Increase Doseage and other Q's

[NJRagdoll]

Hello, I'm new to the boards but not to Phentermine! I used it about 6 years ago to lose 30 pounds, I had found this great doctor who prescribed it. He had me on Wellbutrin, Lasix (water pill) Potassium, and then the Phentermine.

He started me on the 15 mg, and then as I built up a tolerance, he would increase and go to the 30 mg, then maybe combine the two - one in the AM, one in the PM. I was also on various combinatons of Phentermine along with Tenuate and Adipex.

Well, in September I quit smoking and gained about 40 pounds.

This doctor has since died, and I don't know of any other doctor in my area who would prescribe Phen to a non-obese woman. So after being on and off of it for so many years, I felt comfortable with taking it myself, and ordered a month's worth of 15 mg capsules online.

I have lost about 15 pounds, but I can feel I'm plateau-ing, and the phen's becoming less effective. It's time to change my dose around.

I have lurked from time to time, and you all are so knowledgeable! I thought I'd ask which way you think I should go - the 30 mgs or go to the 37.5 "adipex" ones. (It's the same as the 37.5 phen, right? Just a name brand thing?) This stuff's expensive when buying out of pocket, so I'm more concerned now about getting it right than I was when the doc was just giving them to me out of his office.

People have referenced Dumbfox's post that explains all the doseages, and I searched for it, but I can't find it! I also have read about different stuff that you guys use to "boost" the phen a bit, but of course I couldn't find that post (again by Dumbfox) either, where she explains everything and what it does.

I am currently taking a 15 mg in the AM, and then another around 3:00 PM, along with one Lasix in the AM too. I don't have any Potassium, does anyone know where I can order that online? (Is that allowed here to ask for links if you PM me or eMail me the link?)

Sorry for all the questions!

I love reading about all the progress, and seeing the pictures! I don't think I have any pics, I haven't let anyone take any since I gained the weight!

And I will have to learn how to do that signature thing too.

I have to re-order by today or tomorrow so I don't have a huge lapse, so hoping someone sees this post! (Not sure how busy this board is yet ha ha)

*Whew* that was longer than I intended!

Thanks everyone, glad to have found this board!

[Keepers23]

I'm running off to work, but wanted to respond quickly...sorry for the short reply!

If you're trying to build up, I would get the 37.5mg tablets because you can cut them in half. (I am currently taking 1/4th of those pills). I believe the rest of the dosages are in capsules that can't be divided...

Good luck!

[BlueButterfly3]

I HAVE READ THAT MOST USERS ON HERE WHICH I AM PLANNING TO GO GET MYSELF TO BOOST THE PHEN , TAKE 5-HTP , WHICH YOU CAN PURCHASE AT WALMART OR TARGETS STORES . COST IS AROUND $8.OO A BOTTLE
THEY SAY IT HELPS WILL BOOSTING PHEN ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS SUCH AS BETTER MOOD , BETTER SLEEP , BECAUSE WITH BETTER SLEEP COMES BETTER WEIGHT LOSS, REDUCED CRAVINGS SUCH AS SWEETS AND CARBS , YOU SHOULD START OUT TAKING 50MG IN THE EVENING HOURS 2-3 HOURS BEFORE BED AFTER A WEEK I GUESS IF YOU NEED MORE YOU CAN BUMP IT UP TO 100MG.
HERE IS LINK TO A GREAT WEBSITE THAT HAS ALOT OF USEFUL STUFF. READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE INTERVIEW WITH THIS DOCTOR ABOUT THE 5-HTP AND PHEN ..
http://fatnews.com/index.php?/weblog/comments/382/

[NJRagdoll]

BlueButterfly - THANK YOU for posting about that article!!! That was AWESOME! I wish there was a doc like that where I live. I loved what he said about pain & pleasure - so true. And I'm a sweet craver, so I'm going to pick up some 5-HTP today. I've been so "bad" this week that I think I actually put a pound or two back on. .(Not sure, cause my scale fluctuates, I watch "trends" more than the pound-by-pound). I was craving wine and actually killed 2 bottles over the last week! Not good, too much sugar. I tend to crave "something" at night, it's the worst time for me.

I feel like I have a much better understanding of how to dose myself, too. Love all this info - keep it coming!

[Fango]

Why are you taking Lasix? How many mg? Do you have HTN? Did your current doctor prescribe? (I wouldn't self-medicate with a loop diuretic).

you may be dehydrating yourself which does not help with weightloss, just drink a lot more water...you can get potassium supplements at any walmart or vitamin store, but certain foods also contain potassium (easier to absorb), JMHO

[Fango]

maybe you want to try a potassium-sparing diuretic instead...it's easier on your body.

[NJRagdoll]

When I was on the Phen under a doctor's care starting from back in 2000, the Lasix was part of the routine he prescribed. I was on Phen, Wellbutrin, Lasix, and Potassium Cloride. The Lasix is 40 mg, I take one a day in the AM. I do drink a lot of water - well, a lot for me anyway, that is one of the "hard" things for me is drinking enough water. Weirdly enough, the Lasix leaves me feeling like I WANT to drink, so I do drink more when I'm on it.

The doctor did tell me that the potassium supplements you can buy OTC aren't strong enough for what the Lasix can deplete from your body. The last prescription was for 10 meq. (whatever "meq." means...) I only have about 10 days worth left, so I need to think about getting more.

What is HTN? And what is a "loop diuretic"?

I felt comfortable self medicating because I am following what he had done for me for years, and there were never any adverse effects. If I knew of another doctor in my area, I would go, but it's hard to find a doc who will presecribe phen, I'm not "clinically obese". (My old doctor passed away.)

[NJRagdoll]

I tried making a Signature, let's see if it worked...

[Fango]

40 mg of Lasix is a large dose to take daily,it's rough on your kidney function. Lasix is a loop diuretic, it's used to treat HTN (hypertension which is high blood pressure) and certain symptoms in cardiovascular disease by decreasing the fluid build-up which makes your heart work harder.

someone who is 5'4" and 146 lbs. is only about 10% overweight overall, it's my thought that no one would prescribe phen....except if you purchase on-line.

It's just my thought that the lasix is doing you more harm than good for weight loss as it is dehydrating you.

a potassium sparing diuretic would not deplete your body's stores. but again WHY do you need a diuretic in the first place? you don't have HTN or CVD??? (cardiovascular disease)

You could take the OTC potassium supplement and enjoy a glass of V-8 and have a bannana to increase potassium intake.

[NJRagdoll]

Huh, I didn't know that about the Lasix, I figured it was cool since the doc had prescribed it. (I had leftovers)(This is the doc who has since died). He had said it would help with the weight loss.

Last thing I need is to make my heart work harder, and if it's not helping with weight loss I might as well not bother with it.

Yes, that is my thought too that it would be very difficult to find another doctor who would prescribe, which is why I went online.

Thanks for the info!

[Fango]

You're welcome (my ex is an interventional cardiologist)...

our stats are similar. I'm 5'5" and currently about 154#, also small framed...(or as my mother says, "fine-boned"). At 146 lbs. I'm a size 6 or 8 depending on how it's cut...at 120# I look boney.

I do lift weights which increases my muscle and decreases the width...I have an hour-glass shape which is currently covered with too much fat.

sorry about your scale..I have a Tanita also, if you go on line, they may be able to provide info on replacement or having it re-calibrated?

good luck and come post on the other forums!