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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:
Notan · 28/11/2018 17:32

The only person who mentioned weight here is the OP. She thinks, because a GP asks her to get tested for diabetes (for a wound not healing normally), that he/she said it because of her weight.

Notan · 28/11/2018 17:33

But the doctor was only concerned about the wound not healing!

Notan · 28/11/2018 17:35

Did the GP test your blood sugar?

Notan · 28/11/2018 17:37

OP your weight was probably entirely irrelevant to why the GP wanted to refer you. They don't as a rule, refer overweight patients for diabetes screening. However, wounds not healing in a normal fashion, might prompt them to refer you for diabetes screening. Why are you making this about your weight????

Notan · 28/11/2018 17:39

This thread is insane.

foxtiger · 28/11/2018 18:21

I don't think this is about your weight. Years ago I had a flatmate who got an abscess on her arm. She wasn't in the least overweight, and she was checked for diabetes because apparently that kind of infection is more common in diabetic people.

FWIW, I'm overweight and had not been to the doctor for several years (I genuinely didn't need to) until earlier this year, when I had to go twice, once for a "suspicious" mole, which turned out to be nothing to worry about, and once for an injury that in my opinion could conceivably have been blamed on my weight. Neither doctor mentioned my weight. The second one referred to me to physiotherapy and over the summer I saw 4 different physiotherapists, none of whom mentioned my weight. I'm beginning to think reports that doctors always lecture people about their weight have been exaggerated.

Shesellsseashellsontheseashore · 28/11/2018 18:44

Haven't read the whole thread but I was a similar size, no symptoms of diabetes and went for a blood test for an unrelated issue. 2 tests flagged me up as pre diabetic. I've now lost weight and have dropped out of the pre diabetic range. So not having any symptoms of diabetes doesn't mean you aren't in the range for it. I'd personally go for a blood test to rule it out.

TheBigFatMermaid · 28/11/2018 18:52

I am 50 and very overweight. My GP very sensibly checked me for diabetes as well as a number of other things as I have a few of the risk factors for type 2. He also said 'Now, what are you doing about your weight?' to which I replied 'I have joined slimming world and lost nearly 2 stone and am going to stick to it this time'. He congratulated me and told me to continue, as my weight puts me at risk of many things. This as a sensible and grown up conversation, no digs, just a chat that was part of him doing his job.

Doing the test is no dig, it needs to be done!

Notan · 28/11/2018 18:55

Well I weigh 7 and a half stone and also constantly get asked have you diabetes!

IslaMacintosh · 28/11/2018 18:57

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TheBigFatMermaid · 28/11/2018 18:59

Ooops, I am actually 51.

Motoko · 28/11/2018 21:34

Notan people are mentioning weight because OP asked if it was a sly dig about her weight. People are aware that the GP never mentioned OP's weight.

Why do you think this thread is insane?

LuvSmallDogs · 28/11/2018 22:25

She may have been more inclined to test for T2 diabetes as weight is a risk factor, poor healing is a symptom of badly controlled diabetes and T1 tends to present with more dramatic symptoms than T2. I knew someone who was a size 10-12 who got tested for T2 (and I think some other things) because she got every bug going and took ages to shake them.

Notan · 29/11/2018 04:02

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SpottingTheZebras · 29/11/2018 08:12

But the doctor never mentioned her weight.

And everyone on the thread knows that. When you are fat, it is quite clear for anyone to see. A doctor will be fully aware of this just by looking at any patient.

Motoko · 29/11/2018 08:54

But the doctor never mentioned her weight.

We know that, that's what I said: People are aware that the GP never mentioned OP's weight.

Earthakitty · 29/11/2018 17:36

I don't think it was a sly dig ....it was concern on the doctor's part. Wounds do not heal quickly on diabetics. And you could have type 2 .
Be glad you have a doctor who is thorough.
And maybe lose some weight if you're that sensitive about it.

urkidding · 29/11/2018 17:56

You're lucky to have a such a good doctor. If you are overweight, please cut back on carbs and sugar. Diabetes is a nasty disease and takes over your life.

SuspiciouslyMinded · 29/11/2018 18:15

You are massively overreacting, OP. The doctor’s job is to work out what’s wrong with your health. Weight - too much of it, or too little - affects your health, so of all the people around you, your GP is the one person who should be able to raise the topic of your weight without you going all offended.

Be happy she treated you seriously instead of just sending you home with a painkiller prescription. Get yourself tested for diabetes - don’t rely on an internet search, that’s just silly. Fingers crossed that it comes back negative Flowers

BobLemon · 29/11/2018 18:28

YABU!

I went to my GP with a rash.

“When did you last weigh yourself?” Was one of her absolutely not “sly” questions Grin

manicmij · 29/11/2018 18:32

Was whatever you had the plaster on bad enough to cause an infection or did GP maybe feel the infection was an unusual result even with the allergy. Take this must be new that you didn't know the fabric would cause reaction. GP is providing you with good care. You must be sensitive to your weight in that you have taken offence on her action.

Bozlem80 · 29/11/2018 18:33

I’m overweight, don’t go the docs very often but when I have been (ear infection, tonsillitis, sinus infection) I’ve been told I’m overweight every single time doc handed me my antibiotics (infections due to wisdom teeth) & also a diet sheet! I must say the doctor himself isn’t trim! Confused

Tistheseason17 · 29/11/2018 18:58

I'm size 16/18 and have potential to be pre-diabetic.

Diabetes is reversible if caught before it properly develops with the right diet and exercise.

She does not need to weigh you - you're the same size as me and I know I'm overweight just to look at.

You are sensitive about your weight which is perfectly normal and I suspect even thinking this was being considered in the discussion made you fearful, again a normal response.

Just get the blood test to rule it out and then have an open conversation about your weight.

LoniceraJaponica · 29/11/2018 19:10

The sympoms of T2 diabetes can be reversed by losing weight.

Arrivederci · 29/11/2018 19:19

The stomach specialist I went to told me I was eating too many mars bars! (I don't even eat mars bars, was just overweight) I would've been offended if he wasn't twice the size of me Grin it gave me the kick up the backside I needed though, and I went on to lose 4.5 stone. Sometimes you need to be told what you don't want to hear