Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am considering going on Phen/fen (my doctor has already agreed to prescribe it).  Can anyone help me with the following questions – What kind of dosage should I expect.  How much – how often? How often should my doctor want to see me? I understand there is a small chance of a serious lung problem – anyone know about that?? I am new here…If I can find these answers through a search – please send me in the right direction,  I haven’t been able to find anything. ThanksBonnie-

I’ve been on Phen/fen 7 weeks and lost 7.5 lbs.  However, at the same time the weightloss doctor discovered an underactive Thyroid glad which causes slower metabolism.  So I started on that med at the same time.   Loss occurred as follows:  Wk 1 – 3 lbs         Wk 2 – 2 lbs             Wk 3 – +.2 lb           Wk 4, 5 & 6 – .2 lb ea. At this point was very discouraged – made them do another blood check on thyroid levels – the Thyroid med is dosed correctly, so I guess my body just doesn’t respond to the Phen/fen like other people…However, this last week lost 2 lbs. I take one Pro-Fast in AM, and one Pondamin in PM (5:00), and eat a full diet as prescribed by weightloss doc.  Diet is heavy on starches and protein in the PM, fruit every meal, portions are given… When they found the low thyroid levels, they sent me to my internist who agreed with everything the weightloss doctor did/prescribed.  He warned me against Redux because of the lung disease, but said that Phen/fen would be okay. Keep in touch and let me know what happens – if you run across any info that may put my Phen/fen in high gear, let me know… Lisa in NC

Response:

I am considering going on Phen/fen (my doctor has already agreed to prescribe it).  Can anyone help me with the following questions – What kind of dosage should I expect.  How much – how often? How often should my doctor want to see me? I understand there is a small chance of a serious lung problem – anyone know about that?? I am new here…If I can find these answers through a search – please send me in the right direction,  I haven’t been able to find anything. Thanks

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am considering going on Phen/fen (my doctor has already agreed to prescribe it).  Can anyone help me with the following questions – What kind of dosage should I expect.  How much – how often? How often should my doctor want to see me? I understand there is a small chance of a serious lung problem – anyone know about that?? I am new here…If I can find these answers through a search – please send me in the right direction,  I haven’t been able to find anything. ThanksBonnie- I’ve been on Phen/fen 7 weeks and lost 7.5 lbs.  However, at the same time the weightloss doctor discovered an underactive Thyroid glad which causes slower metabolism.  So I started on that med at the same time. Loss occurred as follows:  Wk 1 – 3 lbs         Wk 2 – 2 lbs Wk 3 – +.2 lb           Wk 4, 5 & 6 – .2 lb ea. At this point was very discouraged – made them do another blood check on thyroid levels – the Thyroid med is dosed correctly, so I guess my body just doesn’t respond to the Phen/fen like other people…However, this last week lost 2 lbs. I take one Pro-Fast in AM, and one Pondamin in PM (5:00), and eat a full diet as prescribed by weightloss doc.  Diet is heavy on starches and protein in the PM, fruit every meal, portions are given… When they found the low thyroid levels, they sent me to my internist who agreed with everything the weightloss doctor did/prescribed.  He warned me against Redux because of the lung disease, but said that Phen/fen would be okay. Keep in touch and let me know what happens – if you run across any info that may put my Phen/fen in high gear, let me know… Lisa in NClisa,

I have had a similiar experience with phen/fen.My weight loss is so slow.I lost 28 lbs before meds-but it took 7 months-thats why i went on meds.I lost 12 lbs.the ist 6 weeks on meds which was ok but i also increased my exercise to 45 min.brisk walking with weights! a day.Plus stopped all dairy products ,icreased coffee,decreased sodium.Wow this is work!Well the last 6 weeks i have only lost 4 lbs! I started not eating after 6pm last week -no loss still.I also have borderline throyid but notenough for meds.I have 20 more lbs to go.Please write and let me know

Response:

Help!!     My doctor prescribed Redux. I am seriously overweight and have type II diabetes.  For the first two weeks the meds were great – not only did I have no sense of hunger, I lost 9 pounds, and best of all, my blood sugar stayed consistently within normal range.  Unfortunately, at 2 weeks, I began having great pain and often bleeding with each bowel movement. The pain became so great that I had to discontinue the meds. My doctor then prescribed the phen/fen combination and after two weeks and a 10 pound loss, same good blood sugar readings daily, the same thing occured.  Although the pain was not as bad, it was extremely painful – symptoms seemed to be those of perhaps hemmoroids or anal fissure.  I am currently not on the meds due to this side effect. I have been able to barely maintain 15 of the 19 pound loss ( I have over 100 to lose) and feel hungry all the time.       Has anyone out there had the same side effects and if so were you able to do anything to curtail the side effect and stay on the meds? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!                         Nancy

Response:

I’ve been on Phen-Fen since June of this year and have only lost 17 lbs. I had 50 lbs to lose.  I’m very discouraged also.  I didn’t have many of the side effects, just dry mouth.  In reading lots of mbs I think that the people who have more side effects when they first start taking it have the best results.  My Dr. has increased my fen to 4- 20 mgs per day and my phen to 37.5, but nothing yet.  I just don’t want to think that these drugs aren’t going to work for me.  Has anybody else had this problem and found an answer?  Thanks  

Response:

Question:

: The problem I have is a terrible lack of energy during my run (3-4 miles at : 8:30-9:00/mile, but that’s going all out!!), and after reading the FAQ on : nutrition, I suspect my problem is lack of carbos (you recommend 60-70% for : training).   : Should I forget the dieting and simply continue on a low-fat diet, adding : more carbos?  I suspect this would allow me to increase my mileage, thereby : losing weight/toning up ANYHOW.  Am I correct?  How many calories should I : eat to compensate for the mileage I’ve run?  I’ve heard varying, : contradictory estimates. : I would appreciate any advice you nutrition experts may have on the subject. : Despite all the years I’ve been running, no one ever coached me on : nutrition.  Or maybe I never listened.  I’m listening now!  Thanx, Laura Most physiology texts would recommend an energy intake of about 1.5 kcal/Kg/mile run.  ie. You’d be about 62Kg, so that’s 95kcal per mile of training.  Lack of energy is probably due to a lack of muscle glycogen, so you idea of upping carbo intake is quite right. David Rowbottom University of Western Australia

Response:

If you’re interested in losing weight, try the PR*Bar.  It goes against every well established rule of nutrition but it WORKS!  I don’t knwo if it burns fat on me (I’m around 5% body fat) but after three weeks on it, I’ve only had one or two days I’ve felt sluggish. Erik

Response:

If you’re interested in losing weight, try the PR*Bar.  It goes against every well established rule of nutrition but it WORKS!  I don’t knwo if it burns fat on me (I’m around 5% body fat) but after three weeks on it, I’ve only had one or two days I’ve felt sluggish. Erik

Can anybody tell me if the PR-Bar is available in New Zealand?  I have also heard good things about it’s usefulness in loosing weight, but they don’t seem to be available in New Zealand (I have seen adverts. in Runner’s World). Thanks. Mike Jensen

Response:

I won’t pretend to provide medical advice, but if this information helps it’ll be worth sending. A common problem, especially in women (one in ten) is thyroid problems. Low thyroid levels causes decreased metabolism: fatigue, weight gain, low heart rate, etc. It took several years for my thryoid problems to be detected, so I would recommend regular blood test for thyroid hormone levels. Problems are usually easily treated. Talk to your doctor. Chris

Response:

I’ve been running for about fifteen years, minus a three-year break due to burn-out and back problems.  For the last six months, I’ve been trying to get my base mileage up so I can start competing again (10K).  BACKGROUND: I’m 5′8"; 137 lbs; eat 1200-1500 calories/day (about 20-25% fat); bodyfat, although never calculated, is still _high_; hip/pelvic problems reduced with shoe support, weightlifting and flexibility exercises.   The problem I have is a terrible lack of energy during my run (3-4 miles at 8:30-9:00/mile, but that’s going all out!!), and after reading the FAQ on nutrition, I suspect my problem is lack of carbos (you recommend 60-70% for training).   Should I forget the dieting and simply continue on a low-fat diet, adding more carbos?  I suspect this would allow me to increase my mileage, thereby losing weight/toning up ANYHOW.  Am I correct?  How many calories should I eat to compensate for the mileage I’ve run?  I’ve heard varying, contradictory estimates. I would appreciate any advice you nutrition experts may have on the subject. Despite all the years I’ve been running, no one ever coached me on nutrition.  Or maybe I never listened.  I’m listening now!  Thanx, Laura

Response:

I’ve been running for about fifteen years, minus a three-year break due to burn-out and back problems.  For the last six months, I’ve been trying to get my base mileage up so I can start competing again (10K).  BACKGROUND: I’m 5′8"; 137 lbs; eat 1200-1500 calories/day (about 20-25% fat); bodyfat, although never calculated, is still _high_; hip/pelvic problems reduced with shoe support, weightlifting and flexibility exercises.   The problem I have is a terrible lack of energy during my run (3-4 miles at 8:30-9:00/mile, but that’s going all out!!), and after reading the FAQ on

I have examined the other comments on this thread, and everybody has a slightly different shading to their response, and at least one or two are agreeing with your suspicion of "needing more carbos."  I AM GOING TO JOIN IN WITH THE OTHER THEME, FIRST PRESENTED:  Get a COMPLETE PHYSICAL AND BLOOD WORKUP!!!  YESTERDAY!!! I cannot imagine a circumstance, even on your relatively low daily calorie intake, where you would be depleting your glycogen reserves in 3-4 miles! My suspicion is directed more towards some other low-level chronic systemic problem that without any endurance stress is simply being unnoticed, e.g. the thryoid possibility or very low iron levels hence borderline anemia!  You did not tell us anything about the pattern of your diet/nutrition program, only the calorie total and the %fat– certainly these are important components, but for a menstruating female there are many other nutritional elements to integrate into very careful balance.  If you were in Sacramento, I would refer you to Ann Gerhardt, M.D. who specializes in nutrition and who is locally one of our better masters women runners (and also a run-bike-kayak triathlete of first class stature!).  But see a sports oriented internal medicine type and – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – nutrition, I suspect my problem is lack of carbos (you recommend 60-70% for training).   Should I forget the dieting and simply continue on a low-fat diet, adding more carbos?  I suspect this would allow me to increase my mileage, thereby losing weight/toning up ANYHOW.  Am I correct?  How many calories should I eat to compensate for the mileage I’ve run?  I’ve heard varying, contradictory estimates. I would appreciate any advice you nutrition experts may have on the subject. Despite all the years I’ve been running, no one ever coached me on nutrition.  Or maybe I never listened.  I’m listening now!  Thanx, Laura

Response:

Question:

I won’t pretend to provide medical advice, but if this information helps it’ll be worth sending. A common problem, especially in women (one in ten) is thyroid problems. Low thyroid levels causes decreased metabolism: fatigue, weight gain, low heart rate, etc. It took several years for my thryoid problems to be detected, so I would recommend regular blood test for thyroid hormone levels. Problems are usually easily treated. Talk to your doctor. Chris

Response:

I’ve been running for about fifteen years, minus a three-year break due to burn-out and back problems.  For the last six months, I’ve been trying to get my base mileage up so I can start competing again (10K).  BACKGROUND: I’m 5′8"; 137 lbs; eat 1200-1500 calories/day (about 20-25% fat); bodyfat, although never calculated, is still _high_; hip/pelvic problems reduced with shoe support, weightlifting and flexibility exercises.   The problem I have is a terrible lack of energy during my run (3-4 miles at 8:30-9:00/mile, but that’s going all out!!), and after reading the FAQ on nutrition, I suspect my problem is lack of carbos (you recommend 60-70% for training).   Should I forget the dieting and simply continue on a low-fat diet, adding more carbos?  I suspect this would allow me to increase my mileage, thereby losing weight/toning up ANYHOW.  Am I correct?  How many calories should I eat to compensate for the mileage I’ve run?  I’ve heard varying, contradictory estimates. I would appreciate any advice you nutrition experts may have on the subject. Despite all the years I’ve been running, no one ever coached me on nutrition.  Or maybe I never listened.  I’m listening now!  Thanx, Laura

Response:

I’ve been running for about fifteen years, minus a three-year break due to burn-out and back problems.  For the last six months, I’ve been trying to get my base mileage up so I can start competing again (10K).  BACKGROUND: I’m 5′8"; 137 lbs; eat 1200-1500 calories/day (about 20-25% fat); bodyfat, although never calculated, is still _high_; hip/pelvic problems reduced with shoe support, weightlifting and flexibility exercises.   The problem I have is a terrible lack of energy during my run (3-4 miles at 8:30-9:00/mile, but that’s going all out!!), and after reading the FAQ on

I have examined the other comments on this thread, and everybody has a slightly different shading to their response, and at least one or two are agreeing with your suspicion of "needing more carbos."  I AM GOING TO JOIN IN WITH THE OTHER THEME, FIRST PRESENTED:  Get a COMPLETE PHYSICAL AND BLOOD WORKUP!!!  YESTERDAY!!! I cannot imagine a circumstance, even on your relatively low daily calorie intake, where you would be depleting your glycogen reserves in 3-4 miles! My suspicion is directed more towards some other low-level chronic systemic problem that without any endurance stress is simply being unnoticed, e.g. the thryoid possibility or very low iron levels hence borderline anemia!  You did not tell us anything about the pattern of your diet/nutrition program, only the calorie total and the %fat– certainly these are important components, but for a menstruating female there are many other nutritional elements to integrate into very careful balance.  If you were in Sacramento, I would refer you to Ann Gerhardt, M.D. who specializes in nutrition and who is locally one of our better masters women runners (and also a run-bike-kayak triathlete of first class stature!).  But see a sports oriented internal medicine type and – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – nutrition, I suspect my problem is lack of carbos (you recommend 60-70% for training).   Should I forget the dieting and simply continue on a low-fat diet, adding more carbos?  I suspect this would allow me to increase my mileage, thereby losing weight/toning up ANYHOW.  Am I correct?  How many calories should I eat to compensate for the mileage I’ve run?  I’ve heard varying, contradictory estimates. I would appreciate any advice you nutrition experts may have on the subject. Despite all the years I’ve been running, no one ever coached me on nutrition.  Or maybe I never listened.  I’m listening now!  Thanx, Laura

Response:

: The problem I have is a terrible lack of energy during my run (3-4 miles at : 8:30-9:00/mile, but that’s going all out!!), and after reading the FAQ on : nutrition, I suspect my problem is lack of carbos (you recommend 60-70% for : training).   : Should I forget the dieting and simply continue on a low-fat diet, adding : more carbos?  I suspect this would allow me to increase my mileage, thereby : losing weight/toning up ANYHOW.  Am I correct?  How many calories should I : eat to compensate for the mileage I’ve run?  I’ve heard varying, : contradictory estimates. : I would appreciate any advice you nutrition experts may have on the subject. : Despite all the years I’ve been running, no one ever coached me on : nutrition.  Or maybe I never listened.  I’m listening now!  Thanx, Laura Most physiology texts would recommend an energy intake of about 1.5 kcal/Kg/mile run.  ie. You’d be about 62Kg, so that’s 95kcal per mile of training.  Lack of energy is probably due to a lack of muscle glycogen, so you idea of upping carbo intake is quite right. David Rowbottom University of Western Australia

Response:

If you’re interested in losing weight, try the PR*Bar.  It goes against every well established rule of nutrition but it WORKS!  I don’t knwo if it burns fat on me (I’m around 5% body fat) but after three weeks on it, I’ve only had one or two days I’ve felt sluggish. Erik

Response:

If you’re interested in losing weight, try the PR*Bar.  It goes against every well established rule of nutrition but it WORKS!  I don’t knwo if it burns fat on me (I’m around 5% body fat) but after three weeks on it, I’ve only had one or two days I’ve felt sluggish. Erik

Can anybody tell me if the PR-Bar is available in New Zealand?  I have also heard good things about it’s usefulness in loosing weight, but they don’t seem to be available in New Zealand (I have seen adverts. in Runner’s World). Thanks. Mike Jensen

Response: