Phentermine and No weight loss

[DietFrustrationsNCWM]

I was diagnosed with chronic constipation over a year and 1/2 ago, lactose intolerant, malfunctioning gall bladder and not enough inertia in my colon to move matter through it properly.  I was taking 13-15 laxatives a day with little to no relief, and definitely no weight loss.  The last 2 months, my doctor put me on phentermine.   I went in today for my rx renewal and I have not lost 1 pound.   She feels the constipation is why, but I do not.  My stomach has been in better shape the last 4 months than it was this time last year.  I work 2 jobs and am on my feet constantly, I eat healthy (low fat diet, no carbs, fruits, veggies and meats only) as well as work out 2-4 times a week, and play volleyball 2 hrs 3x a week.  I had a personal trainer for a year prior to this and lost 5 inches only.   So I'm not sitting around doing nothing.  I did express that I have never been able to take in enough calories, but she didn't seem to think that was the cause for me not to have lost even 1 lb in 2 months.  Any suggestions?   I am 40 yr old female, weigh 182 and 5'3.   I have been this weight for 2 years and cannot lose.  Highly frustrated and not getting any answers.  

[Barb135]

What exactly is your gall bladder malfunction?  I don't understand the reluctance to remove it.  I had mine removed laproscopically, so I was back on my feet the next day and many of my tummy issues went away.

Have you tried taking probiotics and digestive enzymes for your bowel issues?  I used to be the same way... If I went once/week I was doing good and that was really hard to accomplish.  Since constipation is a prime symptom of hypothyroidism, my constipation eased quite a bit when I was diagnosed hypo.  I currently take both probiotics and digestive enzymes.  It took a while, but they really do help to keep things moving.  Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time losing weight, too, though because of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

[DietFrustrationsNCWM]

Thank you Barb.... I go back in again soon and will ask for these tests.

the specialist said at this time, it was 50/50... 50% that it would help and 50% that it wouldn't make a bit of difference so they opted for no surgery at this time to remove the gall bladder.  As for the bowel movements, we've tried every RX and OTC out there, and most days, I'm taking 3-10 laxatives.  You'd think that alone would help me lose weight, that there'd be nothing left in me.  Like I said.... at a complete loss.  

[Barb135]

Thyroid function can be diminished, even though blood test results are in the normal ranges.  If your results were low in the ranges, you could still have symptoms.  Same goes if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune thyroid condition, in which the body destroys the thyroid.  With Hashimoto's, it's very common for symptoms to appear before blood tests go out of range.  Ask you doctor to test you for thyroid antibodies. You need both, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Thyroglobulin Antibodies.

Has anything been done to treat the gall bladder issue or the lack of bowel activity?  Those should be high on the priority list.

[DietFrustrationsNCWM]

Thanks everyone!  Yes, I have been tested for both high and low thyroid, and all were within normal levels.  (2 doctors checked)   I do not have diabetes and I too feel like the calorie (or lack of) is an issue but I just expected something to work by now.  I just am at a loss.  She renewed my RX for phentermine... the last one supposedly as it can only be given for 3 months.  Some people said tonight I looked like I had lost but the clothes and the scale do not say the same.  

thanks again for all of the time and support!

Don't give up, I am not.
Good article
Keep up the hard work I am.

Been there done that, just my input after 2 months of the phentermine.

Phentermine, does not work.  Especially with thyroid and type 2 diabetes.

[Barb135]

Forgot to mention that women should not go below 1200 calories/day.

[Barb135]

Have you had your thyroid function tested?  Hypothyroidism is a very common cause for weight gain/inability to lose.  Ask your doctor test your Free T3, Free T4 and TSH.  Don't settle for just TSH.

You might also check into insulin resistance and PCOS, both of which make weight loss difficult to impossible.

Very low fat diet may not be good for you.  Your body needs fats in order to be healthy and the right kind of fats can also help you lose weight.

If you're not taking adequate calories, your body will hold onto excess fat.  You should calculate your actual calorie needs and make sure you get enough.