Doc wants me to do something I don't want to...

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • dbhost
    Slow and steady
    • Apr 2008
    • 9209
    • League City, Texas
    • Ryobi BT3100

    Doc wants me to do something I don't want to...

    It's no secret I have a weight problem that is causing other health issues.

    My PCP this past August gave me a referral to a medical center for either a radical liquid diet / weight loss program, or possibly a bypass...

    I am sick and tired of being overweight. I know I won't get a whole lot of sympathy from those that haven't been there, and that's not my point, but please hold off on judgement at least for a bit...

    I track my caloric intake, following the Dr. recommended program, and work out as often as possible. At least 30 minutes day / 4 days week of actual workout (typically over an hour), yet I still put on the weight.

    I am concerned that there were NO other tests aside from the scale to determine the CAUSE of the problem...

    I believe I mentioned I am watching what I eat. I rarely, and I mean RARELY eat red meat, sticking mostly to poultry and seafood, with fresh vegetables and plenty of fruits. I try to limit carbs blah blah blah...

    My blood sugar is fine, pressure is fine, etc... so it hasn't clobbered me too badly yet BUT...

    I am constantly fatigued, grumpy as all get out, and getting down right mad at my PCP because I feel she was too quick to jump to a diagnosis without getting full info... If I am following caloric intake recommendations and working out shouldn't I be losing this *#$% weight?

    I want to change my PCP over this, but I am not sure how I can find one that will take the time to work with me to find out what is actually going on. I mean what gives, am I sleep walking to the corner store and cleaning out their Twinkies at 2 am?!

    If I sound frustrated, there is a good reason. I am making good faith efforts to get this under control, and I see it not going the right way. Slowly slipping the wrong way actually. I am on acid blockers and have been for quite a while due to this, and I want to get down in size and off these stupid meds...

    Sorry if this is long winded, I am frustrated because I don't feel like my Doc is listening to me, and she wants me to do something that scares me to death. I have seen friends with bypass lose the weight and put it right back on... I don't want that in my life. I want the weight gone. Period, end of story... I want to be around for my family and this is really getting to me.

    Any ideas?
    Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.
  • russde
    Forum Newbie
    • Aug 2013
    • 50

    #2
    Dave,
    First, my sympathy, not because of your 'problem', but because of your doctor. My wife is a Family Medicine physician and her first response (after the requisite and appropriate medical tests) would have been to refer you to a nutritionist. You might see about a referral to one, you never know, it might turn out to be a good idea.
    I was a fat kid, but lost it all when I hit ~17 y.o., so I do NOT know what it's like...that said, I recently have gone to what I term a 'modified paleo' diet. At it's most basic, the paleo diet is LOTS of veggies, LOTS of meat (the red kind too), some fruits, and a moderate amount of nuts, eggs are ok too. NO grains (no bread, no rice, no oatmeal, etc).
    My modifications are to basically add beans which the strict paleo folks don't like and I still eat dairy.
    I did this for a couple of reasons, weight loss wasn't one of them...and I still have lost 11 lbs in four months. I started at 197 in late July and weighed in at the doctors office Monday at 186; I stand 6' even.
    So, it's worth a shot. Read up on the theory behind paleo, it's quite interesting...some of it I don't buy into, but in every niche crowd there a few wacko's, but overall it makes sense...the only thing I am waiting on is to have my cholesterol checked again after a full year of this diet. My starting numbers were very good, so if they've gotten worse it pretty well has to be the diet...if they've stayed the same, well, it won't prove anything other than I've got good genes despite the fact that both my parents were on high blood pressure meds and beta blockers.
    Good luck,
    R

    Comment

    • cwsmith
      Veteran Member
      • Dec 2005
      • 2737
      • NY Southern Tier, USA.
      • BT3100-1

      #3
      dbhost,

      It certainly can't hurt for you to go get a second opinion, and a "nutritionist" doesn't sound like a bad idea to me, although I've never seen one myself.

      A couple of decades ago, I found myself in a similar position of gaining weight, and always exhausted. My weight actually wasn't terrible, but considering that I was always a pretty skinny guy (weighed 117 when I got married in 1967... I'm six ft) and in the late 70's I was still about 140. But in the late 80's I had gained almost 50 lbs.

      My Doctor at the time said I was just working too hard, and every visit I got the same thing from him. I was at a point where I thought I was severely sick, I was so tired with headaches, etc. I called to make another appointment and fortunately for me, my regular Doctor was on vacation. So I saw another physician... he took one look at me and asked what kind of blood tests had I taken. The answer was none! With that, I got a battery of test and was found to be hypoglycemic. A quick change in my habits, including diet, found me feeling far better.

      That particular physician retired soon after and I found myself with a new younger doctor, who I still see today. He keeps very good track of me. I'm Type II diabetic now, but all is under control. I presently stand at 172, have a lot more energy and other than a recent colon operation (big surprise for me), I'm in pretty good shape.

      For me it wasn't just about cutting calories, but actually about the kinds of food I was eating, how often, and the quantity. I now eat several times a day, small snack-like portions; do a lot of walking too.

      But, everybody is different, and you need to have a physician who will take the time to look at you personally, and analyse your diet, habits, and family history in order to get you back to feeling good.

      CWS
      Think it Through Before You Do!

      Comment

      • AAJIII
        Established Member
        • Jan 2003
        • 306
        • WANAQUE, NJ, USA.
        • Steel City 10" table saw

        #4
        weight

        I too am overweight and had a heart attack last December, had three stents put in.

        I am also a type II diabetic and have hypothyroidism.

        If you have not had your thyroid checked I think you should as some of your symptoms point in that direction, mine is well controlled with medication.

        Al
        AL JEWELL

        Comment

        • LCHIEN
          Internet Fact Checker
          • Dec 2002
          • 20914
          • Katy, TX, USA.
          • BT3000 vintage 1999

          #5
          Switching Drs. is not easy but it seems like you have lost confidence or the ability to communicate effectively with yours.
          Perhaps a new Dr. or a visit to a specialist MD (Endocrinologist) will be able to pinpoint problems such as thyroid as suggested.
          Loring in Katy, TX USA
          If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
          BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

          Comment

          • All Thumbs
            Established Member
            • Oct 2009
            • 322
            • Penn Hills, PA
            • BT3K/Saw-Stop

            #6
            Have you had your thyroid function checked? It can be tricky, I've heard many doctors don't order the right test. You can check your temperature in the mornings and afternoons and if they are low that is a very good sign your thyroid isn't functioning properly and you should be referred to an endocrinologist. If your temps are low do not allow a doctor to just explain it away, insist on a referral.

            Comment

            • durango dude
              Senior Member
              • Mar 2011
              • 934
              • a thousand or so feet above insanity
              • 50s vintage Craftsman Contractor Saw

              #7
              [bible humor] Mark 5:26 [/bible humor]

              Jokes aside ---

              Endocrinology might help you more than a GP.

              I had a chemical imbalance that when fixed ----- helped me drop from 250 to 210. You might have a bigger magnitude problem than this ----- but fixing my body's chemistry helped me a ton ----- I even started woodworking, again! In my case - it was testosterone. You can see here that thyroid glands can make a difference. Pituitary glands can do similar things. (they all connect and send chemical signals to one another).

              Good body chemistry can help solve a ton of problems - but you need someone that understands the entire body - and understands how everything connects.

              HOping for the best for you!

              Comment

              • capncarl
                Veteran Member
                • Jan 2007
                • 3564
                • Leesburg Georgia USA
                • SawStop CTS

                #8
                Stomach bypass scares the heck out of me. It doesn't even sound right, like trying to control blood pressure by tying off a couple of veins and arteries hoping it will choke down the flow. Everyone that I know that had this procedure done had problems and eventually regained their weight back. Not sure they are still with us either. Find yourself another Dr.
                capncarl

                Comment

                • Knottscott
                  Veteran Member
                  • Dec 2004
                  • 3815
                  • Rochester, NY.
                  • 2008 Shop Fox W1677

                  #9
                  You're already doing most of the common things people think of to lead to weight loss. The body adapts pretty easily to whatever routine we throw at it. I know that muscle burns more fat, so it's smart to include weight training/resistance training aimed at muscle development in your workout routine. Also, if you're well conditioned for your cardio workout, you could increase the intensity of it, and/or change the type of cardio exercise you do.

                  Aside from the afore mentioned medical diagnostics, seeing a well trained and motivated nutritionist and personal trainer who work together could offer some insights. Good luck!
                  Last edited by Knottscott; 12-10-2014, 08:35 AM.
                  Happiness is sort of like wetting your pants....everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.

                  Comment

                  • leehljp
                    Just me
                    • Dec 2002
                    • 8429
                    • Tunica, MS
                    • BT3000/3100

                    #10
                    Another minor item to watch for: Personality and speaking style. In working with people and myself included, some people are not listened to very well even though they are more focused and pointed towards the solution than others. It is not the personality but the speech patterns and even assertiveness of the person.

                    I went to 4 doctors with extremely hurting back over several years and could not get a single doctor to do an x-ray. And I had a broken bone in my lower back. I have a high frequency hearing loss and tried to get an appointment for a hearing test through several doctors in Japan and when at home every furlough. LOML went with me the last time and was amazed at how the doctor made up his own mind just casually listening to me. Then she insisted only once and he ordered me a hearing test. (one doctor in Tokyo pulled out a tuning fork, tapped it and stuck it physically to my ear and pronouced me OK) No, it is not selective hearing but mid range and high range loss.

                    I don't have this communication problem among peers, just doctors. I have noticed that among peers, there is a select group who have their own style that most others just dismiss as irrelevant, when in fact they are the most focused.

                    HOW something is said or asked determines the results as much as the content. Be insistant that you are serious. Ask pointed questions.
                    Hank Lee

                    Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!

                    Comment

                    • capncarl
                      Veteran Member
                      • Jan 2007
                      • 3564
                      • Leesburg Georgia USA
                      • SawStop CTS

                      #11
                      Get ready for it, this is the kind of Doctoring we are in for with one on one online Dr. visits. Listen to the patient, pick his treatment plan from his list of treatment options, give you his prescription for treatment for you to take to your " approved" medical facility for scheduling.
                      capncarl

                      Comment

                      • LinuxRandal
                        Veteran Member
                        • Feb 2005
                        • 4889
                        • Independence, MO, USA.
                        • bt3100

                        #12
                        Originally posted by leehljp
                        I don't have this communication problem among peers, just doctors. I have noticed that among peers, there is a select group who have their own style that most others just dismiss as irrelevant, when in fact they are the most focused.

                        HOW something is said or asked determines the results as much as the content. Be insistant that you are serious. Ask pointed questions.
                        I agree with the communication issue. I come from a family that have a couple of nurses in it. There are doctors/nurses/medical professionals who think things are common knowledge, but not if one hasn't ever experienced, or heard of them. They also can try to direct questions to direct you down a path, that they have predetermined in their mind or are getting benefits from (like prescribing a brand of drugs, etc). I certainly wouldn't be afraid to say, "doc, is that ALL the options", and ask for it to be included in the report.
                        She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.

                        Comment

                        • dbhost
                          Slow and steady
                          • Apr 2008
                          • 9209
                          • League City, Texas
                          • Ryobi BT3100

                          #13
                          I've seen the blood tests, cholesterol (lipids are a tad high, calcium was high, everything else seemed okay). There was no test for Thyroid as the Dr. insisted that it couldn't be a problem...

                          I have seen a nutritionist, and I actually eat fairly decently. I make concerted efforts to get fruit and veggies in my diet, restrict breads and other needless / simple carbs, always have a touch of protein with the carbs etc...

                          I do think I need to work with an endocrinologist as I seriously doubt my internist is spending enough time, or thought time / energy on this...
                          Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.

                          Comment

                          • atgcpaul
                            Veteran Member
                            • Aug 2003
                            • 4055
                            • Maryland
                            • Grizzly 1023SLX

                            #14
                            I'd definitely vote for finding another doctor for at least a second opinion. She also may be over her head and seeing the weight loss place may give you a referral to an endocrinologist as others here have suggested.

                            I went to my GP--whom I had never met before--to get stitches to my forehead after an event, and after taking my blood pressure once determined I had high blood pressure and wrote me a prescription for meds. I did remember after I left the office that my phone had vibrated in my pocket just about the time he took my BP. He measured my BP one more time about 10-15 minutes after the first one to confirm. Still high, but what to do expect? I've got a gash in my head you haven't attended to and now I'm worried I've got high BP?

                            There's no history of high blood pressure in my family. I consulted with the nurse at work and she had me come to her office every day for about two weeks and recorded my BP. I was riding my bike regularly during that time, etc. Anyway, fit a fiddle. She figured it was probably just "white coat syndrome". I went back to the same GP (he was in network) for a follow-up after a month and everything was fine.

                            Doctors are people, too, and also capable of making mistakes from lack of information or past biases.

                            I hope you can find a good resolution to your situation

                            Comment

                            • dbhost
                              Slow and steady
                              • Apr 2008
                              • 9209
                              • League City, Texas
                              • Ryobi BT3100

                              #15
                              Thanks,

                              Yeah I am going to work on finding another internist to go over the issue with. I like my PCP, but she's kind of myopic on the weight issue. I totally understand it, but I AM doing what I need to to get it off, but it's not going well, and her course of treatment that is recommended I find far too invasive / extreme. Especially if indeed it is something out of whack. There are a LOT of other symptoms that seemed to get glossed over...

                              Yes I do agree it might be a case of white coat syndrome... It happens, which is why we seek second opinions, I just don't want to hear "And you're ugly too!"
                              Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.

                              Comment

                              Working...