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quincy
Board Addict

Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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OK- since I was diagnosed with fibro about a year ago I have gained almost 15 pounds, putting me over the limit of a weight I can live with. I have never been too worried about weight, and have accepted that due to genetics I will never be a tall, slim model. I have always been short and "thick" as they say. I wasn't fat, but not skinny either.
But my weight has suddenly skyrocketed. Part of it is being alone now, and I go to bed with food instead of a man and the depression that goes along with loneliness also contrubutes. I have had problems exercising because of the pain, and it seems like my appetite has gone out of control!!
I am going to see my PCP this week and Im going to ask her to put me on something. I don't have trouble sticking to a diet, well I never did before, but its like right now I can't help the cravings for things like donuts and Best if kept off the board like that. I would like to try Meridia or something like that because it may also help with the fatigue. I don't know, though because I have never taken any diet pills.
Do any of you have experience with diet pills? What is the best one and what would you avoid? Any advice would be appreciated.
Sarah
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Jordan530
WonderWoman
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 597
Loc: The Left Coast of Florida
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Sarah, there is a very interesting thread about diets pills here. web page
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'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand'
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Quincy-
Have you developed an insatiable sweet tooth since being on methadone??? I was very underweight when I started on methadone 9 years ago. I am 5'8" and weighed 115 lbs back then. During the course of the first 7 years, I gained about 15 lbs a year until I reached my maximum weight of 195. I started looking "plump" but never fat (perhaps my frame carried it well...) Anyway, I began reducing my methadone dose 2 years ago and starting losing weight right away (as well as the horrible symptoms of falling asleep during conversations, driving, etc...) and no more sweet tooth. I've lost 55 lbs in the past 2 years. I also lost several teeth (a common problem with this medication, I've learned) even though I practiced good dental hygeine. Many, many people have complained of weight gain while on methadone.
I wonder if you have considered the medication as the weight gain source rather than the underlying illness.
Don't know if diet pills containing amphetamines would be a good idea while you continue to be on methadone.
Best of luck, as always!
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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k8kat
Stranger
Reged: 10/02/03
Posts: 23
Loc: Canada
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Quincy,
I am on Methadone, and have been for over 4 years. My dose was as high as 620mgs at one point, it is now 145mgs. This is because one day in February of this year, I stopped my methadone COLD TURKEY!!! Just like that. I lasted 12 weeks without ANY opiates at all and lost 50 pounds, because of the intense withdrawal I suffered.
Now, being back on the methadone, I started to gain weight right away, and it continued, as did the sweet tooth.
So, this past week, I went to my Family Doctor and told her exactly why I wanted to be put on a diet pill:: that I cannot lose weight on methadone, that I am too tired to exercise all the time, that my sweet tooth will be the death of me and that I am miserable weighing this much, having never been fat before. I always used to have an amzingly sexy figure, not too thin, just right. Didn't know how good I had it!!! Until now. 
So, she prescribed Phentermine, in Canada it's called Ioamin. There are many Brand names for it. But if you tell your doctor you want to start taking Phentermine, he/she WILL know what med that is.
I have found that it works so so so well. I have NO appetite at all, all day and all night! None. I have to force myself to get some nutrients into my body.
The side effects are: more energy, more hyper than usual, never tired during the day....before I took these I used to have to take a nap during the day, now I don't have to or want to.
The side effects are minimal considering the potential results!!! 
Also, this med does not eat up your methadone at all. It is also not an amphetamine. But it does act as one, I suppose. (I've never taken an amphetimine, so I wouldn't really know) The only warning about these are that they have the potential to be abused and you can easily become dependant on them, well, not easily for everyone. But, I could see how one could. The energy alone they provide is pretty tough to let go.
Anyways, if you'd like, look it up, and/or ask your doctor about Phentermine and see what you decide to do. Either way, they do what they are supposed to: they completely take away your appetite for the entire day and night!!!!
Good Luck,
k8kat
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antique
Banned
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 215
Loc: east coast
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Sarah, here's my nickel's worth. Warning: This message is not suitable for all viewers! Viewer discretion is advised.
Meridia did not work for me. I participated in a clinical trial & lost some weight, but it was due to the diet we were put on. Meridia works by encapsulating the fat you eat to keep it from being absorbed into your system. If you eat too much fat while taking it, you will be very sorry. Even when you don't eat very much fat, you will have loose, orange stool. In fact, you'll find that you leak a bright orange oily substance which can permanently stain your clothes.
I have used Didrex, & it does reduce your appetite. However, if you're having mood problems now, this could make it much worse. It's also potentially addictive and long-term use can lead to paranoia & other bad things. Not good if you have high blood pressure either.
I've tried many of the popular herbal weight loss concoctions. None of them worked.
I must have tried every diet & diet pill at some time. Lost lots of weight and put it back on plus some every time.
So what's my point? There's no hope just give it up. I'm kidding kind of.
I'm not going to give you the usual spiel about diet & exercise. But I will tell you that you can diet your way to a weight much larger than you have now. Don't put anymore money into some scammer's pockets. Try to figure out what you could cut down or out or substitute and still be satisfied. Do some mild exercise.
From what you said in your message, I think you might find some books helpful...like Feeding the Hungry Heart, What's Eating You?, there are others I can't think of right now.
Another poster made a good point about meds causing weight gain. Besides methadone, some anti-depressants, birth control, and corticosteroids can cause weight gain. Have you had your thyroid hormone levels checked? It used to be that people would say that thyroid problems are rare. Not so these days.
HTH
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