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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not go for these blood tests?

153 replies

Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 16:54

I went to see my doctor (this is quite rare by the way as I hate going) but I had really hurt my knee, and needed some strong painkillers as the over the counter stuff wasn't helping.

He was nice enough but insisted on weighing me even though I kept saying it was ok.

Obviously, I was obese which I already knew.

He wanted to put me on a weight management programme and insisted on sending me for blood tests which are between 8 and 11 Monday to Friday.

AIBU to not go? I get that they have to follow guidelines and I don't mind that but it's a big inconvenience out of my day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:15

I don't know what bad move op means.

OP posts:
TattyCat · 05/05/2016 19:16

The place is open every day Monday-Friday, and it is BECAUSE I am at work that going at that time will be difficult.

You didn't say why, just said you were 'busy'.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:19

I realise there are times when someone holding back pertinent detail might lead to harsher treatment, but this was not one of those times, whether I was at work or not it did not warrant that over the top and unpleasant response.

OP posts:
MiffleTheIntrovert · 05/05/2016 19:21

In fairness OP, if you keep starting these drip feeding/goady threads people are going to bite.

As I've just proved, I suppose!

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:24

'keep starting' what? Confused

OP posts:
TattyCat · 05/05/2016 19:24

Take a half day off! If your health doesn't matter to you then why should anyone else bother?

The NHS is not a nannying-adults-service FFS. Take responsibility for YOUR OWN HEALTH and stop expecting doctors to be bloody mind readers! They're busy; they're stretched; they're not bloody God. Own your own body and manage your time according to priority.

FlyingElbows · 05/05/2016 19:24

Tatty, read between the lines and back off a bit. There's no need for your aggressive approach and it's not going to help a woman who needs encouragement and reassurance.

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 05/05/2016 19:25

Don't be ignorant- You might not know you have type 2 diabetes. Or high cholesterol. Both often occur with no symptoms but cause awful issues behind the scenes.

You don't need to have them done but why wouldn't you?

You admit you are obese cause you overeat. Shouldn't you deal with this before your health does become an issue which it very likely will due to your size.

FlaviaAnsell · 05/05/2016 19:25

If you rarely see your doctor, he probably just wants to run some basic checks to get an overall picture of your health, and also to have a record so that he can see if anything changes.

My gp did this a while ago when I went with a strained muscle, and it did show up a problem I wasn't aware of, which might have become serious if not addressed.

SpinnakerInTheEther · 05/05/2016 19:28

Well, it is your choice. However, as previous posters have said, diabetes / high cholesterol can go undetected. You sound like you felt somewhat judged at the doctors. I think though, when you go for tests, the results will not be straight away, you would only have to speak to someone about your health if the results meant you were called back. Another alternative would to be get the tests done privately, if you can afford it, this might make you feel more in control. So I suppose it depends how confident you are regarding your health as it stands.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:28

It's not that simple to always get time off for non urgent appointments, Tatty, and there really is no need to be quite so confrontational with me.

I was just genuinely very surprised as on the rare occasion I've seen the GP before they can't get rid of me fast enough! Today was odd, as I said he kept asking if there was anything I wanted to tell him and then these blood tests.

I don't think I have drip feed; I'm obese I will admit that, but it's not currently causing health problems. I don't mind it being mentioned but it did end up being the focus of the appointment, which lasted a long time.

Anyway I'm obviously pissing people off Confused so I guess I'd best leave it!

OP posts:
ToadsforJustice · 05/05/2016 19:29

If it makes you feel any better OP, the GP is obliged to offer to weigh you and take blood samples as per the QOF contract. You did not have to step on the scales. You do not have to have the blood tests. If your GP was concerned, he would have taken a sample of your blood there and then - with your consent.

AndTakeYourPenguinWithYou · 05/05/2016 19:30

it is hard to address and I must admit I feel very self conscious and embarrassed now which means I will avoid the doctor in future!

It might be easier to address if you took advice from the Dr, instead of avoiding them and making things even worse for yourself.

P1nkP0ppy · 05/05/2016 19:30

ii'm not entirely sure my GP does know best based on a 10 minute appointment

That's ok then, I assume therefore that you won't be bothering him or any other medical service in future..........
Best of luck op Hmm

Blistory · 05/05/2016 19:30

I must admit I feel very self conscious and embarrassed now which means I will avoid the doctor in future

Aw, Wet, don't do that.

I don't think posters realise how demoralising it can be when someone forces you to confront an issue that you're avoiding and that affects your self esteem so much. There is a lot of shame and bravado involved and I think that comes across in your posts.

Forget the doctor for just now. What do you want to do ? Would you feel better if you approached them looking for advice on weight management ? That way it might not feel as if you're being hijacked anytime you make an appointment.

You don't need to consent to being weighed and I don't think it's particularly helpful so refuse if it makes you that uncomfortable but keep an eye on your weight yourself so you get to know what your normal is and how your weight changes. In relation to blood tests, no, they're not essential given your age and probably won't show any early signs of the damage that being overweight can cause but that just results in a false belief that everything's okay. You don't need a doctor to tell you that it won't be okay in the long run.

Losing weight isn't easy but it can be done - you just need to find something that works for you. There are huge health benefits even if you won't necessarily feel them but you will feel the huge social benefits that come with weight loss and beating your demons.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:30

Thanks, Toads, I didn't know that, must have been an unusually earnest GP :)

OP posts:
TattyCat · 05/05/2016 19:32

Tatty, read between the lines and back off a bit. There's no need for your aggressive approach and it's not going to help a woman who needs encouragement and reassurance.

Yes, and I don't think for one minute that any comment of mine will stop her from over eating. Which is the crux of the problem, because any Dr these days is going to concentrate on that.

So...I could say "aw, op, how awful for you" but that won't help her, will it? I could find myriad reasons for why she has health problems, but unless she addresses the obvious issues then an overstretched Dr is going to look at the obvious. I'm not being harsh, I'm being realistic.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:32

Thanks, Bilstory I have to admit I'm ridiculously upset by this thread so will leave it there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:33

But Tatty, I don't have health problems, I fell off a horse and hurt my knee.

I just wondered if this was routine, if I had to go, that sort of thing.

OP posts:
AndTakeYourPenguinWithYou · 05/05/2016 19:35

But Tatty, I don't have health problems, I fell off a horse and hurt my knee

You are obese, that is a health problem. And you don't know if you have any other health problems, do you? Hence the suggestion of blood tests to find out.

Lookit, if you don't want the excellent free care you are offered purely to make you healthier and live better, then say no. Nobody cares. But don't complain later on when you do have health problems and you've refused all help.

Blistory · 05/05/2016 19:37

Fucking hell. Give her a break - she's confessed to being a bit overweight, not to being the bloody Antichrist.

TurquoiseDress · 05/05/2016 19:38

OP YABU- in my opinon.

You went to see the GP with your painful/injured knee.

They are sending you for blood tests to rule out anything else going on.
It's totally up to you whether you go for this or not.

It sounds like you are obese. Being overweight can often put extra strain on the joints. I'm not saying this caused the injury but it's certainly not going to help the recovery.

Did you not ask the GP for an explanation of the blood tests they wanted to be checked?

It sounds like you were seeking stronger pain relief and nothing more.

Sounds like the GP was doing their job and doing a bit of a general health check up.

sonlypuppyfat · 05/05/2016 19:38

Of course it's a well known fact that bullying someone really helps

ToadsforJustice · 05/05/2016 19:40

GPs get a bit excited when a patient walks in with a sparse medical record. All manner of alerts appear on their computer screens and that's probably the reason why he insisted on weighing you so he could tick the box on your record. Did he take your blood pressure? Another tick. Did he talk about cervical screening? Did he ask for a urine sample? I expect he made a note to the admin staff to write to you to remind you to make the bloods appointment.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:42

Thanks, Toads

He didn't do any of that but I appreciate that they want a full picture, it's just slightly alarming when it hasn't happened before and when it isn't really explained. I'll get them done, it will have to wait until I have finished work though.

OP posts:
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