Has Anyone Taken Phentermine to Lose Weight Since You had OVCA? (2024)

I can completely relate to your wanting to do something that will make you feel better and feel more like the person you used to be. I would strongly suggest talking with your onc before taking such serious actions. Phentermine is an amphetamine and personally, I would be leary of putting that into my body for fear that it could encourage the rate of growth in cancer. It is a drug that is primarily used for severely overweight or obese persons. Please consider the risks and read these links for the possible side effects. Your body/organs are in a comprimised state when you have chemo, I wouldnt want to add additional stress with the use of more drugs.

http://www.healthreserve.com/diet_pills/phentermine_side_effects.htm

http://www.drugs.com/phentermine.html

I have gained 60 pounds in the last year and a half. No one feels your pain more than I do. I hate to look in the mirror because I see a round puffy face. I have gone up nearly 3 sizes. I look like a blob and although I feel pretty good and want to be active, Im embarrassed by my looks. I have always been physically active, love riding my horse, but my weight now interfers with what makes me the happiest. Nothing seems to work for me and I don't know what to do about it....but I won't risk my health with diet pills.....just my preference.

I dont know what botox effects might have on cancer. It is a toxin and again....do you want to add more toxins to your body right now?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botox

I don't want to sound critical. I know many people have no problems with diet pills or botox, and you may not either. I would just recommend that you have a talk with your onc and consider that what you want to do to physically look better may not be the best for your overall health right now.

I agree with the answers above. Be careful with any more drugs in your system after Chemo. I gained weight also, and just started Weight Watchers, along with exercise.. I lost 6 pounds in three weeks, and I'm keeping the old saying in mind "Slow and Steady" wins the race. We gain it quickly, but it is so hard to lose. Best of luck to you... Speak to your doctor about using any of these drugs.

Ruth

I, too, joined Weight Watchers afer my first go-round with surgery and chemo, and lost some weight. I had a heart attack during my surgery in Sept. '09, so I was encouraged to go to cardiac rehab for my heart. I must say, it's made me feel great (and better all the time), and I'm starting a yoga class tonight to help increase my flexibility and ability to meditate.

You really must consult your doctor(s) about using any drug! If you need to lose weight, suck it up and do it the healthy way-control what you eat, and exercise. You will feel much better.

Thanks Ladies for all of your input...

How did I know you would all say that...I guess I was just hoping I could use this drug and not tell anyone I had OVCA...I know, I know, DUMB. I am going to talk to my doctor about all of this on Friday and see what she says. I'm sure she will say..."Lose it with diet and exercise", which I have been trying without much luck...will let you all know what she says....

Have a great day!

Sandy

In reply to kalo555's comment

In reply to epmema's comment

I have had many breakdowns with my onc over this. I was told that steroids are part of the reason and that is what gives you that full puffy look. I was also told that chemo itself plays a part in the weight gain.

I recently changed to a new treatment center and of course on my first visit with the onc stressed how upset I was about it. Again was told it was a combo of chemo/steroids and she set up a consult for me with the nutritionist. She of course told me everything I already new about the proper foods to eat. I was aggrevated because I know what I need to eat....it's not working. I am also more active now but of course no change in my weight.

I plan to talk with my onc again now that I am on Avastin which isn't chemo and I no longer get steroids and see what she says. UGH I hate this

In reply to kalo555's comment

kalo, I hear you. It sucks bad enough to have cancer and then being fat too!!!! I always tell people...I'm the one person with cancer who DIDN'T lose weight. They laugh, but it really isn't funny. First we lose our hair, our bellies look like jello (on a good day!) and then we are big pillsbury dough boys...without enough energy to exercise...sigh.

Sorry, I'm complaining, I know, I know, I should be happy to be alive...and I AM!!

Sandy

In reply to tinykitten's comment

I lost 40 pounds within 3 weeks after my surgery. I was stick skinny and when I started to gain I found the weight that I felt good at.......but it just never stopped. I was gaining 2-3 pounds a week. I don't mean to be inappropriate, but I envisioned people with cancer as being too thin, not too fat. Egads....seems finding a cure for this weight gain is about as difficult as finding the cure for cancer.

I'm determined to figure this out....there has to be something we can do

In reply to kalo555's comment

I 'll never forget when my sis-in-law asked me, while I was on chemo, if I had lost weight. When I said that I hadn't, she said that she didn't think I would because if chemo wAs a sure thing to Lise wright it would be used by everyone in Hollywood. I thought that was hysterical (and probably true!).

I recently got a new source of motivation. I was at the plant nursery and bought a 40 lb. Bag of leaf mulch. Although in the past, I was easy able to carry such a heavy bag now I can just barely do it. Then I realized that if I lost the same amount as that bag think how much easier it would be to get around. I do get around okay but if I were 40 lbs lighter I know I would feel so much better. I know o

it will be slow going getting the weight off but everytime I get discouraged I go and lift that bag and remember that I don't want that much extr weight on

me. But, Lordy, it is hard.

In reply to Martha2's comment

It is amazing how heavy forty pounds (or 20) feels when you carry it in a bag or suitcase....yeah that cannot be good, carrying around that much extra weight...

I just want to get back to being ME!! I feel sometimes like a little old lady....;-(

I have always struggled with my weight, but am heavier now than ever. I lost about 20 lbs. after my surgery and 2 more hospitalizations before starting chemo. Put it all back on during chemo because all I could keep down was carbs. Then I had a surgical hernia was told not to exercise - well, you don't have to tell me that twice! So, needless to say - I've gained even more weight.

Food seems to be my drug of choice and sometimes I think ... well ... I deserve to have an ice cream sundae every night - because, after all, I suffered through cancer!! And why not have an extra slice of pizza? I deserve it! You can guess where that logic gets me.

I have thought about going to Weight Watchers and, after reading these posts, I think I will do that. I so want to be active and healthy again. Good luck to you Sandy. Talk to your Doc, but I agree that you are better off losing the weight slowly with a healthy program. And know that you are not alone in this struggle.