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Was watching Geraldo at Large tonight and they had a segment on the new OTC diet drug, Alli, a lower dose version of Zenacal.
Since this is a fat blocker that binds to an enzyme and prevents fat from being absorbed, one of the delightful side-effects is the probability of soiling yourself. Yep, pooping your pants in public. The manufacturer knows this and recommends carrying a change of clothes with you everywhere.
Guess I need to buy stock in Depends as they'll be flying off the shelf along with the Alli.
Since this is a fat blocker that binds to an enzyme and prevents fat from being absorbed, one of the delightful side-effects is the probability of soiling yourself. Yep, pooping your pants in public. The manufacturer knows this and recommends carrying a change of clothes with you everywhere.
Guess I need to buy stock in Depends as they'll be flying off the shelf along with the Alli.
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I have had Ttp twice this year I'm 48 my doc said the next time Ttp happens they will take my immune system. Has anyone had this done? Does it work ? What other problems do u get?
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
Alli is supposed to be less harsh, but something I have been things about is this: many fibromites also have IBS and already have tummy issues. I can't imagine taking something that adds to the problem.
Another question would be do you still have "treatment effects" if you stay within or below 15g fat at each meal. The materials say "an average of 15g per meal" but I wonder how low to completely prevent the effect and how high to trigger them.
If you eat low fat anyway and this drug gets rid of 1/4 of the fat, would you still have "oily" issue or would it be so minimal that it is just included in "normal elimintaion."
I also read where people who took Xenical develop tummy issues that last long after they take the drug. The description leads one to believe that these "oily" effects end when you stop taking the drug, but are they sure? That's not something I read as pure fact.
If I could be assured that eating less than 15g would produce minimal "treatment effects" then I might not mind wearing a little protection such as a sanitary pad, but I'm also afraid of the "out of control" issues that might occur.
Very scary...
Now, besides having to wear diapers and carry an extra change of clothes with you, you'll need yearly colonoscopies to have the polyps removed. Sounds fun.
Fifteen grams of fat per meal isn't much when you consider that a gram of fat has 9 calories. You'd barely be able to lightly butter two pieces of toast without worrying about staining your clothes.
I think by-pass surgery has some of the same side-effects. You can't by-pass half the digestive tract and not have problems.
I'm taking enzymes to dissolve my uterine fibroids and doing fine, but when hubby takes even one, he's almost chained to the toilet for days. I think Alli must do the same thing.
Shame on Geraldo for pushing this awful stuff. He should have to take it to promote it.
Gerald WASN'T promoting it. They had a segment on it emphasizing the fact that you'd better have an extra change of clothes with you at all time. They also had a medical panel discussing how people will probably assume that since 25% of the fat will be blocked, they can go ahead and have the double cheeseburger deluxe. Geraldo and the panel agreed this won't help the obesity epidemic as do I.
It was very strange. It had six statements you were supposed to agree with before buying it, along with a fake phone. Very strange. Anyway, they went out of their way to make sure the consumer understands that if you consume more than 15 grams of fat in one meal, you can expect to soil yourself.
There was also a book specifically designed to go with the drug that was mostly a meal planner/calorie/fat counter. From what I could see, the fat grams listed in common foods were either per bite or misprints. How many processed foods have 1.5 gram of fat per serving other than bottled water??
A gram of fat equals 9 calories so 15 grams per meal is little more than a bat of butter.
The thing that struck me the most about the whole thing is how they are posturing for a class-action lawsuit when the reality of this drug sets in after a few embarrassing accidents. They'll be able to point to all the warning that 'it might not be right for you.' They also strongly recommend keeping a food journal that they'll use in court to prove you ignored their guidelines. Just the same............
Ive cut this from a previous post I did in Feb when the FDA first approved it:
1) orlistat (xenical) will NOW be over the counter..the is the FIRST weight loss drug to receive over the counter approval from the FDA.
here is the story:
1) The US Food and Drug Administration has approved orlistat (xenical) capsules as an over-the-counter (OTC) weight-loss aid for overweight adults.
2) Orlistat was initially approved in 1999 as a prescription drug (Xenical) to treat obesity and remains a prescription drug for obesity at a higher dose (120 mg) than the 60-mg OTC version.
3) OTC orlistat will be available under the name "alli" (pronounced AL-eye) and is indicated for use in adults aged 18 years and older
4) Orlistat helps produce weight loss by decreasing the intestinal absorption of fat. The 60-mg capsule can be taken up to 3 times a day with each fat-containing meal.
5) The most common side effect is a change in bowel habits, which may include loose stools.
6) Anyone taking anticoagulants or being treated for diabetes or thyroid disease should ask their doc before using orlistat.
More info on orlistat (xenical):
In a meta-analysis (analysis of all the good published trials grouped together) of 22 trials that included diabetics and non-diabetics the mean weight loss due to orlistat was 8.83 kg (an average of 8-10% reduction of body weight) for patients who adhered to the treatment for a full year....and almost two-thirds of the subjects completed the first year of treatment.
Dr O.
I also wouldn't take this because I want to be able to enjoy the occasional bacon cheeseburger and fries without having to worry about spending the rest of the evening in the bathroom. Gads.
Nope, nothing replaces good ol' diet and exercise. There is no such thing as a magic pill - remember the aftermath of Fen/Phen? And this reminds me of my issue with gastric bypass...if you could eat like that on a regular basis, you would - thus eliminating the need for such things.
As much as I miss having a cute figure, I'd rather be fat than **** my pants.