Am I the only one sleepy & hungry?

**dlm432** · 01-29-2008, 02:29 AM

I started taking phentermine a couple weeks ago and I have to say I am shocked by the way I feel. I know two people who are currently taking phen and their reactions are nothing like mine. To top that off...I can't find anybody on the message board that is having the same reaction either.

I am SO tired all day when I take the phen. Add to that, I am hungrier than I was before. I can't complain too much as I am losing weight. I've lost about 10 pounds and that is great but being hungry all day is making it a constant struggle. And it's not the munchies....my stomach literally growls. The sleepiness makes it hard to motivate myself to exercise. I am feeling so challenged by this. Is anybody else going through the same thing?

I would love to hear about other's experiences with phen, especially if they relate to mine in any way. Help??

**susanpesek** · 01-29-2008, 02:34 PM

You have lost, but not smartly, Hon. You MUST eat at least 1,000 calories, about 200 every 2-3 hours and protein each of those times. It is one of the things that helps keep blood sugars, which connect hunger responses, in check. Fats help as do complex carbs.

Where did you get your phentermine? What strength are they?

**dlm432** · 01-29-2008, 05:37 PM

I really am doing the best I know how. I am eating around, usually a little over, 1000 calories per day. I am trying to eat foods that are high in protein and fiber. Trying to figure out how to eat is not easy. One person tells you to count calories, one says count fat grams, another says carbs, sugars, etc. I am not starving myself by any means and I am exercising a minimum of 30 minutes every day, usually more.

When I started taking the phen, I stopped drinking sodas and my husband and I have cut our dining out dramatically. I think that contributed greatly to my initial weight loss.

I just don’t understand why most people report high energy and yet I am tired all day. I don’t believe it is entirely related to my food intake. My daily eating habits are similar to those that you propose in your post. I eat every few hours. The first couple days I had a 4-5 hour burst of what I would call a nervous energy in the morning hours. I was tired but couldn’t fall asleep until around 4:00 a.m. and would get up around 9:00. My sleep has improved greatly but I still feel kind of draggy all day. Others report that their appetite is non-existent and they have to make themselves eat. I just want to figure out why I’m so different. ???

I got my phentermine from a local weight loss physician. I haven’t had a primary care doctor for some time so I made an appointment with this gentleman. In the meantime I have scheduled an appointment with a primary care doctor that I will begin seeing on the 5th. I have a friend who went to this doctor and was given phentermine so I’m hoping I can do the same. Maybe I’ll have more guidance when I start with that physician. I am currently taking 30mg.

I just wonder if I am not taking a high enough dose or if I’m taking too high of a dose. Something just doesn’t seem right. Is there a difference in pill manufacturers? Does it matter when you take the phen in relation to eating? Just trying to figure out what is going on. I really want to continue taking phen but I just want to better understand what is going on and get the best possible benefits from the medication.

Any thoughts, suggestions, or help are greatly appreciated.

**lnb3697** · 01-31-2008, 06:47 PM

I started taking phentermine on 1-24-08 so about 1 week ago. from that day on I have been so tired I can't sleep. I have not had an appetite at all so I doubt if I'm even getting 1000 calories. I have to make myself eat.

**dlm432** · 01-31-2008, 07:38 PM

Thanks for letting me know I wasn't the only one. I am anxious to go the doctor to see if she can help me figure out how many calories I should be eating. I started using Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate (which I love!) and it recommends that I have around 1400 calories per day to lose 2 pounds per week. So, I've been eating somewhere between 1000-1400 calories per day and it has helped somewhat but I am still relatively tired. My energy might be up a tad but it is still not the reaction I expected after talking with other phen users and reading this site. People describe themselves as ping-pong balls....that's definitely not me.

I've read a lot of comments that say it takes a few weeks to adjust. Hopefully it will get better.

Thanks again for your feedback!

**nsomniak6** · 02-07-2008, 08:45 PM

I had pretty much the same exact reaction as you did. I was exhausted for most of the day and really hungry in the evening. I also had the nervousness, but was also tired but am still having trouble sleeping.

I have taken Phenternmine in the past and I suspect I have built up some tolerance. The first time I took it I could barely eat, I had ridiculous amounts of energy and the same problems with insomnia. I lost 10 lbs within about 3 weeks and 35 over about 3 months. This time I have only lost about 3 lbs in the first 2 weeks.

The disappointing part is that with the Weight loss clinic's price and the price of the meds it is pretty darn expensive each month.

I am going to try a phentermine compound that the clinic prescribes, but I'm a little nervous about the ingredients.

Good luck,
Lori

cgoule01 · 02-15-2008, 07:33 PM

I am having the same reactions I have gitty nervouse energy in the morning then I start crashing mid-day. By night time I am so tired but can't fall asleep and when I do, I still wake up alot in the middle of the night. I don't feel very hungry, so I don't eat much. Then some times I get strong hunger feelings and my stomach growls. I know the med works on your brain so your body will still have the same reactions if it gets hungry enough, like the growling. I understand your concerns I hope too that I will get use to the meds and start feeling normal soon!

**ruthere145** · 02-17-2008, 06:27 PM

I'm so tired. I can't sleep. I take Tylenol PM to help me sleep and with the headaches I've been having. It has not helped much. I started taking Phen Friday. Last night was the first time I've slept for at least 2 consecutive hours.

When I finally get up for the day I seem to have a lot of energy but by mid-day I'm tired. After reading the board I realize I need to put snacks in my diet whether I'm hungry or not. I just finished a snack of applesauce and cheerios and the headache has subsided and I have another burst of energy.

Sandy