I wonder if and when doctors will stop blaming obesity for every ache and pain an overweight person has. I developed pain in my hips when I was at perfect weight and more fit than at any time in my life. Now because I am overweight, suddenly it is caused by that. Of course being such a fatty, I do not deserve to have pain relief. I just should lose weight. Maybe losing weight would help (it didn't before), but don't I deserve relief until then???? This has been bugging me ever since heck was a pup. grumble grumble

Amen. This came up on an e-list I belong to, and, my goodness, you would not believe all the stories that came out!

I mean, yes, we have to be honest that weight can contribute and even give rise to certain conditions, but, as you say, does that mean you don't treat them??!?!?!

If a race car drive crashes or football player gets tackled and break some bones, do you think they set the bones, or just say, oh, you are in high-risk occupations and should not do that anymore.

I agree completely, I feel like when I go to the doctors I cant get through the app. with out some comment on my weight. I know Im overweight I have been all my life but it doesnt mean that the complaints I have about my physical body (aches pains...ect.)are all due to being overweight! WOW that felt good!
Take Care
~Cooki

Thank God~~~

Someone that actually thinks exactly the way I've been thinking...

Why do they have to relate everything to being overweight. I have been having back problems since long ago and since I gained weight two years ago all of a sudden they're blaming it on my weight.GEEZ...

I have to play devil's advocate. I'm overweight. I've recently taken a nutrition class (talk about embarrassing sitting with all of those health nuts!) and I've recently attended an informational meeting about obesity surgery. The meeting was especially sobering. Let's not be in denial. Obesity DOES lead to a HOST of physical illnesses - some of them deadly. If it's not the CAUSE, it may be preventing your body from healing itself from the problem. I'm at a point where I've realized that - barring an unforeseen accident - my obesity WILL kill me...maybe not in 10 years, maybe not in 20, but it WILL mean my demise someday. I've made excuses for YEARS; now I'm trying to face up to it realistically.

Some of the statistics are downright scary. Obese people have a 5-7% higher chance of dying from diabetes or heart attack. People who are double their weight have a 50% greater chance of dying young! How many fat octogenarians have you honestly seen? Also, they a study on sicknesses/diseases, and two years after the surgery (I'm not necessarily saying surgery is the only way) 96% of all sicknesses/diseases were GONE! People were off blood pressure meds, diabetes was gone, you name it! That speaks volumes.

I'm NOT disagreeing that overweight people are treated poorly at the doctor's office. I think obese people are treated poorly everywhere, with intolerance, misjudgment, and disgust. This is a social problem of epidemic proportion - especially in the US. You can be any color, religion, ethnicity, belief, etc. you choose these days, but the one faux pas that still exists is to be fat. In a country where diversity is being embraced more and more, overweight people are still made to feel ridiculed isolated and ashamed. It’s sad. I wish each one of you luck in your ongoing battles. Hopefully it helps to remember than you’re not alone.

I pretty much agree with catndogma. I've recently been diagnosed with Type II diabetes, directly related to my weight and eating habits. I've since lost 40 pounds and I feel so much better. It has really made a difference in my overall health....everything from just having a better attitude in general to having a better sex life. And lowering your weight can help so many problems....it will help lower blood glucose levels, cholesteral, it can help to lessen back and foot pain even if it's not the original cause of the pain.

I have to empathize with doctors. We go to them, complaining that this hurts and that hurts and please do something to make us better. But we're not doing anything to help ourselves. It's got to be very frustrating for the doctors as they can only do so much without our cooperation.

Originally posted by Lady^:
I have to empathize with doctors. We go to them, complaining that this hurts and that hurts and please do something to make us better. But we're not doing anything to help ourselves. It's got to be very frustrating for the doctors as they can only do so much without our cooperation.


Yeah, I do agree. But this does not apply only to overweight people. Lots of people out there have various maladies that can be attributed to their life styles. But I think overweight people hear about it more from their doctors. And, for example, I remember the first time it happened to me - I went into the doctor with an ear infection and the first words out of his mouth are "Have you ever thought about losing weight?".

Somehow, I just really doubt that a high-level executive, working 12+ hour days, eating on the run, totally stressed out, hears any comments from his doctor until after he/she has had the heart attack or stroke.

I don't think the "venting" above was meant to deny the contribution of extra weight problems - just frustration about the comments, which really are not constructive at all.

And, from what I have read about nutrition in various mainstream and non-mainstream sources, I would now concede that the ear infections I got quite regularly were probably from the amount of sugar I ate. But still, the doctor did not say "the sugar is contributing to the frequency of ear infections" - directly, at least - yes, yes saying to lose weight is KIND OF the same thing.

Right, I agree that my statement regarding doctors and patients not helping themselves does not only apply to those of us with weight problems, but I didn't mention the ones who smoke, drink, use drugs, etc. cause the original poster was talking about weight. Hell, even people who work out to make themselves healthier can injure themselves. My whole point was that there is only so much that the docs can do and we have to take responsibility for our own health and work with them. I know it's hard.....I've been overweight most of my life. But it's a shame that I didn't take any real action until AFTER I was diagnosed with diabetes, ya know what I mean?

Since I started all this let me summarize what I was orginally saying and comment. First my comments on the reactions. I would have to be the most ignorant person on the planet not to know all the stated facts concerning obesity and health. Of course !!!!!!!! What I am venting on is the ill treatment some overweight people receive. It is laughable to even think that anyone on this board wouldn't be aware of all the terrible things that obesity and overweight cause. (Remember--I have been on both sides of the equation--fat and thin (buff too).) BUT does that ever justify ill treatment? I am NOT a continuous doctor office haunter, neither to I complain and demand to be "fixed"--BUT I do demand to be treated fairly. This is my gripe. Platitudes suffice when nothing is really at stake, but when it comes to real people and helping them where they live, I will err on the side of compassion. If it were just a "do it" situtation with excess weight, wouldn't everyone be thin?

This is very interesting because I am about 2/3's of the way to my weight goal. When I went to the Dr several months ago with a leg infection (diagnosed as a staff infection in ER), his first comments were, "your weight probably caused this". It wasn't, how are you feeling, is it getting better? The first comment was about my weight (boderline obese). He didn't take blood, he didn't even do a physical. He just told me to lose weight and come back in 1 month. I couldn't believe it! I went to the hospital myself and got a blood test to make sure the infection was in check, and luckily it was. But the Dr's first comments are the ones that stick with me.

Now don't get me wrong, being obese isn't a good thing, but I think Doctor's in general are just looking for the most obvious signs of illness and stop right there and go on to the next patient. I'm still overweight, but my NEW doctor told me when I see him again in Septmeber, he wants to do a physical. The million dollar question is, if the new Doc saw me obese, would he have just said "lose weight" like the original guy? I don't think so.

Hmmm, sounds to me like ya'll have some messed up doctors. I'm lucky that I think my doctor is great (the next best thing to chocolate). I haven't been to see her for a few months but I saw her on the street the other day and she was like "Oh my God you've lost so much weight!". I said "Well, that's what you told me to do, right?" and she siad "I tell alot of people that, hardly anyone actually does it though". She calls me her "stellar" patient, lol. She really makes me feel good about myself and was very supportive of me even before I lost any weight.

So if your doctor is rude or making you feel uncomfortable then try finding another doctor. If you have health problems then your relationship with your doctor is very, very important and you have to feel comfortable with him/her.

Thanks for posting that robertl, because I sometimes wonder who much sexism is involved since I have always heard of male doctors saying this to female patients. Interesting to know it's equal-opportunity idiocy!

Wow is so funny to hear from other people who has gone through the same experience with their doctors.
I went once to a doctor, female, who I will never see again. I had an infection so I went to get treated and while she was asking me about how everything else was, I told her about a pain I being having on my lower back, and she said "Oh is problably your weight just loose about 30 lbs and you won't have any more problems" yea right if it were so easy I wouln't be over weight, plus now I know is arthitis.
some doctors can really be insensitive

I would also like to add that the hip pain that I developed at a perfect size 8 was one of the contributing factors to my becoming overweight in the first place as I had to discontinue my exercise program (very vigorous) and take a lot antidepressants due to a daughter run wild and destroying my husband's ministry. So, with all this in consideration, you can see why I feel dismissed and persona non gratia. Each person has a plethora of reasons for any malady in their lives. As I can see above, many of you have "been there, done that" with the doctors.

I love it AuntJudy, "equal opportunity idiocy". Can I use that, it's great! Not to mention very appropriate and descriptive.

Originally posted by robertl:
I love it AuntJudy, "equal opportunity idiocy". Can I use that, it's great! Not to mention very appropriate and descriptive.


Of course, of course! I don't hold a copyright!

although I sympathize with the general atmosphere of this forum, and agree that the general medical beuracracy consists of nothing more than a circle of self appointed health gurus with one another's heads up the next man's butt, all humming tunes to each other.

I must disagree. Although obesity may not be the cause of a certain problem, it can cause physiological stresses, causing excessive stress on some joints. Now to say that obesity is the cause of every problem would be moronic, but it does have ties to many conditions and disorders and may cause the irritation of some exsisting stuctural problems in the body.

Obesity is sometimes a factor to these conditions, it is generally not the cause, but doctor recomend losing weight because it lightens physiological stress on certain joints in the body.



------------------
thanks for your patience.
Jason

I once went into an ER with back pain, the DR. came over to me and asked what's wrong? I told him I was having back pain. He said "well your very overweight dont you think that could be the problem?" Let me say I know VERY well all the problems being overweight can cause I have been overweight ALL my life. He did a quick exam of my being and sent me away saying "Loose some weight and youll feel better." As he was brushing me off I was trying to tell him that I didnt think it was my weight causing my pain, he just rolled his eyes and sent me on my way. Later that night I went to another hospital because of pain in my back. I was admitted for Kidney Stones. I was in the hospital for 10 days and out of work for 3 weeks. I complained to the hospital that this dr. worked at and he was given a warning! I think this was a VERY easy punishment for him. If I had gone to the same dr. with the same complaint at 130lbs I would have been treated and taken care of, instead I suffered for 12 more hours and had to drive an extra hour to go to another hospital for treatment, all because It must obviously be attributed to my being VERY overweight. Im sorry this is so long.
Take Care
~Cooki

Originally posted by Jurness:
I must disagree. Although obesity may not be the cause of a certain problem, it can cause physiological stresses, causing excessive stress on some joints. Now to say that obesity is the cause of every problem would be moronic, but it does have ties to many conditions and disorders and may cause the irritation of some exsisting stuctural problems in the body.


If you read the posts, nearly everyone has conceded that obesity is a factor in some conditions, so what's your point?

I think we all need to have health care that does just that, "CARE" Care about what going on with us. Why we are having problems loosing wieght and such, I think that if any of us had the choice to be thin we would but untill we find that magic wish tree I would like to have proper Health Care.
Take Care
~Cooki

[This message has been edited by cooki (edited 08-22-2002).]

In 97 I was in hospital with a Staph infection in 2 of my discs.I have Panic Disorder and was having a bit of problem,so they called in a doctor to talk with me.All he wanted to talk about was my weight.True Im a big gal but he tissed me off!!I told him straight up he was not a Baritrician.I also told him if thats all that mattered to him he should of became one!!Nothing makes me as mad as a doctor thinking that all our aches and pains are weight related.I may be in denial,but being big is NOT a sickness nor does it mean we are unhealthy.Someone that is skinny can have health problems.Also makes me mad for a doctor to tell me I need to lose weight when he/she needs to also!Im open and speak my mind.They are human just like me and the rest of us so Im not concerned about respect and upholding them as holier than thou...Ive had 3-4 really good doctors that never mentioned anything about me needing to lose weight.

I hate to say this but, I am an RN who is overweight. I am employed by a cardiology practice and know all too well the dangers of being overweight. As much as we would like acceptance and freedom from judgement the facts are clear....obesity IS the cause of so many medical problems. Most of us who are overweight have spent a whole lifetime in this condition and cannot recall what it is like to be fit and free from excess pounds. Extra weight wreaks havoc on our spines, joints, minds, hearts,moods....etcetc...do not be offended by those medical professionals who comment about our weight.....more than likely WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF IF WE LOST SOME WEIGHT........WHILE IT MAY NOT BE THE CAUSE OF EVERY AILMENT WE SUFFER IT SURE WOULD BE NEGLIGENT OF A PRACTITIONER OF MEDICINE TO OVERLOOK THIS OBVIOUS RISK FACTOR. Please stop kidding yourself..obesity is very unhealthy.

I think that what's being said is that even though being overweight IS a cause of a lot of pain and many things that happen to us. It is NOT the only cause of these things. We are tired of being treated like second rate citezens because we are overweight! We ALL know that losing weight would tremendously help our health situation, but we want the (some of) medical professionals out there to just treat us like people and not like we dont know whats going on with our own bodies. Its not like we dont know we are overweight or anything. Well I think Ive rambled enough.
Take Care
~Cooki

I get the same from my doctors.

One guy used to say lose weight when i had a sore wrist, another said I had to get a girl friend as I used my wrist too much(******* wasnt kidding either). I then end up finding out I had a huge cyst in my wrist...

One doctor told me

"Birth control pills do not cause weight gain, not knowing when to get up from the table does"

And then he proceeded to point to a picture of his overweight wife on the wall and said she was skinny when he married her and she doesn't know when to get up from the table either.

Can you believe it?

I agree that too many ailments are erroneously attributed to being horizontally challenged. I went to a chiropractor for concussion treatment and told him that I had fatigue and he attributed the fatigue to my weight. However, fatigue is a common symptom of a concussive injury. Also, at that point I had lsot 20 pounds since the concussion and was eating significantly better and taking vitamin B complex etc. I think that many times doctors are too simplistic in their diagnosis because they do not want to do the work necessary to find the real reason for your ailment. BigTex

I have a question directly related to this topic: My mother has been diagnosed as obese and I worry about her. She refuses to diet and/or exercise. As a child my mother was put on many diets and made to feel inadaquate because of her weight. She hurt her back a few years ago and became obese while fighting depression. Her attitude now seems to be that she is going to control herself to spite what the doctors and her mother used to put her through. She often complains that the doctors use her weight as a scapegoat for all of her medical problems. My mother has very low blood pressure and no heart problems, so she isn't worried about her weight. My family and I don't want to say anything because we want to support her not antagonize her even more. However, I worry that down the road she will suffer from the choices she is making now. I know that it has to be her choice to lose weight--is there anything I can do to help her or should I just continue to sit back and wait?

Hi corn99 http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

The best thing you can do is keep your mouth shut about it. Not trying to be rude, just being blunt with you. If you haven't been overweight, and I mean really overweight -- not the 5 or 10 pounds almost everyone thinks they need to lose -- you don't know what it's like.

You don't know what it's like to feel overweight, to be treated the way overweight people are treated and to be lectured to, looked down on, and just generally despised by everyone thinner than you. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/mad.gif I'm sure your mother knows all abouty the health risks associated with obesity. I sincerely doubt there is anything you can tell her about it that she doesn't already know.

And remember, unsolicited advice is nothing more than veiled criticism. I mean, think about it, when someone gives you advice that you haven't asked for, then the implication is that they think you are doing something wrong and are not bright enough to figure things out on your own!

When your mother "hits bottom" she will make the decision to lose the weight herself. Nothing you can say is going to bring her to that point. If you want to show your love for her just keep your mouth shut about her weight. You can be supportive if she brings up the topic herself, but don't push your opinions on her.

I speak from experience -- I was a heavy smoker for years. The more everyone nagged me about it; the more irritated I became and the less likely I was to quit. I finally made up my mind to quit (not because of any nagging or harassment from family or friends) and I did quit over a year ago. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif If I hadn't decided to quit on my own I'm sure nothing my family and friends had to say about it would have had any effect except to make me mad and maybe delay my quitting!

Good luck to you and your mom.
Kim

Hi Members: I was an all american good-looking young man....when suddenly I was started gaining weight for whatever reason. I was told it was hereditary.

It is very refreshing to read the opinions above. I know that my weight plays an important role with my health. Honestly, there can be such discriminatory practices against some obese people. Especially CPP or others who are sick.

Unfornuately, we do not live in a perfect world. There are such good points that have been made...that I only wish to offer my support to all and especially those who are are overweight.

May good karma and blessings be with all, Risky Business

Don't wanna be rude, but...isn't that like saying smokers should be allowed to smoke all they want and not blame thier health problems on smoking??? Smoking is an addiction much like over-eating....shouldn't we all be doing what we can to make ourselves healthy and taking responsibility for ourselves and our well-being?? Just a thought.........

Originally posted by meowza35:
Don't wanna be rude, but...isn't that like saying smokers should be allowed to smoke all they want and not blame thier health problems on smoking??? Smoking is an addiction much like over-eating....shouldn't we all be doing what we can to make ourselves healthy and taking responsibility for ourselves and our well-being?? Just a thought.........

Your response leaves me wondering whether you read even part of this thread or just read the title and decide what you "thought" it was about - because your analogy doesn't fit. No, it is not like saying that smokers should be allowed to smoke. The thread is not saying that it is good to be overweight. It is saying that weight is certainly responsible for some problems, but is not responsible for everything.

A closer parallel would be if a smoker went into the doctor with a hangnail and the doctor told him to quit smoking and sent him on his way. Yes, smoking is not good, but it has nothing at all to do with the hangnail.

I have made myself obese in a short period of time two years. Since then I have had strange female problems because of the high estrogen levels stored and slowly released in high amounts over a two year time span. I have sat for two years without a cycle and now have been having a constant cycle everyday for now 4 months. Sleap apnea from the weight of my chest going toward my neck. Poor posture from chest weight. I hear my knee cartlige crackling when extending my leg. When I lie down overnight I end up with stretch marks on my upper arms and abdomen. I can only imagine what the extra weight is doing to internal organs. I am 100 pounds of pure fat. I don't know about you but I've got to eliminate the causes of my problems through lifestlye changes - replacing anxiety eating with excercise and starting from square one on learning how to eat pure and simple unprocessed food just enough to survive the day - remember your body sends you signals of pain and discomfort when something is wrong or out of the normal range - you and you alone have the power to change yourself physically.

Hi all, I was just wondering if you've heard of something, a while back I had some blood tests done and they indicated borderline abnormalities in my liver function indicators, and after some tests, my doc concluded that it's fatty liver. Have any of you heard of this? It's supposedly a very common thing in overweight people, especially if you are overweight and have diabetes, but it can lead to some scarring of the liver I think. I've been taking vitamin e and trying to eat healthier, they also say yogurt and protein is good for your liver. It's just interesting, you really don't hear much about the liver, but it's one of the organs that takes alot of abuse from extra weight. I read where your liver dosen't know the difference between alcohol abuse, and fatty infiltration, so this fatty infiltration thing can be a progressive disease like cirrosis. Well, thanks in advance for any advice! Val