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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

aibu or was my doctor having a sly dig at my weight

233 replies

Foamybanana93 · 28/11/2018 12:55

so basically had an allergic reaction to a fabric plaster, it started weeping so went to the GP yesterday to check if i needed antibiotics, didn't even examine the area just looked at it and said i'll just give you 5 days antibiotics, she then asked if id ever been checked for diabetes and i said no i hadn't, she mumbled on something like because i have an infection i need to be checked for diabetes, can only assume this is a sly dig at my weight as i am a size 16-18, never had any issues before with my GP but this was someone completely new, aibu to feel a bit pissed off with this or am i over reacting Hmm

OP posts:
ThisIsWhatItSoundsLike · 28/11/2018 16:18

The OP went to the doctor about an allergic reaction to a plaster. I assume she is an adult who is aware of being overweight and doesn't need it pointing out when she goes in on a totally unrelated matter.

The gp and any other health professional is duty bound to assess any health related issues. It cannot be just assumed that patients are aware of their health needs and don't need advice or questioning about lifestyle choices.

Absolutely gps role to mention weight and point out any and all risks associated with it no matter what the original complaint.

OP think it was your own embarrassment here at play.

empmalswa · 28/11/2018 16:18

she didn't examine the area, she just looked at it

Eh?

NicoAndTheNiners · 28/11/2018 16:20

Looking at it is examining it. You don't need to poke it!

Workreturner · 28/11/2018 16:20

The OP went to the doctor about an allergic reaction to a plaster. I assume she is an adult who is aware of being overweight and doesn't need it pointing out when she goes in on a totally unrelated matter.

A stupid assumption

Ollivander84 · 28/11/2018 16:21

I can kind of get where OP is coming from
Waiting to go under GA for my HS, I was being lectured about smoking by the 3rd doctor when I eventually snapped, burst into tears and pointed out I had this shitty condition since I was 12, this was my first op for it and I had quit smoking 2 years ago and my flares had increased massively. Also that it was more likely I had it because my mum did, and she was 67 and had never smoked in her life
They've never mentioned smoking since Blush I was hungry, upset and worried about the GA

FadedRed · 28/11/2018 16:21

HCP’s can never ‘win’ when it comes to lifestyle issues.
When unhealthy lifestyle issues are mentioned, people complain that the Dr/nurse/whoever ‘Didn’t concentrate on the complaint I went to see them about, but had to have a go at me about my weight/smoking/alcohol/etc’.
But if lifestyle issues are not mentioned, then the patient is left to assume ‘Well, the Dr said nothing about my weight/the fags/ the booze, so it’s fine to carry on with them’.
And if you think that doesn’t happen? The number of times I had it said to me when doing BP/Diabetes/Asthma and similar reviews “Well the doctor never said anything about my weight/smoking etc.’
It’s part of HCP’s job to use any appropriate opportunity to do health promotion.

crispysausagerolls · 28/11/2018 16:23

Why are you completely ignoring what everyone is saying?

My father used to get horrific leg ulcers. Turned out to be caused my diabetes and a change of diet fixed it. YABVU, the reaction sounds relevant to diabetes and your weight wasn’t even mentioned!

If you’re unhappy with your weight, do something about it.

FadedRed · 28/11/2018 16:24

Cross post with ‘Ollivander’s’ post.
There are times when it’s appropriate and when it’s not.

CaMePlaitPas · 28/11/2018 16:29

I'm overweight and I've had this before.
It's not a sly dig, it's the doctor being professional - you are overweight OP, just like a lot of the population. Imagine the uproar if he/she didn't ask you this or didn't send you for the blood test and all of a sudden you started having vision problems, or developed gangrene and had to have your leg amputated?
You've got to get a bit tougher.

Peachyk · 28/11/2018 16:29

^^"The OP went to the doctor about an allergic reaction to a plaster. I assume she is an adult who is aware of being overweight and doesn't need it pointing out when she goes in on a totally unrelated matter."

But it's not unrelated is it? The op has an infection that wasn't healing, which is a direct sign of diabetes. Considering the additional direct risk factor of excess weight... i'd say the gp was spot on to want to rule out an underlying cause.
FfsConfused

Newmum0987 · 28/11/2018 16:33

I went to the docs for an overactive bladder and they did a diabetes test even though I'm a size 6/8. They will always test for it if you show a symptom even if you're sure you don't have it.

Coyoacan · 28/11/2018 16:37

Definitely the sooner diabetes is diagnosed the better the outcome. I live in a country where type 2 diabetes has been rife for many's the long year, mostly because so many people are addicted to coca cola. But sensible people manage their diet and live to a ripe old age with it.

And my cousin who is a GP in the UK says that she has cured people of type 2 diabetes.

I'm sorry you are so upset by your weight, OP, I know a lot of overweight people who look lovely, but it is detrimental to your health in lots of ways, if only the strain on your knees.

Kokapetl · 28/11/2018 16:43

Over a third of the adults at the GP surgery where I work have been tested. Most diagnoses are made without the patient having experienced any symptoms which is a good thing because it means action can be taken before the high blood sugar causes harm.

Mostly the tests happen when people come in for other things. This is standard / good practice. Also there are a significant minority who get diagnosed at a normal weight.

bringbackthestripes · 28/11/2018 17:01

YABU

If she wanted to know your weight and give you a talking to about it she would have put you on the scales. She didn’t.

She wants to make sure you don’t have diabetes. How rude of her to look out for any health related problems you may have Shock

dorisdog · 28/11/2018 17:06

I'm not going to join in with all the replies that are being over the top mean. I'm very aware that being overweight can be a result of all kinds of combinations of stress, work, lack of sleep, depression, medication, poverty etc and I wouldn't judge anyone.

However, doctors talk about weight all the time. My doctor is always commenting on whether I've gained weight or not! Usually pretty bluntly. They just see it through the lens of 'health' issues, although a good doctor will also 'weigh' up the kind of stressers that are on someone and whether that's a contributing factor. I wouldn't take it personally.

Junkmail · 28/11/2018 17:11

In the early stages there are frequently no symptoms with type 2 diabetes (aside from a wound that won’t heal...) I have seen elderly patients with ulcerated leg wounds who had dangerously uncontrolled diabetes and had no idea. The second indicator is your weight. Skinny people can also be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but it’s much more common in the overweight.

Why are you so suspicious of your doctor OP? Why would you assume expressing a concern for your health would indicate she is having a sly dig about your weight? Why would she need to have a sly dig if you are visibly overweight? I wish there was less sensitivity around this issue for doctors because they are there to advise you about your general health and if that means supporting you to slim down so you can be healthier then how is that a bad thing?? Don’t get hurt over it—it’s nothing personal, just a woman doing her job and you’d do well to take her advise and get tested too although to diagnose properly they should be testing for insulin levels in the blood also, not just sugar as elevated insulin levels are a better indication of the early stages of insulin resistance which leads to type 2 diabetes and will be easier to treat with diet and lifestyle changes.

Notan · 28/11/2018 17:13

But the doctor never mentioned her weight! Just a wound not healing?
FFS what am I missing here?

Notan · 28/11/2018 17:15

OP, it was never about your weight, it was about a wound not healing. If a scrawny person went in with the same wound, the GP would be equally concerned. The GP NEVER ONCE MENTIONED YOUR WEIGHT!
You're blooming paranoid about your weight. If you're that paranoid, do something about it!

EthelHornsby · 28/11/2018 17:16

Your GP is doing her job

Notan · 28/11/2018 17:17

Why are you all reading this as if the doctor mentioned her weight? He didn't! He mentioned diabetes in relation to a wound not healing!

Bloomburger · 28/11/2018 17:24

Confused, are you actually saying you're upset she didn't say you are overweight. You wanted her to yes?

Cherries101 · 28/11/2018 17:28

When wounds don’t heal appropriately diabetes is often suspected. As it’s more likely that people with central / boob /belly fat get it then of course your GP will talk to you about getting tested.

BlimeyCalmDown · 28/11/2018 17:30

it would definitely be type 2 she was thinking of and purely that you are overweight would be enough for her to offer you the test

Notan · 28/11/2018 17:30

But the GP NEVER MENTIONED HER WEIGHT!

ethelfleda · 28/11/2018 17:30

A GP - who’s job it is to asses your health - testing you for a weight related health condition is not the same as someone in the street ‘body-shaming’ you. She isn’t trying to upset you! Just doing her job!