Part of week 3 involved starting an appetite suppressant, Phentermine. It is prescribed by the doctor. It is considered a stimulant according to Drugs.com.   I hesitated a few days to take it because of the listed side effects. Generally, I am sensitive to medications and in this case, this is one that I will not be taking again. The way I felt outweighed the benefit for me. I am struggling on a daily basis to make the right healthy choices, I can’t feel sick while I’m doing it.

The point of taking it was to help feel full without having the cravings….they make me crazy.  I will take crazy thinking about food over feeling tired, wired and cranky at the same time.

I started my day by eating my toast with avocado, my espresso with almond/coconut milk and dash of cinnamon.  You have to take the med 1 hour before you eat or 2 hours after. Any new med, I always like to take with some food in my system so it doesn’t mess up my stomach/intestines.  So I took this 2 hours later, with 12 oz of water.  Shortly after taking it I started feeling a little turning in my stomach and if I left it alone, I’d most likely get sick. So I ate my lunch –  tofu with veggies for lunch…this was most definitely filling. I felt full. I wouldn’t have 2-3 pm snack craving/munchies. But at 3, I had to eat something because my energy level tanked – I felt exhausted and had a headache building up behind my eyes (my sign that sugar levels are low), so I ate a yogurt with trail nuts from Trader Joe’s.  This helped a little bit more, I was also drinking water like crazy – I couldn’t get enough of it.

By 5 pm, I had no appetite whatsoever.  But I had to eat, as I had consumed by this time less than 700 calories,  I think my body went into shock or something as I was crashing. I prepared meat and side of veggies, like lunch it sat in my stomach and I definitely felt full. But I had to force myself to eat this.

By 9 pm, I was exhausted – but, my mind wouldn’t stop thinking. Racing thoughts, I couldn’t quiet myself. This is not a good thing, typically leads to me becoming paranoid.  At this time, I wishing I hadn’t taken the pill and couldn’t wait long enough for it to wear off.  Guess what?  I went to bed and was up most of the night – thinking!  When I slept, I was dreaming of what I was thinking.

I would suggest to be aware of your body and the signs it gives…I have decided that I won’t make myself feel worse. I can see how people lose weight on this. However, what happens when you go off and start eating again?  I guess I’d have to switch entirely to raw diet, so I could sustain the 700 calories that the pill lets me eat.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements or stating a new fitness routine.