people who are truly there for you. I wish you all the best.

Renee

[Soon2BThin2008]

My husband is the only one who knows. My family just wouldn't understand. They always thing diet pills are evil and are going to kill me. Anytime I lose a little weight they insist I am on diet pills. My mom even called me one Saturday morning and woke me up to ask me haha. So....for now I will keep this to myself! Thank goodness for you all!

[tinabean]

I told my husband, of course, that I was taking this medication, and my sisters (I tell them everything!) but I don't think I'm going to tell any friends or other family. What are your thoughts on that?

I am so much like you! I also have only told my husband, my mother and my 2 closest sisters. I haven't even told my closest friend and no one at work. I figure I do not need to be judged. I have a good relationship with my doctor. He has told me that the pill is only a tool not an answer. It is true, as my husband keeps reminding me. I am the one who still has to have the will power not to eat as much. I could still just eat because I wasn't hungry. I have gone from 239 lbs. to my current weight today at
169 lbs. I still have 25-30 more to go to reach my dream weight. I am very proud of what I have done. I do think that people would think the pill did all the work, I just do not want to keep explaining myself to people. Everyone is very happy for me for what I have accomplished. Lets leave it at that. The people that really matter in my life know the truth and are very proud of me. Nice to hear from you. Good luck on reaching your goal. I am new to all this. My computer knowledge is growing so I hope I am responding in the correct place so that you will recieve this.
I have great day!
Tina

[benson012094]

My husband knows. I told him so he can know why I am so cranky! I get real fiesty on the pills. Then at dinner he told my mom. I told him, "I wasn't going to tell her", because she gives me such a hard time about it. But those are the only two.

[scatanafas]

I have told noone except my online friends....I don't want to hear a lecture from anyone on how bad diet pills are...and I'm afraid my husband will just sit and worry about me so what he doesn't know won't hurt him. I am an intelligent grown woman and I did research before taking the pills and I think I am taking them in a responsible manner..It has been a rough couple of years and I just need a little help to get the rest of the weight off....I still work out, I still eat fairly well.....so I don't think that I feel "ashamed" or anything, I just don't like anyone all up in my business, for real y'all. I'm like that about alot of things, not just phen.

I just keep the bottle in my purse in case I'm in an accident or I pass out they can look in my bag see what I was on.

[sandys3kids]

I haven't told anyone about the phen. My husband hates to take any type of pills so I didn't want to hear any lectures. I do weight watchers also so he thinks it's just WW that's making me lose all the weight. I've been on phen for about a month and lost 10 pounds so far. I was hoping to lose more before a wedding I have to go to tomorrow but at least I lost the 10. You all are such a great inspiration to me.

[lisa209]

I am just the opposite here. I am so ANTI PILL that I tell everyone I am on phentermine! No one can believe I am actually using medication to assist me because I hate having to rely on meds...I mean I had 3 children completely natural with NO DRUGS....skiing accident ripped up my entire right leg from groin to ankle...refused pills...I just don't want it in me...I don't even take tylenol for headachs! So that has really worked to my advantage. I just am so desperate not to end up like my obese cousins and aunt's. I don't want to die when I am in my 40's...I have worked my tail off my entire life dealing with weight issues...it's time to accept a little help. Since I have started I have had 3 friends go talk to their doctors and a couple of my family members have been in and started weight loss programs with their doctors...so it's actually been good for me. Not that the family is supportive, more jealous but hey whatever motivates them to get healthy! I don't feel ashamed at all. If it's an issue and you NEED help...then you shouldn't feel bad for getting it. Besides..this is prescribed by a doc not just purchased next to the "slimfast".

I am so glad that this forum is here for those of us who really need to vent. It's sad that we can't be supported in this area. We are shunned in society because of our weight and then it's taboo to do what you need to get it off! THAT ****S!

[JustCallMeTan]

I didnt keep it to myself I told my friends that I was taking phen I also told my mom and sister. They all thought it was great that i was doing something about my wieght gain. Because at one time i was small. So I tell people if you need help you need help is what I think.

[kballard]

Thanks for the replies...I'm not sure I'm ashamed of needing the help or ashamed I've let myself go so far out of control that I can't mangement it all by myself. Also, like someone else said, I just don't like anyone in my business! I can totally hear my in-laws and the rest of my family saying, " You don't need to take that stuff! Just don't eat so much!" Thank you all for being so supportive and informational on this board! It really, truly helps to know you're not alone in your struggles!

[countrygirl81]

My husband knows I'm taking it, and he's very supportive. But other than him, I haven't mentioned it to anyone. It's not that I mind people knowing that I'm taking Phen, I just don't particularly care for the way many people act about using something like this to help with weight loss.

With many people, once they find out you're taking Phen, it's like you just can never win with them. If you don't lose weight, they use it to their advantage, saying things like "See, diet pills don't work!". But, if you do lose weight, they make sure to point out that you've done so, ONLY because of the pills, and that it was by no real effort on your part. I know that other people's opinions really shouldn't matter when it comes to something like this, but the comments can definately be upsetting at times. I'm a pretty sensitive person, and I take everything to heart.

The pills are helping me a lot, but they are not the only reason for my weight loss. I am also working hard on learning to eat healthier, as well as getting plenty of exercise. The pills don't produce the results, I do. So, I don't want people to see me, and to just assume that my weight loss is due to the pills. It's not. Sure, they help a lot, but they're not some "magic pill" that requires no effort of my own. Losing weight takes a lot of hard work. It's not some temporary "quick fix" like so many believe it to be.

Sure, if someone was to just come out and ask me if I am taking anything, I will definately tell them. It's not a secret, but at the same time.. I'm not going to run around and just broadcast it to the world.

[lisa209]

The pills are helping me a lot, but they are not the only reason for my weight loss. I am also working hard on learning to eat healthier, as well as getting plenty of exercise. The pills don't produce the results, I do. So, I don't want people to see me, and to just assume that my weight loss is due to the pills. It's not. Sure, they help a lot, but they're not some "magic pill" that requires no effort of my own. Losing weight takes a lot of hard work. It's not some temporary "quick fix" like so many believe it to be.

I totally agree with this! I also make sure everyone knows this too! I send them to this site quite often! I often explain it like this...when you just watch your weight you look at a cookie and say , hmmm I could fit that into my calorie intake for the day....when you are watching your weight and on phen you look at the cookie and think, WHY WOULD I WANT TO! I am not hungry and I need to get my "good" calories in first...if I try to fit that cookie in on top I won't feel well...that's how it feels for me! So It's just makes the choices easier...it's not forcing the weight off, I am! It's not a "magic pill". My goal through my weight loss is to help other's get healthy too. Some people AND I AM DEFINITLY ONE OF THEM!!! need help with the choices. Right now Phen is getting me thru this!

Actually the part of this explanation that gets the most "looks" is this site. I often get asked why I need a support group....My response, if you have a problem with your child you don't go to someone who doesn't have kids for advice...if you have a problem being an addict you go to NA and talk with people who've been there....well this is my "been there" and "going thru it" group. I think it's sad some people don't see weight as important enough to seek help and support. That depresses me...I shouldn't have to explain wanting and needing to talk with people for support. That is the most depressing and frustrating part of this.

[*sabrina*]

I told my husband of course. I also told my MIL, mom, and some online friends. That is it. I honestly don't want people thinking I didn't try. I've been trying very hard, but have been unsuccessful. I just feel like people assume that the medicine does all of the work.

[gottadothis]

I have only told my husband. Alot of my family is judgemental and will always have something to say about it. I might tell them once I reach my goal but for now I want this to be about me not about the phen. I am working hard, very hard and I do not need judgement or any negative vibes. I love my family but this is not something I need to share. I do not know all the meds they take nor do I think it is any of my business... now IF I had a family member that was struggling with their weight like I am, I would totally share to help them but that is not the case my family is super trim.

[JayC]

My husband knows and he is supportive. He knows how hard I try only to get no where. He just wants to see me happy with myself. And a couple of friends know as well but it's irrelevant to family. I don't want to be judged as taking the easy way out because I am not doing that at all. I have tried and tried in the past to lose weight the right way and my weight hardly budges. I am not obese by any means but I am disproportionate I guess you could say. Most of my weight is in my stomach, hips and thighs and for my height, it's an issue. I am not happy with it. I am using phen as a jumpstart I guess you could say. I am not just taking a magic pill and watching the weight come off because I am smart enough to know I will not take this pill forever and the weight would come back as soon as I stopped (as it has in the past). I have completely changed my eating habits and I am in the gym 4 days a week, plus I work out at home on the days I can't get to the gym.

[Raquel]

Ugh ... my Husband knows because he noticed me not eating. Ugh again.
My aunt knows because I did tell her.
And my best friends knows well ..... because she is how I am getting it.
::::::::::::::::: hanging head in shame, kinda ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[austexgirl]

My husband, my best friend, her husband, and my mom know. That's it. Only reason they know is because I'm a type II diabetic, and I needed the people around me to know what's going on, just in case.

I think anyone else would be too judgmental, and who needs that??

[amydisneyfan]

My DH, his sister, and my best friend. Those are the only people I've told. My mother would probably have a heart attack. And, of course, so many people have heard of the Phen-fen fiasco, so I'd rather avoid the judgment calls and explanations. I have been exercising daily (light aerobics and weight training) for months with no weight loss. I tried counting calories, not counting calories, etc. I wasn't losing inches either. So my OB/GYN gave me a 2 month script to kick start my metabolism. I also purchased an elliptical machine. I have a bad back, so I can't do high impact aerobics (jumping jacks, jump rope, etc). So far I've lost 10 lbs. If anyone asks (and no one has, unfortunately), I'll say it is the elliptical. I can do 20 minutes with resistance, 5x a week.

I had lost a bunch of weight doing Body for Life in 2002. And I lost it quickly and easily. However, since my back surgery in 2003, I think something has changed. I gained back all the weight, and haven't been able to lose it.

[Raquel]

Another reason that I'm keeping this to myself is because back in 1996 I was taking the Phen-Fen (I think that's how it is) and the weight drop was amazing ... everyone knew I was on "pills" and over the years they have seen me yo-yo
More than likely no -one would say it to my face but I see the logic ... "but You gained it all back"

I'm hoping this time, I can use it as a tool to help me learn how to do portion control vs. just not eating to lose weight.