Duramine

[ellasmummy]

I took it a couple of years ago, and will be once I'm not breastfeeding anymore. I lost 20kgs on it, but also signed up to the gym, started exercising and cut the crap from my diet. The only side effect I experienced was being unable to sleep much the first few nights and had to force myself to eat small meals as I had no appetite. Once I finished taking it I continued to eat well and exercise. Drs will only let you take it for 3 months then u need a break off it for at least a month. I was crazy hungry the first few days off it, but I drank heaps of water and chewed gum.

[ellasmummy]

Also like any medication, everyone reacts differently

[Little-old-me]

I took it and I lost weight, but I also had massive mood swings, it ruined several friendships and my r/s.

My best friend at the time was on it too and she went into a psychosis. i havent spoken to her since

I put all the weight back on the minute I stopped taking it. i wouldnt sleep at all, Id grind my teeth had headaches from the teeth grinding and drank sooo much water due to dry mouth.

Was horrible

[delphmoon]

no, the side effects are not related to how much weight you have to lose
it's related to your own reactions to the medication -

i wouldn't ever think that size would have any bearing on the number or severity of side effects from a medication

I was more coming from that if people used it as intended- that is the morbidly obese- maybe side effects would be lessened. For instance- if an obese person who is relatively inactive and eats poorly took Duramine and a overweight person who is already fairly active and eats reasonable well took it- I suspect the side effects would be lessened in the obese person because the drug is 'doing more'. Side effects such as being figety, insomnia, and lots of energy can be written down to some of the drug being 'left over' by the body because it isn't needed...A person who is inactive would benefit much more from this 'energy boost' than from someone who is already active- the drug would have nothing to do for the active person....hmmm...not really expressing myself right but I know what I mean LOL. Its like if you give a strong sedative to a person who is already tired compared to a really awake person. The tired person will end up over sedated whereas the really awake person will just be tired...

It has very very yucky side effects. The first time I took it. I treated it like a magic pill and it sucked. The second time I took it I worked hard, exercised, forced myself to eat well and regularly and changed my life habits. I lost 17kgs the first time and kept it off for a year. But it wasn't the drug that did that. It was me. I only took it for 2 months. If you are not lazy minded it works. I've used it lazily and not lazily. And I got better results the second time when I put in the work. It stopped me from eating sure, but you stop taking the drug you get hungry again. Most people who don't exercise have lots of trouble. I was on the treadmill every 2nd day and walking and heaps of other things. It helped me train myself to eat smaller portions (I should to eat the same as a child due to the PCOS) but I started doing that BEFORE I took the drug. A ****ty year later I'm back on the band wagon, but in that crap year I didn't gain it back. So I maintained some of the things I learnt. I go up and down still, but mostly I'm on the way down. With two simple rules, I don't put food in my mouth as much and I exercise. Crazy talk I know. And for someone who bakes and loves to cook that's actually pretty easy... I get to share the love more Oh did I mentioned I changed my mindset?

Absolutely- Mindset..I believe in mind over matter. 5 years ago I lost 60kgs and was lovely and thin. I found my husband and then got fat again...arggg...If i was to use duramine (and thats a big IF) it would only be to help me physically get out and exercise. Once I lose the first 10-20kgs it will physically be easier to move IYGWIM.

I took it a couple of years ago, and will be once I'm not breastfeeding anymore. I lost 20kgs on it, but also signed up to the gym, started exercising and cut the crap from my diet. The only side effect I experienced was being unable to sleep much the first few nights and had to force myself to eat small meals as I had no appetite. Once I finished taking it I continued to eat well and exercise. Drs will only let you take it for 3 months then u need a break off it for at least a month. I was crazy hungry the first few days off it, but I drank heaps of water and chewed gum.

There seems to be a common theme. Those people wanting to loose big munbers like 20-30kgs are reported less side effects. The more one takes advantage of the opportunity to eat better and exercise the better the outcome maybe?

[nothing2lose]

I used to belong to a weightless forum and plenty of morbidly obese people had bad side effects with duromine. There were pages and pages of posts about them. So it's not just those who are moderately overweight who have problems with it.

Just saying...

[briggsy's girl]

I was more coming from that if people used it as intended- that is the morbidly obese- maybe side effects would be lessened. For instance- if an obese person who is relatively inactive and eats poorly took Duramine and a overweight person who is already fairly active and eats reasonable well took it- I suspect the side effects would be lessened in the obese person because the drug is 'doing more'. Side effects such as being figety, insomnia, and lots of energy can be written down to some of the drug being 'left over' by the body because it isn't needed...A person who is inactive would benefit much more from this 'energy boost' than from someone who is already active- the drug would have nothing to do for the active person....hmmm...not really expressing myself right but I know what I mean LOL. Its like if you give a strong sedative to a person who is already tired compared to a really awake person. The tired person will end up over sedated whereas the really awake person will just be tired...

with the background i have in medical science and biochemistry, i'll stand by my disagreement in this logic. there isn't going to be "left over" drug just because a person isn't as big. there isn't going to be different reactions based on size. it's all the OTHER factors that are going to come into it. you could put two people, same weight, same height, same activity level - and there reactions could be totally different based on genetic factors etc. size alone will not contribute to the reactions. i've watched two people with very similar builds, same job, same activity level etc take duromine for the "speed" factor. one was almost entirely normal to interact with - the other was very obvious he'd taken the drugs.

i know what you're trying to reason, but from a science perspective, it doesn't really cut it.

if you want to take it, then make the enquiries with the GP and see how you go - but don't try and convince yourself that it's ok for you at BMI 40+ because that's what it's designed for - and if you didn't weigh x amount, it wouldn't be ok cos it's not designed for that. don't try and convince yourself that you'll have less side effects cos your BMI is 40+ rather than being 30. the side effects for you will likely be much the same no matter your BMI. IF, however, your HEALTH changes, your side effects MAY change. it is unlikely though, that a healthier person at a lower weight would have MORE side effects from a medication (which is essentially what you're trying to justify from my reading).

[delphmoon]

It sounds like a very dangerous drug..I'm amazed its still on the market as the side effect appear pretty significant

[delphmoon]

with the background i have in medical science and biochemistry, i'll stand by my disagreement in this logic. there isn't going to be "left over" drug just because a person isn't as big. there isn't going to be different reactions based on size. it's all the OTHER factors that are going to come into it. you could put two people, same weight, same height, same activity level - and there reactions could be totally different based on genetic factors etc. size alone will not contribute to the reactions. i've watched two people with very similar builds, same job, same activity level etc take duromine for the "speed" factor. one was almost entirely normal to interact with - the other was very obvious he'd taken the drugs.

i know what you're trying to reason, but from a science perspective, it doesn't really cut it.

if you want to take it, then make the enquiries with the GP and see how you go - but don't try and convince yourself that it's ok for you at BMI 40+ because that's what it's designed for - and if you didn't weigh x amount, it wouldn't be ok cos it's not designed for that. don't try and convince yourself that you'll have less side effects cos your BMI is 40+ rather than being 30. the side effects for you will likely be much the same no matter your BMI. IF, however, your HEALTH changes, your side effects MAY change. it is unlikely though, that a healthier person at a lower weight would have MORE side effects from a medication (which is essentially what you're trying to justify from my reading).

Hmm..okayyy. I'm not trying to convince myself of anything or justify anything and really- your post is aggressive. Thanks anyway

[briggsy's girl]

the side effects are the reason many GP's won't prescribe it any more - i know my dad was on it for YEARS - he physically couldn't exercise (is riddled with arthritis due to a motorcycle accident) and when his usual long-term GP had to give up practice due to cancer and a stroke, he had to try at least five other GP's in the same clinic before he could get a script for it, and then it was a lower dose each time until he forced dad to wean off them.

they are really hard to get (with good reason) - you'd be surprised (or maybe not) of the black market in them for people in certain industries (driving etc) - while a script may cost $100 to fill, the tablets sell for at least double that (a few years back it was $5 or more for each tablet). so the GP's are very reluctant to prescribe them. it's not only bad for your body, but it's bad (in general) for people on the roads when this stuff is purchased simply for the speed factor. and the boys on the road - they know how to get the fastest strongest reaction from it (trust me!).

it should be taken off the market - but while there is a market like there is at the moment, for obese people asking for any possible help cos "nothing else has helped", they won't take it off the market. until there is proof that using it AS PRESCRIBED leads to patient or community deaths in large numbers, they won't do anything about it.

[Queen]

I have taken it twice, first time was okay lost about 10kg of the 35kg I had to lose but once I went off BAM 15kg appeared over night (not quite but sure felt like it)
Second time was horrible I turned into a nasty psycho, my moods were terrible.
Talk to your GP everyone reacts differently but know the pills are only meant for short term use and in that time you need to dramatically change your habits to ensure long term weight loss.
Good luck x


From Queens IPhonio

[delphmoon]

Queen- All these side effects sound frighting...I think I might try Aqua aerobics as a way of easing into exercise

Wow- nasty psycho hey? nup...no thanks.....

[Queen]

Queen- All these side effects sound frighting...I think I might try Aqua aerobics as a way of easing into exercise

Wow- nasty psycho hey? nup...no thanks.....

PM me hun if you want to chat.
I understand wanting to lose weight xx


From Queens IPhonio

[nothing2lose]

I can do nasty psycho without the help of medication!

[Miss_Dee]

I took it for about 2 weeks and then stopped because I felt so horrible. I did lose a little bit of weight but my blood pressure went through the roof and I felt so jittery. In the end I decided it wasn't worth the way it made me feel.

[EsJay]

I too was in need of massive weight loss, 101kg and 5foot2inch, on the lowest dose available at the time

[~*Niadalla*~]

delphmoon I'm going to PM you and you are more than welcome to check out my blog (link in my sig), but I just wanted to say that Duromine was something that I NEVER even considered using in my journey to lose weight. I too am 40+ BMI wise and was desperate to do anything to get this weight off..... but all of the side effects and mood swings etc really scared me. I ended up finding a program that works for me and I'm now 30kgs down (with alot to go, but I'm getting there) and I feel AMAZING.

I personally would suggest to anyone wanting to lose weight and change their lifestyle to try counselling. It was counselling for depression where we then went down the path of my size, that helped me see the light and wake up and change my entire lifestyle. I feel I came away equipped to really tackle it for once and for all, and so far it's working.

All the best with your journey! No matter which path you decide to take, there will always be plenty of people around to support you. xx

[Fleur]

Delphmoon, I'm interested in what you decided to do?

I've just started Duromine... today is day 2. And I'm still in the middle of reading these threads

Basically I was thinking it would be a short term option for me to help me get moving, not as a long term weight loss solution. Part of my problem at the moment in losing weight is the physical difficulyt I have with exercise. I am reluctant though because of all these horrid side effects

I was exactly the same. I will have to let you know how it goes for me.

All I can add for myself is, I know of people who have used it for a quick fix, but I know there is no such thing as a magic pill (don't we all wish!!)
I was well aware of the side effects and when my doctor suggested it that was my first response. Her reply was quite blunt (although polite) - she said the risks of me staying at the weight I am, is greater than the risks of medication.

I have a looooong way to go with my weight loss and I am looking to use this as a jump-start. I'm not sitting back and letting the meds do the work for me - I've picked up My Fitness Pal again, cut my calorie intake, I have a referral to a nutritionist and I have asked for a referral to a counsellor as well. Oh yeah, and exercise I'm just hoping that by the time I finish the medication, I will have re-wired my habits enough to maintain a loss. And that a decent weight loss initially will act as a motivational tool.

the ingredients have changed - it is no longer "legal speed"

My bestie is on it and is finding it brilliant for her, she's lost 30kgs already, got about 10-20 to go, her doctor changes the strength drug she is on depending on how her weight loss is going.

Sopdet, I was wondering about this, whether the dosage might change or whether it might be possible to take a break and then go back on it.

I have to confess - I feel only slightly jittery (have doctor app on Tuesday to check my BP & HR) - but I feel pumped. And I like it. That worries me more than anything.

ETA - so far I'm not having any trouble sleeping (eyes hanging out of my head right now in fact) and I still get hungry through the day. It's just easier to keep a lid on.

[~mamaspice~]

I've been on duromine for about 5 months. I actually have not had many nasty side effects. I have been able to sleep easily. In fact I don't feel it gives me any extra energy really. It may have made me a little moody initially but does not affect my mood at all now. My heart rate and my blood pressure are normal. I find that it takes the edge off my compulsion to eat I certainly wouldn't say it makes me forget to eat like some people say. I must admit I have not exercised on it unfortunately so I've not lost weight quickly nor have i actually followed any diet as such but I have lost about 16kg over the last 5 months which I'm kind of happy with it as I've been told the slower you lose it the more likely you are to keep it off.
So I guess my experience is very different to some others.
Best of luck with your decision.


Eta. Although I have not consciously been following a specific diet or counting calories I have been mindful of eating less and I find it easier to stay away from foods I usually could not resist such as chocolate. I am going to start making more of a conscious effort with exercise etc though to help shift a few extra kilos and to help with my transition of stopping the meds and reaching my goal on my own.