[gotquestions]

i ordered Phentermine on the internet about a year ago...and i've taken them off and on...pretty much when ever i felt like i was gaining a few pounds back but lately i've noticed my heart beat feels "harder"

i did some research on the drug and found out that it has some heart side effects as well as some lung problems as well...

so my question to you guys is does anyone else worry about this or has anyone else experienced any problems from taking phentermine?? i love the energy and the weight loss and wish i didn't have to stop takin them, but i have a 3 year old!! i don't need any heart problems =(

[msmartini]

Originally Posted by gotquestions

i ordered Phentermine on the internet about a year ago...and i've taken them off and on...pretty much when ever i felt like i was gaining a few pounds back

I'm going to leave this part alone...

Originally Posted by gotquestions

but lately i've noticed my heart beat feels "harder"

First things first, if this is the case, please seek medical attention.

Originally Posted by gotquestions

i did some research on the drug and found out that it has some heart side effects as well as some lung problems as well...

When I google "Phentermine" and "Heart Issues", I get plenty of information warning of the mixed drug Fen-Phen. The Fen part of that combination is no longer available because of heart complications. The only other referenced point about heart issues is if you have a pre-existing heart condition. Then that is an entirely different issue all together.

Originally Posted by gotquestions

so my question to you guys is does anyone else worry about this or has anyone else experienced any problems from taking phentermine?? i love the energy and the weight loss and wish i didn't have to stop takin them, but i have a 3 year old!! i don't need any heart problems =(

Honestly? No. Before I was prescribed Phentermine, I experienced fast heart rate, irregular heart rates and palpitations. My general practitioner felt the risk was worth the gain... and my cardioligist agreed. 3 months was all she was to prescribe but in the end, she gave me 5 in total. Even though the risk is low, like all medications, there is a risk. This is not meant to be a long-term medication. The weight is down and the issues with my heart are now gone.

If you feel your heart is performing differently then it has in the past, I highly suggest a visit to your doctor.

[susanpesek]

BAM, Girl! BAM! ZAP!
WHAT SHE SAID.

[2summers]

I agree, too. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Meds should be taken only when the benefits outweigh the risks. If you're just a few pounds overweight, the benefits are minimal. which means the risks are greater.

[gotquestions]

so you guys have never heard of anyone having any heart issues that were related to taking Phen??

i have also noticed that my vision will blurr sometimes when i am trying to focus on s/t [like my computer screen]

[mandi]

I took phentermine for the first time back in 1980 after my first child was born and I wanted to get back in shape. I had absolutely no problem with it, got my weight down and kept it down for years.
Did the fen-phen thing back in the mid 90s after birth of my last child. I was monitored by my doc every month. Blood pressure and heart were fine.

I took it again two years ago, bought off the internet and it seemed to be the real thing, lost weight and was doing great until the company I bought it from disappeared. Recently I had a full physical, which included an EKG and stress test, my heart is still strong and healthy. My blood pressure is still normal.

So I don't really think the medication itself is a problem. Since most people don't have their hearts checked out until after there are symptoms, how do we know if there isn't an underlying issue which was just made worse by the medication.

If you're concerned about these medications, go to the doctor FIRST, have some tests done, check everything out, heart, liver, etc.

[sjr0328]

Ok, so I am new to this little forum. I have been checking out phentermine only b/c my cousin recently asked me to buy them for her online and so i did.

I am just responding about the side effects that phentermine does have. I am a physician assistant and so I am going to state the facts about what phentermine really is. I know that it's a great drug for some of you, but in regards to the heart palpitations and cramping of the lower extremitites I have to respond.

Phentermine is an autonomic nervous system depressant. In other words, it works on the chemical stimulants in the brain which shut off the certain neurotransmitters in the brain that send messages to your stomach in regards to hunger. To be more factual, your sympathetic nervous system gets turned on(which is your fight or flight response). When you are scared and your adrenaline goes up so you can run fast and prevent the situation.

Anyway, phentermine turns on these neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus (catecholamines-dopamine, epinephrine and nor-epinephrine), and puts them on overdrive. These little guys work their butts off while you are phentermine. And while it's terrific to not feel hungry, it is also a huge disillusion that nothing else is happening inside your body. You see, your body is now working solely on the 'fight of flight' response which will make your heart beat faster, your body will begin burning calories at a higher rate by using all your glycogen stores (which is why people cramp up, b/c you are loosing potassium secondary to the fact that your ion-channels are on overdrive and their is constant electrolyte exchange).

There are so many more downsides to this that I can't even tell you guys.

I know this is a fabulous drug, trust me, I took ephedra in the early 2000's when it first came out and it worked wonders. I lost 20 pounds, i felt like i could run for miles and do everything i had every wanted to. But, I had insomnia, cramping, and always felt dehydrated.

I know people will pay big money to be thin, and I don't blame you. But, I do want to stress that this stuff is dangerous because over time, you can suffer big cardiovascular and pulmonary issues. Cardiovascularly speaking, if your heart is constantly racing, you can begin to weaken your electroconductivity nodes (the SA and AV nodes, to be exact) and you may begin to experience atrial fibrillation and valvular disturbances. Having heart issues at any age, young or old, is not fun, you can get in a lot of trouble this way. So much that you can end up with an implantable defibrillator or a pacemaker.

Our hearts are not meant to beat fast every single day all day long. It is built to pump at no more than 70 beats per second and then beat fast when exercising or doing things that require extra energy. But to put your heart on overdrive 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is not a good thing.

I only say all these things because these are physiological facts that I learned in school. I am not making anything up, it's pure physiology and it is just how we are built.

Once again, I am using a disclaimer, I am not a physician, i am a physician assistant that understands what you all are going through and have gone through. I know b/c I am now overweight and would love to be on phentermine, but to me, the effects of this miracle drug are just too much, especially with what I know now about it.

So, I just stress that you all think about what you are doing, and make sure you are taking these pills wisely.

Be well!

[msmartini]

WOW! So many things in this post... I'm not sure where to start!

Let me first say that this is not an attack on you... I repeat, this is NOT an attack on you...

I am not a physician's assistant, nor am I a doctor. What I am is someone who has taken this drug to aid in losing weight. I also feel Phen did what it was suppose to do for me and I had great success with it in regards to how it is suppose to be used.

So with all of that said, I'll move forward and respond to your post...

Originally Posted by sjr0328

Ok, so I am new to this little forum. I have been checking out phentermine only b/c my cousin recently asked me to buy them for her online and so i did.

Why? Knowing what you posted below... why in the world would you buy them for your cousin online??? This really throws me off. You should know more than anyone else here that this drug is illegal to purchase and/or sell online.

Originally Posted by sjr0328

I am just responding about the side effects that phentermine does have. I am a physician assistant and so I am going to state the facts about what phentermine really is. I know that it's a great drug for some of you, but in regards to the heart palpitations and cramping of the lower extremitites I have to respond.

Phentermine is an autonomic nervous system depressant. In other words, it works on the chemical stimulants in the brain which shut off the certain neurotransmitters in the brain that send messages to your stomach in regards to hunger. To be more factual, your sympathetic nervous system gets turned on(which is your fight or flight response). When you are scared and your adrenaline goes up so you can run fast and prevent the situation.

Anyway, phentermine turns on these neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus (catecholamines-dopamine, epinephrine and nor-epinephrine), and puts them on overdrive. These little guys work their butts off while you are phentermine. And while it's terrific to not feel hungry, it is also a huge disillusion that nothing else is happening inside your body. You see, your body is now working solely on the 'fight of flight' response which will make your heart beat faster, your body will begin burning calories at a higher rate by using all your glycogen stores (which is why people cramp up, b/c you are loosing potassium secondary to the fact that your ion-channels are on overdrive and their is constant electrolyte exchange).

What cramping are you referring to?

Originally Posted by sjr0328

There are so many more downsides to this that I can't even tell you guys.

I know this is a fabulous drug, trust me, I took ephedra in the early 2000's when it first came out and it worked wonders. I lost 20 pounds, i felt like i could run for miles and do everything i had every wanted to. But, I had insomnia, cramping, and always felt dehydrated.

I know people will pay big money to be thin, and I don't blame you. But, I do want to stress that this stuff is dangerous because over time, you can suffer big cardiovascular and pulmonary issues. Cardiovascularly speaking, if your heart is constantly racing, you can begin to weaken your electroconductivity nodes (the SA and AV nodes, to be exact) and you may begin to experience atrial fibrillation and valvular disturbances. Having heart issues at any age, young or old, is not fun, you can get in a lot of trouble this way. So much that you can end up with an implantable defibrillator or a pacemaker.

Our hearts are not meant to beat fast every single day all day long. It is built to pump at no more than 70 beats per second and then beat fast when exercising or doing things that require extra energy. But to put your heart on overdrive 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is not a good thing.

I only say all these things because these are physiological facts that I learned in school. I am not making anything up, it's pure physiology and it is just how we are built.

Once again, I am using a disclaimer, I am not a physician, i am a physician assistant that understands what you all are going through and have gone through. I know b/c I am now overweight and would love to be on phentermine, but to me, the effects of this miracle drug are just too much, especially with what I know now about it.

So, I just stress that you all think about what you are doing, and make sure you are taking these pills wisely.

Be well!

I highly doubt that was meant to be per second... typo?

You left many, many points out! First and foremost... Phentermine should only be taken while under a physicans care! PERIOD! You're are correct in stating what could happen... but left out the what should happen!

A good doctor is going to prescribe this drug for 3 months at a time with monthly check ups required! A good doctor will also require a break of at least a month before prescribing another round. Of course there are exceptions to this practice. There are some that may be morbidly obese(raises hand) and the doctor may deem that the risk of the drug for an additional 2-3 months with no break would be worth the risk.

The main point that was left out is that Phen is NOT a miracle drug(as referred to in the above post)! I cannot stress this enough... posters here get all up in arms and quite tired of me 'preaching' this... but PHEN IS NOT A MIRACLE DRUG!!! Phen is not devised to be taken as the sole reason someone loses weight! While one is on Phen, they should also take their fate into their own hands...

DIET: No, not a low fat, low carb, calorie restrictive type of thing... learn how to eat properly! 6 times a day... small meals consisting of 2-300 calories at a time... fruits, vegetables, protien, fats(in the correct proportion), carbs(again, in the correct proportion)... learn to love water! This is HUGE! Learn to love it and DRINK it!

EXERCISE: Adding 2-3 walks a week to one's routine will NOT work! Exercising 2-3 times a week is maintenance... you have to exercise 5-6 times a week. Get your heart rate up! Ditch the "fat burning" heart rate(it's a crock by the way) and really push yourself. Lift weights... no ladies, you will NOT bulk up!

SLEEP: Sleep is huge in the weight loss process. Get 7-8 hours of uninterupted sleep. Period!

Use the time on Phen to re-learn these 3 processes above and when you no longer are on Phen, you will NOT regain the weight! But to say Phen is a miracle pill... not so! Nor should it ever be looked to as one. If that is the case, one is taking it for the wrong reasons!!

And lastly... never, ever, EVER purchase Phentermine online! You have no idea what you are getting and putting into your body! Not to mention, there is no doctor to monitor your body's reaction to the drug.

One last note on heart rates... before I lost any weight, my resting heart rate was on average 96 bpm. Nearly 60 pounds lighter and my average resting heart rate is 68 bpm. To make a point on risks... if I would not have taken Phen to as a tool to teach myself how to lose weight, my resting heart rate would still be near 100 bpm. But I used Phen for 5 months and during those 5 months my resting heart rate never went over 100(up a whole 4 bpm) and now, 10 months later, it is well within normal range! What's worse? Keeping it at 96 bpm for another 20 years or bumping it up to 100 for 5 months to have it in normal range for the rest of my life??? You tell me...

You have to weigh the risks of taking such a drug... my doctor weighed the risk... I followed her instructions, learned everything I could and lost weight properly. I'm still losing, albeit slowly now without the aid of Phen... and I will continue to lose no matter how slowly and barring any freak accident, live a long and healthy life!