Treating Fibromyalgia with Phentermine

Treating Fibromyalgia with Phentermine
© 2005

As a person living with the daily struggles of Fibromyalgia or a “fibromite,” the last thing you want to hear from a doctor is, “You need to lose weight and you are not trying hard enough.” These words felt like sharp icicles slowly repeating in my mind; after seeking help from many doctors for the last six months and receiving no help, I was ready to cry. Assuming this recommended rheumatologist, a specialist for joint pain, would be much more understanding was not the right assumption. Explaining my lifestyle for the past eight years to this new doctor, while presently dealing with the tremendous pains and fatigue which my body never experienced before, were the last words I needed to hear from a medical professional.

My entire life I always exercised and ate healthy; it was part of who I was and currently still am. Of course I would treat myself to sweets like chocolate cake or ice cream, but very rarely due to food allergies. My physical activity consisted of Yoga and walking five times a week, for an hour or more a day; while sticking to the “no whites” diet. This diet focuses on no eating of any white flours, white rice, sugars, dairy, and any other foods which cause my body to react harshly; in easy terms, it makes me sick for days to weeks. Fibromyalgia sufferers are suggested to stay away from these foods as they irritate the body and cause worse symptoms.

All this was explained to the doctor and his answer was, “You’re not eighteen anymore. Your body is not the same as it used to be.”

Besides becoming upset, I became very angry and my persistence of finding a way to prove this doctor wrong was my determination. From searching around I found a doctor who was willing to work with my condition of Fibromyalgia to help with weight loss. The doctor prescribed Adipex or the generic brand known as Phentermine to help kick start my body. For five months I was bed ridden, my walking was more of a shuffle, my hands couldn’t even type or hold neither a cup nor a steering wheel to drive. Coming from the natural healing world, I tried many alternative therapies from Acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy. These treatments do help, but with the “cycle” or “flair” I was experiencing, nothing seemed to work to pull me out of it. The treatments did give temporary relief but it never stuck around long enough. Due to not taking prescription medication for the ten years prior, I researched about the drug before convincing myself to give it a try.

Finally I decided to try this little white and blue speckled pill and the first week it took my pains away instantly! The dose started at a ½ pill for the first few months till my body got used to the chemicals. Phentermine is an amphetamine and does give the body a rush when first started to be taken. The doctor explained that the main ingredient is the same of what is used in Sudafed and to never take Sudafed or any over the counter medication similar to Sudafed. Not to eat any hard cheeses, eat a small breakfast staying under 300 calories, make my main large meal at lunch time with dessert, and eat dinner before 8:00pm were the only rules. The doctor said to eat whatever I wanted and there was no need to over exercise since my body could not take the fatigue. I continued to stick to my diet and my exercise routine because it has been a part of my life for so many years; I felt there was no need to change it.

When I began taking Phentermine, I weighed 180 pounds. I always agreed I needed to lose some weight, but the frustration came from asking the rheumatologist for help, not getting any answers, not being believed, doing everything “right” for seven years and continuing to gain weight. Without understanding why my past experiences always failed, I did not have high expectations. The weight doctor asked me what was my ultimate goal concerning my weight loss. I answered, “I would like to be around the 140 pound range.” He took out his chart, looked up my height of 5’6, and said, “According to my chart, your healthy, normal body weight is around 159. Don’t feel you need to get down to 140 pounds.”

I guess his approach toward my goal weight gave me hope that losing at least 20 pounds was possible. After questioning the doctor and researching the Journals of Medicine, I decided to give the pill a try. Reluctant to take it everyday due to all the warnings about the body becoming addicted to the chemicals, I decided to use it more as a pain killer than a weight loss solution.

It has been seven months since starting Phentermine; I have continued taking ½ pill to 1 pill a few days a week. Some times I don’t take any pills for a few days in a row since the biggest concern all the information recorded states the body can become addicted. All other medications I have tried in the past, the affects never lasted longer than a month. The amazement the potency of this pill still has an affect on my body still boggles my mind.

My present weight is 149 pounds. My body temperature before the pill would always be around 97.3 degrees and now my body temperature has risen to 98.2 degrees. From my experience of being a Fibromyalgia sufferer for over ten years and trying the different techniques to get some relief, Phentermine has accomplished this. There are many different opinions about this prescription drug; this has helped me gain my life back but each person should consult with their doctor and individual health problems.

With the ease of buying prescription drugs without a prescription over the internet, many sales occur without the proper blood work before beginning this treatment. If you have a heart condition, this pill should not be taken. Blood tests must be done before any doctor will prescribe the drug. Always consult with a medical professional before taking this drug.

In June, my fourth appointment, I returned to my rheumatologist for a check up. He looked me up and down and didn't say a word about losing weight. His comments were, “You seem to be doing better.” We began chatting and through our conversation it was mentioned I played four hours of softball the morning before so my body was sore. The difference in this man's body language and voice tone shocked me! He asked where I played, who I played for, what position I played, how long I have played; so all these questions were answered.

Before my examination came to a close, I stepped on the dreaded scale; he saw the weight loss, which at the time was around 15 pounds. Since he didn’t say anything to me, I did make a comment regarding my first visit with him.

"Next time you decide to generalize a new patient by what they say, the way they look, or how they act, remember this moment. My husband and I both explained my normal level of physical activity while you made a very sarcastic comment toward us about not being 18 years old anymore. When in reality, only six months prior to my first visit, I was physically active without too much muscle or joint strain."

Was I wrong for confronting this issue? In my heart and dealing with doctors who barked orders at me but would not offer any advice or solutions of how to accomplish their requests; saying these words justified my efforts. Maybe I made the doctor think, for at least… a second.

The doctor did not respond.

AC