Xenical?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2004
Xenical?
6
Wed, 12-01-2004 - 1:43pm
Hi! I need to lose about 130 lbs, and my doctor prescribed Xenical yesterday for me. I would like to know if anyone on this message board is taking it, and is it helping? It sure was expensive, 165 dollars! And if anyone is taking Xenical, is there any place cheaper than walgreens to fill this prescription? Also my doctor didnt give me any information, nor did walgreens give me an informational pamphlet, beside the little paper with side effects, ect. Could someone help with some info too? Thanks!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2004
In reply to: marilew73
Wed, 12-01-2004 - 4:00pm

Hi and welcome to the board! I've never taken Xenical, but maybe someone else here has? I hope you come and post here often. This is a great place for support :)

~~Linda

~~Linda

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: marilew73
Wed, 12-01-2004 - 6:36pm
My sister took it for a month. She said the greasy diarrhea was horible and she didn't lose a pound in that month. Sorry no good news here. Good luck on your weight loss journey! Hugs, Brenda

Hugs, Brenda 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2004
In reply to: marilew73
Wed, 12-01-2004 - 10:14pm

My doctor will not let me take it because I have gall stones. All it does is run the fat right through you. Go to the web site to get more info.

I am not sure how xenical differs from drinking boat loads of water.

Welcome aboard!
Sussie_Q

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
In reply to: marilew73
Fri, 12-03-2004 - 11:46am

My endocrinologist wrote a script for this for me and we discussed it for my son, as well. She said they have really great results with teenagers, because it's about behavior modification. Eat fatty food = REALLY unpleasant results.

My insurance won't cover it, so I passed.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-30-2004
In reply to: marilew73
Fri, 12-03-2004 - 7:28pm
If you have insurance coverage you can get a form on line from your insurance company for your doctor to fill out and may get it authorized and pay only a $50.00 co pay.That is what i did.I had no sucess because I am on predisone for my rhuematoid aarthritis and when I get off of it I will try it again.If you eat a low fat diet and do not eat too much fat you will not have bad side affects.You will go to the bathroom and at least 2 bowel movements a day and maybe a little gas at first.I do hear that it really works very well.Good luck with it.I would think that your insurance company will help you if you push them a little .It is cheaper than a gastric bypass because I need to lose about 100 pounds myself...........Lots of luck..Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-13-2004
In reply to: marilew73
Fri, 12-03-2004 - 9:33pm

Yes I have tried it...

Good luck for you.

Primarily this medication is used to block the absorption of fat in the stomach, so it is excreted from your body without being digested. This is just as pretty as it sounds. However, with some exercise, and a healthy diet, the nasty side effect can be managed and I have seen personally morbidly obese patients on oxygen in the hospital lose significant amounts of weight.

It should only be taken in close contact with your doctor. The premise is that the nasty side effect (oily discharge!!) causes a behaviour change, namingly that you choose to eat healthier foods.

I had some success with this diet when I was able to control my diet. Then I began travelling a lot, and I was not able to control my diet, and I had a lot of the nasty side effect. So for me, it was not really compatible with my lifestyle.

Good luck.

Kristrin