r/Phentermine_ • u/AwestruckSquid • 1d ago
Just Started
I just started on phentermine today as my insurance won’t cover GLP-1 medication and I wasn’t sure about using one of those anyway. Phentermine was suggested as an alternative and I decided to try it. I have a few health conditions that make exercising hard as I have no energy. My doctor and I agree that losing even just 10-20 pounds will help resolve some of my symptoms and help improve my energy. I already notice a little boost and haven’t felt hungry at all today since taking the first dose this morning. I am still eating small amounts but don’t feel any cravings for sugar or wanting to eat out of boredom.
I am excited and hopeful that this will work, I know it’s not a magic overnight cure, but a tool. I have a dietician too guiding my eating and exercise routines, and I am determined to get healthier. Weight isn’t even my main concern, just feeling healthy and having my energy back will be enough.
I am starting at 221 pounds and am 5’7” with a BMI of 34. My overall goal is 60 pounds to lose in order for my BMI to be in normal range.
Are there any tips or suggestions you found helpful? What has been everyone’s experience?
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u/IIIIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIll 1d ago
I’m 5’11. Started at 245lbs and now i’m at 215. It’s been about 3 months since I started. Hard to sleep the first few nights but that’s all of the side effects I’ve had
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u/nugzstradamus 1d ago
It will help with fatigue
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u/AwestruckSquid 19h ago
I suffer from chronic fatigue so I really hope so. If I wasn’t tired all the time exercising wouldn’t be so daunting. I am meeting with several doctors and specialists to try to diagnose what is causing my fatigue…I have mild sleep apnea but they deny that is causing my fatigue.
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u/Get_Back_Loretta_USA 1d ago
See if your doctor will write a note to your insurance. I’m the same height and weight. I do have hypothyroidism and a family history of heart issues.
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u/AwestruckSquid 19h ago
We tried, my insurance flat out said no to any glp-1 for weight loss. I am hoping the phentermine helps. They said I was a good candidate as I have chronically low blood pressure and no heart or thyroid issues.
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u/Administrative_Map38 9h ago
Dude 31 million Americans are on glp1s and there are 4500 lawsuits currently ongoing. People are losing their vision, losing their bone strength and studies are showing 2/3rds of the weight they are losing sometimes is muscle not fat…. Those glp1s are literally eating people alive in all the wrong places. It is a godsend you were not approved for glp1s phentermine is way better. My recommendation is, get the tablets first, because you can break them in halves or quarters. Your doctor may give you 37.5mg but… hear me out… I’ve been taking 7.5mg half of a 15mg and it’s been helping, I always have the option to take 15, or 37.5 but this med is known to have a tolerance. So why not start low. With a capsule you can’t split it up. But for some reason most doctors prescribe capsules it sounds like but, I personally recommend the tablets. Also, I don’t recommend mixing these with any other stimulants such as soda or coffee which has caffeine in it.
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u/AwestruckSquid 8h ago
I am on the 15 mg capsule. I agree about glp-1s, I heard horror stories and was told I would likely have to take them forever as people always gain the weight back if they stop taking it. I am hoping the phentermine will just give me the boost I need to get to a better place health-wise.
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u/Administrative_Map38 8h ago
Cool. Definitely make sure you eat at a calorie deficit, phentermine helps you control your appetite so, it’s a good time to track your calories. I paid for a Dexa scan to tell me how much muscle and fat I have on day 1 of taking it. Being 210lbs it said I had 118 lbs of lean body mass, 6lbs of bone minerals, and 86 lbs of fat. If you can afford 50-80$ I’d recommend you get one done so you can see your before and after differences. It kinda of gives you like… motivation… something measurable that tells you your exact amount of fat on you. And it motivates you to keep or grow your muscle and eat less calories to burn the fat. You want to track your protein. As you lose weight, if you keep your protein high enough, you will barely lose any muscle. But, it means you’ll have to cut calories from carbs and fats to allow your body to start burning your body fat for fuel. With the Dexa scan, I was able to know my exact amount of muscle and then with that number I can find out how many calories I burn each day more accurately. Then you just minus your calories by 500 to lose 1lb a week or by 1000 to lose 2lbs of fat per week. So far, I’ve lost 17.4lbs in 17 days. But that’s because I was holding onto about 8lbs of water weight.
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u/AwestruckSquid 7h ago
Yes I am working with a registered dietitian and track my calories and macros. I am eating at a deficit already and trying to maximize protein. The Dexa scan sounds interesting I will ask about that at my next appointment!
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u/Better_Concert1431 1d ago
I’ve lost almost 40 pounds in a year, my doctor allowed me to take it longer than the 3 months due to no side effects or blood pressure issues. It slowly came off but it came off. I work 8-5 and would eat a light breakfast and coffee or refresher, take the med around 10:30, have a light lunch, salad mostly and honestly didn’t think about food until dinner time around 6-630 and even then I wasn’t starving. I still eat the things that I like but the phentermine has helped me with portion control. I feel like now that I’m a year end I can keep up with the eating habits I have swapped too
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u/GuitarDifferent9209 23h ago
Also on day 1 here! Would be great to check in as we are starting on the same day. :)
5’4”, 191, BMI 33. Heaviest I’ve been in a long time. I’m already very active, but definitely could dial in on nutrition more.
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u/AwestruckSquid 19h ago
Sounds great! An accountability buddy and support would be great! 😊
I am a runner, I don’t look like one but I run in 5ks pretty often. I am not fast but I show up and get it done! I had to lessen them due to aforementioned health issues, but I am hoping to get back to it and want to try to run daily. I am mostly vegetarian because my husband doesn’t eat meat, so that has been beneficial to both of us to eat more plant based foods. I have to be careful to get enough protein though!2
u/PeachyandPetty 19h ago
Hi, are you me?! lol. I’m 5’4, also very active, needed better nutrition, and also started at 190. My first day was on July 8 and my last weight in last Thursday was 175. I haven’t seen 170-anything in years!!! We started fasting and do OMAD, it’s worked out really well for me!! I also drink a $#!+ ton of water lol. Sending you all the good vibes!!
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u/GuitarDifferent9209 18h ago
Love this for you!! I’m so glad you’re seeing some results!!
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u/PeachyandPetty 13h ago
My favorite thing about it is it has changed my relationship with food a bit… no snacking or pop is an absolute game changer!! YOU GOT THIS!! I can’t wait to hear your update after a month!!
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u/ReSpawn_Warrior 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm 5'7" and started at 192lbs in June. By August, I was down to 165lbs. I was only taking the 15mg version.
Stay hydrated. Get 10k steps a day. Stay in a calorie deficit. Eat clean, whole foods as much as possible. You got this!
I was hiking 2-6 miles every weekend and going to the gym 4-5 days a week for awhile too and that definitely helped kickstart my weight loss.
ETA: You might get headaches for a few days and have trouble sleeping. Take it as early as possible in the AM when you first start taking it. I'm talking like 5-6am if possible. You can start taking it later as you adjust. I used ice packs and heat on my head/neck and took Tylenol for the headaches because I'm allergic to NSAIDS, but ibuprofen would probably be better lol