Any really effective OTC appetite suppressants?

Wow, that’s a scientific and unbiased advertisement… correction, article.

Let’s get to the heart of this:
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.716159v1

Very little is said about how normalization occurs, and the one-line conclusion is that “the diet soda association was not hypothesized and deserves further study.” IOW, the researchers themselves don’t conclude anything! Probably has the same associations for the exact same reasons that you’d find a higher percentage of slim-fast drinkers.

This isn’t to say that diet soda probably doesn’t have some long term side effect, but, to paraphase what a prior response said, drinking special K is better than overeating.

This really hits my buttons – that there is so much meme that is taken as gospel. Like, eating artificial sweetener in and of itself triggers insulin response. What, my Type I brittle diabetic and diet-soda-gulping grandmother somehow missed the effect on her blood sugar entirely?

Yes, it’s something I see of a lot on this board when discussing weight loss. Everyone acts like what is true for one person is true for everyone. Some people are going to have reactions to artificial sweeteners and some aren’t. From what I’ve read though type 1 diabetics don’t because their bodies don’t make any or enough insulin and type 2 diabetics are more likely to because their bodies have faulty insulin reactions.

So, try things out. If you drink a diet soda and instantly crave carbs or sweets then try something else. Everyone is different.

:rolleyes: If you’ve ever read my posts in diet and exercise threads you’d know that this couldn’t be farther from a description of me. I personally think aritificial sweeteners aren’t good for you and aren’t an answer to anyone’s problems. Sue me. It doesn’t mean I think what’s true for me is true for everyone.

Every time you feel the munchies coming on, pound down a big glass of cold water.

And there’s always Weight Watchers. They really will help you.

I was not singling you or any person out, I was just saying it’s a general impression of mine from many of dieting threads.

It worked for me… I lost 60 pounds on the prescription appetite suppressant phentermine. It made me feel “speedy” though, which is one unpleasant side effect.

I was going to suggest this too. When I have a cold and take pseudoephedrine, I lose my appetite (much like I did when I was on phentermine). It really feels to me to be just as effective as the prescription phentermine, in terms of suppressing appetite.

I also drink a lot of caffeine in the form of Diet Coke, which I feel helps suppress my appetite too.

Can you explain that further please? speedy like an energy drink? and why was it unpleasant?

It’s like you’ve had too much caffeine; like a jittery feeling. It’s not always unpleasant. Sometimes when I am having a hard time concentrating at something, it helps me feel more energetic and focused. It’s not all that bad, and it’s definitely worth it for the weight loss. Also it can cause sleep problems, specifically problems falling asleep at night. You have to make sure to take it early in the day, at least 12-14 hours before your bedtime.

When I have a cold I lose my appetite without taking anything.

Phentermine is in the amphetamine class of drugs, which tends to have appetite suppression as a (side) effect. I don’t see that listed as a common side effect for pseudoephedrine, but that drug is used in the manufacture of another amphetamine (meth-) so perhaps that isn’t surprising.

Huh, I tend to find myself hungry after a lot of physical exertion - gotta have energy after all. The studies you cite don’t claim to be conclusive, but are interesting nonetheless.

How do you feel about topamax?