Chest tightness?

[Ms. Jean]

Hi! I'm new to the group...Looks like you all have a lot of fun here! I was a past Fen-Phen user and lost 20 pounds on that...but it all came back/ : (

So I was excited to get, at least, Phen! So,
I was on Phen 15 mg...the first day felt a bit "heady", but was able to deal with it, but then the second day felt a bit of "pressure" in my chest all day....Got scared, quit taking...anyone else ever have that? I really WANT to take it, but was really worried about that feeling of chest pressure....Anyone?

[LORIM]

I have been on Phen for a week today. My chest felt heavy also. I called the doctor at the hospital and he said to stop taking it for a day then go back on it. He said if the problem persists stop taking. Have you started taking it again?

[Ms. Jean]

Hi, Lorim! Thanks for the reply! I hadn't started taking it again...was a bit hesitant to do so, but I may, now that I know of someone else with that kind of response. I, too, called the doc (that night) and he advised stopping it for the day.

As well, I have cut WAAAY back on caffeine (I can't live w/out coffee! I'm in Seattle - we LIVE for the stuff here ! HA HA!) so I've gone to decaf on that, and my Diet Coke (now drink caffeine-free), as Phen is an "upper" type of drug, so its not a good thing to consume a bunch of caffeine while taking that, as that can increase the old blood pressure, etc.

I'll try it another day and see if that symptom comes back. I don't recall having that sensation when I was on Phen-Fen a few years ago.

Thanks, again, for your reply! Let me know how you do when you retake it! Ms. J...

[LORIM]

I was on Phen-Fen back in 1997 and I know I never had problems.

I did not take my bill on Sunday and I started again on Monday. It seems like it comes and goes. I am going to call another doctor today just to see what they say.

I also have some back pain. Have you experienced this?

[rmblack]

I have felt a little pressure, but not enough to concern me. My main problem is my head...I continuously have a headache. Anybody else??

[Drewbie]

Chest pressure is usually a sign of hypertension (**** high blood pressure). I wouldn't worry too much- 40 million Americans also have high BP so it looks like we are all gonna die from it. Oh well.

[Ms. Jean]

Thanks for your replies, guys. I didn't take any more of the Phen after the chest pressure, but HAVE been taking a "natural" (haha) appetite suppressant (you know, all those "wannabees" on the market like the Metabo-something-or others, etc...)..I tell ya! If the phen doesn't get ya hypertensed, another "herbal/healthy" (don't you believe it) one will! The ephedra and all that other crud is no better for ya than the doc-prescribed ones here! I'm ready to take another Phen in the a.m. and see how it goes. Looking at my tight size 14 butt in the mirror and wanting to see it go down. I KNOW about the eating less, and the exercise, but when you work 40 hours a week, and then have to play taxi mom to your kids, and wife to your hubby, to be the exercise guru is not an easy task...Its a whole package deal, you know? Again, thanks for your words of support..Lets me know I'm not alone out there. Ms J.

[OB_RN5]

I am not sure what the chest tighness is from. I have had it off and on and I thought i was getting bronchitis and possibly I was but that is all cleared up now and it still comes and goes. I was afraid to tell my doc but I did and he said was too soon to be PPH so not to worry. As far as the previos post in regards to chest and high bp .. I havnt heard or had experiences of that.. Most people with high bp will co of headace.. bad one.. anyway. Guess just need to keep a eye on it. I was thinking as phen is basically a stimulant /ampetamine... it may cause some bronchial constrication and there for give you the tightness.... thats just a shot in the dark guess on my part.. lol

[candyses]

Hi all, I have had slight chest tightness, I notice it mostly with caffiene. I also have some headaches, they are worse if I havent ate alot. Drinking alot of water seems to really help.

[Crystal]

Hi!! I have been on Phen for 5 weeks now. My second week into it I started having chest tightness and felt like I was not getting enough oxygen in me. I posted about it and some people told me it was anxiety. After about a week it stopped all together. I also have back aches and headaches occasionally. Drinking lots of water helps a little bit. I think your body needs time to adjust to the medication. Hope everything goes well for you.

[Ms. Jean]

Well, it looks unanimous...the tightness comes/goes, but seems to subside after body adjusts to meds and with a lot of water..

Now, the $25,000 question (haha)...are you all losing weight..meaning are all these symptoms "worth" the end result? Thats what I want to know..if the scales are REALLY heading downward for you all as a result of the stuff, then its worth some odd symptoms here and there....Nothing has been really happening for me from the "herbal" stuff I've been taking....Again, I know about the exercise and food reduction...I'm not expecting to eat like a cow and not exercise and still lose weight...But I'm just curious if the phen really is helping those scales move down for y'all.????

[Crystal]

Ms.Jean
Phen has really helped my scale move. I have lost 13 pounds since I started. And the way I see it is any loss is better then none. You have to work with the Phen... you have to eat right, exercise, and of course drink lots of water. I didn't put this weight on over night and I dont expect to lose it over night. I think everyone that has been on it agrees its helped them to some extent. I do not think Phen is some pill you can take and go back to your normal eating habits. You have to make changes to lose any weight.

[candyses]

It is WELL worth the side affects. I have lost 35 pounds on Phen, 15 more to go and I will be happy. After I adjusted to it, and figured out each symptom is a sign from my body needing something. My Dr. told me lots of water, like a glass an hour, will just about get rid of them. And he was right, but who can run around drinking water every hour???? I drink what I can when I can, and I tell you, when I dont get enough food or water in me I feel irritated, have headaches, backaches and really feel awful. So Dont give up, find out what makes you feel better and try that. You can do this!!!! Phen has changed my life, and I hope you all get the results you going for.

[Ms. Jean]

Thanks so much for your message...what a great inspiration you are! With what you said, I promptly went to the kitchen cupboard and took another phen WITH a glass of water with me back to the computer to type you this message! WAY TO GO!

[candyses]

GOOD GIRL!!! This site has been a blessing to me. It is so nice to talk to other people and hear that I am not the only one feeling this way!!

[Ms. Jean]

Exactly! Having others to motivate you (LIKE YOU!) are what make all the weight loss centers so successful (Wt. Watchers, Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, etc)...its the accountability! So this is our own little accountability group! Only a bit more broad-based than a local center...It would be fun to hear where everyone is writing from...I'm an ex-Southern Californian transplanted about 15 years ago to Seattle area....love it here, but about now, I'm ready for some sun (the grey skies love to hang out around here in the winter)!

Well, you all have a good day, and thanks for your notes....J

[mrssnugglebutts]

Hi,

I also had the tight chest when I started but it only lasted a short time and I also seem to have Coffee as a food group so I really have cut back except when I am home on weekends with son, I tend to drink an extra cup or so. I was doing really well with working out and wouldn't you know it I gained like 3 pounds,, I think my "friend" is on its way plus I had put off going to the Chiropractor a little to long and when he cracked me wow,, was I sore for a day. I really need a kick in butt I go in to get weighed for the 1st time Monday, I am still really happy I did great for the 1st month.
I work 7 nights straight ahhh! I am going to fight to squeaze a few work outs in there between sleep and work. It may actually be alot of stress, I work in an assisted living complex and new company baught us out and everyone is for themselves it is making night shift really hectic. Well,,, now that I unloaded,,, I hope everyone has a great week.


Darc

[mrssnugglebutts]

OOPs

I forgot I started 12March and went from 127 to 115 goal 170

Darc

[Ms. Jean]

WOW! That is great! That is a quick loss! I'm excited. I have a trip planned that includes a bathing suit (haha) in late-May, so really want to peel off 10 pounds before then? Do you think that is possible if I gulp the water and "behave myself" with my eating? 10 pounds between today and May 17? And then about 15 after that....

I know weight loss is a "slow go" if to be a permanent drop, but once in awhile, a QUICK loss is a good thing - if for nothing else, at least for morale! : )

I SIT on my fanny all day working (medical transcriptionist) so the exercise has to take place after the work-day....Well, these phen DO make me sleep a bit less, so I should exercise in all my "new-found" (ha ha) time!

I agree with the coffee thing..that, too, was my other food group! I've gone to decaf...I think it was the habit of having something HOT more than the need for the caffeine..so not to hard a transition...one vice down...a few more to go! : )

[mrssnugglebutts]

HI


dang I looked at my present weight lol dang fingers or wishfull thinking
I actually am 215.

But yes,, I think anything is possible if you don't ever give up. I had a minister say in a sermon that 'you only fail when you stop trying.' Works for me I wish you luck on those 10 pounds! I have seen what loosing weight to fast can do and yup it comes back on really fast so slow and steady is a great rule. I am a PCA, personal care assistant for an assisted living and we can have a night where we are dying for something to do and other nights we want to turn our pagers off. I actually like the busy ones better makes the night go a whole lot faster. Well I will post after my Dr visit,,, I hope he will give me the ok for Chiropractor visits I am really beginning to dislike HMO's.


Darc

[LORIM]

MS. JEAN

AFTER READING THE POSTS I AM GOING TO TRY
PHENTERMINE AGAIN. I HAD STOPPED BECAUSE OF THE CHEST TIGHTNESS. WHEN I WAS ON IT IN MARCH, I LOST 5 POUNDS IN A WEEK.
I AM STARTING TODAY.

[Ms. Jean]

Good for you...I started back on it, too..my weight isn't dropping too quickly..but I've been having a glass of wine in the evenings, and I know that is loaded with calories/carbs...I like to do that because it kind of "soothes" me if I'm feeling bouncy from the phen...

I've had "some" bits of tightness, but HAVE cut out all caffeine...so that is a good change for my body....One vice down/one to go (the wine!)

Good for you! Let me know how you do! J

[spudmom]

I couldn't believe it when I checked the forums this morning and one of the topics was chest tightness. I woke up with tightness and shortness of breath, and the same headache that I have had for 3 days (I have been on Phen for 3 days). My family has been harassing me about taking phen ever since they found out I was going to do it. So I have become very very paranoid about pph. I can't call my Dr because he doesn't know I'm taking phen. I was on Phen-fen 5 years ago, I didn't have these symptoms. It's scary.

[Ms. Jean]

Sorry to hear about your symptoms, too...You know what I was thinking would be good..are you near a fire station where you could have your BP taken? Or at most, a grocery or drug store that has a blood pressure machine...that might be the thing to do...have the BP checked, so you have peace of mind...I was thinking I would do the same...Stop in the fire station and have the BP monitored or go to the store, and just keep track...Start slugging down the water, like was suggested a few notes back....If the BP is higher than your norm, that might be a reason to cut back...I'm only taking 15 mg...I see there is a 30 mg tablet? I haven't had the shortness of breath...also, do you have a URI (upper resp infection)...or do you smoke? Those can increase shortness of breath probs....J

[spudmom]

Ms Jean, thank you for your reply. I am on the 30mg pill. I don't smoke, but both of my girls have been sick with colds so maybe I am getting sick too. I was planning on going to the store later to order a b-day cake for my 1yr old, and I think they have a BP machine. Thank you so much for your level headed suggestions ( I sometimes tend to panic).

[Ms. Jean]

Hey, Spudmom...my pleasure...I work in the medical field (transcriptionist) and hear about this stuff all the time...so just passing on suggestions that might be "medically" advised...I panicked, too, when I first got it...Its nice to have some support, eh?

Happy B'day to your 1yo!

J

[spudmom]

support is a wonderful thing. Especially since the people closest to me think I'm crazy for doing this. Thanks again.

[LORIM]

MS. JEAN HOW IS THE PHEN WORKING FOR YOU?

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS IN MY UPPER BACK AND INTO MY NECK. (LIKE MY MUSCLES ARE TIGHT OR I NEED TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR) IS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THIS? I WISH IT WOULD GO AWAY.