[Andrea45]

I just met w/my surgeon's Endocrinologist & he wants me to take Ephedrine because of my metabolism & he feels im not loosing weight fast enough. Ive lost a total of 63 lbs since Dec. 14th. (I lost about 17lbs prior to my surgery on Feb. 4th). Im quite happy with my results so far. Im 5'2" & started out at 241 lbs & my goal is 135lbs. He made the comment that kind of turned me off..he said that the surgeon wants him to try to get people to loose weight faster. I just feel that the surgeon is looking out for herself & wants to keep her statistics looking good so that she looks better as a surgeon & not necessarily looking out for the best interest of the patient. My metabolism is only 1000 cals & should be at least 1600 so he wants to put me on Ephedrine. Im already taking L-Carnitine & a lot of other meds. Im just wondering if anyone else w/metabolism problems has taken this medication. This is NOT Ephedra, which was pulled from the market & later reinstated.. but im still concerned because this is a stimulant that requires a prescription in the state of Oregon because of its potential use to make drugs-(meth). Im a little concerned because it causes nervousness, anxiety & insomnia. He has me on a gradual dosage & I am to gradually increase the dosage until no tremor, anxiety or insomnia occur- 25mg per dose, 3 times per day, at 4 hr intervals. Ive also just started taking Citalopram for mild depression, which causes inability to sleep & I take it before bed & usually wake up about 1:30am for about an hour. I also have IBS & cant have caffeine, so im wondering if this will upset my stomache..or worse yet, increase my heart rate. Ive had a few episodes of PSVT in the last several months & im kind of surprised that he prescribed this stimulant, based on the psvt alone. Doc, can I get your opinion here? Or am I worrying over nothing?

[Kenyar]

hi. not a dr here and never has a probelm like that so really no advice just opinion. i think it is INSANE that a wls surgeon would want a patient to take something to speed up weight loss. defeats the whole purpose and goes against what they should be teaching you in post op care. just my opinion.

sorry your loss is too slow for them. are you comfortable with it? if so, i wouldnt take anything just for the sake of stats. just me though...ugh!

[Perfesser]

Gads, it sounds like you're taking enough stuff you actually need that there's no room left for things you don't! I'm with Kenya on this. We had ourselves cut and sliced so we could lose weight in a controlled, natural manner without diet aids and artificial assistance. I'm still fairly new at this, but I have never heard of such a thing. I am absolutely 100% positive that my surgeon (whom I consider to be extremely reputable) would never think of such a thing, and would probably strongly discourage anyone who suggested it.

Doc, we need a good first opinion here from someone who knows what she's talking about.

CT

[DocSanae]

A history of PSVT and ephedrine basically is a NO-NO, it can CAUSE PSVT. Of the other meds, I'm not going into detail, but I think you may be taking things that counteract each other, resulting in rendering both ineffective, and you may be taking things that enhance eachother--make the reactions stronger. Since it seems that the onset of PSVT is recent, you should be examined by a cardiologist, esp if ephedrine is being prescribed to you.

IMHO, I don't like WLS surgeons who*push* stuff on their patients, instead of working together on building healthy life styles and resolving issues that caused you to overeat, and in helping you set up healthy coping mechanisms that you can depend on for the rest of your life, to cope with stress.
If you have a base metabolic condition that lowers your basal metabolism, such as hypothyroidism, then that should be addressed and treated. If your basal metabolism is low due to years of abuse through yo-yo dieting, then, maybe, ephedrine can help to give your metabolism a kick to start it moving, but in that case, this should be explained clearly to you so that you understand, and feel safe in taking the meds. However, as I said, ephedrine can CAUSE arrhythmia, so, if you have PSVT, that basically is a no-no.
If the surgeon starts looking at how good their stats look, instead of how to help use the tool and improve self esteem and the quality of life so the patient wil have tools they can depend on for the rest of their lives to help stay on track.
A dr who easily turns to medication to accelerate the weight loss is setting up their patients for future failure, because the dr is promoting *diet mentality* instead of healthy eating/healthy lifestyle/healthy coping mechanism.

[dixieladybug]

Just my opinion but maybe you need to find a new doctor. I have tried enough diet pills in my life time that if I had all the money that I have spent on them and diet books and fad diets and all that junk I could take a nice long cruise. It seems so good to know the days of diet pills are over. I have hyperthyroidism so my metabolism is slow but I am still losing weight, not as fast as some but still working for me. It sound to me like you are doing good with your weight loss. Everyone loses at a different pace. It doesnt mater how longs it takes to get to goal so long as you get there. I was on so many different meds before surgery even type ll diabetes and now I only take my thyroid medicine. I can't believe your doctor would prescribe something that might not be good for you just to make herself look good. Think about this very careful and maybe get a second opion on this. Good luck. Let us hear from you.

[MsVickie]

I agree with all the above and Dixie hit it on the head. I have made a post about this on another thread. I would be asking questions myself and seeking a new physican if they cant explain this no better than they did.

[Kat]

I'm on board with everyone esle on this on. I took it at one time way before surgery. Not a good idea.

[stylindi]

holy toledo!!! Im floored. Send the ephidrene doc over.. he needs to have his head red...i just renewed my stylist license.

[Andrea45]

Thanks everyone & thanks Doc, for confirming what my gut was already telling me. Especially w/the psvt episodes, i dont think Ephedrine is a good idea, based on that alone. Ive already been to a cardiologist regarding the psvt & im sure he wouldn't want me taking Ephedrine. Im going to put a message in to my surgeon & just let her know that the Endocrinologist suggested taking Ephedrine & what her thought's are on this- im just curious & I just want to see what her thought's are..but it wont change my mind about taking the drug. As I said, im please w/my weight loss..66 lbs is nothing to cry over! And if it isn't fast enough for him & the surgeons reputation, well then too bad for them. I think the lesson to be learned here is, don't just take any medication because a "Dr." prescribed it. Thanks again all!

[Perfesser]

Originally Posted by Andrea45

I think the lesson to be learned here is, don't just take any medication because a "Dr." prescribed it.

You got that right - there's doctors and then there's doctors. I'm a doctor, but my patients are made of plastic and metal!! And when I prescribe something, you can usually find it at that great automotive pharmacy chain, AutoZone!!

CT