Appetite Suppressants / Side Effects - Help Pls

[masjntt]

Ok I don't think that this post is strictly for this section as its not NHS related however if there are any medics etc out there reading this then you may be able to offer some advice.

 

My sister is grossly overweight and has been for some years. Years back she lost a fair bit of weight using phentermine appetite supressants prescribed at a private medical clinic. She was made redundant and couldnt afford to continue taking them so had to stop. She never regained the weight she lost but has struggled since stopping these pills to shed any more weight despite trying precription medication via the GP, and other diets and exercise.

 

Roll on to 2008 and her finances are now better and she contacted the same clinic, the doctor was away on leave but as her details were still on file the receptionist prescribed her a months supply until the doctor returns. My sister started taking them 6 days ago and for the first 3 days she was fine, since then she has had excessive sweating and I mean excessive {but it has been hot?} and she has a feeling she described as " like indigesten" in the area where her heart is. It isnt painful and if the same feeling were elsewhere e.g. her arm then she said she would be happy to ignore it unless it worsened.

 

She has had this feeling for two days now and isnt sure now whether she should continue with the pills, they already are helping with her weight but she is concerned about this "feeling" near her heart.

 

She has never had any heart problems and only takes thyroxin for her underactive thyroid which is ok as far as the clinic are concerned.

 

Im not sure what to advise her to do, the clinic is now closed until the doc returns and she doesnt really want to discuss with her GP. Her weight at the moment makes her in the unhealthy range and obviously losing weight will make her healthier, however not sure healthwise whether she should continue with the pills, just wondered if any one out there had any knowledge of these pills or advice?

 

Sorry for such a long post x

[mree]

Is she taking any other medication? Not necessarily for any related conditions, but any other medication at all? This drug can have some nasty side-effects when combined with certain other drugs.

 

If she's having scary side-effects, I would say she should stop taking them immediately, until she can get medical advice, as this medication has been (rarely) associated with pulmonary hypertension and damage to heart valves. They work in a similar way to amphetamines, so will increase her heart rate anyway.

[saintly_1]

Hi you could try here Consumer Health Forums

[masjntt]

Thanks x

 

The only other medication she takes is thyroxine for underactive thyroid which the prescribing doctor is aware of and said was ok. The "feeing" which she has she didnt get the first time years back when she took it and its not a pain or nasty feeling just a little odd and cant seem to establish if its a usual / normal side effect or if its an indicator that the drug simply doesnt suit here anymore.

 

will try consumer health forum too - thanks saintly1 x

[poppynurse]

If she has a feeling like indigestion associated with sweating I would strongly suggest she goes to her local A&E for a check up - it may be that she is having angina or a heart attack. Heart pain in ladies is often descrined as indigestion (and sometimes in men) and doesn't present with the classic symptoms.

 

I find it extraordinary that a receptionist can issue a repeat prescription in the absence of the doctor when she hasn't taken the meds for years - this is unsafe prescribing (and who signed the prescription...).

 

I can appreciate she wants to lose weight but her overall health must come first.

[masjntt]

Wow scary stuff, didnt realise that poppy nurse glad I posted on here now. The indigestion type pain has stopped now but based on what you said I really dont think she should continue with these pills and should have a check up.

 

I agree about the dispensing of the drug, the clinic stores the drug so according to them providing the patient has been ok onthe drug before and is in the same health / similar weight etc then the reception staff can prescribe upto 4 weeks max.

 

Thank you for your help x

[miziwizzi]

If she has a feeling like indigestion associated with sweating I would strongly suggest she goes to her local A&E for a check up - it may be that she is having angina or a heart attack. Heart pain in ladies is often descrined as indigestion (and sometimes in men) and doesn't present with the classic symptoms.

 

I find it extraordinary that a receptionist can issue a repeat prescription in the absence of the doctor when she hasn't taken the meds for years - this is unsafe prescribing (and who signed the prescription...).

 

I can appreciate she wants to lose weight but her overall health must come first.

 

 

 

I totally agree.

 

On another note I am a student nurse who also has an underactive thyroid and I can tell you I would not be taking anything that increased my metabolic rate, even though you say the dr is aware she takes thyroxine Im suprised. Also as Poppynurse says the whole persciption thing needs looking into.

[389shell]

I am also on thyroxine for an underactive thyroid and there are LOADS of other medications that I cannot take.

 

Is the 'doctor' a medical doctor or a Gillian McKeith 'doctor'? Did she research this clinic before hand? She does know that only exercise and a healthy diet is the only real way doesn't she? Pass her the details of her nearest Slimming World (I'm biased, I lost 1.5 stones with them), not only do these clubs work but you make friends with people that you would never dream of socialising with.

 

Has her thyroid level been checked regularly? I'm sure you know that if this is out then the weight suffers.