New, excited and nervous

[Tracypt]

Hi everyone,

I just started phen on Saturday. I'm very excited about loosing all this extra weight but am nervous about it as well. I have always been chunky, but a year ago I realized I was having some anxiety issues. My doctor put me on Lexapro for the anxiety and I gained 30 lbs in two months, then another 20. So, in one year, I gained 50 lbs. I'm a mess. I am buying bigger clothes about every 3 weeks. I have been able to fit into pants on Monday, tried the same pants on on Friday and they are too tight. It was almost as if I could stand in front of the mirror and watch myself grow. As far as weight loss medications go, this is really my only option besides Ali due to the meds I am on. I feel like this is my one and only chance to loose this weight. Now that I have been on the Lexapro a year, I tried going off of it to see if I am "normal" now. I dropped a few pounds pretty quickly, but over a month's time, the symptoms came back and I had to go back up to the full dosage.

So, the first few days of phen have been good. I've had a ton of energy and did a good "spring" cleaning on my whole house this weekend. I've been doing well to not eat a lot, but I have been hungry at meal times so I am still eating, just smaller portions. It doesn't take as much to fill me up. My worst problem is night time snacking (well, more like eating a few more meals before bed, really). My stomach has been growling before bed, but I can eat something small and healthy and be satisfied. That was my problem before, I was never ever satisfied so I would just keep eating and eating until something hit the spot.

Anyway, my fear is that as soon as I go off the phen, I will gain the weight right back. My doctor said I could only stay on it for 6 months, but I read on-line you are only supposed to stay on it for 3. Can you go off of it for a while, then go back on? With the rate I gained the weight in the first place, I feel like I could gain it all back in a matter of weeks.

Sorry for the rambling...I'm looking forward to getting to know you all and I know I will appreciate all the support. I need it!

Tracy

[mistersmom]

Tracypt, I started about 2 1/2 weeks ago, still only taking half of a pill, I need to lose about 40 pounds total, so far I have lost 10, I walk 4 miles EVERYDAY, was kinda expecting it to come off a little faster, but I am trying to keep in mind I didn't gain it overnight not going to lose it overnight. But anyways I am wishing you the best of success!!

[RdmdMom]

Welcome Tracy!
What time do you take the phen? Are you on the 37.5mg?
I started taking 37.5mg Phen on July 7th and the first few days the energy is amazing! Then it kinda goes away but it's still working if you give it the chance. I was taking my phen when I first woke up before breakfast and then I would be hungry later in the day. Then I would eat breakfast at 7 and take Phen at 8am and it still left me wanting to munch around 7:30 in the evening..this is when we put the kids to bed and my husband grazes the kitchen!! lol So, now I take it 10:30-11:00 and that seems to work best for me. And I have no problems sleeping at night. Anyhow, my point is to play around with the times you take it and see if that helps.
The 3-month "limit" is more due to the fact that we can become addicted to it. So it's really up to your doctor and you. My Dr. hasn't set a limit for me, as long as I continue losing weight and checking in with her..I can continue. Phen is a great tool for us to use to change our lifestyle so we don't gain the weight back. Don't think of it as a diet pill, you will be doing all the work - choosing good foods, saying NO to overeating, and exercising..Phen is just helping take that horrid edge off so we can learn to change. Good luck to you and keep us posted!!! Best wishes on a new you!

[hcm0580]

Welcome Im pretty new too. 2 weeks tomorrow I have only lost about 5 pounds, but I am keeping my head up. I think I may have actually lost an inch or two too! Good Luck!!

[Tracypt]

I'm so happy to find the support here. My doctor did mention that I could play with the timing a little since my problem is mostly at night. I am very sensitive to things like caffiene and stuff that keeps me awake. In fact, the first night on phen, I didn't fall asleep until 3am. I took the pill at 7a. I might play with the time a little over the weekend when I don't have to get up at 5:30am.

Looking forward to posting my results for the week on Saturday!

Tracy

[lovinmyair]

I guess I'm kind of old new member lol. I was an active member 2 years ago. Now, I'm looking to get back on the phentermine wagon. I weighed 230 and got down to 185. However in 2008 I got pregnant, gained the weight back and am back to working to losing the weight. So I'll be on to check the progress of everyone and hope everyone is successful.

To those new to phen, stay with it. I promise it will work if you are watching your diet and take it seriously.

[danibrin]

Hi Tracy,
I am new to Phen too. I just started a little over 2 weeks ago and have lost 4 pounds. I was also taking Zoloft for anxiety. I tried Lexapro but it made me shaky. I weaned myself slowly off the Zoloft as the catalyst for taking it was going through my divorce. The one thing I did find (for me) is that I actually lost a little weight with the Zoloft. I was on it before and both times lost about 10 pounds. A few times when I tried to go off, I got very irritable and then did a very slow wean and thankfully that did not occur. I guess I am wondering if you weaned off the Lexapro or just quit. And you may want to see what your PCP say's about Zoloft. You can PM me if you like. My best to you...Anxiety can be AWFUL...and adding extra weight stinks too. This is all from my experience, but just thought I would interject my experience too. I have been off the Zoloft for 3 weeks and feel just fine. I have not gotten any energy boost from the Phen--so I am going to take the advice of one the ladies and play with taking it a bit later in the day.
Take care...Kim

[Xanadu]

Tracy,

I also have a problem with the evening snacking. Today was my first day on phen! I ate really light early but am starting to feel hungry now. I will have to see how I sleep tonight before I make the transition to take the pill at 10am, but I think it could be good advise. I will let you know how it goes. Good luck!

[ziporah]

hello!! Welcome!! What an exciting journey you have ahead of you, and also on a site where you will find continual support along the way. I too am a midnight snacker, and got a pretty interesting perspective from someone - they did tell me that it doesnt really matter when you eat, it just matters that you consume less in a day than you burn. And that makes sense. I wouldn't stress too much about late eating but i would just ensure that if you eat something late, that it is healthy and preferably unprocessed, fiber, etc. Then, you can slowly "wean" yourself out of late night eating by maybe cutting the time back by 10 minutes every week or 30 mins every week. I am trying this. So for example, if I always ate at 11PM out of habit, I will try and eat at 11:15 this week, next week at 11, the week after 10:30...slow but sure. It's all about creating habits for long-term success. Good luck with the process and i look forward to seeing your results on Saturday!! :-)

[Tracypt]

Thanks everyone!

Kim, I haven't tried Zoloft. I'm really happy with the Lexapro except for the weight gain. Last month we tried weaning me off of it, reducing my dosage. I did really well for almost a month, then all the symptoms came back. They say Lexapro is one of the meds with the least tendancy to add weight, but not in my case...of course!

Ziporah, on phen I still want a snack before bed, but I wait until I am actually hungry..stomach growling and all. Then I just have something small and I am satisfied. Before, nothing would satisfy me. That's been a big change.

I appreciate all your support!!

[tiredofbnfat]

Im a little late but wanted to welcome you to the forum!! Good luck to you on your journey!!