Medication question:

[MQAAord]

I looked on AOPA's medication database and could find no information for Phentermine/Adipex. Is that a "flyable" medication? Just curious, I don't even have a current medical right now, so it's not like I'll actually be flying anywhere anytime soon

[JEP]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

I looked on AOPA's medication database and could find no information for Phentermine/Adipex. Is that a "flyable" medication? Just curious, I don't even have a current medical right now, so it's not like I'll actually be flying anywhere anytime soon

Looking, but cannot find anything either.....

but curiousity has me asking why in the world would Amber need this medication? (after looking at why it is generally prescribed).

[MQAAord]

For the past 6 months, my doc has been changing my bc pills, in search of one that will work in a good way with me, but all that jacking around with hormones has caused a 15 pound weight gain that has been unable to be corrected with diet excercise alone. I have been busting my butt for 3 months now, and while the weight gain has mercifully finally ceased, despite my very best efforts I've only lost 1 lb My clothes don't fit, and I've had enough. She gave me the Adipex with the understanding of monthly check-ins with her, and I have a 3-month max time-frame for it's usage. I'm not trying to be a size 2 or anything, I just need help getting back to my regular weight.

[My Flight Surgeon]

It is NOT ALLOWED. It is an amphetamine-family drug.

As far as the weight - welcome to the club I do not exercise (it is a long 4 letter word to me) but I do watch calories. The best aid I have found is Calorie King. It is a downloadable program from the web and really helps in tracking calories, exercise, weight. The thing I like about it is the updated food items,i.e., go to Arby's and look for a roast beef sandwich - it has all the nutritional data for the item. Really make you aware of what you are eating.

[MQAAord]

I'm usually far too lazy to excercise either! But it's either do whatever I have to do to lose this weight, or I have to buy a whole new wardrobe! I can't afford that

I was so pschyed there a few months ago to get back working out and start losing this weight, and that's when my tennis elbow acted up. I ended up on prednisone for a week to fix that! Nothing like not being able to move your arm and barely being able to type to really depress you.

Thanks for the Calorie King suggestion! Of course diet and excercise are essential, my doc was quite serious when she told me the Adipex helps to lose weight, it's not a miracle drug and if I eat garbage (fast food, sugar) all day it's not going to do a thing. And I've only got 3 months of it (doc-authorized refills upon office visit only), I've read about it and I know about it's addictive qualities and I will not go beyond the 3 months.

I figured it would probably not be FAA allowed, but I didn't know it was actually an amphetamine! But in reading the possible side effects, like dizzyness and rapid heartbeat, it didn't sound like something that should be taken while flying anyway.

Not to worry though, it's probably going to be a long time before I get to fly again (kids & money reasons, not medical)

[vheissu]

Kind of off topic. Assuming you mean Birth Control when you say BC, are you having any other side effects besides the weight? The GF has been on it for months, and seems like sometimes satan himself can come out of nowhere and chew my head off. Can anyone say mood swings? Just wondering if this could possibly be a cause for her moods.

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by vheissu

Kind of off topic. Assuming you mean Birth Control when you say BC, are you having any other side effects besides the weight? The GF has been on it for months, and seems like sometimes satan himself can come out of nowhere and chew my head off. Can anyone say mood swings? Just wondering if this could possibly be a cause for her moods.

Hormones can wreak havoc with mood! One particular set of pills I was given (I can't remember the brand name) made me short-tempered, irritable beyond belief! And I'm a pretty even-tempered person! I recognized it, knew that the pills were causing it, but I was well into the pack and pretty much had to finish it out. Needless to say I did NOT refill that brand!

Mood swings are not the reason I'm being switched around the way I am, it's another reason that I may be having to consider surgical options for. But, yes, the pill most certainly CAN lead to mood swings. If they're that bad, try a different brand with different hormones and/or levels.

[vheissu]

Thanks for the advice! I think she really needs a switch. Lately the smallest thing puts her into an irritable mood. It's getting pretty old! Or maybe we are both just young and it's not ment to be hehe