Question: Effectiveness and combo w/other drugs...

Hey, when I received a prescription for Meridia, my physician told me it would decrease my desired portion size, but not do a great job of controlling my appetite. As such, he also gave me phentermine to take.

The phentermine, as some of you may now, makes me feel TERRIBLE. It not only makes me feel shakey and half-sick, but it affects my moods a great deal. I simply don't think I can continue taking it.

Some of you are saying that you think the Meridia alone is very effective at controlling appetite. Is that true? How long did it take for it to become effective? Did those affects wear off? In what time frame?

Thanks for your help all!!

Laura

Answers:

A: Hi Laura,

I'm no expert, since I've only been on Meridia for about 7 weeks, but I think it helps control my appetite. It was especially effective
in the <br>first three weeks or so. It still works, though. On some days it seems to work better than others. Some days, I want to eat everything in sight, then there are other days (more of these, thankfully) that I am content with much less than I would normally eat. I also have found that with Meridia, I don't get that uncontrollable urge to eat at my usual trouble times (like late in the afternoon and in the evening). My Dr. told me that it isn't a miracle drug, or a silver bullet that would make the pounds vanish with no effort on my part....but, it is something that will make losing the weight easier in that it helps me feel satisfied with less, most of the time. My Dr. also stressed the fact that excercise is SO important. That the patients that she has that have done well have excercised consistently. The ones who haven't excercised, haven't done as well.

Good Luck!

Windsong

A: Hey, thanks for the wonderful information. I really wanted a "report" from someone who's been taking it for a few weeks.

And yes, I KNOW there's no way to really be successful losing weight (or to ever get healthy for that matter) without exercise. I've got a rather frequent habit myself...and I love this part! In fact, it's ordinarily much easier for me to get myself to the gym than it is to avoid eating stuff I shouldn't.

By the way: What, if any, side effects are you experiencing? I'm curious about this, since I've had such lousy luck with other appetite suppressants.

Thanks again!!

Laura

A: The only side effect that I have had consistently is constipation. At first my Dr. said to take Metamucil but then I heard on here to eat some Fiber One or All-Bran type cereal in the morning to help with this side effect. That works fine so far. The Metamucil is gross!! I tried it for about 4 days and couldn't see myself continuing. Eating cereal is much more pleasant! There really hasn't been any other side effects for me.

My exercise routine is walking, walking, walking. It helps that we just got a dog 3 1/2 weeks ago, who will only " potty" if we take her for a walk, so, every morning after my daughter goes to school, the pooch and I go for about a 30-minute walk. My husband gets the 10pm last-time-out walk (which is good for him, too). I enjoy walking, especially with someone to talk to (dogs are great listeners!).

Have a great day everyone!!

Windsong

A: Hi Laura

I can't believe your doctor gave you Meridia and Phentermine,Meridia alone should curb your appetite and help you lose weight.I just started my third month on Meridia and I do have insomnia quite bad but it is getting better. Good luck to you.....

Ramona,
Milwaukee Wi.

A: Hey Ramona, how much weight have you lost so far? Do you think it's working well and worth the risks?

I have trouble with insomnia now and again WITHOUT taking anything. So I'm concerned about this side affect. But after taking several days of Meridia (ALONE) that has yet to show up. I DO exercise quite a bit and I wonder if that will help maintain a normal sleep
schedule. I sure hope so!! I know I'm not far enough into it to know what kind (if any!) of problems I will have.

Good luck getting to sleep!!

-Laura