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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Blistory · 05/05/2016 20:47

Thanks, PD

SpinnakerInTheEther · 05/05/2016 20:47

At the hospital, when I was pregnant, you were sent from antenatal to get the routine bloods done, in a different department. Joined a big queue for collecting the blood. The nurse just did them - not much conversation. Then you just until the results come in.

TattyCat · 05/05/2016 20:48

It's at the hospital, Tatty, not the surgery.

Good. That's less painful!!

SpinnakerInTheEther · 05/05/2016 20:51

One of the surgeries, I was at once, had a brilliant nurse who was good at taking blood. She was good, hardly felt a thing. My GP recommended going when she was in !

Original poster

Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 20:54

I don't mind any potential pain but I was just a bit anxious and upset.

Will try to shift the excess weight.

OP posts:

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 05/05/2016 21:03

I think I can understand a bit how you feel wet. I can remember seeing my GP years ago and being asked if I wanted help losing weight as she could prescribe me diet pills. I was slightly overweight at the time but I left feeling absolutely awful (and I refused the pills). The irony was she was bigger than me! It made me feel bloody awful as I hadn't even gone about my weight!

I've recently been offered an over 40s health check by my surgery and I've refused. I know people will think I'm stupid an irresponsible but my fear of needles is so bad that there's no way I can have what to me is an unnecessary blood test. The logical side of me knows it's not unnecessary but it doesn't make any difference, I can't do it. When I mentioned my phobia to one of the GPs he laughed at me and called me a baby. Some GPs needs to brush up on their people skills and not make you feel like shit!

CastielsClevererBetterSister · 05/05/2016 21:03

OP I feel for you. My GPs always mention it. I am way more than 2 stone overweight (more like 8!) But everytime someone said something to me I was instantly defensive, felt as though it was a slur on my personality and that i was just a bad lazy pointless person. They may well have been trying to help me but they were having the opposite effect. I do not know of one overweight person who has said to a doctor "yes you're right! I am fat and I must be thin!" Overweight people know they are such, IQ is not inversely proportional to weight!
The blood tests - is there a phlebotomy clinic at your local hospital? Mine has one and the hours suit those working much more. I think they are even open on a Saturday occasionally.

expatinscotland · 05/05/2016 21:04

'One of the surgeries, I was at once, had a brilliant nurse who was good at taking blood. She was good, hardly felt a thing. My GP recommended going when she was in ! grin'

Our GP is like this. Seriously, when he takes blood, you hardly feel a thing. It's a gift.

CastielsClevererBetterSister · 05/05/2016 21:04

Sorry X post!

SpinnakerInTheEther · 05/05/2016 21:05

Just do what you can, OP. Losing weight does not happen overnight anyway.

Personally I find low carb effective. Good for controlling blood sugar, if you think you might be at risk of problems. Helps control the appetite too. I've a spiraliser so make spaghetti out of courgettes and I like cauliflower rice and mash. Easy substitutes for a lot of the carbs in meals. There is plenty of dietary advice on the boards on here, which might help you.

frumpet · 05/05/2016 21:07

Are you obese or overweight ?

No you would not know if you had type ll diabetes , your heart and kidneys would know but not you , well not just yet anyway , people often don't have any really bad symptoms until much later .

I cannot help but think that you are worried that by having the blood tests you might actually have to make some quite serious changes to your current lifestyle ( this is why I avoid DR's and I am a HCP )

Are you over 40 ? you can be naughty till 40 , but then your body will lose the ability to maintain its equilibrium , after that it is all down to you I am afraid

KayTee87 · 05/05/2016 21:07

I think you sound demoralised and perhaps a bit depressed about your weight. These tests may force you to face issues caused by your weight which in turn you think will make you feel even more depressed.
I do think it's really very important you get the tests, I think your GP is doing a great job by suggesting them. Do you think he could have picked up on the fact you were a bit embarrassed and upset at the appointment and that's why he kept asking if there was anything you wanted to say?
Look at it this way, if the tests say you've no issues yet then great and you can continue losing a little bit of weight every week / month (well done on the half stone loss btw that's wonderful and shows you do know how to lose weight even if you've put it back on due to knee injury). If the tests show that you might have a couple of issues then it will give you even more incentive to get healthy.
Don't look at it that you have 2 stone to lose, that's overwhelming, look at it like you have 4 x half stones to lose - break it down into manageable chunks.
Please don't have the attitude of 'rather not know if there's anything wrong'. I know you're demoralised but it is quite selfish as I'm sure you have people that love you and if you did have a stroke for instance would have to care for you.
I noticed what you said about your husband, if he feels strongly about your weight then rope him into helping your weight loss, 30 minute walk together every evening, going for a swim and sauna once a week together, not keeping any bad food in the house, my friends husband gave her a pound for every pound she lost as a kind of jokey way to encourage her.

Original poster

Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 21:09

I am still in my thirties - got quite a while to go until I turn 40 :)

I haven't always been fat; it takes some getting used to. I am obese, but only just (in fairness) not that it makes much difference but I mean it doesn't stop me doing ordinary things.

I don't smoke, and am in fact teetotal. It tends to be takeaways as I don't like cooking and chocolate and cake and things like that.

OP posts:

KayTee87 · 05/05/2016 21:13

You could ask your husband if he would be interested in going on a cookery course together, it could be a hobby that leads to a better lifestyle. Learn how to make 6 staple healthy meals and have them once a week each and only one takeaway on a Friday or Saturday night for instance. You're just stuck in a rut and lacking energy by the sounds of it, you've nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about so please don't worry about the tests.

Lweji · 05/05/2016 21:18

I hope you do go.

Not wanting to scare you, but I met an old friend, yesterday, who's had diabetes since his late twenties. He is now 50 and is blind of one eye, very poor sight on the other, and just came back from hospital after a stroke.
At bloody 50!

He was obese, but not hugely.

Anyway, always better to check it out for a little discomfort or one or two hours out of work and detect anything early on.

PacificDogwod · 05/05/2016 21:44

Seriously, when he takes blood, you hardly feel a thing. It's a gift.

IME and IMO, while there is of course a technique to taking blood and having good fine motor control helps, taking blood well and painlessly is mainly down to practice (people who do it often and lots are better at it) AND luck (there is no way of telling whether you are going to hit a nerve awkwardly) and the individual's skin: some people quite literally have a thicker hide which is more difficult to get through.

I, even if I say so myself, fecking rock at taking blood but only with my lucky tourniquet.

Whether you're technically overweight or obese, you are clearly unhappy about your weight and you are aware that it would be good for your health if there was less 'extra' of you.
I hope some of this thread is helpful to you, whether you decide to have the blood tests done or not.

Original poster

Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 21:46

Thanks.

I can cook, but just don't really enjoy it so try to avoid where possible :)

Pacific well we'll see, I don't think anybody overweight just decides they will stay that way but sometimes changing can do more harm than good.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 05/05/2016 21:54

I had no idea, Pacific. I know my right arm is better for it.

I did have someone hit an artery once trying to get a cannula in. Now that was a mess. Also scared the shit out of me.

SpinnakerInTheEther · 05/05/2016 21:55

Batch cooking might be your friend. Just cook a big pot of something then freeze in individual portions. You need to cook less often that way.

Lillylol · 05/05/2016 22:06

You don't have to go for these tests if you don't want to. Your body. Your health is your responsibility though so ultimately you need to lose weight so you don't get any of these weight related problems. Its not easy but if it means you avoid trouble then its definitely something you could do. No one else can do it for you and better to lose the weight than have to take medication.
Can I ask how much you do weigh?

BeauGlacons · 05/05/2016 22:24

Hmm, not sure. Have had many an HCA/murse bugger ip taking my blood. Never a phlebotomist or a doctor.

That rather snappy "it's easier if you relax" tone doesn't help. especially after that cheap band thing, that I can see isn't fit for purpose has already snapped twice

Two rules a) I expect to know what yje tests are for; b) I expect an appointment, oh and c) I expect a printed copy of the results.

OP I understand though. I had a dexa scan last year and the result came back with a note such as "patient's obesity may have impacted accuracy of the result". I was 6lb over my BMI. This sorts of messages really don"t help. Neither did the lady who went through my carefully drafted answers toba long questionnaire inspire confidence. I'm not an HCP but neither do I have fewer brain cells than an amoeba and there is no need to address members of the public (customers in my language) as though they are from a species less developed than pond life.

Summerwood1 · 05/05/2016 22:46

I always have what ever tests that I'm offered,bit like an mot. I think if there is anything wrong with me I'd like to know as soon as possible to get it treated before it's too late. That's me though,I know we're all different and have different views on such things. Op if I was you I'd take the tests. We are lucky that we don't have to pay for health care (apart from taxes).

Original poster

Wetbankhols · 06/05/2016 09:50

i think I'll shift some weight first :) thanks for advice xx

OP posts:

MrsBobDylan · 06/05/2016 10:58

You're feeling upset and defensive as you went in for a knee injury and your GP went off topic and focussed on your weight. Yanbu to find that invasive and upsetting BUT if you can put those feelings to one side, the offer of a blood test is great.

Most likely it'll all confirm you're fine and you can focus on loosing weight knowing that you are in good health.

I felt very irritated at being sent for a blood test to check for gestational diabetes and was bloody annoyed as I felt sure I was fine. I have a child with type 1 so I thought I'd just know. I found out I'm a jerk as I did have it and will be have a blood test every year now on going. I'm so grateful that they sent me for that blood test.

Please go op.

Lweji · 06/05/2016 11:06

I have to say that focusing on loosing the weight sounds like an avoidance measure.

Best case, you'll be reassured that all is fine.
Worst case, you'll have more of a drive to lose weight and if you were to need medication it would be better earlier than later.

Whatever he noticed could just be that you haven't had any tests in a long time.

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