Side Effects of the hCG Diet? My Story...

Updated on June 7, 2017

Image courtesy of istockphoto/hidesy.

The hCG Diet and the Temptation of Quick Weight Loss

You may have seen the photos posted relentlessly on Facebook by a friend of yours: "So and so lost 25 pounds in one month!" "I lost three pounds in one day!" "Join me and lose weight too!"

If you struggle with your weight, you'll soon find yourself tempted to try the hCG diet. After all, they make it look so easy, right? Your friend has shared that she was skeptical too, but... Well, against my better judgement, I finally succumbed to the pressure. I gave in.

For those who don't already know what hCG is, human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced by the placenta after implantation. The diet's claim is that when people take a low dose of hCG, they lose fat and not than lean (muscle) tissue.

I decided to try Omnitrition's Omni Drops (claims they are hCG on the label but the measurements tell a different story...scroll down to learn how much hGC is really in those drops). You might as well know up front, I think this was one of the biggest mistakes of my life (and one of the most dangerous diets out there), especially as others share their stories and the many serious side effects of this diet with me as well.

Update: I have been contacted by yet another person who suffered a heart attack as a result of this diet. Please, read comments here and just don't do this diet. It's illegal. It's dangerous. And, if that doesn't change your mind, this diet has left so many people fatter than when they started. Read the comments here...please...

Doing the hCG diet was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I think it is one of the most dangerous diets out there.

Side Effects of the hCG Diet

Side Effect
• Initial weight gain	This is normal. It is water weight and is easily lost, though a cycle of binging and dieting is not healthy.
• Heavy menstruation	This can be a concern for those at risk of anemia.
• Hunger	To be expected when eating only 500 calories a day.
• Racing heart/erratic heartbeat	I consulted my doctor at this point.

Effects the hCG Diet Had on My Body

During Phase One ("loading"), I gained about three pounds. Gaining is encouraged. Eat whatever you want. Go crazy. Hey, no problem there. I know from prior diets, that's just a lot of water weight and easily lost. Still, binging and dieting...not a healthy cycle. I read post after post from women who made themselves ill during this time eating so much junk. I'm not a big sugar eater and I keep a pretty low-sodium diet. While I didn't add in sugars, I did add in foods with salts which always cause a good weight gain from retained water.

How did I do? I lost about 15 pounds from my first day. That's not bad for a month, right? Well, remember, I had gained three pounds with loading so it really was only 12 pounds. Of those 12, I lost about 10 in the first two weeks. The second two weeks, I only lost a couple. Ten lbs in two weeks is pretty awesome, no doubt, but I've done other diets in the past (usually to lose baby weight) and had better success. I lost 12 pounds in two weeks on the South Beach Diet (which I kept off for quite awhile). After having my son, I lost about 20 lbs in a month and a half on Weight Watchers. So, can't say that this diet was any more miraculous. As with the other diets, I was motivated and I did lose weight.

But, I did have some side effects with this diet that I've not experienced before with any of those other diets.

Menstruation My period started early, which was not a problem before once I began the drops. That was definitely unusual. My next period was only a few weeks after the first and it was one of the worst I've ever had. It was so heavy that I was filling a pad hourly. I felt like I would pass out and struggled with intense dizziness. I had severe cramping on one side. It was just awful.

Ferritin Levels For me, all of this was very concerning as I have had to get iron infusions for anemia in the past. Thankfully I had just had infusions and had really good ferritin levels or I think this would have been far more serious. They tested my ferritin (that only one month before had been great) and it was all gone! That has never happened to me before and the doctor and nurse were also stunned by the drop in my levels. Of course, knowing I had to restart iron infusions at the cancer center after having such good levels only a month before left me overwhelmed and even depressed. I broke down. If you have or have had anemia, please think twice before doing this diet. I've seen multiple people online say that this diet is good for anemia, and I really believe they are putting lives at risk. I can't say this clearly enough, the hCG diet was so dangerous for me!

Hunger I had other side effects as well. Hunger was typical. The first few days, as you can imagine on 500 calories, I was really, really hungry (and a mite grumpy). After that, there were days I didn't feel as hungry, but having done other diets, I know that can be typical once your body adjusts to whatever you are doing. That's typical with any diet.
Racing heart I have had problems with my heart racing only when I am very anemic. I had just been tested and knew I was not anemic and yet I found the first weeks especially, my erratic heartbeat would wake me up each night. This was before my scary menstrual bleeding so it wasn't related to anemia. Every time I'd rest, it would really start pounding. Toward the end, my heart almost seemed to seize up and then would start pounding out of my chest. It was scary. It got to the point where I didn't want to lay down because I was getting worried I'd have a heart attack. That is when I knew I was done and had to see the doctor. I knew, after that incredibly heavy period and the erratic heartbeat that that was it for me. My anemia is nothing to play with. The advice I received by a distributor when I mentioned my side effects was not to talk to my doctor. I was doing this diet with a buddy and she kept suggesting that I contact my own distributor to see what products they recommended. No, I am not kidding. Rather than seek medical attention, people selling this diet just wanted to sell me more products. And, that was the typical response whenever anybody posted about a serious side effect of any sort. For me, that was a major red flag. I wasn't taking this to my distributor. I was going to see my doctor and that was what needed to be done. I lasted about a month on what I believe is a dangerous diet. Let me clarify, yes, I do believe the 500-calorie portion of the diet can be potentially dangerous, especially if you are not being monitored closely by your physician

Why Are You Visiting This Page? (Please note that more than 615 people have had serious enough side effects to be concerned...this diet is risky!)

Quite a few people are visiting this page and I would love to know why you are here.

What Is the hCG Diet?

Now, this is the version I did but they are all similar.

Notice if you do a search for the company name and keywords like 'dangers', 'scam', 'unsafe', etc..., you'll get page after page of results. Be warned, they're tricky. Nine times out of ten, these are distributors and sellers who have created pages with these titles. Think about it, if you see page after page of hCG diet dangers but when you click on the links, you'll see they discuss how 'safe' the diet really is. You'll talk yourself into the safety of this diet. Let me just clarify, these are not real reviews! These are pages done by people trying to make money off this diet!

Finding specific information about the diet is difficult, at least until they have your money. Once I ordered my drops ($79.00 plus a hefty shipping charge), I received this email:

I am here to help you be successful with your products. Please call, text or message me on Facebook when you have questions.

I see you ordered Omni Drops. I want to go over a few things, The drops do not have to be refrigerated, but they need to be kept out of direct sunlight and heat. I just leave mine in the fridge and grab it when I'm on the go. I have attached phase2 recipes so you can take this time to look over what food you might like to eat. Being prepared is crucial to your success.

Omni DROPS: You will take the drops 3x a day 10 drops under your tongue. Hold it there for 30 seconds. No eating or drinking 15 minutes before and after. You can take up to 6 sets in a day, just add one if you are feeling overly hungry. The first 2 days you LOAD! You eat, eat, eat! This is VERY important. It gets your body ready to burn the stored body fat. You should eat fatty foods, pasta's, creamy sauces, pastries all the fatty foods you want and the goal is to remain full at all times. I try to get in every favorite bad food that I won't be having for awhile. On the 3rd day you continue the drops and eat CLEAN. Protein, Vegetables and fruit. The drops come with a folder with all the directions and food you can eat. You have to stay on the drops for a minimum of 21 days to up to 45 days. Then you follow a maintenance plan for 21 days. THIS is very important to lock in your new weight.

You will need a food scale.

Be sure to do your measurements and weigh daily.

You need to drink a gallon of water a day. IMPORTANT! (with lemon is acceptable)

Stevia sweetener is the only sweetener allowed. Powder or drops.

You can purchase flavored Stevia drops online. I use Amazon.

Mustard, Franks Original hot sauce and Braggs amino acids are allowed.

As the time approaches I'm sure you will have questions, don't hesitate to contact me, I'm here to help you be successful with Omnitrition."

How I Was Seduced by the Idea of Easy Weight Loss

Seemed like each time I visited Facebook, there were new photos of people who had lost huge amounts of weight. The gal posting the pics was just somebody I know online and not in 'real life'. She seemed nice enough though.

Well, I've gained weight and struggled to get it off. In fact, from my numerous treatments to fix my anemia, I've gained a very stubborn 10 to 15 pounds that I could not get off again. I tried and tried but nothing was working. Even before I gained that amount, I had another 20 to 25 pounds I could easily afford to lose. Seeing those weight-loss photos was like dangling a squeaky toy in front of our overgrown lab pup. Eventually the temptation was too great. I wanted that!

Well, technically, I just wanted that extra weight off that I had gained from my treatments and maybe a few extra. Eating disorders run in my family so I've taken great care not to obsess about weight loss. Just being a size 10 would make me happy.

So, for a month, I watched post after post of people who had lost weight. Looking back now, I realize they were really only a handful of success stories but posted every so often, they seemed like far more. Didn't matter, I was hooked. I was willing to try it. I contacted my online friend who had recently become a distributor. I pestered her with many questions. Honestly, she couldn't answer a number of them but I didn't really mind. I was willing to try this out.

Visions of me in my old jeans were dancing through my head. Okay, I was in! I placed my order.

The Forums About the Diet Made it Sound Perfect

I pestered my online acquaintance with question after question about safety. She couldn't answer many of my questions but she excitedly added me to their company's support page on Facebook where other members were more than happy to share their hCG miracle stories. The page ended up being such a happy, fluffy place. The posters made this diet sound perfect...a little too perfect. Come to find out, many of them were selling the diet but I only found that out after I was already on it. Posts that shed a negative light on the diet were often deleted from the forum.

Also, I found out this is a 500-calorie a day diet.

That didn't sit well, what could it hurt to try, right? If it was too much, I could always just quit. I had just finished iron infusions and knew my ferritin levels were doing great and I was in no way anemic. Since anemia has been an issue in my life, I know I wouldn't have attempted this diet if my levels were too low, not with such low calories. Since I was healthy, woohoo, I was ready to order!

What Does a Typical Day on the Diet Look Like?

Here is a typical day:

Breakfast: Water, herbal tea or coffee. You may have your fruit serving at this time.

Lunch and Dinner: Four ounces at each meal of one of the following: beef, veal, buffalo, chicken breast, sea bass, flounder, sole, halibut, lobster or shrimp. Seasonings are fine. You also get four ounces of the following vegetables: spinach, chard, beet greens, lettuce, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onion, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus or cabbage.

You may have two servings daily of the following fruits: one medium apple, one medium orange, a grapefruit, or half a cup strawberries.

You may also have two pieces per day of either Melba toast, Grissini breadsticks, or Wasa crackers.

Keep in mind, if you are losing slowly, they'll tell you that oranges, tomatoes or the grains may be stalling you. Many women cut those out as well.

You are also told not to exercise but with so few calories, exercise would not be safe. Keep in mind, 500 calories is roughly the equivalent of a six-inch Subway sandwich. You don't need to eat a dangerously low amount of calories to lose weight and, indeed, to keep off weight and not slow your metabolism way down you need a lot more calories.

After the Diet

After going off the diet, I just went back to eating normally. I was not overeating. No doubt whatsoever that my stomach shrunk and I'd get full quickly but weight started going up a bit too quickly for comfort. My doctor figured out my basal metabolic rate and we both realized there were serious problems because I was eating below that amount and gaining!

I found that I was still eating a lot less than I did before this diet and I was gaining. That did not seem right at all.

So, in between doctor visits, after assuring my doctor I was not doing the 500-calorie thing anymore, I decided to try the hCG diet without the hCG. It's true. No, I'm wasn't doing the 500-calorie a day diet. That would be foolhardy. After I started experiencing side effects from the diet, I spent hours and hours reading everything I could online.

Did you know they found that people doing the hCG could double their calories and still lose the same amount? In fact I found posts from people who were eating 1200 to 1300 calories with hCG and losing just as quickly. In fact, they didn't seem to have the weight gain problem after they went off the diet. Well, now of course I know that was because their bodies didn't have to go into starvation mode which slows the metabolism greatly. They could also exercise without feeling like they'd black out.

I also found sites where people had added their 'cheat' foods and had lost just as quickly. It was recommended that you not add a cheat food while plateauing but if you were losing, didn't seem to slow down the loss any. So I realized you could eat more foods, have more calories and still lose weight.

Did you know there are people sharing their "hCG Diet Without the hCG" diets and showing just as much success? Just seems as if hCG may not be as important to the diet as you might believe.

Honestly, though, I'll let you in on a little secret. My 'Non-hCG hCG Diet' was really just more about eating healthy and taking in a bit less than I am expending. Perhaps the hCG diet was beneficial in that regard, it taught me to really watch portions, weigh food and be a little more careful with what I eat. I can do that without the placebo drops.

Anyhow, I lost almost the exact same amount of weight the first week with my non-hCG hCG diet but, after a week, we realized some of my complications were more serious and my doctor asked me to toss the diet and just work on getting healthy and that's what I did. I was not overeating but the weight plus some extra for good measure piled right back on. I ended up going through several months of appointments.

My goal with this page is just to present another story of somebody who had some serious concerns about the diet. Yes, the weight came off, but I pretty much stalled after two weeks and lost very little after that. I then started gaining once I was off even while being very careful about what I was eating.

Sadly, once I started having more serious side effects and went off the diet, I also lost the support that I had. No longer was I getting daily messages about how I was doing. In fact, one gal and I were messaging daily and she stopped initiating messages once I started having problems from this diet. Then again, she just became a distributor and I suspect she didn't want to know what was happening. Update: apparently she doesn't want to hear about my side effects so even though we run into each other quite a bit in real life, she unfriended me on Facebook. She even insinuated that I had a 'fake' brand even though we both had the exact same drops. I have to admit, that makes me a little sad.

How Much hCG Is Really in Those Drops?

Would you be surprised to learn there is none?

This diet uses homeopathic dilutions of hCG to supposedly help you lose weight. One question I have been asked a number of times is how much hCG is really in those drops. Let's take a look.

If you have your bottle of drops, take a look under the ingredients. If you don't have a bottle, search online for your particular brand's ingredients or ask the person selling you this diet to send you the ingredient's list with amounts.

My brand says hCG 3x, 6x, 12x, 30x, 60x. So what does that mean?

Now, when I got talked into this diet, I had no clue what that meant either. I've been studying up a bit. Apparently the 'x' following the number is the roman numeral for 10. The first time it is diluted and shaken vigorously (to release its "energy"), you get 1/1,000 (3 zeros following = 3x). That dilution then gets diluted again to 1/1,000,000 (notice the 6x or six zeros = 6x).

By the time you get to the 60x, you have one drop of the "real" substance (in our case they say that one drop is hCG) for every 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules of water or it has been diluted that many times. According to an article on Wikipedia, "This would require giving two billion doses per second to six billion people for 4 billion years to deliver a single molecule of the original material to any patient."

Now, take your bottle and count how many drops are in it with the dropper. If your measurements are the measurements in my bottle, were you able to squeeze out 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 drops? If so, congratulations, you might have one molecule of hCG in your bottle.

To read more about homeopathic dilutions, take a look at Dr. Stephen Barret's page Homeopathy: The Ultimate Fake.

What the FDA Says

The FDA advises consumers who have purchased homeopathic HCG for weight loss to stop using it, throw it out, and stop following the dieting instructions. Harmful effects should be reported online to FDA's MedWatch program or by phone at 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088) and to the consumer's health care professional.

If You Have Had Side Effects:

If you have had side effects, please, note the comment above about contacting the FDA. Over the last year, I have heard from far too many people who have been hurt by this diet.

To report your side effects, either call the number above or leave a report with the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting for dietary supplements.

With any product, if you believe that there have been false claims made in the advertising or sale of that product, it is recommended that you contact the FTC Complaint Assistant and file a report.

For more information, please visit the FDA's page: HCG Diet Products Are Illegal.

Roughly half the poll respondents who have tried this diet report serious side effects.

Have you done the hCG diet? If so, did you have side effects?

Discovery Health Report

According to Discovery Health, some side effects of this diet are blood clots, headaches, leg cramps, restlessness, constipation, hair thinning, depression, breast growth in males and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome which can be life threatening.

On top of these side effects, I've commonly seen women post about major hair loss, gall stones, dizziness and heavy bleeding during periods. My doctor also mentioned that the kidneys and bladders have been affected in people they have seen there.

"In 1976, a study ... compared two groups of dieters. One group followed the HCG protocol. The other group ate the same 500 calorie diet without the HCG injections. And guess what? Both groups experience the same dramatic amount of weight loss, both groups experienced the same amount of hunger, and both groups experienced fat loss in the same areas of the body."

~ Dr. Steven Jepson M.D.

What I Have Taken Away From This

I gained weight on this diet. Not only did I get fatter, it redistributed my weight. When I got back to my original weight, those clothes were too tight! It was clear that I'd lost muscle and gained a lot of fat. I felt "lumpy" and I really did not like it. After the diet, weight was creeping up so started my own version of this diet (same foods, more calories plus a bit of exercise) to stop from gaining it all back. When your body goes into starvation mode, your metabolism slows way down which accounts for the weight gain when people finally stop this diet. My doctor eventually made me stop even that version so, even with watching what I ate and not overeating at all, I did get back to where I was heavier than when I began the diet. I am hearing from others that they gained back even more as well and I've had a number of women tell me this diet made them shifted their weight in all the wrong ways as well.
Some rather serious side effects. My cycle was really messed up. My periods were coming more frequently and far heavier than they have ever been. The worst was the one right before I stopped the diet. I think increasing my calories again helped get me back on track. This diet did cause some heart problems for which I've been monitored by physicians. The change in my cycle caused a lump to form in my breast (which was found while monitoring my heart and we know it wasn't there a couple months prior...and, no, it wasn't more easily felt because I'd lost weight...by the time they found it, I had already gained back a bunch of weight) and the heavy cycle banished all my ferritin and iron stores from my body. I had to go through a month and a half of iron infusions at the Cancer Center.
In the midst of this diet, I was so happy to be losing and the thought of making money was tempting. With the pressure to sell, I did look into being a distributor but as I started experiencing more and more side effects, I knew I just couldn't do it and went off the drops entirely. You can make money selling these products but at what expense? When I spoke with the FDA, they let me know this is an illegal product. I've never had any serious side effects from a diet and could never recommend it. I've also never done a diet that changed my body shape (clearly lost muscle and gained fat). I know this was the unhealthiest diet I have ever done and it was NOT worth it! If I could go back in time and just say, "Not only no, but heck no," I would in a heartbeat.

Dangers infographic. | Source

Knowing There Are Serious Side Effects, Is Fast Weight Loss Worth the Risk?

You've made it this far on the page, what do you think? Would you try this diet?

hCG in the News

Diet Doc Dispels Myths about Homeopathic hCG Drops to Help Dieters Make Safe, Educated and Informed
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Losing weight is undoubtedly the number one New Year's resolution in America.
FOX19 Investigates: HCG diet blamed for killing West Chester mom - Cincinnati News, FOX19-WXIX TV
"I thought it was (the diet) right when I came home, just that from limiting herself to 500 calories that something was off in the diet," her husband tells FOX19.
I Lost Thirty Pounds on the HCG Diet, But It Was Devastating, Physically and Emotionally
Since hitting puberty like a brick wall at the age of thirteen, I have struggled with body image. I have never been terribly overweight; my insecurity came from developing so quickly. I went from an A-cup to D-cup in under a month, and the sudden flo
Why Weight-Loss Supplements And Injections Are So Dangerous - SELF
Singer JoJo recently came forward and said she was all but forced to resort to these measures to slim down fast. Experts explain why they’re a very bad idea.

NEW Have You Tried the hCG Diet and had Side Effects?

Author
Kay 11 days ago
There is no hCG in the bottle according to the measurements but it does make you wonder what is in them. The FDA told me there is no regulation on these things.
Jill 2 weeks ago
I was on day 2 Drops from HCGBottle and I went to sleep today.....woke up, stood up and fell...didn`t feel my legs at all. It was freaky. I am perfectly healthy 30yo working out addict 129lb. Dammit. After reading these reviews, I wont touch them again!!!! EVER!!!!
Author
Kay 7 weeks ago
It is confusing. I had a former distributor contact me to say there are hidden ingredients. There is no hCG in the drops. You just have to take your bottle to a pharmacist and they'll look at the measurement and tell you. You can read above to find out about what those measurements really mean. I don't believe in water memory. If that worked, we could get drunk on water that had been in contact with a grape LOL. Anyhow, to speak about the actual hCG diet thing...nope, I've had so many people contact me since I shared my story and I don't for a minute believe the diet works. The low calorie diet thing works and that can be done without the placebo. Anyhow, in my case, this diet was dangerous and I've had too many people share with me their side effects for me to ever believe this is a safe diet. It's scary!
Lisa 7 weeks ago
I'm confused - are you saying you had these problems because of the HCG hormone, or because of the Omni Drops? You said there is no real HCG in the omni drops (or something to that effect), so what is it that you believe caused the problems? The original HCG protocol was discovered by an actual doctor years ago and has helped many many people over many decades and like anything else, results are different for every "body".
Kevin 3 months ago
Yes I did it, yes I lost weight 45lbs, side effects I have: a bloody nose at least once a week at minimum, pecks are more breast than muscle and the constipation. I made it down to 170lbs, 38/40" chest and a 34" waist but try as I did I gained the weight back. I though my lack of energy was laziness which I've never had before, I annoyed my friends for years because I only relaxed in a movie theater or the back of a limo. I had the original mixture of the hCG drops, the nose bleeds happened first, with in a month or two.
Author
Kay 4 months ago
Please go see your doctor. Remember these distributors are not medical professionals. Your symptoms are worrisome.
Martha De la Riva 4 months ago
Hi Kay,
So i'm currently on the HCG/Omni diet. I do the drops, the Omni 4, Charge pills, Garcinia Cambogia, extra enhancers, and the Nite Lite. My distributor recommended all this. I am on day 4 of taking all of it. And today i woke up with pressure in my chest, dizziness, and i'm wondering if it's from taking all of this. Has anybody taken so many per day?Or just certain pills, liquids? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
Martha 4 months ago
Hello, i'm currently on the Omni Hcg diet and am experiencing chest pressure, dizziness and even my left arm feels weird. No pain just extremely dizzy. My distributor recommended the drops 3x a day (10 drops each time), the Omni 4, 2 CHARGE pills, then for lunch 2 garcinia, 2 extra enhancers then before dinner, 2 more garcinia and 2 extra enhancers, at night i take the nite lite. I'm wondering if i really need all this? I feel so dizzy and i have been on this for 3 days. Can somebody tell me if they have the same experience?
Author
Kay 5 months ago
Hi Jen. I am so sorry you have been through so much. According to the label on the Omni Drops, there is no hCG. The measurement given means there is one molecule of hCG for every billion drops of water (the exact measurement is earlier in this article). They call it the memory of water but I'm not into that hocus pocus stuff. If water 'remembered' every molecule with which it had been in contact, it would no longer be h2o. That said, starving yourself (and, yes, that is what is happening here) takes such a drastic toll on your body. I hope you can work on getting healthy again and I really hope you are able to conceive again. Huge hug for you.
jenfoxmyers 5 months ago
(the HCG diet can cause molar pregnancies in healthy women)
hello, IV read your article, and IV read many, but this one was dead on. My Physicians, and I, believe the HCG diet is the main cause of three molar pregnancies IV suffered since my discontinue of the diet nearly four years ago. I was in perfect health after I had my son in 2013, I was trying to lose some baby weight, and after using the HCG/omni diet drops for almost a year, I nearly achieved my goal, but the price I had to pay with the physical side effects haunts me now daily. Weeks after ending the diet, my menstrual cycle was more like a hemorrhage that lasted weeks sometimes. A month after discontinued, the migraines begin, and I mean, the worst migraines iv ever experienced in my adult life, sent me to the hospital twice. One year after discontinue, my once healthy childbearing body was nothing more then a wreck inside, 25 years old, my first pregnancy was the epitome of healthy, one year later before the diet, but now I'm looking at my first of many unexplained molar pregnancy, no explanation, until the second one. Spoke to my physician about the diet, he understand immediately, as I wasn't the first in his office. (2004 his first HCG patient arrived) but for me, its now three years later, the migraines continue to this day, two more molar pregnancies, over my head like dark clouds. My HCG levels go up and down like I'm stuck in a nightmare that takes 6 months to reach back to 0.5 normalcy again. If anyone else has gone through this, please message me, jenniemyers39@yahoo.Com
Thanks you.
Author
Kay 5 months ago
Gil, I know this is a long article and you must have missed the section on why there is no real hCG in the drops. I invite you to go back in read it but, in a very quick nutshell, what is the amount of hCG in the ingredients on your bottle? Is there an X? Let's just say there is a 60x, shall we? That means that for every 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules of water in your bottle, there is one molecule of hCG. I don't know how big your bottle is but mine was not bathtub or pool size :) There is no real hCG in those bottles.
Gil 6 months ago
You say there is no HCG in the bottle, but it is clearly labeled as containing HCG. So either you are unaware of the contents or are intentionally misleading readers. Of course there is a third course, less likely, that you are unable to verify because you cannot find the information on the label?
Author
Kay 6 months ago
There is no hCG in the drops so this was likely from the hunger (which would make sense) or whatever hidden ingredients are in that bottle. I suspect the bottles just contain water though. The burning feeling sounds awful. Were you taking something with niacin? We get enough niacin in our diets and studies are showing how harmful supplementing with it can be.
Jesse 6 months ago
My experience with HCG is a little different. It affected my emotions and made me depressed and at night I would wake up and my skin would be burning from the inside.
red 8 months ago
I recently saw a liposuction doctor to get a consultation on my mid section. As I get older it holds more fat. He immediately launched into HGC diet and didn't even evaluate my body or areas of concern. Then his nurse came in room and basically rushed him to next patient. She then informed me that the diet injections cost 1800. and that they only take cash. How strange I thought. Didn't come here for a speed diet. I've tried those once and thought I was going to die of heart panic. So sceptic that I am I went researching this diet. Thank you for your frank sharing. I will steer clear. And shame on these "doctors" for leading people down this path.
Katia 8 months ago
I did the hcg injections. Lost 18 lbs in 26 days.
Kept it off for 8 years. Once I introduced carbs back in my life, I gained. I was 144, went down to 120, then stabilized to 128.
My side effects after the diet were extreme stomach pains from time to time, which would last up to an hour, dropping me to my knees each time.
After years of pain, I went to my doctor who said I had created gall stones. They recommend removing my gall bladder. I also experienced palpitations and irregular heartbeats which have subsided.
I only did the diet once and wanted to try it again but after reading about the side effects way too late, I will continue eating healthy and exercising. I eat about 1200-1400 per day and drink a half to a gallon of water per day.
My fat also redistributed itself and now I have a little bit of back fat which I HATE.
I now fluctuate between 138-140.
The diet is a quick fix and it did stay off for a while but the side effects are definitely not worth it.
At age 45, my doctor also states that yo-yo dieting is bad for your skin, elasticity and collagen depletion.
You can take your chances but the consequences may hurt your health for the rest of your life.
Healthy eating and exercise is the way to go.
If you just cut out the complex carbs, you'll be good!
leon 11 months ago
Hcg diet the worst diet I make I gain my weight back , bloated and muscle pain
Author
Kay 14 months ago
I've had women mention getting them tested but not sure whether they've done it or not. I think one of the issues that has been raised is that in a lab, they need to know what they are testing to find. There is no hCG in the bottle based on the label measurements so they won't find hCG (and indeed a pregnancy test kit is enough to tell you that). You don't lose weight from these drops. It's the starvation diet that does it. If you do get them tested, please, keep us updated. I've heard from so many people that have been harmed by this diet.
Author
Kay 14 months ago
Did a search for this diet and hives and you are not alone. I don't know if it has to do with starving your body or something hidden in the drops. Really, there is no hCG in these drops but that's not to say there isn't some chemical or drug or something that is not on the label.
Author
Kay 14 months ago
I discovered and many women have said the same that when you have complications with this diet, the people selling the diet are very quick to blame you and accuse you of being dishonest somehow. It is awful and worse because you are already feeling so awful from this crazy diet. I can tell you that FINALLY, I feel like my metabolism is getting back to where it was but it took a few years :( That diet really did such a terrible number on my body. For me, I had to ditch trying to lose weight entirely. I
TnT 14 months ago
Well, I wish I had seen some of these comments a long time ago!! Thank you for sharing your stories. I did hcg drops years ago to prepare for a hernia surgery. I was successful in loosing 30lbs and keeping it off for a few years. Once things started to creep back on, I went to a doctor which put me on the hcg injections. After 4 weeks I only lost 9 lbs. He was disappointed with my results and even accused me of consuming msg in Chinese food:( like I would eat msg during a 500calorie diet?? Then went on to tell me that I was hcg resistant and there was really nothing I could do about it. During both hcg experiences I developed low iron, hair loss, leg cramps, headaches, heart palpitations, and extreme irritability. Since this last bout of the shots over a year ago, I am up 30lbs. I have fought every single pound that has come on! I have been to medical doctors, natural path doctors, consulted nutritionist, started exercising, hired a personal trainer, gone to the gym and done hours and hours of research. Nobody can find any fault in my diet and I have completely baffled all in involved! It is so nice to hear these sad stories just because it makes me feel that I am not alone and not going completely crazy! I am wondering though..... Does anyone have any wisdom at all on how to heal a broken metabolism? Where do we all go from here? Are we all just destined to carry around the extra lbs? I am at a complete loss right now and am feeling pretty defeated.
Chelsea 15 months ago
I did this diet and lost 54 lbs. and had a terrible itchy hive breakout all over my body. I went to several different Drs and they could not figure out the cause of my hives other than said it was an allergic reaction Tried all different types of creams, otc allergy medications dbl doses, oatmeal baths with no relief. I had black n blues all over from nonstop scratching. I stopped the diet altogether and after a few months the hives disappeared. I gained back about 30 lbs and decided to go back on this diet because of my past success. I was in p2d2 and my hives were back & I was scratching away. I have stopped the drops and on p2d3 my hives have subsided. Clearly something in the drops are causing the allergic reaction. Guess I'm just going to eat clean and hope to drop some weight.
Jane 15 months ago
I ordered the Omni drops in January but when I got them they were not packaged well, the dropper was already in the bottle & popped out due to the drops being frozen & they were partially gone. I used the drops anyway & lost 9 pounds my 1st week & then no more after that. I did experience a pounding heart & chedt pains but i thought it was just my anxiety. I just ordered the drops again & they came packaged very differently than the 1st time. Everything was sealed & the dropper was separate. The problem I'm having now is they smell & taste like chemicals which they are supposed to be odorless & tasteless. I've only taken them twice but both times have caused stomach cramps. This is very alarming to me & I am not taking them again! I would like to take the drops to a lab & have them tested. Does anyone have a suggestion of where I could take them?
Author
Kay 17 months ago
Felize, thank you for sharing your story. I too was so discouraged by posts being deleted that talked of any side effects. Had I seen the 'real' posts, I never would have done this. Tells you why they delete those posts though. They wouldn't get much business at all. Hang in there. You can share your stories with others but some just have to go through the terrible side effects themselves to get it. (((hugs)))
Author
Kay 18 months ago
I am so sorry. Your story is a common one, sadly enough and, yet, women keep doing this to themselves.
Angel 18 months ago
I ended up with severe reacting after loosing 80 lbs in 4 months. I ended up damaging my heart due to the hcg side affect which i didnt notice till later on. Weight coming back swollen ankles and face. Itndamagednmy kedneys and liver. I thought it made me lookngreat at 120 ln s crom 190. But now i wish i had never takn it. The clinic should be sued and theynstill aremselling hcg to people.
Author
Kay 19 months ago
Molly, easy to become obsessive on this diet, isn't it? I hear that from so many who have contacted me and, sadly, has led to many women with serious eating disorders. Stop focusing on what the other women are doing. A lot of it is built on untruths. So many women end up fatter and in worse shape after this. Work on getting yourself healthy. Hopefully your story will help others from starting. Some of the saddest messages I get are from women who read all of this but started anyway. They later email me to share what an awful mistake it was. Please, keep us updated on your progress and healing. Stay away from fad diets. You've learned a valuable lesson here.
Molly 19 months ago
(Warning: Very long post.) Wow. So glad to have found this. It's hard not to feel like a big fat(ter) loser when the downside of this diet is not publicized and all you see on fb are pictures of high school witches that are supposedly maintaining. Here's my deal.
Once upon a time (about 13 years ago) I weighed in at a boat sinking 299.5 lbs. I lost 100 on a treadmill over 8 months. (It wasn't pretty, people.) Some calorie restriction, some cravings but overall a tolerable time. I came to adore snackwells chocolate cookies and fought my children for them regularly. Eventually I fell off the exercise mostly but ate decent enough, slowly (over a few years, nothing alarming) 20 lbs crept back on. No big, I didn't panic, I still went from a size 26 to 18 and was cool to be there awhile. Fast forward from that amazing span of 7 or 8 years when I didn't deny, didn't obsess, ate out with my family and didn't stress over my butt. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 3 years ago. Weight began creeping even faster due how bad it hurt to move. I cut out carbs and found relief without medication and dropped 30lbs. Then I was cruising at about 200, feeling better and starting up at the gym again to finish what I started. THEN I came across hcg. I was focused on how LONG it took to lose 100 pounds, not the fat that I maintained it for a decade like a rockstar, through raising small kids, college, working and being diagnosed with Fibro. Nope. I wanted it now. Now now now. That (beeeeeeep) couldn't get here fast enough. Loading was AWESOME in a totally dysfunctional way. (well, the first half a day. You all know how that goes. You end up having to sleep sitting up it's so painful.) My first round rocked. I have to admit, I did feel good. Great, even. (but I do well without carbs for other reasons.) Went into p3. Sloooooowly, despite being perfect with eating, it started coming back. I got real frustrated. I mean, it had to be me, right? I shouldn't have had that second ounce of cheese. It was those (beeeeeep) unsalted mixed nuts with all those healthy heart oils that got me. (slaps head) by the time I started the second round, I'd gained back half of what I lost the first round. Saddle up cowgirl, we're gonna do this right this time. (huh?) Round two was harder. I began obsessing about food. I would smell everything and count the day til I could have it again. It was twisted. Even at 299 lbs I never "smelled" food. So again I go into p3. Again I'm "good." Again half of it comes back before I can start round 3. I started round three early because I couldn't keep the scale from going up. THIS time, I loaded for three days. You know, just in case. I had been depriving myself of 99% of the grocery store for nearly a year and basically I went nuts. That round failed miserably. I ended it after 9 days because I felt like crap this time and couldn't keep my head "in the game." The scale went up up up. I won't bore you with the details of the next FOUR ROUNDS, yes, like an idiot, I kept thinking it was me, I could do it better, it'll work this time. Very recently a light came on for me. Every time I have worked for my weight loss in a gym, I've kept 85ish % off with little to no effort. WITH CARBS! I have kept zero of hcg weight off after a year and a half of back and forth. I will confess, I just did a round early December. I was in 16's and was pushing the manufactures stitch limits. On December 1st, 2015 I had to decide go buy 18s or get back on the crack. I did a 3 week round because, you know, it was gonna work this time. I went on p3 for Christmas thinking I'd just sail back into the back half. Nope, epic bomb number I lost count. I have no idea what I've done to my body. I went on an eating tear like you have never seen. In a matter of four days, every pound from the three week round is back. I am sitting here (happily eating unsalted mixed nuts) and have accepted the fact that this just isn't going to work. (the definition of insanity, you know) I'm going to go buy those 18s today. (Lord, let it be 18s and not 20's) But even if it is, I have a bigger problem to deal with. This new crazy obsession with food and a carb addiction to beat the band. I have a gym membership (unused for a year and a half on hcg) and plan on using it now. Saddle up cowgirl, we're gonna do it the right way this time.) Sorry to ramble, this is just not an easy thing to come to accept. My metabolism has to get used to eating normal food again. That might mean more gains. I'm mentally preparing for it. I have worse pitting edema in my legs than I have ever had, (I've always leaned toward puffy with a grain or two of salt) But this is nuts. I have to try to avoid simple carbs for my fibromyalgia when I just came across this amazing recipe for homemade brownies. This is so crazy. Do I regret hcg? Yep. Before hcg I could eat one brownie. Now I'll throw down for the whole pan. I don't think (I hope and pray) I don't have any lasting damage besides a wrecked metabolism and some head games. I phoned my best friend (who has been right along side me for this maddness) and told her I'm done. I can't do this anymore. I'm going back to the gym and doing it the way we did before, real slow with lots of sweat.
She's jumping on one more round on new years. She's gained it all back too, but, you know, this time it'll work. I'll be here for her when she sees the light. Much love to anyone else out there who has been on this merry go round. (or should I say horror freak show roller coaster) I wish I had found you all sooner. But then again, I probably would have done it anyway. Thanks to everyone else for sharing their story. Now to see if I can reach my shoes to lace up for the gym. Sigh.
Author
Kay 22 months ago
Your metabolism has likely slowed so much that your body is holding on to every calorie possible thinking that you are starving. That would account for the bloat. If you find that the weight starts returning quickly or discover other problems like with a rapid heartbeat or pain, see your doctor right away.
christinete 22 months ago
The problems that I am having after my second cycle of the drops, is bloating and headaches. Plus, I noticed that I am waking up more throughout the nite so sleeplesness too. I have stopped useing this product altogether. I have lost thirty pounds but feeling terrible and bloated.
Author
Kay 24 months ago
Jennifer, I am so sorry. You are not alone. I cannot even tell you how many women have messaged me to tell me this diet made them fatter and it really does a terrible thing to our metabolism. Other women tell me they developed eating disorders because the rebounding weight was too much for them. Don't do that either! Sounds like you are on the right track now. Just avoid these fad diets and seek the advice of a nutritionist. You might find a much safer way to shed those lbs.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
Danielle, I am so sorry. It was so awful. I know. I hope you are feeling better soon. It's amazing how much harm can come to your body through this diet.
Danielle 2 years ago
Feel for it and am day 3 and quitting I've never felt worse in my life. It's literally like death. Pounding daily migraines along with nasty stomach pains that make me want to puke all day. I can't function. In hot in cold I'm tired I'm misserable
Author
Kay 2 years ago
If anything, I've heard from more people doing the drops than the shots and they seem to be even worse. With the shots, at least you are closely monitored (or should be) but, with the drops, you get a distributor who is making money off this diet and does not want to admit the problems. I hope you find something that works for you. I know, like you, my body lost muscle and gained more fat. Just an awful diet all around.
Jennifer 2 years ago
I tried the HCG injections for 4 courses. Did well the first couple of times but as I added even healthy foods back I gained and gained. The most alarming thing is I gained I strange places like my arms and legs which were NEVER heavy. Was worst mistake of my life. My hair thinned and everyone told me while yes I was thinner I was looking old and frankly misshapen. That was 2 years ago and I've worked hard just eating clean to keep my weight down but the odd extra bulk on my arms and legs are here to stay. I actually fell for the FB ads for the Omnitrition diet until I was accepted into a private chat room with no answers to my questions and vague references to "drops". I did some further research and have come to conclusion it's the same old gimmick HCG with dangerous diet that left me deformed with really no explanation why!
Author
Kay 2 years ago
I've had women email me to ask how to get all their weight off that they gained after the hCG diet. I've got nothing there. This diet slows the metabolism so much, I think the only solution is to work with a nutritionist. Doing more rounds only makes the problems worse and, I believe, causes a lot of future health problems.
JSchwerthofer 2 years ago
Hi Cari! We chatted last year about someone who went on this crazy diet! I Have been following the woman who lost all the weight on the drops last year - well she gained a lot of it back! Surprise surprise! She was trying all kinds of things to get the weight back off but nothing is working - another surprise! So now she is starting the drops again tomorrow.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
Sandy, I am so sorry. It does seem that unless you are committed to the unhealthy routine of dieting and starving yourself (apple days, steak days...really?) and constant cycles of doing this starvation diet, the weight is going to pile back on and it does for so many women. I have had so many women message or email me to tell me how depressed they became after the diet because even though they did everything the way they were supposed to, they didn't want to continue cycle after cycle after cycle and they got fatter. Some women have even admitted to developing eating disorders (bulemia, anorexia, etc..). It's so disheartening to see that weight jump up again. Please, keep us updated.
Sandy 2 years ago
I was convinced into this diet after having an immensely difficult year professionally and personally during which I gained about 20 pounds which was a lot considering my petite frame (5'0 and went from 105-125 pounds). I was finally getting my life into order and going to the gym when a friend suggested the diet and I thought, this can't hurt and if it doesn't work, "oh well". It turned out I lost 17 pounds in a little over a month and although it was a difficult month, the idea behind losing all this weight was incredible and kept me going. I felt in that moment that I wanted to stop, since I was so close to my ideal weight and while I did read about all of the horrors of going back to a natural diet, I refused to continue the P3 stage because I was really done dieting and wanted to have normal healthy food. Within a week, I gained 10 pounds, and this is healthy eating with a sweet here and there, but 10 pounds in a week is terrible. Yes I gained 20, but that was during a hard year. I now find myself with terrible anxieties, difficulty sleeping and afraid of what my scale will look like the next day or until I remove from my system whatever terrible contents where in that bottle (easy HCG drops). I'm considering doing a cleanse, because I am really afraid of the contents that were in that bottle. I will share again my story in a week, in hopes that whoever is experiencing the same can get a follow-up.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
These extreme fad diets can definitely affect your cycle. It really affected mine. In fact, it totally changed mine. I'm glad you got off that diet sooner rather than later. I don't think the drops affected your cycle but I could be wrong. They contain no real hCG but nobody seems to know what is really in them or if they are just water. The super low-calorie diet is what really causes problems. Talk to your doctor and see what they suggest. I'm so sorry :(
Anonymous 2022 2 years ago
I took the omni drops last month for only 5 days. I became extremely sick. Dizziness, migraines, nausea, vomiting.
I started this diet right after my period ended last month. I was due for my period for this month 11 days ago. So far I've gotten negative pregnancy tests. I normally have a regular cycle, so I'm wondering that if I'm not pregnancy than if these drops have something to do with it???
Author
Kay 2 years ago
This diet does seem to do a number of the body. I know the people selling it are telling us how 'healthy' it is but, based on all the stories collecting here and the poll results, it is obvious this is anything but healthy and it does make so many people fatter in the long run. I wish I had a good solution on how to heal from this diet. Many people have asked me. If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, I think the first step would be a counselor of some sort. I have also talked to so many women who developed eating disorders or serious depression as a result of this diet and I think counseling would be a good step to take. I'm so sorry :(
Jj 2 years ago
I did HCG diet Jan 2010. When searching for side effects I could not find any negative comments. So I started out with the drops and ended with injecting it. It was very hungry for the first two weeks and finished one round. I lost about 20 lbs. I quickly started gaining the weight back and have put on an additional 40 lbs. If I eat any starchy or carb contains foods I gain weight immediately. I still weigh every morning to try to keep a handle on the weight gain. HCG has ruined my life to the point I have felt suicidal at times which I would never act on. How could this diet affect someone five years after the fact. It is almost like the brain or body still thinks I am in the loading phase of the diet after five years. I would like to see this site focus on a solution at this point to help those of to get back to normal. Most of us are searching for a solution........Please Help!
Author
Kay 2 years ago
Since doing this diet, I've struggled with bladder and kidney infections as well. It has been awful. I am so sorry.
Robin 2 years ago
I did HCG twice by injections and once by drops from 2012-2013 and now have very serious renal problems. I followed the diet exactly and lost weight but soon developed joint stiffness following the last time, then bladder infections and then renal deterioration. I had no health problems before.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
Well, it is hCG in name only since there is not real hCG in it...just the 'memory' of hCG. Confusing, eh? I'm so glad you have stopped. A gal I know had serious problems with her kidneys as a result of this diet and I've had kidney infections since my own time doing this diet. You should report your side effects to the FDA and what you were told. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Julie 2 years ago
I specifically asked the gal selling me the drops if it was like HCG (I had done that diet before and gained all plus some back) She said NO! I asked do you have to only eat 500 calories, She said NO! when I got home and read the info, it was HCG and low cal diet! No money back guarantee, but she had great success, so I started. Day 3 I had headaches, constipation and starving! sure, I lost a couple pounds. Now, my kidneys hurt! I have stopped taking Omni drops and am feeling SCAMMED out of $86 I worked hard to earn. Gotta be a better way.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
I've had a few women message me who have had problems with the Nite Lite, some of them serious. New studies are out warning about taking niacin in increased doses. There can be some very serious complications. Interesting that you mention getting sick after starting this. I've had even more people telling me they got pretty ill after doing the hCG diet. I did too. Don't know if it is the diet lowering the immune system because you are starving yourself or what but I hope you feel better soon.
Kirsten 2 years ago
I started taking Nite Lite to cure my insomnia. It worked great! It got me off of my prescription pills. Then I started getting chronic headaches. I didn't know if it was from the Nite Lite product or the horrible sinus infection I acquired shortly after I began this product. So, I got off of it and focussed on getting my sinuses better. Does anyone know if this product has any major symptoms ?
Author
Kay 2 years ago
I am sorry and glad to hear you are quitting before this gets any worse. Fortunately, you should be able to get your money back. Side effects were so common when I was doing it. I felt like you but parked myself and watched their page on Facebook. They were quick to delete 'problem' posts. Sometimes I wonder if that is why they keep closing their Facebook page and starting a new one. Easier to get rid of all the people who haven't had a good experience with the products.
ltonthebeach 2 years ago
My husband and I have been on this diet for 4 days. I immediately started with dizziness. Day 3 came the headache. Not your run-of-the-mill headache . A Horrible headache that i still have . Also i got diarrhea. This is when i started looking for side effects. I kept thinking all along that there has got to be posts, somewhere . Thankfully I found this . I had decided last night to stop taking the Omni products . I just convinced my husband to stop too! Thank you
Author
Kay 2 years ago
Oh Mary, I am sorry. There are folks online who really believe their cancer was a result of the hCG diet. Praying for you.
Mary 2 years ago
After 1 month on the HCG shots I had severe pains in my stomach so dr said stop taking shots as that is a side effect!
a year later I became VERY anemic so Drs. ran test to discover I had a tumor in my left kidney so they scheduled surgery to remove my kidney which was done 1 month later and the tumor in just a months time doubled in size and grew outside the kidney so I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and my other kidney is working at only 55%
Author
Kay 2 years ago
One of the difficulties though is this will slow your metabolism so much that you'll gain much easier now and it really is harder to lose it again. I think you ought to complain to the BBB and get your money back.
Avate 2 years ago
I am currently doing my first 40 day round of HCG injections. I'm on day 30. Some days I haven't felt that bad but lately I'm starving, grouchy, haven't slept well since I started. I heard about HCG years ago but never considered it. Then came menopause. I tried for 3 years and could not lose a pound. Things that worked in the past didn't work anymore. I did this as a last resort out of desperation. After 30 days at 500 calories I have only lost 13 lbs. Better than nothing but not great considering how extreme this diet is. I guess I'm wondering if only 1 round will still damage my metabolism further? I have about 10 days left & I'm ready to stop now. I paid my Dr. $800. Makes me sick.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
That really was the goal when I created this page. I saw too many posts deleted on the Facebook page when people had side effects. I saw comments like this before the entire post was deleted: "Please do not post anything negative on here. Your comment could stop a person from using a product that could change their life!!" This diet changed my life. No doubt. I developed some pretty serious side effects. I also believe that some of the effects of this diet may not be seen right away. Since doing this diet, I have been having some pretty serious kidney infections. Had I not had those initial side effects, I might not have linked these infections to what that diet may have done to my kidneys. I'm so glad people can share their stories here to balance out what they 'share' and won't share on the Facebook page. A page like this would have kept me from doing this awful diet.
Carol 2 years ago
I had thought about doing omni drops because a friend has lost 47 pounds, she doesn't have any side effects now, but my common sense tells me that I can't survive with 500 calories per day. It sounds too good to be true and too little food!! I have to admit I was tempted until I read this blog. What stopped me? I read the diet and it gave me a real headache just by reading what I was supposed to eat and finding it way too small portions and no carbs at all. Second, I found this page and it's the only page that I feel tells the truth from different people. Thank you!!!!
Author
Kay 2 years ago
Talk to your doctor and let them know if you think it may be affecting you. Fortunately, unless there are hidden ingredients, there is no hCG in the drops so you won't have to deal with hCG side effects.
Tanya 2 years ago
I just started 6 days ago this hcg diet and I am already disappointing. I did everything what it says on Dr.S. protocol, but I lost only 4 LBs and the last three days the weight was the same. This morning I was really upset and I wanted to do some research on this product and I'm so happy that I did. Thank you, Cari for your honest story and your site! Now I need to figure out how I can clean this garbage from my system. I hope it's not too late and I won't have big problems with my health.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
I have never heard of the cream before. Sounds awful and since hCG can't be absorbed through the skin, who knows what is in there. You really ought to report that doctor to the FDA along with your side effects. The FTC might be interested as well. That is just awful.
jean ann 2 years ago
My story is new and very short! I started hcg cream on sept 19th. had great results in 2 weeks. got a new prescription for the cream and it knocked me off my feet. chills, terrible stomach pain, nausea, hot flashes, night sweats, miserable! taking 3 days off to see if symptoms improve but not so sure im going to start it again. I went into the doctors office, and everyone in the office had used it and lost tonnage of weight. they were all bouncing like tigger. the doctor herself had used hcg, and was the size of a pencil, so I immediately figured she already looked like that before the diet. I was so pumped up and excited. Now Im tryin to figure out if its worth it! I do not like being sick, and certainly don't have time for that mess!
Author
Kay 2 years ago
I'm so sorry. I think this diet is even worse for women whose metabolisms are already slowing down (35+). It really does slow down your metabolism, making it so much harder to lose weight in the future. I'm glad you didn't eat the 500 calorie diet though. There is no hCG in the drops so even if hCG did work, they are not even there to work and the starvation diet just does such a number on the body. That page was hard for me too. I was so bothered by all the posts they were deleting. If I had seen the real posts, I wouldn't have done the diet either.
Linda428 2 years ago
I started this diet right after Christmas 2013. I did NOT follow the 500 calorie diet, although I did eat very small portions of what the rest of my family was eating. My goal was to lose 15 pounds, and I did in very short time. However, I could not sleep at night, and I developed night sweats and hot flashes unlike anything I have ever experienced. I was 55 at the time, and I suppose you could blame it on menopause, but I think there was more to it than just that - never before had I been having 8 or 9 per hour. I had wonderful slimming results but stopped after 4 weeks due to all the crazy physical stuff. Eight months later, I have gained back the 15 pounds plus a few extra, and you're right in saying that nothing seems to get it off now. I was very bothered by the Omnitrition Facebook page, and should have gone with my instinct, but the results for a few of my FB friends were too tempting. I should have known better.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
This diet really does a number on the body and I have no doubt long term for many. It definitely makes weight loss more difficult for the future. There is no doubt hCG is not the answer. I hope you are able to recover from the diet and find a plan that work for you. Thank you for the comment.
Cyndy Ann 2 years ago
I did this diet religiously 2 years ago--I probably did 6 rounds; I went from size 16 to an 8. But in between every round, I would gain weight back. It was an endless cycle. I lost hair, couldn't sleep, had horrid stomach pains, etc. I finally decided it was a cycle that was destructive. Since then I have cut out all wheat, grains, sugar (except dark chocolate), dairy (except heavy cream), and try to eat high fat low carb. When I introduce any wheat back, I wanted to die. So I thought the paleo way was my answer. But I lived every other day doing steak days. That's not healthy. I've tried intermittent fasting. Nothing works. Thyroid checks OK. So now I live LCHF but am back up to size 14-16. I'm scared to mess with hormones, but frustrated nothing works.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
I am so sorry. The heart problems are scary and too many women seem to develop heart trouble during this diet. I also have no doubt because of what I've been through and so many other stories shared that this does something internally. About half the people responding here that have done the diet, according to the poll, report serious side effects, This is not worth the risk. The fact that so many people follow it to the letter and get fatter alone should keep us away from this diet.
anonymous 2 years ago
I just had a baby 4 months ago and I decided to try it I was doing well and then I started taking charge and had some heart issues because of it I have also been haVing alot of stomach problems because of it I recently got off it and still am having problems with my stomach AND I feel bigger then when I started I've struggled forever with weight and I hope people see this and decide against it!
Author
Kay 2 years ago
"Y" asked me to share her story here: ""I have always had a weight problem. At my heaviest, I was tipping the scale at 288 pounds. I slowing lost weight and got to 230 pounds losing it the "right way". Some of my weight loss also contributed to Weight Watchers. Over the course of ten years, I gained back 20 pounds making me 250. At that point a friend convinced me to try HCG. I did online research for 2 months to be sure this was "safe". There seemed to be little to no side effects according to the countless articles. I decided to do the diet. I did it not once but three times. The second time I did it I convinced my friend to do it with me as well. Each time I lost 25 to 35 pounds. I did take the recommend break between the diet so it would work and be "safe". I got down to 192 pounds over the course of 3 rounds. I couldn't remember the last time I was under 200 pounds (maybe high school). Now its been a year since the last round of HCG. I few months after I did the maintenance phase, the weight started piling on. No matter how much I exercised or ate right, I kept gaining weight. Today I am at 255 pounds. I have been waking up at 5 am and working out at the gym...hard for the past 2 months. I have only gained weight. I measured myself to see if I was at least losing inches... Nope. I have gained inches. My weight continues to pile on and I am desperate to make my metabolism back to normal. Please keep in mind that I eat NO fast food, I drink NO soda or juice and I watch my calorie intake. I eat protein, vegetables, the "good" carbs and fruit. I only drink water, tea or almond milk. My next step is to see a dietician. Do yourself a favor...don't do HCG. IT'S PURE HELL."
Author
Kay 2 years ago
@cs0904: First of all, huge (((hug))) for you. This diet just put you through so much. I'm so sorry. More and more people are contacting me talking about the depression this experience has left them in and talking about the personality changes. It's interesting, I had such awful side effects that I wonder what it really did to my body. After reading about some of the products and ingredients in them, it could start doing damage and you wouldn't know until years later and who would connect those dots then? For example, they were trying to push a product on me with super high levels of niacin and I found out that it can cause long-term liver damage and there was a study that showed that in people who took high levels of niacin, they were fatter after ten years. I just think all these products are unsafe now. Best wishes on getting your health back. Thank you for comment. Each and every comment helps so many people. I hear that a lot.
cs0904 2 years ago
I did HCG for 11 weeks back in 2011. I lost 70 pounds. I felt great! I had gained quite a bit of weight from having my two children, and this was the only diet that got me where I wanted to be. I was told that the brand of HCG that I was taking was top of the line, and that it was the only one out there that had the highest levels of HCG< that most of the other brands were mostly alcohol and other ingredients.I had a really difficult time doing the diet because I was always hungry. But I had experience with starving myself as I did quite a bit in my younger years always trying to lose weight. I believed everything that my mentor told me and knowing that I had to go back week after week and tell how much weight I had lost helped keep me accountable.I had HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE headaches. The kind that you get where you can't even move, where you actually want to slit your wrists and die because it hurts too much to keep your head level. I went through that for 11 weeks. There was no pain medication to relieve the pain. It felt different from migraines, which I have had in the past. I literally felt like my head was constantly being pressed in. I have a feeling, after doing some research, that the culprit may have been the Truvia that I started sweetening my coffee with. We were told that we could either us Truvia or Stevia and I opted for the cheaper. Truvia is not actually a pure extract of Stevia like I was led to believe.During this time I had lots of energy, there were times that I would feel fatigue, but for the most part I slept well and felt good. Other than the headaches, lol. Then I took a trip out of stat and during the course of going to several friends and faimlies' houses, got my first taste of "real" food. I couldn't stop.I got home and the first thing I shoved into my mouth was a freshly baked cookie. I started eating and couldn't stop - I was SO HUNGRY. I didn't see teh weight start coming back on for a few weeks. I noticed clothes were a little tighter so I started trying to take the drops again. By this time I had stopped going to my HCG meetings since I was ashamed that I had regained some weight.I couldn't do the diet without accountability. I tried for a full 2 years, on and off, to start the drops and the diet, unsuccessfully, and have gained more than I took off in the beginning. In fact, I am at my heaviest weight ever. I am heavier now than when I was pregnant.I would say about a year following when I stopped the drops, I was in a deep depression, and I"m thinking that it has to do with the fact that I was gaining weight back at a very fast pace and couldn't stop it - along with the crazy stuff that HCG did to my metabolism, hormones, balance, everything. I started feeling like I was going crazy!! I was still having horrible headaches, which affected my driving, my temper, my mood, my marriage, the way I spoke to and treated my children, my friendships - I lost many friendships. I must have been horrible to be around - I was in so much physical pain with the headaches, not sleeping well, and depressed about my overall appearance and health. I started going to therapy, which helped some but I still felt so depressed and eventually became suicidal.Therapy helped taper some of that behavior/thought process but to this day I feel like I'm still reeling from the effects of those drops. I am now struggling to lose the horrible amount of weight that I gained.I wish that I had not gone into that HCG office - I was actually on a good road at the time that I started the drops. I was on Weight Watchers and had already lost 20 pounds. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: I would like to add that I've talked with a number of people now who say this diet started them on the path to anorexia, bulimia and other disorders. The weight comes back. Unless you start training for half marathons (which is potentially very dangerous with the few calories you've been consuming), your metabolism is so slow that you are going to gain the weight back. This sets in a panic for so many who have lost weight and they'll do whatever it takes, no matter how dangerous or deadly it might be to keep the weight off. When you read this is one of the most dangerous diets out there, they are serious!
Author
Kay 3 years ago
A mom contacted me today and wanted me to share her story here. She didn't mention sharing her name so I won't share it without permission but here is her story:-------------------------------------------------I did the hcg diet back in 2011. I did a 43 day round followed by only 2 weeks of maintenance, then another round of 23 days. I started out at 188lbs, and with both rounds lost 50 lbs. Losing the weight and inches was great, but now it was time to go back to normal, everyday living. And for me, that was impossible!! I struggled with stomach aches pretty much, as far back as i can remember. I'd eat, then end up feeling really awful. So, for me, doing this "diet" was going to help me lose weight and become healthy, so i thought!? I can say that i did lose the weight, but becoming healthy, didn't happen! While on this diet, i was always extremely fatigue, no energy whatsoever! The dizziness and lightheadedness was AWFUL! No matter what, every time i would get up from a seated position, i would nearly pass out every time!! The heart palpitations that would hit me out of the blue in a completely rested state! There were mood swings! ( i was not pleasant to be around) i would get horrible headaches. All these awful side effects, but i was so determined to lose the weight! Once i completed the "rounds" of "hcg", it was supposedly time for me to carry on a new lifestyle of healthy eating, slowly introducing, sugars and starches after a couple weeks. Well, let me just say, I WAS TERRIFIED! I wanted to eat but i couldn't. All i could think about was gaining the weight back or experiencing the stomach aches again, as i did before the diet. what did i do? Well, during the diet, i remember craving dark chocolate, so one of the first things i wanted to eat, was dark chocolate, like 70% cacao. Once i was able to have that without any side effects (no weight gain or stomach aches) 4 little cubes a day is all i ate! Pistachios were later added and i can remember this is all i ate, for weeks!!!! I would still wake up every morning, use the bathroom and weigh myself, just as you do on the diet. I continued to lose weight of course, for awhile, because i was starving! Patterns like this continue to this day!My point in sharing this is, it is now 3 1/2 years later, and i have been diagnosed "anorexia nervosa"! Never imagined i would ever hear those words, or that i desperately needed impatient treatment!I am a wife, mother of 2, 28 years old. I've had severe b12 anemia, iron anemia, folate deficiency, vitamin d deficient, low magnesium and potassium....the list goes on, all carrying it's own list of side effects. I never imagined this for my life, no one does. I strongly believe the hcg diet played a HUGE role in creating these eating disorder behaviors! I have never and will NEVER recommend this diet to anyone. Recommending this diet is basically saying, "starve yourself!" Please reconsider when thinking about the hcg diet, your health and your life are far too precious!
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@clearbluerain: Pretty common. I've heard this from a number of people on the diet and I am definitely one of them. Our bodies were just not designed to function on 400-500 calories a day. That's an anorexic level of calories and our bodies let us know how unhealthy it is. Hope you are feeling better soon. Thank you for leaving a comment.
clearbluerain 3 years ago
Irregular heartbeat and excessive weight gain even though I eat healthy meals and walk three miles every single day. I also developed a dizziness I have never gotten over. The doctor said he thought it was because of my age and that sometimes women in menopause develop dizziness and heart palpitations. Funny that I never had it before I was on the hCG diet.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
In response to the comments I get that are pro-hCG, if you read the above, you'll see this diet is illegal and, for a number of people, has proven to be dangerous. That is why I do not allow pro-hCG comments. It seems as if more of you are admitting that this is a placebo but one that worked for you. If you are willing to risk the possiblity of serious side effects, my one request is that you stay closely monitored by a physician. If the company selling your drops does have actual hCG in the drops(I'm told there are companies overseas that sell it), ask what percentage of the bottle is hCG. As established above, if the measurements are something like 6x, 12x, etc.., that means no hCG. If it does contain actual hCG, I know I'd be curious to hear what percentage of the bottle is hCG and what percentage is just water.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@deedle: I was just reading about a study researchers are conducting and they are saying that these fad diets that slow metabolism way down DO make people gain weight after they are done. They just slow the metabolism way down. There are some online (mainly who sell the diet) that will say you must not have followed 'protocol' or gone back to unhealthy habits but I've just talked to too many people who say they followed the diet EXACTLY as detailed and got fatter. Sure you may lose weight quickly but people need to know that MANY people get fatter after going off the diet.
deedle 3 years ago
I done presciption hcg drops after 18 days I started to get irregular heart beat and had to stop the diet at the time I had lost 7kg and was amazed at how quickly I had lost the weight as I had been trying to lose the weight for 2 years but nothing worked 1200 cal a day exercise 1 1/2 hours a day including weight training didnt work tried low carb then protein shakes nothing worked so for 3months I have been eating healthy exercising everyday and I have gained back 5 kg so far!
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@2facesoftranquilminds: I'm so glad you were seen and I'm glad you won't be doing this diet. I've just heard from far too many people now with serious problems. It's not worth it. Try and get your money back. According to the company, they should give you a refund if you return it within the first month but, I have yet to have anybody tell me they were able to get it. If you do, please, let me know. Hope you are feeling better. I think I mentioned that one of my doctors said the same thing about this diet and the kidneys. Very thankful that on top of everything else this wasn't an issue for me.
2facesoftranquilminds 3 years ago
I'm with my mom at her doctors (I need to schedule one) and the doctor said she can't tell us not to do omni, but she advises not to. I should have done more research befire plungin $79 into this. :/ especially since I already have a 1st degree heart blockage, and only 2 days into it having kidney pains. I'm done! My moms doctor said she has personally seen people have renal kidney failure from omni (hcg diet).
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@2facesoftranquilminds: somehow missed the part about your pre-existing heart problems. Please, don't go any further with this diet. It was so scary when my heart started having problems and I've heard from too many people now who have had heart scares (including a 20-something year old gal whose heart stopped on this diet). Other than people selling this diet, most everybody else who knows anything about the diet will tell you this is potentially very dangerous.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@2facesoftranquilminds: Oh my goodness, please see the doctor. I had a doctor tell me that this can really adversely affect the kidneys and I was talking to a mom locally who ended up in emergency care because of what this did to her kidneys as well as her heart. Please, seriously, see your doctor. Take your drops in to them and explain what you've been doing. I've had women tell me they were too embarrassed to tell their physicians but, I guarantee, your doctor has seen the effects of other fad diets, if not this one, and can help!
2facesoftranquilminds 3 years ago
I have been on the hcg diet for 2 days. Both days I have had kidney pains. Yesterday so bad I broke down crying and I even vomited. :/ since gaining 100+ pounds with my pregnancy I thought this would be great. Its not like I'm drinking to little water. I'm 16.9 ounces away from 1 gallon. I alsi have pre exciting heart problems. After ready this whole article I'm super mad I spent $79 on this. Is it normal for my kidnrys to hurt..after day 2..I haven't gotten to the strict proticol yet. I don't think I shoukd continue.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@sullifrog: It really is scary. I am so sorry. Have you seen your doctor? My doctor said that the very low calories in this diet was causing my body to cannibalize my organs. Since others have reported serious heart problems, including a gal who commented on this page whose heart stopped, please see your doctor. It could also be too, that like me, you've depleted your body of essential minerals and vitamins. I ended up being treated in our Cancer Center with infusions because this depleted my iron and ferritin so quickly. If you need to talk more, please, feel free to email me. I hear from a number of people that way as well. (((hugs))) to you.
sullifrog 3 years ago
I did the omni drops with the eating protocol for 2 weeks. I lost 13 lbs and was very excited. Then everything changed. I started to feel a heaviness in my chest with shortness of breath. Then I started to have heart palpitations, all day long. After 3 days and being afraid to go to sleep for fear of not waking up, I stopped everything. Resumed a regular healthy diet, increased my vitamins to hopefully balance my electrolytes, however, I still continue to experience heart palpitations several times a day. Scared straight out of this crazy diet.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@frogsrmenh: I am so sorry. First thing I like to recommend to anybody going through this, go talk to your doctor. You want to make sure you didn't do any long-term damage with this diet. Blood work seems like a really good idea because this diet depleted me of vitamins and minerals (and I needed infusions at the Cancer Center). No matter what you do, it's going to take time for your metabolism to heal. Crash diets like this do quite a number on your metabolism and you'll gain on even 1200 calories which is nuts. Once you've stabilized (and you know you are healthy), really to lose weight it is about a healthy diet (the hCG diet despite what they tell you is anything BUT a healthy diet) and exercise. Hang in there!
frogsrmenh 3 years ago
I have been unsuccessful with the hCG diet, while the hype,in all its glory, about loosing major weight incredibly fast did suck me in, i still have had limited success. It just simply is not enough food. I manage in each round i attempted, about 14 days with big losses. As soon as i gave into the temptation of eating more food, healthy food at that, i gained the weight back. This hCG diet also trigger some serious migraine head aches, I was told oh its just a detox head ache it will go away. (ummm no, its a full on migraine.) So when all the excitement about loss of major weight on Omni hype is said and done, i'm still a women with 100 lbs plus to loose. who is out 100 bucks and feeling a bit defeated once again on the old weight loss train.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@malapapachan: The comments alone should make people wary. There is a woman posting, not here, that her sister just died while doing this diet. I hope she shares here soon because death is one of the 'side effects' of doing a VLCD while not being closely monitored by a physician.
Mala Papachan 3 years ago from Matlock Bath, England
My goodness, just read your lens and jalins comments below, thanks very much for the warning
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@jalins: I've heard from people who have lost and developed very serious eating disorders because they realized how easily the weight was coming back on. I think some assume they'll just start working out frequently or running when they finish the diet but not always easy when you've lost all that muscle. That's probably why women are saying this diet made them fatter. Are you working with a nutritionist? That might be a really good thing now because I know, with the stress this puts on your body, it's hard staying healthy. (((hugs)))
jalins 3 years ago
I used prescription hCG drops from a pharmacy for 40 days (lost 34 pounds) and later did another round of 26 days with injections (lost 20 pounds). The diet ended March 2012. I am currently at the weight I was at after the first round. I lost a lot of muscle and had saggy, hanging skin after the second round. I am at a healthy weight. Before the diet I worked out 6 days/week and ate healthy but hit a plateau so I tried hCG. I resumed my workouts after. I was afraid of food at that point. I didn't gain anything back until I started adding in carbs but I like muscle, so I started lifting and eating to make my skin not sag and to get my butt back. The side effect I had was major hair loss for about a year after ending the diet. I also had difficulty digesting grains when I introduced them back. The forums will tell you that you will gain 3 pounds each time you introduce "sensitive foods" and claim it is because you discovered a food allergy or intolerance. The truth is your body stops making the enzymes you need to digest certain foods while you starve it. Carbs make you retain water. If you are dehydrated from starving, you will hold some water when you resume eating. Another issue I faced was social alienation. I quit eating with people and became obsessed with food additives and consumed with fear of gaining weight because I didn't want to be mocked for gaining weight back after getting so much attention for losing it. I am thankful to have lost the weight but will never put myself through that type of mental hell ever again.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@jimbz2jimbz2: This really does seem to be a problem in churches. I had one lady tell me she was leaving her church because it seemed so torn apart by this diet. That's just nuts! I have learned over the past year that multi-level-marketing schemes are a big problem for many churches. You might want to look at this discussion by pastors on how to handle the MLM problem: What do you do with church members introducing business proposals with other church members like MLM and other products?
jimbz2jimbz2 3 years ago
Thank you, Cari_Kay! I will keep you posted on the refund issue. This 'diet' also has affected more than my health. It has also affected friendships of mine and those of my parents. My parents warned me of the dangers with the 500 calorie a day diet but those 'before-and-after' pictures of my friends sure were calling out to me. In my defense, my father, who is also friends with the distributor, plead my side-effects case to her only to receive the same scoffing, mocking, unbelieving attitude that I received. He has been a paramedic for over twenty years and knows a lot about the effects of unhealthy eating. Unfortunately, the distributor turned a deaf ear to his knowledgeable warnings. A lot of us attend the same church which now has become a little cliquey and split; those who are on the HCG diet and those who are not. Everyone knows how my father feels about this pseudo-diet as he has made his realistic concerns well known; my mother is on the same page as my dad. Since this diet has been introduced to the church members, the heavier people (who wont touch this diet with a ten-foot pole) are being made to feel as though they are less-than because they wont do it. Comments have been made by the distributor and her colleagues that the majority of our church members are obese and need to do this diet to lose weight. This makes for a very tense and negative atmosphere. As I said before, anyone who says anything negative about this particular HCG diet is subliminally and/or verbally ostracized by those that do it. After reading all of the comments in your comment section, I see this as being a trend of sorts. It seems as though many people are afraid of their distributor which is very troubling as well. If all goes well with the dietgreat. If not, you are not to be heard fromperiod. *Something is very wrong here.* Thank you for taking the time to create a place where people can come and report their side-effects and other issues concerning HCG. Hopefully more people will find it and be able to express their concerns freely, without negative repercussions or feedback.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@jimbz2jimbz2: Oh my goodness, I so relate! And the shock that ANYTHING untoward or harmful could happen...seriously ridiculous. I'm so sorry you went through that. I had a gal contact me who really believes there is something in the drops that is not safe. Based on the measurements on the bottle, there's no hCG (only the memory of hCG if you're into new age stuff...I'm not). However, I sure did have some serious problems and so have some other people who have contacted me. I wouldn't be surprised, I guess. Not everybody who does illegal drugs will have a bad reaction but some will. Please, let me know if you get your money back. I hear it is tough to do. By the time I strapped up to the EKG machines and wearing the heart monitor, it was past 30 days so no refund for me. Thank you for sharing your story. It just bothered me so much that they would delete posts and ban people who had bad experiences with this diet. People weren't getting the 'rest of the story' (boy, wish Paul Harvey was still around for this one). I do hear from people that the comments here helped them so much either in deciding whether or not to do the diet or just when they were getting no support from distributors with their side effects. Keep me updated.
jimbz2jimbz2 3 years ago
I am a 28 year old male who decided to try this diet to lose weight that I gained from antidepressants. I never made it past the fourth day. The first two days of 'loading' were fine. I followed the directions to the letter and put 10 drops under my tongue three times a day. On the fourth day, I started out just fine but by mid afternoon I was getting very dizzy, was having hot flashes, anxiety levels were through the roof and I was feeling very jittery. I reported this to my distributor and asked if this could happen. At first she fluffed off my report of side-effects and as the conversation continued, she actually started to accuse me of doing something wrong. She quickly developed an 'attitude' with me and went into a serious defense mode. She said what I was experiencing could not POSSIBLY been from the HCG drops and that I was either imagining it or it was somehow my fault. My father is an assistant chief/fireman/paramedic who was present when the side-effects began to take place. He checked my pulse, which was racing, and advised me to immediately cease and desist with the diet. We were at the mall so he had me sit down (everything was spinning) and went and bought me a healthy lunch. My father told me that there is no way that anyone who is on a 500 calorie a day diet could expect to remain healthy. He said that my internal organs were being starved and my body was going into a protective mode which resulted in extreme anxiety and heart palpitations. I did not feel 'normal' for the rest of the day, but I did feel a lot better after I ate. It took me a few days to recover. I don't know what is in those drops but whatever it is didn't help with my appetite. As a matter of fact, I was hungry all day. Several of my friends who are on it and were able to stick to it have lost weight but look lethargic and sickly. My father also pointed that out to me. I spoke with my primary care physician about the drops and diet plan and he explained that any diet below 1200 calories is putting the body in danger of starvation and is very hard on the kidneys and liver. He also said that diet without exercise is very unproductive because you are basically losing fluids and not fat. He said the HGC diet is dangerous and after what I've experienced, I have to agree. I returned the drops to the distributor because there is a thirty day refund. I have placed two calls to her so far and have only gotten her voice mail. She has not returned my calls and I have not yet seen my refund.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: and that should read (and one I NOT buy into at all). Another example I like is what if wineries took one drop on wine, just a little drop, and put it in a HUGE vat of water, shaking it vigorously. What if they then bottled that 'wine'? Would you buy it? After all, according to the 'laws' of homeopathy, every drop of that water would hold the memory of wine. Would that be like the miracle of turning water into wine and we could all do it? Although, I bet if you tell people they are drinking 'wine' out of that bottle, there would be a small, very gullible percentage who would act drunk. With this diet, it's the 500 calories that work and, with a small percentage, the placebo "drunk" effect.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@Ritaeg: Take a look at the Wikipedia page on homeopathic dilutions: Homeopathic dilutions "The idea is considered a pseudoscience, because at commonly used dilutions, no molecules of the original material are likely to remain." When you see measurements like the ones on your bottle, it is just the 'memory' of water which is a new age concept (and one I do buy into at all). If you want to see the humorous side of this concept, take a look at this article: Fear the homeopathic bomb Given what I've learned about these dilutions and their new age origin, it made me laugh. So in short, just take a look at the measurements on your bottle. If the measurements are something like 3x, 6x, 12x, etc..., it just means it was once shaken with a molecule of something they claim in hCG. Now, if you do the shots, I'm told that is real hCG but that comes with some other really serious potential complications. Even if you could take real hCG and put it under your tongue, researchers agree, the molecules are too large to absorb and even when swallowed, your digestive juices would render them useless. That's why diabetics take insulin shots as opposed to taking it orally. The molecules are too big and they just can't be absorbed that way. Hope this helps.
Ritaeg 3 years ago
I did try to research this diet online several months ago but found no negative comment or reviews. I started the diet and drops and today I am on the 6th day. Today, I do feel exceptionally tired, dizzy and my concentration is off (not that it was that great to begin with) but I chalked it up to the weather. I had three friends who have done this diet and all lost weight and had no issues. However after reading all of these comments I am not so sure it is right for me. What I wanted to know is, are all the side effects people are mentioning due to the low calories or the drops. If the drops do not contain any HCG as you indicated, I would think they wouldn't do much of anything. Did you have them tested? Thanks for your input.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: oops, that should read the molecules in real hCG are TOO big to absorb under the tongue. That is why women using hCG for fertility treatments have to have it injected.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@Susanila: The Weight Watchers Online didn't work as well for me. I think just having the accountability of the meeting and leader helped a lot more. Keep in mind, the FDA told me there is no hCG in the drops. Even if there was, it would have to be injected because the molecules in hCG are not big enough to absorb under the tongue. Even when swallowed, digestive juices do their work. I wouldn't keep doing the 500 calorie thing. When side effects happen, they come on quickly. I think of the one gal who posted here whose heart stopped doing this diet. Look at your bottle of drops. If the measurement of hCG is something like 3x, 6x, 12x...etc... there is no hCG in there. That is why they won't turn an HPT positive.
Susanila 3 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: I can't believe you already wrote back. :) Yes, I have a WW online account. 500 calories is about 4-6 points since fruits and veggies are 0 points. Ok. I will go to the dr. agree. Assume to be safe I'll do 500 calorie VLCD for 3 days until the drops have worn off and then use the points tracker to get in a few more points at leaste. Thanks!

See 48 more comments

Weight Loss Diets
Lose 10 Pounds in a Week: 7 Day Diet Plan
by Edward Harris MSc1456
Weight Loss Diets
Naturally Slim Program Review
by Virginia Kearney49
Weight Loss Diets
How I Lost Twelve Pounds by Eating Oatmeal for Dinner
by Gloria Siess29
Weight Loss Diets
28 Ways to Lose Weight on a Budget and Busy Schedule
by Nalini Marquez10

I'd Love to Hear From You!

Author
Kay 17 months ago
I so agree with you. This diet can do such terrible things to the body. A doctor's help is definitely a good thing. Keep us updated on your recovery. This diet was a horrible, horrible mistake for me.
Felize 18 months ago
Anyone suffering from side effects: go see an endocrinologist and let him/her do a blood test including hormones from your adrenals and thyroid. For my recovery I had to take hydro cortisone, thyroid hormone and dhea. Don't do this yourself, the advice of a doctor is necessary.
Author
Kay 18 months ago
Brittany, I wish I could just create a page from all the people who became fatter from this diet and now really can't lose the weight. Women don't seem to care that they might have serious health problems from this diet but maybe if they knew how many people ended up with serious weight gain and a damaged metabolism that prevents weight loss, they might look elsewhere to lose. I wish I had a good solution for the weight loss but, sadly, I just don't think, for many of us, our metabolism ever quite recovers.
Author
Kay 18 months ago
Susan, I am so sorry. I have total empathy and have had too many people message or email me with serious side effects from this diet. It is just not worth it. Thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully you'll help some women avoid making the same mistake.
Brittany 18 months ago
I can completely relate to the comments I've read. I have done HCG many times throughout the past 7 years. I went from 210 to 127 pounds, but not all at once. I would do HCG and lose some, gain some back, do HCG again and lose some, gain some back etc. On one of my "more successful" HCG attempts many years ago, I went from 185 pounds in the beginning of November to 127 pounds by the end of January, so in less than 3 months I lost nearly 50 pounds. At this point, I was starving myself, not following protocol, just literally eating maybe 300 calories a day. I would gain weight back, do HCG for a month, and then the cycle would continue. I am paying for all of this now, stuck around 180 pounds and doing all the right things, eating about 1,000 calories a day and some exercise, and I am completely stuck. This weight will not come off and it is the most frustrating thing. I refuse to let myself get back into that cycle though, I know it can't be good for my hear etc. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix what I believe is metabolic damage? Thank you.
Susan 18 months ago
I did this diet with the HGC drops. I started in January of 2015. I did lose 28 pounds and I did feel great. Now to the rest of the story. I have never had high blood pressure or any medical problems until November of 2015. I was rushed to the hospital with blood pressure of 188 over 120. I had a blood clot on my brain. I now believe that this diet was a major factor to my health issues. It has taken me a year to get better and I still have problems that will never go away. Please read everything that you can before you try this diet.
Author
Kay 23 months ago
Frustrating, isn't it? This is only a portion of the messages I receive. Quite a few send me emails because it was their mother, sister, mother-in-law, fellow church member or what have you who talked them into this diet. Talking people into buying MORE of their stuff is common. It's all about the wallet and it makes me sad to think that people are so enamored with making money off this, they'll put their loved ones' lives at risk. You're not the only one to believe this is cultish. Hope you are feeling better soon.
JuliaDay66 23 months ago
I am in my first 21 days of Omni and I have stopped taking the drops and am in the process of getting my money back. I haven't had the energy as claimed, I've developed breast tenderness, bloating and constipation - the hunger pangs are constant no matter how much water I drink, etc. I have been in touch with a lead distributor who told me I need to tweak and adjust to find my "happy numbers" of pills, etc, which absolutely put me off. Instead of taking my worries to heart - I was being "sold". When I described what I'm going through - she had a justification for everything then backed it up by repeating "...but we aren't doctors" - she suggested I wait a few days then do another loading phase of good fats, which truly upsets me -there wasn't much concern for my worries about how I am feeling physically. I don't feel good and I am not willing to put any further effort into something that isn't worth the trouble; that could cause me long-term health issues and in my opinion the conversation with the distributor felt like another cult-scam-fad-thing of the week that just takes your money. I'm glad to see I'm not crazy and there are others who have had similar issues as well.
Author
Kay 24 months ago
The drops have no real hCG in them. I don't really know if the injections have hCG but, even so, I really don't think hCG is anything more than a placebo. That said, I do think that if you are doing an extreme fad diet such as the hCG one, being under a doctor's care is the way to go. If I had been, they would have caught my problems earlier and prevented so much. Of course, my doctor strongly dislikes this diet because of what it does to people. Don't ruin your metabolism and health with this diet. It's not worth it.
Krystel 24 months ago
My question is you seem to have tried the drops but I have always been told that you are supposed to do injections under the care of a physician and not to do the drops from online. Do you think that might have gave you a better outcome?
Author
Kay 2 years ago
I am so sorry your sister is going through so much as a result of this diet. It really is awful. While there is no hCG in the homeopathic drops sold here in the U.S., you can get it via injection. the 500-calorie can be dangerous but wouldn't matter if hCG was in the drops because the molecules are too large to be absorbed under the tongue and the stomach acid renders it useless. Basically, with the drops, somebody is making money off a placebo...a dangerous placebo. So, are the injections a placebo? I suspect so because people lose the same amounts when they cut down on calories. Since hCG injected can carry very serious complications, some might wonder why people taking the homeopathic drops have more serious side effects. Well, they aren't being closely monitored by doctors so they go long enough to have their organs affected. People being monitored by a doctor and can be pulled off it in time if their 'doctor' (and I use that word very loosely for anybody injecting hCG into patients) is really monitoring them.
Mary M. 2 years ago
Hi! I´m so glad I found your page. My sister did this diet 3 years ago under the supervision of a "Doctor" and the HCG was via injections, at first she lost about 45 pounds, she made that awful diet of only 500 cals a day, and one day she cheated and eat one banana and the next day she was 2 pounds heavier!!!. At the end of the day she quit, gained 60 pounds, has PCO, hormones messed up, she is nearly bold and doesn´t know what to do... I just have one question if there is no HCG in the drops or shots, what is it that left every user in such bad conditions?? I don´t get it, so if you have an answer I will be very grateful.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
Weight Watchers is so much better for you because it doesn't damage your metabolism. If you continue to show side effects, you may want to be seen by your physician. Hope you feel better soon.
Stephmd85 2 years ago
After just 5 days on the drops I have started having extreme leg craps at night. I had been feeling fine during the day until day 5. I have even lost 6lbs. Now I'm lightheaded, dizzy and I feel like I'm shaking. I tried to find side effects before starting this diet and had no luck. That should have been a red flag! Thank you so much for this site! I will be stopping the drops immediately and go back to WW. WW was working but I was looking for a quick fix.
Author
Kay 2 years ago
I was wondering all that myself especially when the side effects became so scary. After talking to the FDA, my doctors and various others 'in the know', first and foremost, extreme crash diets are dangerous. No way to get around that. In some instances, a doctor may put somebody on a crash diet but carefully monitor them. Had I been carefully monitored, no doubt this would have ended much sooner. Honestly, though, my physician, who was very familiar with this diet, lectured me when I ended up in his office. He never would have given his okay. So, crash dieting is dangerous plus, I found out from the FDA, there is NO regulation on these products. They could be putting anything in them and we wouldn't know. These drops could be tap water or they could contain dangerous chemicals and/or diet drugs. Fen Phen was my first worry because I knew a guy who had serious side effects that seemed similar to mine. The illegal thing is interesting. With no hCG in the drops, they shouldn't be illegal right? But, on the label they still advertise it as hCG. The vast majority of people won't realize that the 3x, 6x, 12x...etc... means no hCG. The FDA specifically made these homeopathic drops illegal because they are dangerous. Fortunately, most women seem to have enough sense to avoid them. I wasn't one of those women but I didn't know they were illegal and I didn't realize how truly dangerous these would end up being. At times I think it is probably just tap water but with all the stories, who knows.
Liz 2 years ago
I'm reading about this because so many women in my area are promoting Omnitrition. I happen to be a distributor for another company that promotes clean eating with lots of healthy fats, complex carbs, lean meats, fruits and veggies. I've never gone under 1650 calories and have lost. I am confused about one thing, if there isn't actually HGC in omnitrition drops, then what makes it illegal and what are the side affects from? Just the low calorie diet? Thanks!
Author
Kay 2 years ago
It really is awful, isn't it? On only 500 calories, the brain just feels fuzzy. It's not healthy. Hope you feel a lot better and best of luck with the weight. Thank you so much for sharing. I know it is discouraged but it is important that women hear this before trying this diet.
vicklas@yahoo.com 2 years ago
Thank you so much for your honesty, I tryed the drops for 8 days. I lost 6 pounds in six days, then gained 3 pounds on day eight . I have never felt this bad in my life. I EVEN quit drinking any and all alcohol for 10 days. I thought I would feel great but I feel like hell. I don't wanna get out of bed, I'm dizzy and light headed, I can't concentrate, and I know it sounds stupid but I don't feel as smart as I was before. Needless to say after all this and reading up on the Omni drops, I am done with them. I will try the old fashion way and try to work the weight off! Thank you! :-)
Author
Kay 2 years ago
For those who believe the hCG diet may be responsible for their cancer, I read this today:
"The hCG diet has been shown to increase the risk of developing testicular tumors. Those that have a high risk of developing prostate cancer or those that are already undergoing treatment for prostate cancer should not take on an hCG diet. This can make their cancer worse."
While this applies to men, it is clear that the hCG diet can be very dangerous. http://www.md-health.com/Hcg-Diet-Side-Effects.htm...
Author
Kay 2 years ago
The drops really are a placebo unless you really believe they carry an imprint or 'the energy' of hCG. There's no real hCG in them. It is the diet that makes you lose the weight. However, when doing a crash diet, you can end up with terrible side effects as we've seen and really do a number on your metabolism. Ditch the drops and talk to a nutritionist. They can help you figure out a healthy way to lose the weight and, better yet, keep it off without having to do continuous cycles of this type of thing.
michelle 2 years ago
will the diet work if you maintain calorie intake of 1000/1200 and still exercise? and just follow the food options they recommend to eat during the period of taking the drops?
Author
Kay 2 years ago
Lil_lady_3 asked me to share her story:
Hello I would like to share my story. I have been on and off of the "HCG related" drops since early 2010. I was a healthy, strong, in-shape, curvy 164 solid. I was going on a cruise in Feb 2010 and really wanted to look good and I did everything from working out twice a day to running to drop from 164. Nothing worked! I tried Herbal life and Nutrisystem and those didn't work for me either. I did some research and saw all the hype about hcg and they got me.I ordered the drops and I went from 164 to 145 in 21 days! I had some kind of confidence. I have always struggled with my weight since I was 10. Now fast forwarding 4 yrs later I have gained all the way up to 190 lbs after I had achilles surgery in 2012!! Wow! I never thought I would ever see that come back and then some just like that but it came back so fast. It was like it was in overdrive! I am very carb sensitive and my body seems to love sugar! In 2013 I got off completely to try to eat normal and try to lose some of the weight I gained after surgery but nothing worked! Absolutely nothing!!! No kind of diet or diet pill. The scale did not budge at all!! So I had to lose the weight and I resorted back to doing them again. This will be my last time I do this to my body. My immune system has been compromised and has allowed fungi and the wrong kind of bacteria to take over my body. For 2 months in 2013 I had some kind of throat virus that hurt so bad that i couldn't swollow, eat or drink. I thought I was going to die, I was in so much pain!! I thought i had Cancer! The ER only was able to give me steroids and just told me to wait it out. The only thing I could do day in and day out was sleep from intense pain meds. After healing up from that, a month later I broke out in hives and was rushed to the ER again. More steroids were given. Steroids cause massive weight gain by the way. Before HCG I used to pride myself on my health and exercise regiment but after being on and off the protocol for all of those years I have definitely screwed something up. Now I am dealing with other issues concerning my immune system...an overgrowth in candida that has lasted for 5 months already. I can't say those things were caused from HCG directly because I wasn't on the drops during those times but I am sure they have had something to do with my immune system being weaker. So as i stated before I am looking for a back up plan to help me with the weight that is going to come back on after I stop this round of the "HCG related" product. I just wish I knew the effects of this diet and I should have been happy at my solid 164 because I was healthy, strong and In shape. I wish I never went down this road. I regret it every time I look at the scale. I am now 169 and trying to get to 160 and hopefully staying somewhere around there and losing the rest of the weight the right way trying to reach my goal of 150. My body is a fat girl but I don't want to accept that because I can't. My career depends on it. Also society puts these labels on you and it makes life very very very difficult. No amount of counseling will fix everything! The HCG related drops work on a different system so I hope and pray that once I go back to normal that I can find a diet that will help me keep the weight off and keep going down because I have not lost any weight the normal way since before discovering these drops!
Tanya Jones 2 years ago from Texas USA
I had not heard of this diet initially, so had to google it first to know what was going on. I applaud your sounding the claxon so loudly on so harmful a dieting practice. I'm old school. Diet and exercise, slow weight loss, longer lasting results. I started carrying a bento lunch to work years ago. This allowed me to prepare a small lunch per box in which I included healthful eats along with a few treats. I snacked on this box all day while at my desk. This allowed me to lose 40 pounds over a period of time with minimal exercise requirements, that translates to walking. They stopped allowing snacking at my desk, so I stopped bentoing. I think the combination of healthier food choices and frequent small snacks contributed to the weightloss. When I stopped bentoing the weight didn't return immediately but rather over a few years. I think I speeded up that process by including a regular soft drink on a daily basis. I believe in expediency. Getting the job done expediently without sacrificing quality and the desired outcome is a plus. Dieting to lose weight without sacrificing health and wellbeing should be the goal, not trying to fit into that little black dress with stunning effect within two weeks. Love this hub.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@feellikeanoldlady: Yes, this is actually a fairly common complaint with the hCG diet or any very low calorie diet in general. This is a really good reason women who do any VLCD need to stay closely supervised under a doctor's care. I have heard that it may be due to the nutritional and mineral deficiencies these diet's cause which can be very long term for some of us. Took me months to recover from the mineral deficiencies. I was fortunate that I had just had testing done as I was starting the diet so we have no doubt whatsoever that it was the diet that caused it. This diet has you eating an anorexic level of calories which is going to cause your body problems. Some problems, like mine, were right away. For others, they can take some time before they appear. By that time, most are off the diet and don't connect the dots. You might want to have a full physical. Explain to them what you did and your concern about mineral deficiencies as a result.
feellikeanoldlady 3 years ago
I finished 42 days of HCG drops (from a compounding chemist) 100 days ago. I lost 10kilograms. I was initially feeling great but for the last 6 - 8 weeks I have experienced tight/stiff hamstrings and it is getting worse. I used to be extremely flexible (my hands flat on floor when bending over) now I can hardly reach past my knees. I have bad pain in my hip joints and also where my hamstrings meet my glutes. Whenever I get up in morning or stand up after extended sitting I hobble for a few steps before I can straighten up. I didn't exercise during HCG and all I have been doing since I finished is Pilates.I have had massage & been to physio but nothing is helping. Curious to know if anyone else has experienced this POST HCG ..I had no problems while I was on it.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@spark2313: I can't even tell you how many people have contacted me to tell me that they ended up being their fattest weight ever after this diet. I'm told it is because this just does such a number on your metabolism and it is not easy to recover from it. I really feel like this diet changed my body for the worse. It's more of a struggle now than ever. It definitely created problems with my cycle. All you can really do, once you've seen your doctor and healed from all the diet has done, is to just increase your exercise and really watch what you eat. And, of course, sharing your story is huge. I've had women tell me that if they knew this diet would very likely make them fatter, they'd never have done it. You might want to meet with a nutritionist as well to start that road to healing.
spark2313 3 years ago
Thank you for creating this site. I did my first round of HCG in 2011 and it was very successful... at first. I lost 35 pounds, then decided to do a second round right after the maintenance phase in order to lose the last 15-20 pounds and get to my goal weight. The closer I got to my goal weight, the more my weight loss stalled. After the second round, I was very careful with my calorie intake and was working out 5-6 days a week. Regardless, the weight started creeping back on and I was right back where I started. Over the course of the next year, I did 2 more short rounds hoping to get back to where I was but I lost even less weight each time. Regular diet and exercise seem to have no effect on my weight whatsoever now. It has been 2 whole years since my last round and I now weigh more than I have in my entire life, even more than when I was pregnant. I was considering doing another round because it seems like it is the only thing that will get this weight off. I told myself I must not have done the maintenance phase correctly or I wasn't careful enough afterwards and it was my fault I had gained all the weight back, plus 30 pounds extra and I vowed to be more careful this time around. Luckily I came across this site and have realized I'm not the only one that has consistently regained the weight. I am definitely never doing HCG again!!As far as side effects, I don't know if it's related or not, but I have developed ovarian cysts over the past couple of years. I have also had severe menstrual problems... even though I've always been irregular and had issues with my period, it's been so much worse this past year. Another issue I've been dealing with over the past 2 years is extreme pain and stiffness in both of my ankles... again, I'm not sure if it's related to the HCG, but it's not something that ever bothered me before. The only side effects I experienced while actually taking the drops were dizziness and hair loss.Any recommendations for how to get my metabolism to function normally again? I'm so tired of feeling unhealthy and overweight, but nothing seems to be working.
Johanna Eisler 3 years ago
Thank you for creating such a powerful and informative lens! I applaud you for doing all you can to protect others from what you went through. I have friends who have followed this diet, but when I researched it, something just didn't feel right, so I never tried it. Now I'm really glad I didn't.Excellent lens!
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@christy-peterson-378: It has nothing to do with the salad dressing. I've learned that it is because your metabolism is slowing way down from the starvation diet part of this. I would seriously recommend you see a physician and discuss this diet. You are only a week in. I really think if I had quit at a week (which was about when I started having my first, more serious side effects), it would not have gotten as bad as it did. Please, see your physician. Please, keep us updated.
christy-peterson-378 3 years ago
I have started this diet over a week now and this all concerns me! I lost 8lbs in a week but when I cheated on the diet for one meal and added dressing to my salad I haven't lost for three days and makes me wonder why when I have only been eating 500 calories I should still loose even if I had a little dressing once. Wow I'm not sure if I should continue foe another week or stop now!
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@cuziyq: Unless there is something hidden in the drops (which one former distributor who posted here claimed has happened with their products), it really is just water. I've been told over and over that there is no hCG in the drops. Even the label backs that up when you see the measurements. They say the water in the bottle holds 'the memory' of hCG but that's just a new age belief. The Very Low Calorie Diet can definitely cause fainting. When you go in to your doctor, take your bottle with you and talk about this diet. I've been talking to two gals in the last week who had to go off the diet and are just battling the weight gain. If you can meet with a nutritionist as well, that might be a good step. I've heard from a few distributors now who have had serious concerns. Be careful. (((hugs)))
cuziyq 3 years ago
I have been taking the Omni Drops since May 2013. So far I have lost 85 pounds and I just started my 5th round. I haven't had most of the symptoms like any of you but after reading all your comments, it worries me. I have noticed being a lot more tired and I do get light headed every now and then. I experience it more when I follow the Vegetarian Protocol. In August I fainted for the first time in my light at a Theme Park. The paramedics and my Doctor thinks it was a mixture of the low calorie eating and the Dramamine I took. I've never taken Dramamine but it can cause you to faint. I have noticed that my period comes a few days earlier when I'm on the drops and then when I'm off the drops it's normal. Also, I don't bleed as much as I used to. After I fainted I went to the doctor and all of my blood tests were normal. My blood pressure was normal after it being on the high side before I started losing weight. I have noticed lately that when I cheat either on Phase 2 or 3, I get massive heartburn. It hurts so much that I have been in tears. Nothing seems to relieve it. I am going to go see my doctor about that. I think when I go see her I'm going to bring my bottle of drops and ask her if they are safe to use. I do have to agree with you about the distributors trying to get you to buy more products. I'm a distributor but I don't pressure anyone into buying anything. If one of my customers came to me with those symptoms, I wouldn't push more products on them. I do take the Omni IV for the multi-vitamin and I used to take Nite Lite. I haven't take it for a while but when I did get the Niacin flush (which was maybe once every two weeks), it would freak me out. I had trouble breathing for a few minutes and really bad pains in my stomach. Also, the Facebook site is ridiculous. They only approve posts that are positive. If it isn't positive, they privately message you and ask you to ask your distributor. For the distributors, it really is all about the money. I have hardly made anything and that's probably because I don't push the products. Also, I think some of the posts are fake to try to get more people to try the products. I will see people post that they lost 30 pounds in their first week of the drops. That's insane and not healthy!! After reading all of the posts it really has me thinking about if the drops are safe or not.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@caralundin: I am so sorry you are going through this scare. I have a gal e-mailing me right now whose story is a bit similar to yours. I've been told though, the drops do NOT contain hCG. Unless there is something hidden in the ingredients, the diet itself is alarming. Think of this...a one-year-old baby needs roughly 900-1000 calories a day and this diet expects you to eat only half that. If that doesn't send up red flags, what will? I also believe based on what others have told me that the additional products that they try to get you to buy are indeed harmful. Best thing you can do is see your doctor. Explain what you've doing and show him or her the bottles. For me, just healing from all the effects took several months but even a year later, it is so obvious there were other long-term effects (i.e. loss of muscle). If you need somebody to just listen to you while you go through this, please, feel free to email me. Having been there, endured that, I feel for you. Please, keep us updated.
caralundin 3 years ago
I started the drops on January 20, 2014 The first week of taking the drops I had the most SEVER headaches, weakness, sweating, irritability, & dizziness. Then I took the nite lite stuff that had niacin in it and felt like I was having an allergic reaction to msg or an anxiety attack. Chest pains, vertigo, nausea, sweating and an over all feeling like I was going to pass out. I stopped taking that for a few days and tried again I felt fine and then it happened again. I also started having this strange uncomfortable "full" feeling in the middle of my chest just below my breast bone but didn't think much of it. The whole diet just didn't feel right but I stuck to it and lost 22 lbs until February 16 when I read an alarming article about hcg being possibly connected to some cancers and that women who have infertility take it. I thought Wait I had twins with no help at all, holy tolido I could end up with Quads or something. Then I thought whoa Cancer??? really ??? So I stopped taking it all together. Since then I have continued reading about the negative side effects and It is alarming!!!! I still have that uncomfortable full feeling just below my chest bone and wonder if its my gall bladder. I am thinking I need to go see my Dr for a check up. I was wondering how long do side effects last and are they reversible and how long does hcg stay in your body once you take it. If its illegal why is there not more of a crack down on its sale. I mean if I could get it and know who is selling it why is it still on market? I just pray that no one else is harmed by this product and that complete healing is restored to all who are suffering. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and informing people of the harmful effects of this product. I also want to take a moment to praise God that I had the where with all to look into this product, follow my insticts, and stop when I did. Off to the gym to do this the right way.
mstakenforafool 3 years ago
I tried hCG shots two years ago. I lost 36 pounds over three months following the VLCD (Very Low calorie Diet) they prescribed. The first weekend I binged as instructed and then on Monday morning I began the VLCD and continued shots. By Tuesday morning I was going through severe sugar withdrawals. Cravings were awful and I even broke down in tears. I called my friends and co-workers who were all doing this program with me and they were having no issues. Within hours the cravings passed and I was doing okay. I found out the next day my friends had the same issues later that evening.After three months I decided to quit hCG cold turkey. I was exhausted and weak. I definitely lost muscle. A few weeks after stopping I was feeding my horses when I dropped to the ground in pain. I couldn't move. I tried calling for help, but couldn't even yell. After a half hour in the cold I finally got up and walked to my house dragging my left leg along. I didn't know what happened. My boss at the time was a nurse and told me it was probably sciatica. After a couple of weeks the pain dissipated, but it happened to me again about a month later - only not as severe. I had never had anything like that happen to me before! I do blame it on the hCG.I also couldn't walk very far. I mean, after walking 40 feet I was fatigued. It was about a year before my stamina returned to semi-normal. Even at my heaviest I have always been able to walk. I have had good stamina walking. Not after hCG!I gained every ounce of my 36 pound weight loss back AND THEN SOME! In January 2013 I weighed 286 pounds.I have been under the guidance and care of a RD nutritionist for over nine months. I will NEVER again try a fad diet. I highly recommend a nutritionist to everyone I talk to. Your health is worth every penny you spend on a nutritionist rather than a VLCD diet.I hope that my story helps someone.PS:One of my friends was unable to get pregnant due to a DNC (dilation and curettage) where they scrape part of your uterus. She had been told by her doctor at the time she wouldn't be able to have children again. She got pregnant within a year of stopping the shots and believes it was because of the hCG shots we took.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@WinWriter: It has been almost a year now since I've done this and the more I learn, the more I wish I knew all it before I made that terrible decision to try the diet. I had a doctor recently tell me that a colleague had now had patients with had near fatal heart arrhythmias as a result of the diet. Scary stuff. Just like drunk driving won't always result in a crash and many make it home in time. It can cause fatal or near fatal injuries. That's how I think of this diet now...like drunk driving! I had to learn my lesson the hard way. NO...MORE...SUPPLEMENTS. Funny how many people message or email me to offer me their "far more superior" supplements. Fewer calories and exercise. That is the only way to lose weight. I really believe that now.
WinWriter 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing your story. I too, had been approached via facebook friends about hCG and how it would be the miracle fix for weight problems. I never did it, but many of my friends did, including one who gave herself the "shots" in the stomach. Awful. They all did lose weight and yet they're all now off of hCG. Side effects. Now, it's on to the next fad. I have no idea if it's any good or not - plexus. That seems to be the big facebook drive now for weight loss. Maybe it works, maybe not, but I refuse to try it either. I can't stand those promotional facebook posts - almost spammy.
QuicklyLoseFat 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing your story & alerting people to the dangers of this diet. As you know, large calorie deficits can cause hormonal issues that will prevent weight loss. And 500 calories is way too little calories and is a famine diet. So glad to hear that you've increased consumption to adequate levels.
Weight-Loss-Tips-For-Women 3 years ago
I am glad that you wrote about the dangers of this diet. I believe weight loss should be healthy eating and exercise.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: By the way, you should be able to get your money back. Give it a try and let us know.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@jules42: There are studies that show that high levels of Niacin can cause serious problems to the liver and you might not even know about the problem until you've stopped taking the product. There's also a study that shows that in people taking increased niacin, they were more likely to be overweight ten years later. Extra niacin should only be taken under a doctor's care and recommendation because of the side effects. Found out recently that a mom I know ended up in serious shape. She was doing the diet and taking Nite Lite as well. She had very scary health problems as a result. Her story was so similar to mine but even more serious. I've had a few people tell me now of the complications from that product. My advice is to use serious caution and talk to a doctor before taking any of these products. If the doctor gives you the okay, then have at it but I keep hearing from women that their doctors are saying no. After I had to stop this diet and recovered from it (took a few months), I started Weight Watchers. I had gained back all the weight plus some even while being cautious about caloric intake. I lost the same amount of weight and it only took a few extra weeks. I haven't been doing it the last couple months but have kept that weight off really easily.
jules42 3 years ago
I am glad I read this. I only started this Omni diet a few days ago. One crazy thing that happened last night was I took a tablespoon of the Omni Trip Nite Lite and within 10 minutes I developed a rash over my entire body. When I woke up this morning it was all clear but I got to thinking that I should've done a little more research before buying the drops and the Nite Lite. Needless to say, I've just decided to stop this diet and adjust my caloric intake to 1200 calories a day and not go through what so many others that I have just read about had. Thanks for the very informative info.
anonymous 3 years ago
@anonymous: I totally agree with you! It is like a cult! I have had two people unfriend me because I shared articles with them - or just on MY Facebook page - that told of the dangers of this diet. I guess they figure that not seeing the truth will make it go away! I also had posted some comments on the Omnitrition Facebook page and was quickly blocked from posting anything else and my comments, needless to say, were deleted. I mentioned the fact that they were selling products illegally (with the HCG) because it clearly states on the bottle that there is HCG in the product and they just make up some excuse. I think we should start reporting everyone who sells this crap to the FDA!
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@anonymous: How funny that you mention the 'Kool Aid'. I've had people I know say the same thing about somebody they know who is selling. Wonder if it is the same person? Honestly, though, more and more people tell me this is really an MLM thing. Before my own experience, I'd really not dealt with any MLMs. Ran into a mom I know this week and the subject came up that she'd done this too. Fortunately she hadn't had the terrible side effects but she said the weight came right back plus some. That seems to be a very common theme. She's in great shape now though. Sounds like common sense and exercise played a key role in that. Thanks for your comment!
anonymous 3 years ago
Hi everyone!I wanted to write because I am incredibly incensed over the hype behind Omnitrition. A friend of mine from high school I've known for 30+ years has not just drunk the Omni Kool-Aid, but now has a permanent Omni Kool-Aid aortic catheter inserted into her that continually pumps everything Omni into her circulatory system. Every since high school this woman has hopped on the MLM bandwagon for everything from expensive health juices to jewelry. Her latest and greatest (and I fear the most damaging by far), is Omni. But for those of you with Omni friends you know there is NO reasoning with them. Even innocent comments about a healthy diet and exercise being key to losing weight on her Facebook page are responded to negatively by her Omni cronies and even deleted. My personal plea to her to seriously research products goes unheeded, and I have chosen to not waste any more of my energy on her. The fact she has placed Omni products ahead of her friends is indicative of the cult-like attitude of all those involved with Omni in any way, shape or form. While the "testimonials" on her page are all (seemingly) wonderful, I'm curious to know how many people are having adverse side effects as a result of these products and not telling her. And from everything I've read about the hCG diet and even the sleep drops, I wonder how many more people will end up in the hospital with serious, life-threatening illnesses. I have never been one to buy into a "quick fix" for anything, and while I've always wanted to believe my high school friend is an intelligent lady, I now seriously question that. She has been up and down in her weight all her life, and when she was attending boot camp she looked amazing. But she stopped going, gained all the weight back and then? Yup. She found Omni. And she hasn't been the same since-even going so far as to blame me for losing a sale to a mutual friend because I posted a lengthy and very informative response on that friend's FB page when she stated she was looking for a great way to lose some pounds before a big event in her life. (My friend never bought a single product, thank goodness!) It just incenses me that people are SO BLINDED they will not even do their homework, and I laughed when my friend told me she sold Omni to her own doctor and that he supported it! Wow! Really? Makes me wonder about his common sense really, given a physician with ANY sense would most likely NEVER advocate a 500-calorie-a-day diet. Oh! And that's something my friend outright lied to me about. I messaged her about whether the Omni Drops required a calorie-restricted diet and asked her if a 500-calorie daily intake was part of it. She flatly replied, "No," and did so because I'm certain she thought she'd make a sale off of me. Ever since then I have disengaged myself from her completely. It's sad that after all our years of friendship, Omni has taken precedence over everything else. I can only hope that Omni Kool-Aid aortic heart catheter inevitably runs dry before it's too late.
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@anonymous: I'm so sorry you've been going through all this. How awful. Yes, I had a distributor trying to suggest I needed to buy more of their products after I started having such horrible bleeding and heart problems. Not a smart idea at all! I actually feel thankful that all my side effects started before I could make the decision to become a distributor. You should try and get your money back. By the time I was having so many problems, it was beyond my 30 days for a refund but you should definitely get your distributor money back or complain to the BBB. They've warned about this diet. (((hugs))) Feel free to send me an email and let me know how it goes.
anonymous 3 years ago
I started this program because a friend did it and had great results! I am 10 days into my first round of Omni & feel like crap! I signed up as a distributor to "get the discount". I had horrible stomach pains and diarrhea and was told to buy another of their product! Um no!!! I went to a meeting tonight to learn more and was very put off when their descriptions of the products were preceded by "is anyone in the room from the FDA" & their whole health claim speal was riddled with "we are not supposed to say that". I was getting lots of attention until I suggested that someone else there take the lists of ingredients to their doctor for approval if their particular health issue before ordering. I got the cold shoulder after that. Then tonight when I got home, I seen a post on the Omni business side saying we are not allowed to attend other "MLM" events, the example was going to a Mary Kay party. "It's in the rules". Excuse me? Yep. I decided it was time for me to do my homework. Just wish I would have done it before spending $300! Thanks for all the great info!
Author
Kay 3 years ago
@mfplady: You are not alone. I've gotten messages and emails from people seriously concerned about their loved ones on this diet. I found the diet scary initially because of my own side effects but, now, after hearing stories of heart attacks, strokes and other very serious complications, I find this diet even scarier. Please, keep me updated on what happens. Feel free to send me a message as well and we'll chat. (((Hugs)))
mfplady 3 years ago
I found your site through MFP. You already know my story but I have never even taken HCG and it has caused me so much pain and loss. My cousin graduated from a 2 year college and got a job at a national franchise weight-loss clinic, where she did her internship. At the time, I has lost about 50lbs by eating less and exercising. My mom, has always been insecure about her weight and hard on my about mine most of my life, decided to go to the clinic because my cousin told her about hcg. NEITHER ONE OF THEM is obese and both wanted to lose 20-30lbs. To my knowledge, there is no licensed medical staff there but there are medical assistants. The clinic does the injections and not the homeopathic drops, as well as doctor oz's magical raspberry keytones.. My mom and cousin did their first round without success, both lost but gained back the weight. Around this time, my mom had a spell of vertigo, vomiting and loss of vision for 24 and was hospitalized. She claims that did not happen as a result of HCG or the 500 calorie diet, I believe otherwise. Then there was a second round, my mom lost and gained all back again but this time started having high blood pressure. She claims the blood pressure is due to family history and not the diet. Finally, this summer my mom did round 3. She is at the lowest weight that I can remember in a long time but looks absolutely horrible. She has aged a ton, she is a lot smaller but with lots of flabby skin. This whole process became enough for me when we took a day off to take my son to the waterpark. My mom was complaining of nerve pain and said she could hardly open a bottle of water. She had been wearing a brace on her wrist. I looked at her arm and began to cry when I was able to touch two fingers together around her forearm. She had lost so much muscle, I wanted to be sick. That was my breaking point. Because I was so concerned about my mothers life and health, I filed a consumer complaint with our state. My mom and cousin did not react well, obviously. I took feel the HCG crowd is like a cult. You can put all the medical studies in front of them and they won't believe it doesn't work. My mom is in denial and stated she is healthier than ever and is assisting the clinic in the investigation by writing that she is fine and that a doctor she recently saw was proud of her 30lbs weight loss (I don't know if the doc knows how she lost the weight). My cousin is furious with me, claiming I have lost my mind and that what they do is perfectly healthy and right. She claims that the HCG, causes their bodies to use fat for energy and that makes it safe. That is simply, scientifically, untrue. My mom and cousin have deleted and blocked me from facebook. My mom said she is embarrassed by my actions and that she thinks I have lost it. She said the clinic owner is talking to her attorney about suing me for slander, because my report was false in their opinion. That is ridiculous, considering there is no research to back up their claims. I am so angry that this place can charge people $500 a pop for something to lose weight, when the hormone says right on the package that is does not aid in weight loss. I am sad that my family has disowned me for something I can prove is wrong and that I did it out of love and concern for my mom. I understand my cousin does not want to lose her job, or that she feels betrayed but I felt like I had no other choice. I do not what anything to happen to her or my mom but what they are doing is WRONG! I makes me angry that the 'medical' staff at this place treats people with this when they don't even take the time to research their treatment.I have support from my fiance and MFP friends who know the dangers but right now I am feeling rather alone. Thankfully, my mom is done with HCG because of my complaint but the investigation has not yet finished. Using HCG injections for weightloss should be just as illegal as the drops.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: So glad you are staying monitored. My side effects came on so quickly. I think if I had had them monitoring my blood levels and blood pressure, it wouldn't have gotten so bad. By the time I went in, my blood pressure was so low and ferritin almost gone. Please be careful.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: So glad you are staying monitored. My side effects came on so quickly. I think if I had had them monitoring my blood levels and blood pressure, it wouldn't have gotten so bad. By the time I went in, my blood pressure was so low and ferritin almost gone. Please be careful.
anonymous 4 years ago
I've been on the Omni diet for about 17 days. I've lost 12lbs.... and I'm hoping I'm being smart about it. I've had my labwork drawn twice to check my electrolytes, liver, and kidney function -- especially with taking in such low calories, and with all the water I'm drinking -- as it is such an increase from what I'm used to. So far, everything seems ok. No side effects thus far. My daily headaches are actually better, my caffeine intake is much less (almost zero), and I'm hoping my total weight loss will help with my fibromyalgia, but who knows.... I can understand why such low calories would be so bad for so many of us, and how cardiac anomalies can present, and gall stones can form. That can happen with any diet that causes rapid weight loss. I'm SO not saying this diet is safe, but I'm also saying that no diet like this is safe either. You need to really take it slowly, or have yourself monitored by your doctor, every step of the way. I happen to be a nurse, and have to be seen by my doctors for multiple existing medical conditions (that can only be made better by weight loss, not be complicated by the process of losing weight). I am very appreciative of ALL of these comments and feedback. It's a REAL eye opener, and it's so much I just did not know! Wow, is all I can say.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: After I had to quit taking the homeopathic hCG drops, I thought that the injections must be better simply because these people are monitored by physicians but with all the comments, I don't think that is any safer. There are still reports of heart attacks and other serious complications.
anonymous 4 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: Have you or do you know anyone who has had experience with the prescription injections done by or prescribed by a doctor?
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: Oh Pat, I am so sorry. What a horrible experience. I was reading somebody's post a few weeks ago who had a heart attack (younger person) and they were worried because they couldn't continue this diet. I had quite a bit in medical bills but nothing near your amount. I don't say this often but maybe you do need to contact a lawyer. I could give you some names if you email me. At the very least, that doctor needs to be reported. More and more people are sharing stories like yours and it is frankly very scary. (((hugs))) to you. Don't worry about your sister. You worry about you. She may have to find out the hard way (as we did). Hang in there.
anonymous 4 years ago
I, too, was under a doctor's care when I began the hcg injections and 500 calorie diet. I had been seeing a naturopath who had also used the injections to lose weight. I should have known by the weight she had regained that there was a problem. The nurse even told me she had lost a huge amount of weight only to regain it when she starting "stress" eating. That didn't even stop me. I thought I had found my diet salvation. I have tried them all, so what is one more?I took daily injections of hcg and strictly followed the 500 calorie diet. I quickly lost 26 of the 50 pounds I needed to lose. I was given strict instructions to not exercise. I am self employed and a go-getter. I work harder than many people have ever done, from morning to bed time, without slowing down. Not only was I working every day in my studio, I was working on the outside of my house, sanding and stripping off old stain. On this particular night, I had finished my dinner and went back outside to sand more on the front of my house. It was chilly and I had put on a light jacket. My husband was working in the basement. All of a sudden, my jaws started aching. I thought it was from breathing cold air. This persisted and got worse. I decided to go inside and get warm. By the time I got inside, my chest felt like I had a concrete block on it. Jaw pain and chest pain, told me I was in trouble. I called my husband into the room and he phoned my doctor. She told him to give me and aspirin and get me to the ER. I live in a remote area. There was a physician's assistant on call in the ER. She phoned the cardiologist on duty at the closest trauma center and was given instructions to treat me for a heart attack and get me to the trauma center. It was rainy and foggy that night so the helicopter could not get to me. I had to be transported by ambulance 2 hours away to the trauma center.After being evaluated, I was scheduled for a heart catherization to determine if I had blockages. I told my doctors that I was using hcg. I also did not have insurance. Mind you, I had just lost 26 pounds, but was still overweight. The surgeon/cardiologist doing the cath leaned over me after I had been sedated and asked me if I could afford the medicine if he did this procedure and found a blockage. I told him, yes, when all I could think about was that he was getting ready to do a cath on a fat person. I felt that all he could see were twinkies and coke, both of which I did not eat, but not the time to argue that. When he finished and I was in recovery, he came in a told me apologetically, that he could find nothing wrong with my heart to bring on this issue, no blockages, no damage, no blood loss. My heart was healthy. A later echo cardiogram showed some sloppiness in the wall of my heart. I was released with nitro and told to take it easy for a few days then resume my normal routine.I stopped the hcg and did not return to the doctor who prescribed it. I saw her on the street one day and she said my cardiologist wrote her a letter and said she almost killed me. She stated emphatically, that I did not have a heart attack. An acquaintance, who had been an ER nurse, told me later, that they have seen many of her patients in the ER for problems resulting from some of her treatments.After several months, I changed cardiologists only to see one closer to home. He was very kind and took a lot of time with me. After questioning me closely and reading my records, he told me that I had experienced a toxic event in my body and that was what had affected my heart. A TOXIC EVENT!!! Everything I had read said hcg was safe, never toxic.I have regained to what I weighed prior to hcg and cannot seem to lose it. I have tried everything and must stick to a very strict diet to lose even a pound or two. Any deviation amounts to a regain of what I have lost plus more. I eat very clean these days, no processed food, no fast food, only fresh meat and vegetables and fruit. Once in a while, I have a melt down, and get something sweet, but never bring more than one serving into the house as I know I can't manage that. I guess I am doomed to be fat for the rest of my life as well as make monthly payments to the medical providers. I have been turned over to collections because I couldn't pay the $20,000+ hospital bill in a lump sum. I have paid off all of my medical providers except the two hospitals to which I make monthly payments. I will have the $20k bill paid off in 16 years if I live that long. I will be 60 this year and feel great even though I have killed my metabolism. I read food blogs daily and continue to eat healthy. HCG nearly killed me. Please, please, please don't use this stuff. Even after seeing what I went through, my sister still uses hcg because she can't keep her weight off. I told her to call me when she gets to the ER. And to add to my misery, she is 40 pounds lighter than me right now.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: I would really encourage you to meet with your regular doctor before attempting this diet. You can take the information here and ask about it. I had so many medical appointments after this appointment and they all told me this was not a safe diet.
anonymous 4 years ago
There are medical offices here where I live that are doing HcG injections. It's about $1100 for 23 days. The doctors are real doctors and use the products themselves. The drug is the same exact drug thy inject into fertility patients. My concern is the HcG drops. Omnitrition is something a girlfriend of mine has been doing for 21 days. She's lost 17 lbs. Her results are tempting me but I'm still very worried. Since the HcG used in the doctors office is obviously safe, as it has been used for years for fertility, what do you think of the drops? This girl is my friend and she's getting real results. I just don't know what to think but I'm so tempted. Reading this site scares me, however, she's not had any bad side effects in the 3 weeks she's been on it :/
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: Hi Heather. I would really encourage you to find a new doctor. Heart attacks and strokes have been reported as a result of this diet. If you read the comments here, you'll find one young gals story this last week of how her heart stopped and the ER doctors all told her how dangerous this was. Please find a new doctor! This put so much stress on my heart, far more than some extra weight did! It's not worth the risk.
anonymous 4 years ago
I had liposuction and still had a large belly.I went back to my plactic Sutton and he put me on hCG saying that diet will get rid of the fat that is too deep for liposuction. My diet cost $700.00 and the hcg comes in a thing that looks like a shot and you rub it on your inner arms once a day. I am 77 years old and have no periods or gallbladder. So I don't have the same problems as you did; however, I have restless legs and no energy they did give potassium and magn. My stomach has gone way down. In ten days I have lost 10lbs. This is the hardest diet I have ever been on.
anonymous 4 years ago
@anonymous: You have to change your lifestyle or it's impossible to keep the results. 2 out of the 10 people in my group of friends that tried the diet have kept it off. My husband and I. But we have completely changed our lifestyle. Very few starches and lots of activity. After finding this website I plan to completely quit the company. I just wish I could get my friends to see the light. OMNI took my time and my money. I wish I would have listened to the voice in my head saying everything seemed off
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: I am so sorry you went through this! It was so scary what this diet did to my heart. The fact that your heart just stopped is incredibly frightening. I was just reading this week how one hCG diet user had a heart attack on the diet and was stressed because he wasn't able to continue the diet That is complete madness and, judging by his photo, he was young too. I am so glad you are off those products. I hope your healing is quick and that this didn't do any lasting damage. I am just so sorry. Thank you so much for sharing your story! You've reported them to the FDA I hope?
anonymous 4 years ago
I was suckered into being an Omni Distributor in the early 1990's and the big seller was their weight loss tea. At the convention in California, the president of the company was asked if we should ask people if they have a heart condition before letting them try the tea since there is an ephedra dirivative in it. The president, Roger Daley, said that it was VERY important NOT TO MENTION EPHEDRA to anyone. He said that by asking people if they had heart problems, they were telling people that there was something in the tea that could harm them and it would affect sales. He said that the chances the sample of tea given would kill someone, so not to ask - just give them a sample anyway.At that moment, I realized that it was all about money and that he couldn't care less about people or their health. I immediately dropped out and have never sold it again and have warned people about it. Now, I have friends who suddenly got into Omni last year. They are telling people that you don't have to change your lifestyle or the way you eat to lose weight. However, they have completely changed their eating habits and their lifestyle which is what's really responsible for their weight loss.They have weekly meetings and conference calls to "keep the hype going". It's a scam. My friends swear by Omni, but only because they are making money from it and suckering others into using it. They have completely changed their eating habits and are much more active - yet tell people it's all Omni.
anonymous 4 years ago
I Started taking the omni drop and the nitelite suppliment about 2 weeks ago, this past sunday i stated getting chest pains and presure. Went to the ER and was admitted by Wednesday. While in the ER i passed out and my heart stopped ( 100% honest) the nurses had to jump onto my chest and pound on it to get my heart started again. Mind you I am 26 years old and have no prior heart conditions of any kind, and the only thing i have done different was start the omni diet. I was asked by the cardiologist what diet suppliment i was taking and I said onmi, the doctor looked at the nurse and said oh man another one on this omni diet.. It may work for some but for others it can have HORRIBLE side affects.. This is my first day out of the hospital and I cannot believe the pain and horror this stuff has caused myself and my family. In my opinion loose weight the old fashion way and get up and get moving! Dont use this crap that isnt approved by the FDA even if they say it is all natural, because in all honestly know one truely can tell you whats in it unless they themselves are the ones making it.
anonymous 4 years ago
I did 2 very successful rounds and 2 not so successful rounds. In total I lost 100 pounds and after giving up on losing anymore weight dropping I have managed to keep the weight off for a year. I did experience hair loss and severe nail deterioration....but that wasn't the diet.....yeah right! From the gate I knew things were off with the company the way the diet was pitched...just sign up to sell for the discount it's like being a Costco member....saying that would make them a Buyer's club....so that pitch is illegal. OMNI is locking down it's web page and refuses to put out new catalogs even though theirs is over 2 years old. It is starting to seem like a sinking ship and the tops are just trying to drain as much money as possible from their distributors. I was duped by the promise of magic in a bottle when in reality I was buying a dream and a headache.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: Gallbladder problems and hair loss seem to be very common because of the 500-calorie diet. While I was going through the diet, I read that a distributor who had been doing this diet had to have her gallbladder removed. Since then, I've read so many stories of women going through this. I really think you need to report your 'nutritionist'. Sounds like that person really caused you some serious problems. I'm so sorry for that.
anonymous 4 years ago
Hi my name is Anna and I was on the HCG dietFor 6 weeks my nutritionist Gave me I was taking the shots it was a 500 calorie diet I lost 31 pounds right after it ended I started getting severe pain abdominal pain I went to the hospital the Dr told me its my gallbladder needs to be removed it stopped functioning and causing an infection and I'm having hair loss I don't recommend this program you want to lose weight eat healthy and excercise.Anna from NJ
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@SheGetsCreative: So common to gain even more weight back. Frustrating as anything! Did you find a way to get that extra weight off?
Angela F 4 years ago from Seattle, WA
Very informative! Years ago I worked for a chain of medical weight reduction clinics that were centered around HCG injections. And yes, I not only gained back the weight I lost, I gained even more. It's just too difficult and unhealthy (IMHO) for 90% of women out there
anonymous 4 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: Thank you for creating this space for people to share and become aware of how nasty this "fad" diet really is.My last round ended in March 2013 and I have gained it all back. No cheating, adhering to protocol, careful about adding in P3 etc and I gained! This was the fasted gain out of the 2 other rounds.If you check out theHCG boards they are full of problems with very few successes and everyone that is struggling has an "sensitivity" brought to light by the HCG.Yah right........ I'm taking it day by day, some better than others. Its just frustrating, knowing that I worked so hard,and was so diligent, a poster child I tell ya :) and have ended up in this pit of despair....FOR NOWI will still continue to "Eat Clean" or a modified paleo lifestyle because I like it.I hope in time everything will settle into a rhythm and I will be able to have more freedom when it comes to being able to eat.Your words encourage me this morning that there is some hope for getting back some metabolic function.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: Your story makes my heart hurt. I am so sorry. I can only imagine what you are going through. I only did one round of this diet and couldn't even finish phase 3 because this did such a number on me. I can't even imagine what several rounds would do. Please know, you are not alone. I'm hearing from others who have similar stories. I'm curious, how long have you been off the diet? Now, I only did one round but I feel like, three and a half months after the fact, my metabolism is not as slow as it was. It's not where I was before the diet either but it is improving slowly. Hang in there. I know what you mean about the obsession thing. For me, I've actually started obsessing differently. I'm so scared now of not eating enough. I don't ever want to go through the side effects again but I don't know what that is going to mean for me. Will I just keep gaining? I am really so sorry and I hope that both of us can get over this diet!!! Please, if you need to just chat, feel free to message me!
anonymous 4 years ago
I have done 3 rounds in a year of HCG. Here's my story...The last 2 rounds were to lose the weight that quickly came back... you know, "maintenance"Apparently now I have "sensitivities " to food brought to light by the HCG!I am a complete wreck from this diet,physically, emotionally, spiritually.I am consumed by what goes into my mouth, which at this point is very little, as everything I "try " to add causes huge gains.I feel defeated, lost, like a failure, sad, I feel like I am losing my mind....trulyI am/was a very normal 44 year old woman who started to gain weight. I tried for a year on my own to eat "clean" and exercise, with no results in an entire year :(I had a Dr who wouldn't do a thing for me, so I went to a Naturopathic Dr. After testing with no major problems, she suggested low carb. I did that for a month with little results......then along came HCGMy knight in shining armor, or so I thought.Right out of the gate, during loading [ALL 3 TIMES] I experienced headaches so bad I vomited. Worse than any migraine I have had. I was so weak I could hardly walk. So I took vitamins. They helped, some.My hair fell out.....of course not due to HCG otherwise pregnant women would be bald.!! haMy skin shriveled up, it actually looks very much like my 76 year old mom's skin and has NOT recovered.I can appreciate those of you who think I am nuts to have done it 3 times with all the symptoms listed [and more].I agree with you all.......I just want to be healthy, fit and thin, like every other woman looking to lose weight. I was desperate but I'm also NOT a quitter.I was 100% dedicated to the program wwithout ever cheating through all phases and adhering strictly to protocol.So you see these "side effects" were a mere bump in the road. I had done the HCG protocol and gotten results, even if temporary. I was a fighter,determined to win this bout over my body.I adjusted my dose and things got "tolerable".I have never had food issues, never really battled with weight until I hit my 40s and have always been active to some degree.This HCG has altered me in lots of ways.The OBSESSION is the worst. I cannot shake it, it is with me 24 hours a day.all I think about is food and "will this make me gain" Yes, yes it does, everything at this point makes me gain aside from meat and salad.I'm literally hanging by my fingernails today. Unsure what to do, where to turn and how to correct my body.I have no answers on how to fix and repair myself.No one seems to :(All I can do is post my story and hope........ hope I find answers, hope it helps some one else My HCG experience in a nutshell........COMPLETE FAIL !
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@Whatsittoyou: And that is my goal. I found plenty of stories like mine online but you have to dig to find them. This company needs to show a more balanced view of this diet but they don't. Thank you for your comment.
Whatsittoyou 4 years ago from Canada
It is a good thing you got out when you did. This "diet plan" just sounds like a complete disaster. Even if it was just the 500 calories a day part, you are asking for trouble. That is not healthy while you are doing it and you are guaranteed to gain weight when you stop doing it. As for the drops, I am skeptical when it comes to any drug tied to the diet industry. At least now when someone tries to do research for this diet they will see a not so "fluffy" story, but the truth about potential dangers.
anonymous 4 years ago
hey, I know someone doing this diet now.. and it's definetely cult like.. but i was wondering if anyone else around the users of omninutrition thought the users have a "smell"? I've been around my friend, a few times and she has a "smell" (not a good smell).
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: Thank you for sharing your update. I can't believe how many people are telling me that this diet made them fatter. So many of them were watching what they ate plus exercising once they stopped and they still got fatter. I am struggling with the metabolism now too. Maybe we should start an hCG Diet Recovery group!
anonymous 4 years ago
I was 16 years old and 137 pounds and this is EXACTLY what happened to me!!! Looking back I should have been happy with my weight and just did weight training to firm up, but instead I fell for it and did my first round of HCG. I lost about 7 pounds the first round (they said I could lose 20!) but it came back RIGHT away. I'm talking, within the first month or two. Soon I was in the 140s and I could NOT get the weight off, even with eating healthy and running! So (STUPIDEST decision ever) I decided to do ANOTHER round! AAAh!!! I lost even LESS this time, and it came back even FASTER. I am now 18 and a super flabby 150 pounds. I've been trying for a year and half now to lose the weight (I feel good at about 125) and I've tried basically everything under the sun, but NOTHING. SEEMS. TO. WORK. I don't know if my metabolism is ruined forever but I do know one thing...I AM NEVER DOING THE HCG DIET AGAIN! If you are considering the get-thin-quick HCG scheme, DON'T DO IT!!!!! Learn from my mistake!! ----- (anyone else have any ideas on how I can lose after this HCG diasaster?!!!)
anonymous 4 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: I almost did to. Who wouldn't they post these pictures of themselves and who wouldn't want those results. My friend looks great but I just don't think it's worth it all.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@anonymous: I know it. Plus, while they say they don't dole out medical advice. As soon as somebody asks about hair loss, kidney stones or what have you, they're recommending more products for them. These are products that are deemed to be unsafe by many. I did spend some time once the side effects started hitting to go back a lot of posts and I noticed that the regulars were posting them (distributors and uplines) but many of the new folk doing the diet no longer were posting. Clearly they'd fallen away. Even my own distributor didn't seem too serious about the diet. I notice that she'd get people excited about starting, then do a few days or week and stop until the next time she was trying to rally more troops. It really is crazy. I'd ask how anybody could fall for it but I did :(
anonymous 4 years ago
That's the funny thing is how can you distribute a product you just started using? When I asked questions it is always I have to ask my person and get back to u. They never have an answer. The whole thing just creeped me out and I am really glad I did my research and listened to the in between the lines. Also when I was part of the FB group it was never hey I've been off the diet 2 years and I'm maintenaining. It was always people still on the diet.
anonymous 4 years ago
My friend is doing the omni diet, and like you at first I was all on board with it. She added me to the facebook group page and like you I also noticed how it was a one-sided group. I posted a single question about the drops and was quickly told I need to talk to my distributor. As my friend keeps promoting her weight loss and how shes not hungry she is also taking coffee been pills and the nite lite, which made me realize she is just surpressing her appetitite. Also her facebook status's have no longer become about her family they have become all about "omin" and promoting her weight loss now that she is also selling it. It all sounded way to good, and loosing 30 pounds in a month in a half is not only not safe. I am glad that I searched your page to realize that I was not the "only" one that thought this was a pyramid scam for weight loss. Since I left the group and ultimatly decided not to the diet she has also loss all interest in talking to me, which I find amusing. Anyway just wanted to share my opinion on this diet. I did not try it so I can't speak from expierence but I see that people are so easily fooled and dont research products enough and jump on band wagons so fast!
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@victoriahaneveer: Weight Watchers really is a great program and I know so many who have kept the weight off losing that way.
victoriahaneveer 4 years ago
I never even heard of that diet before. Since the drops are made from hormones from pregnant women I feel it's a weird sounding diet anyway and I wouldn't want to try this. I lost weight doing Weight Watchers before and am not counting my kcals and doing exercise. If I were to try a new diet in the future it wouldn't be HCG!
anonymous 4 years ago
I have a friend who fell for the trend and she's lost quite a bit of weight. I have expressed concern to her and all she tells me is "I'm being monitored by my doctor" or "I'll be fine" or whatever. She is a distributor also and every time I'm around her now it's all she talks about.
moonlitta 4 years ago
I'd never try somethign that relies on pills to lose weight- be it evenones that claim to be completely natural (the so called food supplements etc.) From what you share I think that the effect comes from adjusting your organism to smaller quantities of food, and having the same ones repatedly, something typical for lots of diets. Apparently that is what actually causes the effect. I didn't understand if you have increased your physical activity? That's also paramount. Great step to inform people who would get hooked on that fad! I strongly encourage you and applaud your effort to put on this page. Stay healthy,... and slim:)
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@julieannbrady: Sounds like the healthy way to accomplish your goal. Best of luck to you!
julieannbrady 4 years ago
No, I haven't tried this diet and really don't plan on trying it. 3 weeks ago, I joined my local gym and have been making the effort to work-out at least 5 times per week. I'm actually contemplating going back in the evenings for a wind-down bit of exercise. I was on Jenny Craig and found that I steadily lost the weight. But, after going off that "diet," the weight came back! So, I believe it is a life-long decision. I'm opting for good nutrition and exercise now.
flycatcherrr 4 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: Goes to show, with so much money to be made in the weight loss industry, some people will jump on anything... so glad you got off this insane regimen before you did yourself even more harm! Stay strong.
Wendy Leanne 4 years ago from Texas
My best friend did this diet and went from a size 18 to a size 4 in a crazy amount of time. She is lucky to now, more than a year later, to still have the weight gone and to be healthy. I never tried it. I'm losing my post baby weight the slow, but healthy way of eating whole foods and exercising (gone from a size 14 to an 8). There's no way I could be fit and continue exercising on 500 calories a day.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@flycatcherrr: There was actually a doctor who was treating men for a different problem with hCG and noticed weight loss. Well, he had them on a very low calorie diet too so of course they were losing.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@CatJGB: I have some friends eating this way too and are really happy with it.
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@Emma Vine: I have to get this book. Both online and in 'real life', it is being recommended. Thank you!
anonymous 4 years ago
@Cari Kay 11: Kay - for some reason I can't apply the "Angel blessing", although I did try again today, sorry. I know HQ have been changing settings this week, and I'm not sure how many I'm allowed to "bless" in a week ... or maybe it's just this lens? I'll keep trying, as this lens deserves it, IMO :) x
Emma Vine 4 years ago from Texas, USA
I strongly endorse Eat This Not That. It literally spells out everything. Like, ice cream. If you are a person who is going to eat ice cream no matter what, wouldn't you at least like to know what the best option is, as far as calories? I got this book and my husband and I did change over some foods like peanut butter and pretzels to brands with either less calories, less sodium, or less (some other bad thing). It's a good reference.
CatJGB 4 years ago
I have heard of this diet and to be honest I always thought it seemed a bit far fetched and extreme. Paleo/primal is the way I eat, nutrient dense, whole foods, no grains, no sugar. I feel fabulous!Nice work for putting this page together, it is information people need.
sybil watson 4 years ago
I've been skeptical of this diet ever since my friends at work started it. I have enough problems with my hormones without adding more! You were wise to stop it, although I know only too well how the lure of quick weight loss can entice us. Thank you so much for telling us your story.
flycatcherrr 4 years ago
Well, that FDA video is a real eye-opener! They seem very clear that these "hCG diet" products are considered unsafe and even "can be dangerous." One has to wonder who - in the name of all that's sane - ever came up with the idea of turning a prescription fertility drug into a so-called diet aid sold via an internet-based MLM scheme, eh? *headshake*
Rosetta Slone 4 years ago from Under a coconut tree
This sounds very disturbing, and your description of people's behavior on the forums almost sounded like a cult. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and I hope that many Hcg googlers will find this before shelling out their many for a starvation diet. I hope you regain your health quickly.
floppypoppygift1 4 years ago
I had gestational diabetes and wrote a lens about how I had to change my diet & habits for health. On that I share my favorite techniques but I still strongly encourage people to work with a dr. no matter what and especially if you have pre-existing health concerns. I am glad things are working out for you alright. Stay safe! This is a valuable article. Cheers~cb
Author
Kay 4 years ago
@sockii: I really appreciate the feedback.

See 21 more comments

Side Effects of the hCG Diet? My Story...

The hCG Diet and the Temptation of Quick Weight Loss

Doing the hCG diet was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I think it is one of the most dangerous diets out there.

Side Effects of the hCG Diet

Effects the hCG Diet Had on My Body

Why Are You Visiting This Page? (Please note that more than 615 people have had serious enough side effects to be concerned...this diet is risky!)

Quite a few people are visiting this page and I would love to know why you are here.

What Is the hCG Diet?

How I Was Seduced by the Idea of Easy Weight Loss

The Forums About the Diet Made it Sound Perfect

What Does a Typical Day on the Diet Look Like?

After the Diet

How Much hCG Is Really in Those Drops?

What the FDA Says

If You Have Had Side Effects:

Roughly half the poll respondents who have tried this diet report serious side effects.

Have you done the hCG diet? If so, did you have side effects?

Discovery Health Report

What I Have Taken Away From This

Knowing There Are Serious Side Effects, Is Fast Weight Loss Worth the Risk?

You've made it this far on the page, what do you think? Would you try this diet?

hCG in the News

*NEW* Have You Tried the hCG Diet and had Side Effects?

Related

Popular

I'd Love to Hear From You!

Connect with us

NEW Have You Tried the hCG Diet and had Side Effects?