Need Help!

[TinaR]

Hi Everyone,

I have been on Phen since 7/72009 - 1st time and I am having difficulty with the side effects, I love that I have lost 6.4 lbs in 6 days but the mood swings (irritated, depressed etc...) are awful (did I mention TOM is in full swing and seems to be heavier than usual - anyone else experience the same?), luckily my husband is very understanding and the kids are out of town for a few days!! And the insomnia is really putting a damper on things - I should be exercising, but I feel exhausted... I own a women's clothing store and I am having trouble gathering the energy and my usual happy attitude is depleted... How can I get that back?


HELP!! ADVICE!! WORDS OF ENCOURANGEMENT?????

Thanks
Tina

[newme81]

What dosage of Phen are you on? I am on 37.5 mg and I started phen for the first time on the 8th of this month. The first couple of days were very hard on me...I actually had a meltdown, but I think the Phen is not to blame, on my part, because I was having these feelings about a personal matter before I started taking this medication.

What I have noticed is the irritability in myself. I have changed the way I think- I know this may sound crazy, but I tell myself..."You wll control the Phen-Phen will not control you!" How many calories are you taking in daily? When you lay down at night-close your eyes and teach yourself to breathe in and out slowly-ignore your heart race, and focus on your breathing-that is how I fall asleep. I am now getting 7 hrs of sleep and I wake up refreshed.

[alykat06]

It might take a week or so for these side effects to go away, but they will go away. My tom is usually worse on phen, due to our hormone changes when we lose weight. So I take a diuretic while on tom to get rid of the excess water retention that gives me bad cramps. What time are you taking phen and what form are you taking, capsule or tablet? If your taking a full 37.5 dose and in tablet form try splitting it in half for a week or two until your body is more used to it so you may not experience the bad side effects. Also if you are taking it too late in the morning this may be why you cant get to bed at night, phen lasts 12-20 hours depending on which brand you take..most last 16 hours. We have to control those feelings most of the time on phen and have to really ask ourselves "what am i really mad at? Is it worth feeling this way?" and usually I calm myself down and realize im just being stupid. It might also just be your TOM and the fact that weight loss messes with our hormones to begin with. Just stick to it and you will see youll feel better soon.

[TinaR]

Thank you for replying - I too am on 37.5 and I too had a mini melt down - TWICE yesterdays was the worst though (I too am dealing with some personal stuff pre- Phen) My poor husband really didn't know what to do and quite frankly I don't think he could have made me happy no matter what he did...

I am so sluggish today I can't get motivated - have you had this happen? I will definately work on my breathing when getting ready to sleep..

This week I will have the house to myself as everyone else will be out of town.. I'd like to think that I would have so much free time and energy I can get some stuff done...

[newme81]

Hello Tina-

The exhausted part has happened to me, but I have to stick with it....I have a 4 month old baby that consumes most of my time and also a needy 10 and 8 year old...lol

Today I did experience the, "I feel like my bran is in the clouds, where did it go?"

I couldn't remember anything...so tomorrow I am splitting my pill in half and taking half my dosage....if I don't feel my appetite curb or if I don't feel the phen working then I will take the other half at around 2 P.M.

Since we started around the same time and we are both around the same weight...you want to buddies together and encourage one another?

Good Luck on everything, and if you need to ask any other questions, I will be more than happy to answer them to the best of my ability.

[rasberrytwist381]

When I initally started the doctor said that if you start to feel any minor side effects you can break the pill in half and start with a smaller dosage. This will introduce it to your system and the effects shouldn't seem so extreme on your body. When you first start taking this med you should eat some thing with it, this will prevent your stomach from getting upset and will help with side effects. Over time you can take half in the morning and half in the afternoon, or when your body gets used to the feeling you can start taking the hole pill. For the first few days it can be rough, you have to find out what works best for your body.
If your not getting any sleep try taking the medication earlier so the effects will wear off earlier before you go to bed.
As far as being tired make sure you are getting enough protein, or some thing substantual for your body to work with and maintain your energy level through out the day.
You didn't mention anything about it but make sure you are not taking in any other caffine or stimulant with the medication. caffinated beverages, Coffee, energy drinks etc... Depending on what your doctor says over time you might be able to introduce these back in, but my doctor says to stay away from them. Your heart rate is already increased from the phen and adding more stimulants can be very harmful.
As far as your TOM, some of the studies that have been done show that our weight can have effects on our body...Specially hormonal. As you continue to loose weight you might find that your TOM might change a little. If it's excessive talk to your Gyno, but usually after you get your weight stabilized you wont notice changes anymore.

Good Luck...

[TinaR]

Thank you all for your words of experience!

newme81 - Would love to have a buddy!!

I finally feel like I got a good nights sleep and actually woke up feeling pretty good this morning.. Even though I woke up at 5:30am! I am not known for being very nice in the morning anyway.. My plan is to eat some oatmeal this morning and make sure I am getting enough protein and get 30 minutes of cardio in before going to the boutique for work.

I have the house to myself for the next couple of days, so it will be a little lonely however, if I am feeling as good as I am now, i should be able to get some things done around the house.

My husband has also started a new meal plan through our Dr. he is not on Phen though he was given the option, he see the side effects especially the moodiness - not sure our house could handle both of us with mood swings!

So week 1 is finished (-6.4lbs) - moving on to week #2 - I will work on eating better vs. not eating at all and more exercise and hopefully see a few more pounds come off!

Hope you all have a great day!

[alykat06]

When I initally started the doctor said that if you start to feel any minor side effects you can break the pill in half and start with a smaller dosage. This will introduce it to your system and the effects shouldn't seem so extreme on your body. When you first start taking this med you should eat some thing with it, this will prevent your stomach from getting upset and will help with side effects. Over time you can take half in the morning and half in the afternoon, or when your body gets used to the feeling you can start taking the hole pill. For the first few days it can be rough, you have to find out what works best for your body.
If your not getting any sleep try taking the medication earlier so the effects will wear off earlier before you go to bed.
As far as being tired make sure you are getting enough protein, or some thing substantual for your body to work with and maintain your energy level through out the day.
You didn't mention anything about it but make sure you are not taking in any other caffine or stimulant with the medication. caffinated beverages, Coffee, energy drinks etc... Depending on what your doctor says over time you might be able to introduce these back in, but my doctor says to stay away from them. Your heart rate is already increased from the phen and adding more stimulants can be very harmful.
As far as your TOM, some of the studies that have been done show that our weight can have effects on our body...Specially hormonal. As you continue to loose weight you might find that your TOM might change a little. If it's excessive talk to your Gyno, but usually after you get your weight stabilized you wont notice changes anymore.

Good Luck...

I just wanted to make note that you should not eat and take phen together, this can acctually cause stomach upset and issues. The phen needs to be absorbed into an empty stomach for it to work correctly. I know I accidently took my phen too early once after eating and it made me so naseus and sick..i have been on here for a little while and have seen many others expierience these problems.

Also make note that capsules should never be broken open, this can cause esaphagus issues and sickness.

Caffiene should also not be taken with phen because it will make phen go out of your system quicker. Those who drink coffee or caffiene with phen feel that phen wears off sooner than it should. Every time I decide to have a coffee I can feel phen is no longer in my system at night.

[animalover]

I have been on Phen for almost 1 month. I have only lost about 6 pounds. I just recently had knee surgery and can't do too much exercising. I am watching what I eat and drinking tons of water. I take my pill before breakfast (as soon as I get up) . How long after taking the pill can you eat? If I forget to take the pill and eat how long do I have to wait before I can take the pill? These threads are really helpful. I get way more information here than my doctor.

[courtyb88]

Hi Everyone,

I have been on Phen since 7/72009 - 1st time and I am having difficulty with the side effects, I love that I have lost 6.4 lbs in 6 days but the mood swings (irritated, depressed etc...) are awful (did I mention TOM is in full swing and seems to be heavier than usual - anyone else experience the same?), luckily my husband is very understanding and the kids are out of town for a few days!! And the insomnia is really putting a damper on things - I should be exercising, but I feel exhausted... I own a women's clothing store and I am having trouble gathering the energy and my usual happy attitude is depleted... How can I get that back?


HELP!! ADVICE!! WORDS OF ENCOURANGEMENT?????

Thanks
Tina

I am sorry to hear that you are having such a bad time!! I was having the same problems a couple weeks ago but i have read about 5-HTP. i take 200mg every morning and I have been cured of my emotional breakdowns and moodiness ever since. Im sure that it works differently for everyone just like phen does but try that and see how it works!! Good Luck with everything!! Thank god your hubby understand because most of them would not even consider evaulating what we were going thro!!