My parents have been seeing their doctor who has them on a regimen of various diet drugs combined with portion reduction. I’m wondering if this program is considered medically acceptable and safe nowadays. It’s really working for them, and the progress is at a safe rate (about 40lbs over 6 months, with about 20 to go). Their physician has them on a regimen of phentermine daily, a diuretic every 3 days, and a vitamin shot once a week. The vitamins I figure are neutral, and I understand what phentermine does… but a diuretic? Hello? Didn’t diuretics go out of style as weight-loss treatment like in the 80’s?
The progress is incredible. They were not grossly obese but just in the “way too fat” category. They’ve been trying weight loss so long that they have become what I call “hobby dieters”… long ago they subconsciously lost any expectation of significant weight loss, but they still follow every trivial fad and pop science report and CONSTANTLY talk about their eating and dieting.
So this is really amazing progress for them, and at a seemingly safe rate, but I’m wondering if this king of treatment is considered safe and legitimate nowadays.
I’m unaware of any protocols using such meds as phentermine along with diuretics. And I’ve consulted my online sources on the general topic. But it would help to know what diuretic he has them on.
I would think phentermine and diuretics is not a great combo. Dh’s step mom was taking phentermine at one point, but she was really obese, 200+ at 5’2 or so. The Dr would only give it to her a month at a time and only for 3 months. After that he said it was not very effective…she said she had cotton mouth all the time dispite drinking a gallon of water a day. Hopefully they’re in good health (cardiac) and the Dr knows what he’s doing. Are they on lasix?
It would enhance my regard for the medical profession to read that the doc also has suggested a reasonable increased physical activity plan to go along with the *eat less food * part of the diet.
That I don’t know. I know they try to walk at least a couple of miles every day. They’re 57, have practically no history of exercise aside from taking very long walks, and still they complain from joint pains. After a lifetime of TV and Haagen Dasz I don’t know how much they’ll ever really be able to take up exercise.
This particular doc I don’t have a lot of respect for. I visited his office once myself. His perky young assistant read my BP as 80 over 50 and bounced merrily out of the office. I caught her before she left and asked if she didn’t find it odd, and she said “Oh, you said you’re a bodybuilder, right?” Doc himself made no comment over that reading. I find him highly suspect, so I raise an eyebrow when my folks, lifetime non-exercisers, TV-watchers, and fast-food eaters, have lost ~40 pounds in 6 months, and hear he’s been giving them “diet pills”. I want to be happy for them but I’m afraid this is some medically shady stuff.