Back Pain as a Side Effect Anyone?

**ang21450** · January 4th, 2007, 09:18 PM

My name is Angie and I've been on Phentermine 37.5 for two weeks now. Once Aunt Flo came, I had severe back pain on the second day. Today is my last day of my cycle and I'm still dealing with the pain. It is located equally on each side of my back in the very center. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem. I'm hoping that it is just because of my cycle and doesn't continue during my entire Phentermine usage. Any advise and/or stories would be greatly appreciated!

**melissaweath** · January 19th, 2007, 01:17 PM

hi angie:

my name is melissa. I first oredered Phen around septermber 29th 2006 and took it through November 25th 2006. I had a lot of side effects- but I did reach my goal weight and even a little more. I have been struggling to keep it off without the phen -I have gained about 7 pounds back. But one of the side effects that I had was backpain. It really began toward the end of taking phen and I have continued to have problems. I have never had back problems and i am a counselor so I don't do any physical labor. i finally had to go to the doctor on two occassions for the backpain. My pain was mostly in between my shoulder blades and about the middle of my back- It often feels like a burning sensation. Of course, the doctor just presribed ibuprofen and muscle relaxers- but I wanted to find out what was wrong- I can;t say for sure that it had anything to do with the phen- but it began at that time and still contiues off and on. I did dome research- a lot of back pain in the middle section and/or under shoulder blades can be a warning sign for something wrong with other organs- so that is scary!!

amazing what we will try to lose weight-isn't it!!

good luck hope you feel better soon!!

**2kidslater** · January 19th, 2007, 05:16 PM

hi angie and melissa.
My name is Dana and I also am experiencing mid-back pain. I would say it is right at my bra line. Actually, the pain is my vertebrae itself at my bra line as well as the erector muscles along either side. I am taking Bontril and I have no idea if this can cause such a problem. My husband does MRI's for a living and he scanned my back b/c he wanted to rule out any major problem. Nothing showed up, not even a bruise. So, I am beginning to do some one arm rows and lat pull downs to strenghten that area in hopes to make my back stronger. Please let me know how you guys are doing...and I'll do the same. Thanks!

**Jooster** · January 27th, 2007, 02:01 AM

Hi, my name is Julie, I too have back pain exactly where you lot are experiencing it! All the other people who went to the clinic at the same time as me dont seem to have any side effects but I seem to have every one going!!!!! Just my luck! I also get a very red face right across the middle, my nose and cheeks look like theyve been on a sunbed without me! And when I eat I go really red like a lobster! Does anybody know what causes these bizzarre symptoms?

**enigmagal** · February 9th, 2007, 12:30 PM

I also have been getting back pain, big time. But It might be because of losing weight so fast. It hurts in my right shoulder blade. Its awefull, but I guess its part of the process, I dunno.- Amanda

**Danna** · February 15th, 2007, 06:39 AM

My mid back started hurting yesterday except it's the left side at my bra line. I think maybe I did to much yesterday, or something. Maybe it is side effects. Dunno. But it HURTS!

**GrOovNGuRL** · May 19th, 2007, 03:43 PM

I have been on phentermine for 2 months now and experienced many side effects that got better but I STILL have the back pain. At first I thought it was just from so much exercising and the fact that I moved around so much more. Last month my hubby started taking it and he has the exact same back pain. Some times it gets really intense and it seems like there's not enough pain killers in the world to make it go away. I really have no idea what exactly the reason is for this back pain. My hubby and I both told our dieticians about it and they said they had never heard of it being a side effect. I was beginning to feel like we were the only ones! I really wish it would go away or just ease off but it doesn't seem to get any better with time. But if this is what I have to endure to be skinny again then I guess it's worth it!

Started phen 3/15/07
SW 176
CW 145 5/19/07
GW 135 almost there!!!

**ang21450** · June 7th, 2007, 03:41 PM

Thanks to everyone that responded! I checked the message board for awhile but when I didn't get any hits, I thought I was alone with this symptom. I really appreciate all the feedback!

**Neesa** · June 19th, 2007, 09:27 AM

Hello Everyone!

One possible diagnosis is problems with your gallbladder. If you have lost a significant amount of weight (or even not) quickly, you may be experiencing problems with your gallbaldder. Gallbladder manifests itself with pain in your abdomen, upper area, or pain right upper, right below your ribcage. This pain will often radiate to your back, between your shoulder blades or just to one shoulder. At times, you JUST experience pain between your shoulder blades. This is NOT a side effect of phentermine, but a symptom of gallbladder issues. If you are also having bouts of nausea, indigestion, and/or diarrhea, you should definitely seek out your primary care provider and ask for an ultrasound of your gallbladder. Many of us have gallstones, but only some of us have symptoms where the gallbladder must be removed. Like me. Now, I had gallbladder issues before I started Phentermine, but losing weight quickly has not helped it and I do continue with pain between my shoulder blades, middle of my back. I am having my gallbladder out on Monday! Definitely worth checking out with your primary care provider! You don't want to have to have an emergency removal of your gallbladder so best to have it checked out so you can have some options.
Also, mentrual pain is usually lower back, rarely middle of your back.
Best wishes!

**twinzymom** · June 19th, 2007, 12:59 PM

I just recently started with backpain, mid/lower back....been on Phen for 2 months now. I thought it was because I started lifting weights/running and getting exercise...couldn't be my gall bladder, that's been gone for years.

**Aim111** · June 20th, 2007, 03:22 AM

I've had this same pain off and on over the two weeks, just right along my spine kind of where I'd think my kidney's would be. I am very afraid of it too. I don't want to damage my kidneys by taking this. I have looked all over the internet and haven't found much about it. I was really hoping that someone here would say oh it's just this or that...I am still very scared about it.

**Neesa** · June 20th, 2007, 06:16 AM

Dear Aim,

Well, it would be almost impossible to tell what is causing your pain unless you get it checked out by your primary care provider! Don't be scared, just take control, see your PCP, and tell him/her what you are experiencing. They may do some bloodwork to check out your kidneys or anything thing else. You are right, you don't want to be unneccessarily doing any kind of harm to your health, so I would have this checked out asap. If it isn't anything to be concerned about, then, you can relax! Phentermine is a powerful medication so one must use it with knowledge and with the care of a PCP.
Good luck and Best Wishes!

**mandiball** · June 26th, 2007, 09:40 AM

Thank you for you post. I've always somewhat had back pain if I done alot of standing. But, I've been taking Phen for about 2 months. Well, I'm doing more on my job and I thought the bad pain was caused from it. But, it's really severe. I was in bed almost all weekend because of the pain. I didn't realize that it could have anything to do with the phen. My pain is mid back on both sides. Like right below my waist line. This is weird because mine began right before my monthly visit too. So, I kind of blammed it on both work and nature. But, it's really to severe, I thought about seeing the doctor.

**btech** · August 21st, 2007, 08:17 PM

I'm so glad I'm not alone here! I've almost worried myself sick with the back pain and shortness of breath. I should have thought to check here first. My symptoms have lasted about three months now. I even had a chest x-ray for the shortness of breath. I also have back pain at the bra line on the right side of my shoulder, with the shortness of breath. I've been worried, and think I'm making myself "anxious" because of it, which is causing my shortness of breath to worsten. I have been taking 1.5 pills a day, but just reduced myself down to 1 pill, 37.5 a day, and wonder if taking half in the am and half in the afternoon might help my symptoms?

**sharose** · August 22nd, 2007, 05:35 AM

Wow, this I must say has been the only post that has scared me a bit. I have bee non phen for 3 weeks now and No my back doesnt hurt BUT as jooster said my neck gets very red. Its weird. just like i got sunburned in that one place.
I am so scared to start to feel this back pain. I have a bad back as it is and I dont want to get more pains. And pain killers are out of the questions, that is one of the reasons why i have became so heavy I was taking too many pain killers ,... from that I became very puffy. To me that is my ememy right now. Someone mentioned the gallbladder..and phen not being the reason. I find that odd that all of these people are taking the same pill and have the same side effects! Gives us somethnig to be looking out for. I HOPE EVERYONE FEELS BETTER! IF ANYONE ELES HAS THE RED TO THEIR NECK PLS. KEEP ME POSTED.

**HoneyBearAcuda** · October 3rd, 2007, 05:03 PM

Redness ....maybe increased blood flow? I have large boobs and if I don't wear a "harness" my back hurts like mad! But I have noticed alot more pain since taking this.I think it just heightens your senses, JMO
Feel better all!

**Radine** · October 3rd, 2007, 11:21 PM

when i first started the phen, i had such terrible lower/mid back pain, i cried, almost had hubby take me to the er...i wasnt drinking enough water. i am NOT water drinker, but i started really drinking the water, within a day or so the pain was gone, and hasnt returned. i was really scared i had damaged my kidneys, but its all good now. dont know if this is the same as you all, but thats my story!

**musicbabe84** · February 16th, 2009, 06:50 PM

I too have also experienced this pain in the middle of my back. It is by my bra line, and it feels like its on both sides of my spine. I have only been taking phen for about a week. The pain began when I started my period and has not gone away. At first I thought it was just because of that, but it has not gone away. I looked online and it hurts where my kidneys would be, but I don't have any signs of kidney problems. I plan on telling my doctor about this. Does anyone know if the pain goes away once you stop taking phen?

**leo2727** · February 19th, 2009, 09:23 PM

Lower back pain here also, has somebody found an answer for this? Thanks and good luck.

**Mommy2Belle** · February 19th, 2009, 10:26 PM

not sure if this helps but i had severe back pain in my lower back i even posted threads on here asking if anyone else had the same thing. My dr said it could of been a side effect but he was almost certain it was my chest. he said that i was losing alot of weight in my waist and not enough in my chest ( iam 5'0 and had 44ddd at first and finally went to a 36dd after 75lb weight loss) which was still to much so i 4 weeks ago had a reduction. anyway if you have a big chest and are losing inches in your upper half that could be it also. hopefully this helps. i know the back pains **** but your not alone so thats a positive thing. when you find out please let us know

**OnAmission_08** · February 19th, 2009, 10:36 PM

Hi, when I first started phen I was on 37.5 and I had aray of side effects and my back pain was located on my left side and it was very sharp. So I stopped taking them. Now I am back on them but I only take half and not the whole pill and I have not felt that horrible pain again. Deff. check with your Dr, because I only have Mrs. in front of my name LOL JK! Good Luck

**coffeeluvr** · February 21st, 2009, 04:12 PM

I too have back pain on my right side under bra strap. I work on feet and at times it is super intence. I was having major breathing problems for at leist 3 weeks. One night it was so bad I desided to go off cold turkey. I was taking 30mgs. Started out on 15 for 2 weeks and was on 30 for2 weeks when it started. Kept taking it for another 2 weeks and went off. It was scary. I wish I knew what was the deal. I even used my elbuterol for asthma( I don't have to take it unless I have broncitus). Weird.This is my 5th day off. My breathing is completley better but my back still hurts.
Has any one else had trouble breething?

**llonsby** · June 13th, 2009, 03:15 AM

I too have just started this 3 weeks ago, just in the last week i've had this burning pain in the lower back by my shoulder blade. I thought i wrenched int while sleeping or something, but it persists. Has anyone or DR proven that this is a side effect? I also wonder if it's lack of drinking alot of water.

**tracijai** · July 10th, 2009, 08:14 AM

This drug is a stimulant and I totally believe this pain in muscle fatigue. Has anyone else noticed this muscle tension? I can feel it big time, and I already suffer from pain back, mainly I think it's due to my weight, one reason I'm on this med. The drug DOES make it worse, for me, because it feels like I'm holding tension all the time.

**Brett19648** · August 24th, 2009, 12:22 PM

This back pain has nothing to do with weight loss. This medication flat out causes some sort of muscular pain in the mid back. I had no business being on this as I was just trying to get leaner. I only had 5-10 lbs to lose, but almost a year after I stopped taking it I am still experiencing back pain. It is nowhere near as severe as it was, but it still bothers me when I sleep or drive at times.

**Kari64** · August 24th, 2009, 01:11 PM

I didn't sleep all night due to the back pain I started getting yesterday afternoon. It's around my left shoulder blade. Here I'm thinking about buying a new bed...but I check the threads and some of you are experiencing the same symptom. I've been on the Phen for three weeks now and just started with the constant back pain. It's weird that we all have the same symptoms......

**Brett19648** · August 25th, 2009, 12:05 AM

you were thinking about buying a new mattress?

I went through 2 mattresses and bought a new car because I thought it might be the seats...

I was also going to the chiropractor twice a week for 6 months...

I have not taken phentermine in almost 1 year and I still have some mild pain in my mid back on either side of my spine.

**Brett19648** · August 25th, 2009, 12:08 AM

if I had known this could be a side effect there is no way I would ever have considered taking this medication...

Anyone who chooses to deal with a side effect like this that causes constant discomfort and loss of sleep needs to go see a different sort of doctor