Questions to ask the Dr/Important things to tell him?

**momgeek** · 05-20-2008, 12:57 AM

Hello! I've been lurking here for a couple of days, and after reading a TON of information (here and online) about Phentermine, I've decided I'm going to call my doctor and talk to him about my options and see if he'll let me try it out.

While he's been on me for a while to lose weight - mainly because of my blood pressure creeping up, back pain, knee problems, gestational diabetes a few years ago - I've got no idea if he will prescribe something to assist me in losing weight.

I plan to talk to him about how I'm not going to rely solely on Phen to help me drop pounds; from everything I've been reading it seems to me it should be more as a tool in weight loss instead of the foundation. I plan to continue to improve my eating habits, and continue getting more and more exercise so when I stop taking the Phen, the weight lost won't come flying back on. I may even join a weight loss program that will help me keep tabs on what I'm eating and the areas (lower sodium, for example) I need to improve on.

Even if it only helped me lose 25 pounds I'd be at my lowest weight in over 10 years - definitely great motivation to keep me going.

Is there anything else I should bring up? Part of me is worried that he will think I'm just looking for a quick fix and that is SO not the case! I want to be healthier and I feel like having another tool to help me achieve that goal will go a long way.

Are there any questions that would be good to ask him?

Thanks for taking the time to read; this forum has been an invaluable source of info

**kenari** · 05-20-2008, 11:57 AM

I think you are going about it the right way. Be honest with your doctor and I would start your new habits now before you see the doctor. My primary physician is not allowed to prescribe Phen (this is because the Military does not allow them to which really makes me mad) but she does believe that if you use it the right way, i.e. as a tool not a crutch, that it can be very helpful. She actually quietly told me about a local Women's Clinic (OBGYN type office) that does do the program with the supervision of one of the doctors and they do give the Phen, but there are certain things they require, you have to be a certain amount of weight over your standard weight (not sure what that is because it is different with everyone via age, bone structure height and weight) and a minimum of 3 pounds a month must be lost to get the next months prescription.

**msmartini** · 05-20-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenari

I think you are going about it the right way. Be honest with your doctor and I would start your new habits now before you see the doctor. My primary physician is not allowed to prescribe Phen (this is because the Military does not allow them to which really makes me mad) but she does believe that if you use it the right way, i.e. as a tool not a crutch, that it can be very helpful. She actually quietly told me about a local Women's Clinic (OBGYN type office) that does do the program with the supervision of one of the doctors and they do give the Phen, but there are certain things they require, you have to be a certain amount of weight over your standard weight (not sure what that is because it is different with everyone via age, bone structure height and weight) and a minimum of 3 pounds a month must be lost to get the next months prescription.

Excellent advice!!

**momgeek** · 05-20-2008, 01:14 PM

Thanks for the reply, kenari

I've actually been eating better for about 6 months now. I will admit that I haven't been perfect with it, but it has slowly become easier to eat more fruits and veggies and healthier cuts of meat. Getting more exercise has been more recent (past 2 months or so); now that the weather is nicer I can take my kids for walks/to the park, etc.

I've joined a well-known weight loss plan several times since my youngest was born in 2004, and each time it's been the same thing - I'll do well for about 3-4 months, struggle to lose maybe 10 pounds and then something happens (major stress, illness) and I just can't find it in me to get back on the wagon. My DH is a great supporter, as is my mom, but it has not been enough so far.

I'm hoping that by adding another tool to helping me get healthier/lose weight that it will be enough to keep me going once I am no longer on it.

**susanpesek** · 05-20-2008, 10:57 PM

What smart little chickies!
Many healthcare professionals shy away from the name 'phentermine' because of the uproar when the Fen-phen combination was banned in the late 1990's.
You may want to take some info on the safety of phentermine alone when used as directed.
I can't wait to find what they say, so stick around and tell!

**momgeek** · 05-20-2008, 11:05 PM

susanpesek, that's a great idea! That should also show him that I really have been doing my homework and am serious (hopefully).

I made an appointment; unfortunately it's not until next week. Oh well - that will just give me more time to get more facts and things together

**momgeek** · 05-30-2008, 07:37 PM

Had my appt on Tuesday and it was kind of an odd one lol. He was pretty busy / in a hurry which is unusual for him; he almost always has a few minutes to chat, but it was the day after Memorial day.

Anyway, I told him I need to lose weight but am feeling very discouraged because I feel like I've tried every "diet" and "eating plan" and "lifestyle change" known to man and it almost always ends the same way, and I was hoping to try adding another tool in the beginning to help get me on the right path.

Before I could bring up Phen he started talking about the usual things for weight loss - group programs seem to have the best results, and there are medications to help but some of them are similar to amphetimines and will help me lose weight but run the risk of possible heart problems and addiction if you're not careful. He said he would give me a script for Meridia for 1 month and that I'd have to come in every 2 weeks to have my BP monitored.

So I called around and about fell over when pharmacy after pharmacy told me what the cost would be -- $120 for a 30 day supply! Yikes!! Our insurance doesn't cover anything weight loss related, so this would've been right outta pocket.

I called the pharmacies back and asked them what Adipex would cost, and it's around $30 / month (for the generic, that is) - MUCH more pocketbook friendly! So I called the office this afternoon and am currently awaiting a call back from the nurse.

I'm going to ask if Doc would be willing to rewrite the script for the Phen since it and Meridia have similar purposes, side effects, and cautions to be taken while you're on them.

Crossing my fingers!!

**momgeek** · 05-31-2008, 11:14 AM

The nurse called back and I explained my situation to her. She was very nice about it and said that she'd talk to the Dr; however, she warned me that he really doesn't like prescribing Phen because of the risks (high BP / addiction) involved - I'm guessing he probably hasn't had very good luck in prescribing it in the past :shrug:

Anyway, she called back and said that he'd let me try it for a week. WTF? I mean, I'm grateful I get to try it at all, but a week is hardly enough time to get over possible side effects and really allow the medicine do its work, IMO. :(

I'm trying to be positive though. I figure I will use this week's prescription to see how my body likes it (ie, hopefully I don't have a bad reaction to it) and if it seems to work pretty well, I will see about finding another Dr in the area who may be willing to prescribe Phen for me.

Can you call a doctor's office and just ask them outright if they have an objection to prescribing Phen, providing other criteria is met - the actual need for it (ie, not just for losing a few pounds), stable BP, etc - ? I don't want to sound like someone who's so hooked on Phen that they're looking for a supplier, as it were. I'm just hoping to find a Dr that will allow me to try it for 2-3 months while monitoring me, so I can get a good running start on losing weight, you know?