Feedback on Meridia Side Effects and Usage, page 9
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If you use Meridia, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: So confused
Date: 1/8/2007
My doctor prescribed me Meridia 10 mg #30 + PO QD June 2006 but she stressed to me she really wanted me to lose weight naturally… I am 20 years old I will be 21 at the end of Feb. My weight goes up and down from 170-180 I am a little under 5’2. My goal weight would be 105-115 lbs. but I want to lose weight by my birthday. I was thinking about filling my prescription but my mother doesn’t want me to, she said that when I stop taking the pill I will gain the weight back by double… I will be working out and eating good at the same time to lose the weight faster. I am sooo confused. Also, my doctor wanted me to go on the ZONE diet but that failed. He said I was going to become diabetic if I don’t changed me eating habits. I am going to start eating organic foods and control what I eat but do you feel Meridia will be dangerous for me? Please advise…Thank you,
Ashley
AskDocWeb: It sounds like both your doctor and your mother have legitimate concerns. Your mother wants to protect you from gaining back the lost weight and more. If you just take the pills then your mother’s concern is valid. When discontinuing Meridia, those people who haven’t changed their eating habits and developed an exercise habit do gain back the weight they lost. Since your doctor wants to protect you from becoming diabetic we suggest following your doctor’s advice.
Subj: Weight loss 35 pounds and feel great
Date: 1/17/2006
A decade ago I took Fen/Phen and lost a lot of weight. I had been on it a year when it was pulled off market, and then I slowly crept back up in my weight. I never exercised and tended to pig out on snacks in front of the TV at night. A few months ago I started 15mg of Meridia, and made a commitment to alter my life style. Now I work-out during my “TV time”, don’t have cravings, and have lost 35 lbs. in 3.5 months (with 25 lbs. to go). My 40th birthday is next summer, and that’s my main motivation. I feel great! The question is: my doctor doesn’t want me on Meridia for a long time; we had agreed to use it as a “jump-start” or “crutch” to make these lifestyle changes tolerable. Does anyone have experience with tapering Meridia? If I can continue to exercise for 45 minutes 5 times a week instead of spending all that time eating Doritos, is it possible I can continue to lose weight towards my target? Should I come off Meridia only after I’m down to goal weight (2-3 more months), or should I taper beforehand and see if I can do the rest “on my own”?
Tom
AskDocWeb: It sounds like you are doing a great job on your own, keep it up. Tapering off now would seem to be a good idea.
Subj: Chronic sinus congestion issue
Date: 1/18/2007
My wife uses Meridia for weight control and has good success. But more importantly, it has helped her with a chronic sinus congestion issue — any ideas as to why? We had gone thru many other treatments without success. The first day she took Meridia, she said “hey, I can breathe again!” Given that some people complain about difficulty breathing as a side effect, there’s obviously something going on here. Since it helps my wife, and seems to bother “normal” people, I’m guessing it is causing expansion of airways? But does anyone have any info on this? You would think the makers of Meridia would look into this — potential new market?
Mark & Patricia
AskDocWeb: Since Meridia is meant for short-term use only it is not likely to be of any help for most sinus sufferers.
Subj: Meridia and Wellbutrin
Date: 1/18/2007
My 16 year old started meridia 15 mg and is also on Wellbutrin 300mg this seems like too much seratonin, is she in danger?
Jbrining
AskDocWeb: Please consult with her doctor about this because of the possibility of a bad interaction between these two drugs.
Subj: Recommended start dosage
Date: 1/19/2007
I was wondering if you could take 2 5mg pills to make up the 10mg recommended start dosage?
Julie
AskDocWeb: Yes, you can obtain the starting dosage (10mg) by taking two 5 mg tablets once daily with or without food.
Subj: Depression
Date: 2/2/2007
I had a very difficult time losing weight after having my 1st 2 babies; diet and exercise were marginally successful. It took 18-24 months of hard work to get to pre-baby weight. After my 3rd baby my OBGYN prescribed Meridia. I have taken Meridia for about 4 months and have lost 40 lbs. My blood pressure was normal, appetite was suppressed, and sex drive was great. Post partum experienced with the 1st 2 babies was absent. Tiredness was the only negative side effect. I have stopped taking it for about 1 week have gained 3 lbs. and have been struggling with severe post partum like depression. Not sure what to do?
Britney
AskDocWeb: If your depression is severe then discuss this with your doctor.
Subj: Appetite increasing
Date: 2/15/2007
Hi, I have been taking meridia for about 6 weeks now and at first my appetite decreased but now it seems to have increased do you know why and should I keep taking it? Also I run alot and lately my balance has been awful…thank you,
Shell
P.S. I was wondering what is a good safe site to order meridia from, thanks.
AskDocWeb: It sounds like you are beginning to build up a tolerance for Meridia and if that is the case then taking more would do you no good. Ordering online is not recommended.
Subj: Meridia and pregnancy
Date: 2/20/2007
I just started taking Meridia, but I am not taking any birth control pills. If I do get pregnant will this medication hurt my unborn child?
Adriana
AskDocWeb: You shouldn’t be on Meridia if you have any chances of becoming pregnant. Since the use of Meridia during pregnancy is not recommended you should talk to your doctor about this.
Subj: Meridia and spotting
Date: 2/21/2007
I’ve been taking Meridia for about 3 weeks now, I’ve had my period 1 week prior to taking the medication, then 14 days later and I’ve began Meridia I’m currently spotting and I feel like my period is coming again, its been 9 days since my last period. What should I do?
Gemma
AskDocWeb: It sounds like you may have to stop taking Meridia. Please see your doctor.
Subj: Effexor
Date: 2/23/2007
I want to stop taking the 37.5 dose only of effexor and start taking the meridia – I am taking the effexor for post menopausal problems -is this possible????
Pace
AskDocWeb: Yes, it may be possible for you to do this but do it only under your doctor’s care.
Subj: Lost weight too quickly
Date: 2/23/2007
I took Meridia (prescribed) and it worked wonderful- only side effect was light sleeping and dry mouth. I lost weight way too quickly though and when I stopped my appetite came roaring back and now I have gained about 5lbs back as I am having to learn to control my appetite.
Cindy
Subj: Quick as possible
Date: 2/27/2007
I have just started with Meridia about 10 days ago and I lost 4 pounds in the first 7 days but the last 3 days I have not lost any weight and I really don’t know why. I am eating a very low cal diet and am exercising at least 40 minutes a day. I need to lose 100 pounds which is a huge amount of weight and I would like to do it as quick as possible.
Heather
AskDocWeb: Losing weight as quickly as possible is a mistake for most people. The faster you lose weight the more likely it is to come back. In order for the weight not to come back you have to lose it slowly. If you plan on taking 8 months to a year to accomplish your goal you will be much more likely to succeed. It’s helpful to keep in mind that exercising will produce muscle and that muscle is heavier than fat. Keep that in mind when you step on the scale. You will be losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time and that won’t show up on the scale.
Subj: Successfully losing weight
Date: 2/28/2007
I’ve been using Meridia (15mg) for almost seven months and have averaged a weight loss of 1-2 pounds weekly. I was diagnosed as being hypothyroid several years ago and this is the first time I’ve been able to successfully lose weight. I have so much more energy and have been feeling great… BUT I’ve started with a pretty serious skin picking disorder. (I pick at scabs on my scalp.) I’ve had some stress in my life lately (job issues and a sick family member), so I thought that was the cause… One doctor suggested Meridia might be the cause of the increased anxiety and the skin picking, so I’m wondering if lowering my dosage may help. Another suggested trying an anti-depressant…
Kay
AskDocWeb: Yes, lowering the dose may help, if it doesn’t then talk to your doctor about the anti-depressant.
Subj: Kick-start this pill?
Date: 3/5/2007
I have been on Meridia now for about 3 weeks I have noticed I can’t finish a meal, which is good, but haven’t seemed to lose any weight? Is this normal? How can I kick-start this pill to lose weight?
Heather
AskDocWeb: To kick start meridia you need to increase your physical activity with an exercise program.
Subj: Celexa and Trazadone
Date: 3/7/2007
I will be starting Meridia in 5 days. I am stopping Celexa and Trazadone. How much time in between medicine should I give it?
Nicole
AskDocWeb: Please do not discontinue any medication without consulting with your physician first. And let your doctor decide how much time you personally need between these medications.
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