[PSB]

Hi Everybody. I'm new to this forum. Just started Meridia 10mg four days ago. So far I've had a few bad headaches, pretty bad constipation and slight dry mouth (not too bothersome). I have also had kind of a spacey/drunk feeling, but from what I've read here, it goes away eventually (hopefully?).

I've noticed my hunger level is the same but my interest in food has gone down. I think I've been snacking less and eating smaller portions, but I am not sure if it's actually working. It's so hard to tell. I've read from people that they have a huge decrease in appetite, but it hasn't happened yet for me - Does it take a while to kick in?

I work out 6xweek and watch what I eat, but my problem has always been portion size and night-time snacking - though I usually choose healthier snacks like pretzels and fruit.

I was just wondering if these headaches will go away and if there is any way of telling whether my blood pressure has gone up because of the meds. I don't normally have high BP, but I thought maybe this was connected to the bad headaches. Any ideas?

I am really eager to hear other people's experiences - the good, bad and ugly. I'm just so nervous starting a drug like this, but I've tried EVERYTHING to lose weight and it is just not coming off (I'm hypothyroid, so the scale barely moves). Thanks!

[vondersand]

Hi,
I have been on Meridia for about 5 weeks now and I have lost 13 lbs. so I do know it works. Hang in there. I also have to drink a lot and that really helps with the dry mouth that I had. I really didn't get headaches, but I did get heart palpatations which scared me. I tried the 5 mg. dose and that works better to stop the palpitations. Maybe you could try the lower dose.

[PSB]

Thanks for responding. I actually weighed myself and was shocked to find I lost about 3.5lbs this week. I don't even really feel like I'm eating differently, but I guess I am. It's easier to say no to things, but I can't say I've totally lost interest in food, like some people say they do. Maybe I'm getting fuller more easily?

The dry mouth is still here, but I don't really mind it, because it makes me drink more water - which is good for my health and good for weight loss. The headaches come and go, but aren't constant now. The dizziness/spacey feeling is pretty much gone. The only new thing is that I'm getting some scary palpitations and am waking up a lot during the night. I'm just going to try to deal with these problems though, as long as they don't get too bad. I don't want to go on a lower dose unless my blood pressure is too high. In fact, I may ask my doctor to raise it to 15mg if I feel okay.

I'm really happy to hear anybody's Meridia story, because I know so little about this drug and it makes me feel more encouraged to hear other stories - esp the side effects :>

Thanks again for responding!

[rdhdaisy]

Thinking about taking Meridia per Doctor suggestion. Took phentermine for 14months, and hit a plateau. Very frustrated- gained 8 lbs. in one month. Doctor wants me to wait another month before taking Meridia to purge the phentermine from my system-he wants to make sure Meridia is effective. Soo dissappointed in myself. I started at 176 with phentermine- got down to 156 with phentermine-now at 163 and waiting to take Meridia!!!! Good idea?????? I am 29yr. old female 5 foot 7.

[vondersand]

Hi,
I'm actually in the opposite boat you're in. I took Meridia for a month and decided to try phentermine. I did lose alot on Meridia. (13lb. )I am handling phen better. I was really getting severe side effects from the Meridia-- heart palpitations, excessive sweating and crankiness. I, however, bought my meridia on-line which now scares me. I have since decided to only obtain medications by prescriptions. I read somewhere that people often need to add prozac with the phen to get it to work again. Let me know how you are doing when you start the Meridia.

[PSB]

From what I hear - Meridia is hit or miss. So far, it worked the first week, and then seemed to stop working for me. I've lost about 5lbs total so far. My doctor said if my blood pressure is still normal, he'll up me to 15mg. You may as well try the Meridia - maybe your body just needs a break from the phen? I plan to try phen if Meridia doesn't do much for me after another month.

[shorayn]

so I started taking meridia on sep 11, 2007 and I have lost 17 pounds so far, and the only side effect i've experienced has been dry mouth. I've read of lots of people saying that they lose weight on the first week and then it stops, but this is normal you have to be patient. I lost about 4 pounds the first week and the second week i lost nothing but i saw that the weight comes off every other week in that same pattern all the time. remember we didn't gain all this weight in one day and is best when you lose it gradually.

[PSB]

I ended up losing about 9 lbs on Meridia over two months (the 2nd month I went to 15mg), so I switched to Phen. If Meridia weren't so expensive, I would have probably stuck it out for a bit longer. Phen costs 1/4 of the price and seems to work about the same - or better. The only downside is that I find the side effects to be a lot stronger.

I am so jealous that some of you are able to lose so much so quickly

[paula]

Hi All

Well i have tried every thing to try and lose my weight, then my Dr perscribed me Reductil and since then i have not looked back, i'm on 15mg a day i take the tablet first thing in a morning, i have not or ever suffered any side effects, i just keep a check on my blood pressure, co's Reductil can make it go high, but so far its been o.k, i'm now on my 3rd month of it and i'm very happy with my results i started on 12th September and got weighed at 279lbs, i went back on 3rd Oct and had lost 11lbs, then i went on a 3 week holiday, went back Dr.s on 13th Nov and had stayed the same, my last weighin was 11th December when i had lost 14lbs, i follow WW diet and try to make sure i have my full points every day, i find i get fuller a lot quicker and stay satsified for longer, but i still enjoy my Saturday night treat of wine and a takeout.............

I ask the question last time if i would ever get used to the tablets and i was told no, i do get hungry sometimes but i can tolerate it now, i'm starting some exercising after Xmas, at the moment i don't do any at all, i'm just focusing on cutting down on my food intake.

Good luck to you all
Paula

[Guest]

If you are a night time snacker, many used to suggest taking your Meridia in the later morning. I've always done it this way.

I also didn't seem to feel different, but I lost weight very quickly in the first month, the first time, the second time around a few months later not so much. In 3 mo I did loose nearly 25lbs, once off the Meridia I gained it back 2X.

I'm so thinking about doing this again, but my weight has caused my blood pressure to be slightly more elevated and I worry about the HBP affect w Meridia.

[Guest lady]

Headaches can be from lack of fluid intake as can the excessive constipation. Be sure to drink water even though you probably don't feel like it.

Take Magnesium, upwards to 500mg will alleviate the constipation or should. I take about 350mg per day for wellness and the added benefit is no constipation.

[Sweet_pea]

I was lucky enough not to have any major side effects. I do get dry mouth but as someone mentioned, it makes me drink alot of water too and that contributes to weight loss as well. And I was always an insomniac so I don't know if its the pills or not at this point. But regardless, I have lost 14lbs in 3 weeks so far.

Just keep in mind Meridia is nothing like Phentermine. Phentermine revs up your metabolism (acts like an upper) where your body burns calories without you having to do anything.

For me, I prefer Meridia because it has taught me how much food (or rather how little) it takes for me to be satisfied for healthy weight loss. I've had to teach myself some level of discipline as far as not snacking at night and stuff like that. I feel like I've gotten alot more out of Meridia then I could've gotten from Phentermine mentally. Phentermine would have done all the work without any effort on my part and for me that just only results in gaining all the weight back.

Just my opinion in what worked for me.

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