[momgeek]

I am a SAHM of 2 daughters ages 5 and 3. I've been struggling to lose weight since my youngest was born with minimal success. An online friend told me about phen and suggested I do some research on it. So I did! After poring over dozens of sites and reading all about the purposes, side effects, and precautions that must be taken, I decided Phen seemed like just what I needed to help get myself started on the road to a healthier me. I planned to combine the phen with WW and more exercise so that by the time I went off of it the healthier eating and exercise would be more natural for me and I wouldn't struggle from day one.

So I went into the doctor earlier this week and tried to tell him these things, and he prescribed Meridia instead, feeling it a safer alternative then the Phen. I thought, okay, well, he's an excellent doctor and has never steered me wrong - I'll try it.

Called around to some pharmacies and the average price was $120 for a one month supply! YIKES! With 2 small kids and being in a one-income household, that's completely out of our price range.

So I called the doctor back and asked about getting on Phen. His nurse talked to him and called back to tell me he would prescribe 1 week's worth of Phen to me, and that he was hesitant even to do that.

When I picked the script up at Walmart it was almost $16 for 7 pills -- odd, considering when I'd called the day before it was $31 for 30. I guess they have to do it in 2 or 4 week increments? Get a bulk discount for more pills?

Anyway, now I'm trying to form a plan B as far as finding a doctor who will prescribe Phen for me. It's been suggested that I speak with someone at the women's clinic as they sometimes will place women on a monitored weight loss program that includes Phen.

Can anyone suggest anything else I can try, if plan B falls through? Is it a matter of simply picking up the phone book, dialing a doctor, and asking the receptionist if said Dr is against prescribing Phen? My regular doctor made me feel like I was setting myself up to become addicted to it, so now I wonder if all doctors are like that when it comes to Phen.

I should add that I live in North Central IL (about an 1 hour east of the Quad CIties). If anyone can recommend a doctor in the area -- I would be forever in your debt

[jenstarns]

I wish I knew someone but I am in TX but I looked up weight loss clinics and that is where I go to get my Phen. I pay 120 for a 2 months supply, plus lad work and a multi vit

[Ibsly271]

Hey Momgeek - I used to live in Geneseo, IL a few years ago (now in Austin TX!) I was prescribed Phen about 7 years ago from:

Even Kvelland, MD
Genesis Medical Group
600 N College Ave Ste 120
Geneseo, IL 61254
Phone: (309) 944-5342

You may want to call them and see if they still do it. I know I had to go in and have my blood pressure monitored every 2 to 4 weeks (can't remember!) I only had about 20lbs to lose back then for a wedding and lost about 15 - so I quit taking it. Anyway - hope this might help. But please call him first and make sure that they still do it.


Fax: (309) 944-8192

[momgeek]

Thanks for the tip, lbsly271! I just checked and he's covered under our insurance, so I will definitely put him at the top of my "to call" list should I need to start calling around.

[tulsagirl75]

When I picked the script up at Walmart it was almost $16 for 7 pills -- odd, considering when I'd called the day before it was $31 for 30. I guess they have to do it in 2 or 4 week increments? Get a bulk discount for more pills?
That doesn't seem right...I just filled mine and they didn't have enough to fill it, they only had 3 there, and I had to go pick up the rest, I was charged 3.03 for those three pills. I'd call another walmart or ask a manager when you go back!

[momgeek]

Originally Posted by tulsagirl75

That doesn't seem right...I just filled mine and they didn't have enough to fill it, they only had 3 there, and I had to go pick up the rest, I was charged 3.03 for those three pills. I'd call another walmart or ask a manager when you go back!

*Sigh* It figures Ever have one of those weeks? lol

I will definitely be asking someone in the pharmacy about that next time I'm in. The way I figure it they owe me either.... another 8 1/2 pills or about $8.50.

[pate529]

My doctor is the same way he didnt want to give it to me and then i started crying telling i would workout and try ww but that i just need that help to get started and he finally caved and said 6 weeks but thats it or i would become addicted ive called other doctors offices and have told them im looking for a doctor that will prescribe phen because i cant afford to waste my time or money so try that they will usually tell you if the doctor will prescribe it or not before you ever go in.
penny

[PROGIRL]

some docs. must be like that and some others.. if you ask me i think some docs. just dont do a lot of looking it up or are open to it. i have the same doc. as many of my co. workers (who are also using phen.) due to our company coverage pack. any ways.. my our doc. mainly wanted to know that we've tried other things.. how they worked for us and he basically stated that he's seen it do very well with others. lastly he said he had someone with a heart condition and he said that person had even done well.

i duno like i said maybe the doc. hasn't allowed others to try it enough to see the good results to allow others to try it or maybe he had someone who didn't do well with it that he won't give others the chance ???


pro.

[momgeek]

You know, progirl, I'm wondering about whether I should go back in and talk to him about it. I didn't really feel like I got to present my case very well, ie

- The fact that I've tried so many things and that I always have the same result of dropping them after a few months because I get tired of struggling. I've tried Atkins and 6 week body makeover and the cereal diet and slim fast and metabolife and plain old better eating and more exercise. I had moderate success with WW after my first daughter was born but since my second daughter was born I've been on it 4 times and it's been a struggle each time, with the same end result.
- The fact that if I were a smoker I could easily get a script for Chantix or Wellbutrin, if I were an alcoholic I could get Antabuse, if I were an insomniac I could get Ambien. But because I have trouble controlling my food intake and cravings - and have for years - all I get is "Well you need to eat better and join Jenny Craig"??

It just really frustrates me (if you can't tell) that doctors think that it's just as simple as eating better. For some people maybe it is. But I'm not one of them. I wasn't asking him to let me stay on it til I lose the 90 pounds I need to lose; I just wanted something to aid me while I reteach myself better habits.

I'm supposed to go in to get BP checked next Tuesday; maybe if I write my concerns/arguements down, and bring in some things to show him I've truly done my homework on this he will give me another chance.

[RickC]

Phentermine has a bad reputation because it was part of a combo in the 90's called Fen-Phen,the Fen part fenfluramine caused a lot of problems and it was then banned from use,Phentermine on the other hand is safe is used correctly,but some people still remember the Fen-Phen and thinks it's still dangerous,I think this is why a lot of docs will not prescribe it.

[momgeek]

Originally Posted by RickC

Phentermine has a bad reputation because it was part of a combo in the 90's called Fen-Phen,the Fen part fenfluramine caused a lot of problems and it was then banned from use,Phentermine on the other hand is safe is used correctly,but some people still remember the Fen-Phen and thinks it's still dangerous,I think this is why a lot of docs will not prescribe it.

Oh, I know. I'm pretty sure this particular doc's thing is that he doesn't like to use medicine to help with weight loss. He was hesitant to even prescribe the Meridia.

[PROGIRL]

i still say..
either he doesn't know enough, or maybe one bad apple ruined it for the rest of his ppl. like he (rick) said.. he may also be focusing on the past rep. or lastly it could be as simple as telling him you did your home work and let him know the things you've tried i was talking to a gf today about this certin post you left and she said her doc. didn't want to give it to her and he gave in and said he would only give her a mo. to prove it's worth than she showed great results and well.. he more less is a believer or will at least give it a chance .. and she's been off it for a yr. and 5 mo. and hasn't gained any of it back



pro

[insearchofme]

Nothing beats a failure, but a try. Talk to your doctor at your next appt. Convey to him how committed you are to losing weight and staying healthy. If he is still unwilling to prescribe phentermine for you, look into weight loss clinics in your area. Good luck.

[momgeek]

You're very right, insearchofme and progirl. If nothing else maybe it will help open his mind a bit more about patients who come to him for help with losing weight. I wish I had less self-doubt, because I absolutely *hate* confrontration even when I know I'm right.

He really is a good doctor, and for everything else I've seen him for he's always been really understanding and taken the time to listen when I'm describing my (or my kids') symptoms. Some doctors will walk in, listen to you breathe, and whip out their prescription pad.

If he is still unwilling to prescribe phentermine for you, look into weight loss clinics in your area.

I've been collecting names and numbers for some other doctors in the area that handle weight-loss/bariatric stuff or whom I've been told will prescribe phen. There's not many; the closest I've found is about 45 minutes from me. Sometimes living in the sticks is REALLY inconvenient! It's times like this I wish I still lived in the suburbs.