Orlistat

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Hi, I have just started taking Orlistat today and I can see lots of old threads about it but none recently posted so just wondering if anyone else on here is on this same journey? I have around 5-6 stone that I could do with losing so my doctor suggested Xenical as a starting point. I have Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome too and I am sure my weight at 18.5 stone won't be helping those. Any friendly advice or chat would be greatly appreciated

Hi everyone.
My orlistat arrived this morning.
We always have a fry up at the weekend so I'll wait until Monday before starting them.
I have a lot to lose. I've been doing intermittent fasting for five weeks and have lost 13 lb.

I am hoping these orlistat will keep me on the straight and narrow.

I still have the occasional cooked breakfast on Orlistat. But I tend to leave the sausage out as that's very fatty and I prefer bacon.

I would have fried egg, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes & toast and not expect any problems at all.

Do you think black pudding is reasonably safe?
And do you have butter on your toast?

Yes I have butter on my toast.
Don’t know about black pudding, sorry.

Well, after two days on Orlistat I am impressed.

I was so scared there would be horrible side effects but it's been fine, and I'm already down nearly two pounds.

Does everyone on the thread buy it online or do you get your doctor to prescribe it? I bought 42 capsules and as I only eat two meals a day, that should last three weeks.

I buy it online and normally only take 2 tablets a day too. Sometimes because I don’t think it’s worth taking one at breakfast if very little fat eaten. Sometimes just because I forget to take the tablet at lunchtime or dinner 😬

Hi Twiglet.

I'm seeing the nurse at our surgery for something different this afternoon so I'll ask her then. She has prescribing rights so maybe she'll give me them, or she can ask the GP.
If not I'll just keep buying them.

My first packet I bought from an online pharmacy, but straight after I asked my gp and got them prescribed, could of saved myself the first cost lol.

It was even an online consult with my gp I filled out. I have seen her regularly for other meds I'm on so maybe thats why she was happy to give me a script without seeing her x

Well I've just completed my first 7 days and halfway through the week I seemed to have lost 3lbs, but today I'm showing an overall loss of just 1.5lbs. I'll weigh myself again tomorrow in the hope it's just a glitch. I've been having 800-1000kcals a day, average 5-15g of fat per meal and that didn't change over the weekend so I'm a bit baffled really.

I stopped for a while, don't like to be on it consistently. I lost 5lbs last week.

The nurse said they no longer prescribe it at our surgery. I didn't tell her I'd got some.
Anyway, if it works I'll carry on buying it lol.

Well done!

Yes good idea. See if it works for you.

Joining in as I have just ordered a pack of 42 from pharmacy online to see how it is, hopefully will be here tomorrow. I'm currently 13st 4 and 5"4, I lost a stone last year after coming off the pill, so far have managed not to put any more on since October but haven't lost anything either.
I have been taking Myprotein Lipid binder tablets which I think are a weaker dose of Orlistat and not done anything.
I have an underactive thyroid so jeed an extra boost. Wish me luck

Hi there @Me1987
I'm waiting for the terrible side effects to start. Nothing bad so far.
I'm just unsure about why some people get terrible and uncontrollable diarrhoea.
Maybe they are just eating normally?
Or maybe they're taking a capsule and not eating at all?

I've been careful. I was
toying with the idea of buying a load more at a discount......... but then decided to see if they work first.

I may be wrong but assume where people get uncontrollable side effects it is because they have eaten a very high fat meal. I wouldn’t dare eat a big portion fish & chips right now, for example. Though I would eat fish with no batter and a small portion of chips.

Good Luck, we’re about the same height & weight 😊

Yes, that could be the reason.
I don't fancy experimenting to find out.

Me neither! 😂

Well, they seem to be working.

I have lost about a pound a day since I started them - so coming up to 5 lb.

I had two days of complete constipation (which is odd because their alleged side-effect is diarrhoea) but once that improved, my scales showed a definite weight loss.

I do wonder if that is because I am prescribed gabapentin and mirtazapine by my GP, which cause constipation anyway - so the Orlistat has to work against that IYSWIM.
Anyway - I took the plunge and bought another 168 capsules, at 10% off - which came to £65. If they carry on working like this I'll be impressed.

I have SUCH a long way to go........................

Good luck everybody.

Great progress!

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer but it will probably slow down as you lose weight, well mine did anyway. The weight loss is definitely slow and steady but if the trend is downwards, I'm happy. I expect the constipation will sort itself out as it does tend to have the opposite effect.

Joining in this thread if okay as I've just started these too after struggling to lose weight for years! Been on for about a week with no side effects so far other than painful bloating on days 2-3. I've been taking psyllium husk supplements every time I take orlistat (with every meal) as I read they reduce gastro side effects - seems to be working so far for me. Wanted to use these rather than saxenda or ozempic as I read a side effect of those can be anxiety and I struggle with my mental health already. Hoping to lose 3 stone.

Good luck!
I believe that there's a great shortage of semaglutide ATM so you've done the right thing, starting Orlistat.
I actually feel really positive about things right now.

Thanks, Twiglet.
I'm expecting it to slow down.
I'm also expecting to have days where I cave and eat cake or crisps.

I've lost weight before and it was VERY slow after the initial burst. I am sure that this is why people give up on diets.

How is everyone getting on?
I got some tablets on Wednesday and started then, first 2 days were fine, on a low cal diet so all good.
Friday I had a grilled burger and veg and gravy and 4 small corn in the cobs (stupidly excessive).
Saturday woke up with horrific stomach cramps and diarrhea, ate very well yesterday and took 1 tablet per meal for lunch and dinner. TMI I had to run to the toilet this morning and it was slightly too late.
Not a great experience so far but I'm down to 13st 1.6, I think I will just have to take the tablets when I know I'm at home and not many plans.
I work shifts in a children's home so can't risk any accidents, I'm ok with that though, focusing on calorie counting and taking the tablet when I can