To complain about my G.P.?

[growinglavender]

Would I be unreasonable to put in a complaint?

I have gained five stone over the last two years, going from a healthy 10 stone to just over 15. I look shocking and it's had a hugely detrimental impact on me.

I went to the G.P. when I was at breaking point with everything and I made it clear my weight gain was very upsetting for me.

She prescribed medication (anti depressants) which is apparently also prescribed for people and animals to GAIN weight!

I am wondering if I should put a complaint in, but I don't know how and would I be the surgery equivalent of "that parent" at school?

Thanks. Just got to keep trying. Nil desperandum (?)

I like you have gained 5 stone in the past two years and am now 15 stone. My weight problem started when I broke my ankle and was house bound. I went to gp regarding ankle pain and he lay into me about my weight ( I wasn't bothered about it at this point and assumed I'd lose it once back to work ) this then became my biggest insecurity and has had to opposite effect and snow balled.
Last time I went about anke/weight in general the gp told me to "starve myself" "keep that hungry feeling" and to "go to bed if I want to eat" I was appalled and would hate to think what would happen if he spoke to someone with a ED like that.
I now don't even mention my weight to the gp and am doing it on my own they are useless regarding weight in my experience.

Funny, i've tried 5 different anti depressants and have specifically asked about the weight gain side effect and been told it has never been proven that any anti depressant is actually the cause of the weight gain. It is believed the weight gain is circumstantial to the person they are prescribed to having unhealthy eating patterns, or in cases of those who were under eating due to depression/anxiety etc, it stabilises their mood and their eating patterns, NOT by making them hungry, or affecting how their body processes calories, but by controlling their erratic mood.

The absolute ONLY reason possible weight gain or loss are put on the side effect lists of anti depressants is because by law they have to list every single thing the person in the trial stage reports, even if it is nothing to do with the medication, just in case it MIGHT be. Hence why so many medications list headaches as a side effect, if someone who is trialing the medication gets a headache during the period they are taking it, they have to report it and it has to be put on the side effect list.

Several doctors have assured me this is the only reason weight changes are on side affect lists for these type of medications, because as they begin to control mood the patient regains their "normal" eating patterns and either start eating more and gain weight, or eating less and lose weight.

Lavender, you clearly didn't read my post and just jumped on the defensive. Perhaps this what you also did with the GP? This is something you are clearly (and very understandably!) sensitive about and Id suggest you are overreacting.
The GP isn't out to get you. They have your best interests at heart but nobody is perfect and maybe they haven't made the right choice for you. This is a perfectly legitimate reason to go and see you GP, to tell them everything you've told us and to discuss your concerns!

The GP hasn't for my best interests at heart at all, the GP has the GPS best interests at heart. I was perfectly polite to the GP but as I've said, it was fairly obvious that they weren't listening to me. And in fairness beige you started your post by telling me I was frustrating you. Like I say, don't post then. Being a fat piece of shit frustrates me, too.

Please don't take it out on your GP! Your problems are not her fault! You went for one appointment, refused any of the things she suggested, and now won't go back. Making a complaint is completely ridiculous and will just get you labelled as a difficult patient. If you really think you can't get on with this GP, then go to a different doctor. But it sounds like you have very complex problems and no doctor is going to be able to solve everything in one appointment - you need to be realistic and be willing to persevere to find a solution.

If you got on better with the nurse then perhaps you could go back to see her again and discuss your concerns with her?

If you don't want counselling, weight watchers, anti depressants, or blood tests, then what is it you do want? If you can get it clear in your mind what you would like to happen, then go for another chat with the nice nurse, that may be a way forward. Give people a chance to help you.

I have to say I agree with OP that sometimes GPs do not have patients' best interests at heart. Sometimes they just go through the motions and don't really bother to think things through. Also, if a GP makes a mistake the fact that they may have had your best interests at heart is not much consolation. Having said that, I agree that in this case the GP issue is a bit of a red herring.

You are right that only you can do this OP, but having some help with changing your thoughts and perhaps meds of some kind too may be the help you need to make it more doable.

Do you feel anger and contempt towards other fat people, or just yourself? I hate to hear you describe yourself in such negative ways as I deeply believe it to be inaccurate and just your frustration talking.

Most GPs only have 10 minutes to listen to you ask questions and come up with a solution. They are problem solvers not counsellors. You say you don't want a counsellor but are complaining that the GP didn't behave like a counsellor in not listening to you for as long as you wanted her too.
The Gps options are to give you a prescription or to refer you.

I think going to the G.P. is a bit pointless really and unfair, it's for ill people and I'm not ill. Fat, not ill!

This is completely incorrect. You are ill.

Many, many GPs are overstretched and under-informed about mental illness, especially eating disorders and depression. They are generalists, not specialists (hence the name). You need to take any referral you can get to someone more specialised - counsellor, psych, etc.

A few years ago, I screwed up my courage to tell my GP that I had had untreated bulimia for 20+ years. He seemed completely uninterested. His response was that I wouldn't be eligible for any of the eating disorder programs because my BMI was healthy. I cried all the way home.

I subsequently went to see a psychologist, who said he was completely wrong. She had me on an outstanding govt-funded programme within weeks. It changed my life.

Please keep pushing and advocating for yourself. You are worth it.

I don't necessarily think you should complain but you need to go back and explain its not an appropriate drug for you. My GP recently said 'I won't prescribe you mirtazapine as you'll gain weight and won't tolerate it' despite me having horrendous insomnia and I'm not currently overweight. Your GP has not thought it through at all.

Mirtazapine is used as an appetite stimulant in cats who are not eating for medical reasons. Doesn't work every time.

I wouldn't complain but I would ask for a different antidepressants.
The issue is the overeating and this is something that at least you can start managing yourself via reading and self help books.
If things then don't improve after a couple of months you can ask for blood tests.

Your issue is weight gain due to your MH and gp rightly so suggests counseeling which YOU refuse because of experience and would not even give it chance.

Does blood tests too to make sure its not anything else

Prescribes medication which could cause weight gain but also may not and you want to complain?

MADNESS.

Even thought they can cause weight gain it is what you eat that makes you gain, they increase the appetite though.

Some GPs are not experts in there, I had to take mine a print out from online and we looked together at finding one suitable for breastfeeding, after, she asked if could keep the info for future patients.

I think if you go in with a 'what can we do about this' attitude rather than complaining, that will help, with the GP. But understand when depressed it is sometimes difficult to do this.

Also, as you probably know, some meds are sedating and others more stimulating. For example prozac the latter. So it may be a case of trying another. HTH.

PS this is from someone who was on mirtazapine with olanzapine, a very bad comb for weight gain, I asked and though the psych had never tried the combination before, he used prozac instead of the former, then with time it improved.

The mirtazepine was maybe suggested because you complained of insomnia. It is sedating so she maybe was listening to you and hoping that if it helped you sleep and improved your depression then it would stop the nocturnal binging.

2rebecca yes that's what i'm thinking.
The op can't rely on sleeping tablets forever.
It's a very good medication for depression and anxiety, and great for insomnia.
Sounds like the gp is thinking of the op.
Once the op gets her m/h in order, she can get her b/e in order.
This drug though doesn't always make you put on weight!
Some people don't have any problems on it.
Its the same with any medication.

Thanks. I did say, to the person who posted in the early hours of the morning, that I wouldn't be complaining.

I haven't cancelled the appointment so I might as well go and explain I am a bit concerned about the medication. I feel pressured to get a repeat prescription, though.

Bizarrely, I feel like my appetite has decreased. Perhaps that's because of the hot weather though? Not sure. Anyway, I do feel a tiny bit brighter today. I've got a lot going on just now and it's hard to think clearly when you feel very low.

I used to binge eat & eat all the wrong foods so was quite overweight. Then I got psychosis & was very paranoid so my psychiatrist tried risperidone (sp?) & I piled on over a stone in a month. I was then taken off that drug & put on another anti psychotic - I slowly recovered but the end result was that I was 14st which was obese for my height. So my gp referred me to an NHS dietitian.
The dietician worked out my basal metabolic rate & how many calories I should eat to lose weight- it was 1500 cals. She also did a bit of cbt with me to stop the bingeing.
I recommend seeing a different gp & asking for a referral - you may not get it but try. If not try a personal trainer as they help with diet as well as exercise & some are cheaper than others. Or you can use the internet to work out your basal metabolic rate & ideal calorie intake for weight loss.
Long story short I stopped bingeing & lost 3st so far & feel so much happier.

I don't really use calories so that's ok.

Because I had MH issues I couldn't cook much as I was very depressed etc etc, also I like to snack.
So I found snacks that were under 3 grams saturated fat & low sugar.
I cut out cakes, chocolate, sweets, crisps, chips etc.
I had to go cold turkey as I knew I would binge on those things if I had just one bite of them.
The thing is, to lose weight you have to be mentally prepared as it can be very hard. Food is like an addiction just like smoking or alcohol.
I did have lots of slip ups but now I'm lying here on holiday in a bikini! I will probably have to watch my weight forever as I'm still on meds & I still have a stone to lose.

You will need to be strong to stop bingeing, like any addiction you need to really really be ready to give it up.

It's not really a MH issue, being greedy! I guess I just get bored.

There could be underlying issues to why your overeating though!

I think boredom is one reason I used to binge. My dietician said to find something else to do when bored. Like make a cup of tea or do housework.
I still occasionally binge but I've swapped the unhealthy food for healthy food eg I'll have a box of raspberries instead of having a bag of haribo.

I know kali but I think freya is pushing things in another direction.