Anyone here taking Meridia?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Anyone here taking Meridia?
6
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 3:44am
Hey everyone! I'm new. :-) My name's Ri and I'm 21 years old. I'm a Type 1 diabetic (Juvenile), which means that I'm insulin-dependent. I wear an insulin pump, which is like an external pancreas, because I used to have to take a LOT of insulin, and when you do that, it's almost impossible to lose weight, and you'll gain it as if you were trying really hard to put weight on. :-( But I'm taking a lot less insulin now, which is very good for both my health, and it was supposed to make it easier to lose weight.

I've tried over the counter weightloss pills (which I was never really supposed to) and exercise. I've always been on the heavy side, but I'm at my worst right now. My doctor told me that I had to lose a significant amount of weight or I was going to be in big trouble, medically. So, I tried diet and exercise, and I only lost about 10 lbs. in a few MONTHS. My doctor was very concerned about this, so he prescribed me Meridia along with a letter of medical necessity for my insurance company, which I'm currently waiting to hear if it was accepted or declined... :-( (I hope it was accepted!!! I know how expensive it is...)

Anyway, I'm about 5'3 - 5'4, and I currently weigh 230! I'm so disgusted with myself. This is the absolute heaviest I've ever been in my life. My BMI is around 40 because of my height. I've always carried weight well (i.e. when I was 180 people would guess me about 140, and be shocked to hear otherwise) because it dispurses evenly throughout my body. I have a friend who when she gains weight, it all goes to her hips and thighs, but I just get it all over. LOL *sigh*

My questions to anyone who's on Meridia is: Any tips on how to get it to work fast? Can you tell me how it worked for you with a little background on your weight issues so I can compare them to mine?

I'm very much concerned because my doctor told me that if this didn't work, I may have to go in for a gastric bypass, which from what I understand, I have a BIG risk of dying from because of my medical issues, and how diabetics have very hard times healing, especially from something that major. I really need this prescription to work, and fast!

Thank you all very much for your help in advance! I'll be checking back for replies tomorrow and I will be an active member on the board! You all sound so nice!!! :-)

~Ri

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2002
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 4:30am
>>I will be an active member on the board! You all sound so nice!!! :-)

**You certainly have one great attitude Ri and I can guarantee you will love visiting this Board (HA! most of them are asleep right now :)). You have definitley taken that first "hard" step. Seriously make sure you do come back, you won't be sorry. Hilary (in Australia that is why I am awake!)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 11:05am
>>My doctor told me that I had to lose a significant amount of weight or I was going to be in big trouble, medically. So, I tried diet and exercise, and I only lost about 10 lbs. in a few MONTHS. My doctor was very concerned about this, so he prescribed me Meridia along with a letter of medical necessity for my insurance company, which I'm currently waiting to hear if it was accepted or declined... :-( (I hope it was accepted!!! I know how expensive it is...)

Hi Ri,

Nice to *meet* you and welcome aboard. :) I'm afraid I don't know anything about Meridia but perhaps someone else here does. I did do a search around iVillage and found a few shares about it in this article:

Diet pill-several ivillagers shared about their experiences

http://www.ivillage.com/diet/features/memtips/articles/0,,192151_220940,00.html

Everyone is so different as to how and what works for them and/or their needs. Here we have what we call our *journey* to getting fitter and healthier. To do that, most of us do three main things : drink lots of water, eat healthier and exercise. It's more a lifestyle change and making small goals, cheering eachother on and reporting in (as sort of our own personal journal) seems to help. :)

I can understand your concern and hope you get your perscription. Here's to losing that weight! :)

Golly















iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 12:56pm
Hi Ri - - - My sister's a type 1 diabetic and I know all about the probs associated with this disease....it can be tough I know. Anyhow, just wanted to say welcome and I hope you can get your 'script for the Meridia if that is what they are recommending for you. I do hope tho that you will join us here - - diet and exercise (diet meaning eating healthy for Your situation) are important whether there is a weight problem or not. Exercise is important for everyone.

Take care and good luck on that prescription.

~~tracy

Here's another site for info:

http://www.meridia.net

Hope that helps too.


Edited 8/24/2003 1:06:30 PM ET by stracy1


Edited 8/24/2003 1:07:21 PM ET by stracy1

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 4:59pm
Hi Ri and welcome,

Sorry I am so long in getting back to you hon.

I personally have not used it so I am not much help.

Looks like Golly gave you a site that hopefully will help.

Also I am sure others will give you their thoughts as well.

>> I'll be checking back for replies tomorrow and

I will be an active member on the board! You all sound so nice!!!

**Looking forward to seeing you here on a daily basis.

We have exercise check in, weigh ins and more.

It all helps to become accountable for what we do and don't do

You will succeed as you sound determined which is half the battle.

We'll do our best to help you any way we can just so you know that ..

Have a good rest of the weekend hon :)

~Hugs~

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 5:21pm
Thank you everyone for your wonderful and speedy replies!!! I'm very much looking forward to being active on this board! Everyone here is so supportive and helpful, it's great! And you're all very welcoming, which is also wonderful. :-)

I'm going to add a link to my web site soon to my iVillage profile, which has photos of me on it. Most of them are ones from 3 years ago at my senior prom, because I refuse to have photos taken of me now. LOL But I'll update photos accordingly as I reach my goal weight! In the ones I'm posting, I was about 25-30 lbs. lighter than I am now...this was the period of my life where I was so happy because I lost 20 lbs. through practically STARVING myself for a couple of months, then just never regained my appetite for a while after that. :-( I'm ashamed to admit it, but it happened...


Anyway, thank you all very much, yet again! Will be back later to see what's happening! :-)

~Ri


Edited 8/24/2003 5:23:33 PM ET by archangel1482

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 7:31pm


YaY on adding your pics ..

Speaking of which

We have a website called *Healthy Habits*

Located on the front board here ..

Click away, and you can see all of us as well as put yourself on our map,

See things that might help .. sites, etc ..

Also feel free to send me your pic whenever so we can add you with us as well

Have a great evening hon :)

~Hugs~

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