Any Phen-Fen folks out there?

flyaway · April 26, 2008

I took phen-fen back in 96 and lost 80 lbs as well-I also gained back 100. I had a routine echo because of the drug in 99 and they found a tiny bit of regurgitation in one of my valves, since then I have developed alot of regurgitation in all four valves. I have echos every six months but until they are bad enough to need replaced the only complication is taking antibiotics before dental work-its still scary tough

Cristi, same here - took Phen-Fen, loved it BTW - no hunger at all - then that pesky heart thing!! I have regurg too now. I'm alittle nervous about that and surgery. I know I will take antibiotics, but wonder if there are any other risks associated with it during surgery. I have echos yearly, and so far no change. Losing weight and getting my BP down will help, but it does scare me sometimes.:w00t:

Savedbygrace · April 26, 2008

I took redux for about 3 months and was diagnosed with mild to moderate mitral valve regurgitation. I've had about 3 echos since then. When it was first diagnosed, I had to take antibiotics before dental procedures but in the last year the dentist removed that requirement due to all the resistance to antibiotics that seems to be nationwide. I had surgery this past Thursday and had no problem from it.

It was a pain but bc I was told that the manufactors of the drug knew it was going to cause a problem, and had millions saved up for it, I pursued the class action suit. Someone spoke it and it's true... the lawyers took more than half of the settlement and it took some 5 years for it to be settled.

angelface · April 26, 2008

I used Phen- fen in the mid ninties and lost about 50 lbs. It was wonderful. I felt great and had no hunger or cravings. Is that kind of how the lapband feels? Is there anyone who used phen-fen and lost weight and now has the lapband?

brandyII · April 26, 2008

Only problem is the lap band doesn't give you that "burst" of energy that drugs will give you but that's okay, as long as I can still lose weight. I was taking Phen-fen when I was a transcriptionist at home and after 4 hours of typing I was completely drained. Then I went on Phen-fen for only about a month until it was taken off the market and I could type up a storm!

angelface · April 26, 2008

But do you feel "not hungry" with the lapband, the same way you felt "not hungry" with phen-fen? I mean, is the feeling (not wanting to eat) similiar.

brandyII · April 26, 2008

No, from what I remember from Phen and from that other drug I was on that can't remember the name it was more of a nauseous/speed feeling.

On the lap band you still get hungry but it doesn't take as much food to take the hunger away but with the drug you don't have the head hunger. Does that make sense? brandyII.

rnmom80 · April 27, 2008

I took phen-fen and lost 60 lbs. No echo ordered for me just standard EKG. Do you have any cardiac symptoms?

flyaway · April 27, 2008

I took phen-fen and lost 60 lbs. No echo ordered for me just standard EKG. Do you have any cardiac symptoms?

I have PVC's that are made worse my caffeine, more weight, etc., but that I understand from the Doc are harmless. They feel awful, though. I have mild to moderate aortic insuffic. Wonder if I need to get a cardiac clearance for surgery?