Qsymia

[liverandonions]

Has anyone ever taken this medicine for weight loss?

If yes or you know someone who has can you tell me about any issues/side effects you/they had with it?

My endocrinologist has recommended it for me. I have no thyroid and have been having issues with weight gain even with dieting.

[acr]

I have taken this as the 2 individual meds (Phentermine/topiramate), but had to stop the phentermine for a bit because I got so incredibly constipated. Like....whoa.

So side effects: dry mouth (dry everything really - thus the constipation) & more challenging time falling asleep were the primary negative ones.
Good side effects: alertness (too much caffeine was very noticeable), headache reduction (who knew I was having migraines!? Evidently I was), and feeling full faster and for longer (leading to steady weight loss)

I also don't have a thyroid (going on 25 years) & as I reach my mid-40s, was looking for some support in reducing my weight after a challenging few years where it crept up.

[liverandonions]

Sept 9, 2024 14:32:31 GMT -5 acr said:

I have taken this as the 2 individual meds (Phentermine/topiramate), but had to stop the phentermine for a bit because I got so incredibly constipated. Like....whoa.

So side effects: dry mouth (dry everything really - thus the constipation) & more challenging time falling asleep were the primary negative ones.
Good side effects: alertness (too much caffeine was very noticeable), headache reduction (who knew I was having migraines!? Evidently I was), and feeling full faster and for longer (leading to steady weight loss)

I also don't have a thyroid (going on 25 years) & as I reach my mid-40s, was looking for some support in reducing my weight after a challenging few years where it crept up.

Thank you for the information!

[sadie]

I briefly took the two meds it's made up of when my insurance stopped covering Wegovy. Topiramate made my entire body feel pins and needley, so I didn't stay on it long. I didn't lose any weight on it (but didn't gain either).

[ellipses84]

I literally just started the generic separate prescriptions phentermine / topiramate yesterday. I have to start on one, increase dosage, then start taking the second, so I may not know side effects or results for a couple weeks. I’ll keep you posted.

My thyroid is fine. I think my issues are hormone and cortisol related. My weight gain occurred after having my uterus and ovaries removed, which put me in surgical menopause. I gained 50lbs rapidly, mostly in my stomach and have done all the right things with diet and exercise since 2022. I doubled my exercise in 2024 and still had no weight loss results on my own. I have an estrogen patch too. When I need a new patch, I get headaches and the weight loss medication may help with that.

If I don’t have good results, like 5-10% weight loss in 3 months, my Dr said we can try something else and there can be some trial and error in what works best. She’s hoping insurance will start covering injections and they’ll become more available / affordable in the future. She said Wellbutrin could be my next option, which is also used as an addiction blocker (like for smoking) and for depression.

[liverandonions]

Sept 9, 2024 15:47:16 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

I literally just started the generic separate prescriptions phentermine / topiramate yesterday. I have to start on one, increase dosage, then start taking the second, so I may not know side effects or results for a couple weeks. I’ll keep you posted.

My thyroid is fine. I think my issues are hormone and cortisol related. My weight gain occurred after having my uterus and ovaries removed, which put me in surgical menopause. I gained 50lbs rapidly, mostly in my stomach and have done all the right things with diet and exercise since 2022. I doubled my exercise in 2024 and still had no weight loss results on my own. I have an estrogen patch too. When I need a new patch, I get headaches and the weight loss medication may help with that.

If I don’t have good results, like 5-10% weight loss in 3 months, my Dr said we can try something else and there can be some trial and error in what works best. She’s hoping insurance will start covering injections and they’ll become more available / affordable in the future. She said Wellbutrin could be my next option, which is also used as an addiction blocker (like for smoking) and for depression.

I also had a hysterectomy in December. I have my ovaries though, so while I'm not in forced menopause, i suppose there are still hormonal issues related to this as well. 

Good luck, keep me posted. I'll let you know when I start it. 

[liverandonions]

Sept 9, 2024 15:44:51 GMT -5 sadie said:

I briefly took the two meds it's made up of when my insurance stopped covering Wegovy. Topiramate made my entire body feel pins and needley, so I didn't stay on it long. I didn't lose any weight on it (but didn't gain either).

How long were you on it? She said I need 3 months, and if no weight loss then i need to go off of it. I did see the pins and needles issue as a side effect. 

[sadie]

Sept 9, 2024 15:54:33 GMT -5 liverandonions said:

Sept 9, 2024 15:44:51 GMT -5 sadie said:

I briefly took the two meds it's made up of when my insurance stopped covering Wegovy. Topiramate made my entire body feel pins and needley, so I didn't stay on it long. I didn't lose any weight on it (but didn't gain either).

How long were you on it? She said I need 3 months, and if no weight loss then i need to go off of it. I did see the pins and needles issue as a side effect. 

Close to 3 months.

[Jalapeñomel]

Yes, I’ve mentioned it in the weight loss thread a while back, I think? Not sure, regardless. lol

I didn’t have any luck with it, but my DH lost 25 lbs with it.

[liverandonions]

Sept 9, 2024 16:21:27 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Yes, I’ve mentioned it in the weight loss thread a while back, I think? Not sure, regardless. lol

I didn’t have any luck with it, but my DH lost 25 lbs with it.

That’s so interesting to me that it worked well for him and not you. The body is weird.

[acr]

Oh ya, I do have some minor pins & needles with the Topiramate (but not super severe for me) and carbonated beverages taste funny. It's like the sweetness is muted, so things like La Croix taste rather bitter.

[liverandonions]

Sept 9, 2024 23:18:51 GMT -5 acr said:

Oh ya, I do have some minor pins & needles with the Topiramate (but not super severe for me) and carbonated beverages taste funny. It's like the sweetness is muted, so things like La Croix taste rather bitter.

Good to know, because bubbly waters are my favorite! 

[janegold]

Yep, my main side effects were the weird nerve sensations and sparkling water not tasting good!

I had some success with it, not much relative to the injectables, though.

[Nugget T. Brain, The OG]

Does your insurance cover Wegovy/Ozempic/Mounjaro/Zepbound?

[liverandonions]

Sept 10, 2024 9:48:26 GMT -5 Nugget T. Brain, The OG said:

Does your insurance cover Wegovy/Ozempic/Mounjaro/Zepbound?

I'm not sure, but they're not recommended for those with prior Thyroid cancer     

[Nugget T. Brain, The OG]

Sept 10, 2024 9:56:00 GMT -5 liverandonions said:

Sept 10, 2024 9:48:26 GMT -5 Nugget T. Brain, The OG said:

Does your insurance cover Wegovy/Ozempic/Mounjaro/Zepbound?

I'm not sure, but they're not recommended for those with prior Thyroid cancer     

My doctor did a deep dive because I have a strong history of thyroid cancer (mom, grandma and great grandma) and apparently the kind of cancer that they are concerned about is a very specific kind that is very rare.  She felt comfortable putting me on it, and my mom talked to her endro (she has no thyroid either) and they said that they would be comfortable putting her on it.

Only reason I'm asking is because I've heard about more side effects from phentermine than GLP-1s.  Obviously not a doctor, though. 

[liverandonions]

Sept 10, 2024 11:01:33 GMT -5 Nugget T. Brain, The OG said:

Sept 10, 2024 9:56:00 GMT -5 liverandonions said:

I'm not sure, but they're not recommended for those with prior Thyroid cancer     

My doctor did a deep dive because I have a strong history of thyroid cancer (mom, grandma and great grandma) and apparently the kind of cancer that they are concerned about is a very specific kind that is very rare.  She felt comfortable putting me on it, and my mom talked to her endro (she has no thyroid either) and they said that they would be comfortable putting her on it.

Only reason I'm asking is because I've heard about more side effects from phentermine than GLP-1s.  Obviously not a doctor, though. 

I do think you're right it's more of an issue for Medullary Thyroid cancer and I had papillary carcinoma. Thank you for the info! 

[somersault72]

I took it before GLP-1s were really out there. I lost about 20lbs or so on it. Minimal side effects, mostly tingling in the fingers and toes which went away pretty quickly.

[skidunks]

I was on it for about 2 years and just went off in August. The biggest side effects for me were dry mouth and brain fog. The brain fog was concerning and I wasn’t sure if it was from Covid or the Qsymia. I did lost almost 20 lbs but since coming off of it I’ve gained about 10 back. It’s so frustrating.

[liverandonions]

Sept 16, 2024 8:21:36 GMT -5 skidunks said:

I was on it for about 2 years and just went off in August. The biggest side effects for me were dry mouth and brain fog. The brain fog was concerning and I wasn’t sure if it was from Covid or the Qsymia. I did lost almost 20 lbs but since coming off of it I’ve gained about 10 back. It’s so frustrating.

Liking for your response. Sorry for the frustration

[Bad Dingo]

I wasn't on that but I was on Topiramate for a couple of months for suspected seizure activity. It made my face feel like it was vibrating.

I'd discuss Mounjaro/Zepbound with your endo instead.

[ellipses84]

Posting an update since I’ve been on the combo Topiramate / Lomaira for 1 month. I wasn’t on a full dose until mid-week 4 but I’m down 15 lbs already! At this point the scale is going down daily. I see a big difference in my belly which was my huge problem area after surgical menopause from having my ovaries and uterus removed. I never had issues with weight before that.

For side effects, I get the vibration feeling a couple times a day but it usually doesn’t last long. I take the Topiramate in the morning and evening and the Lomaira in the morning and afternoon. The Topiramate makes me tired at bedtime so I’ve actually been sleeping better and have not had my usual insomnia. The Lomaira is a stimulant so it balances it out. I liked the gradual increase of meds but I was really tired when I was only on Topiramate. When I’ve had brain fog or felt mentally out of it, usually eating some protein helps, so I think part of it is that I’m not eating enough because I’m literally never hungry. I’ve found it a little difficult to eat healthy. Like if I used to have a protein shake for breakfast, a salad for lunch and a heartier dinner I could skip breakfast and lunch completely. I almost have to force myself to eat a salad. If someone puts food in front of me it usually seems good and I’ll eat it.

[Deleted]

I’ve been on phentermine for a few weeks. Ditto the dry mouth/thirst and constipation. A Colace gummy helps a lot. I’ve lost maybe 4-5 pounds, but I started the phentermine at the same time as I upped my dose of Adderall, so the weight loss is probably due to a combination of the two.

[liverandonions]

I have my Qsymia ordered, just waiting for them to actually ship it. For those following my other medical post my Rheumatologist wanted to try Wegovy instead, and asked me to talk to my endo about it, but she said no. She knows the issue with GLP1s and thyroid is medullary thyroid cancer and i had pappillary but right now I'm having some issues with my Thyroid #'s and my cancer antibody is slightly elevated - not the actual marker but the antibody so she doesn't want to mess with it until it's leveled out. So, i'm trying the Q for now. We will re-asses in December.