To expect a bit more from my gp?

[Lucille3]

I went to my GP today as I’ve been experiencing lower back/sciatic pain for just over one month - it’s stopping me sleeping and I’m finding it increasingly difficult to look after my one year old son.
Disclaimer: I am overweight, around a size 20, and trying very hard to lose it!

He listened to me explain about the pain, that it was accompanied by lower left pelvic pain, a tender stomach, a bulge above my belly button, extremely long and heavy periods, and that I have a close family history of uterine cysts that ended with my sister having a hysterectomy. He asked one question - was I using contraception, to which I replied that we aren’t having sex as it’s too painful.

He responded to say that I needed to lose weight. He didn’t examine my back or my tummy, or look at the bulge. He asked if I had done weight watchers and had I seen the recent tv programme where celebrities are fast food and large portions - I haven’t. I don’t really watch tv.

He totally judged me the moment I waked in the door, he hadn’t read my notes, and only after I asked him flat outright if he thought all my symptoms were because of weight did he ask me to explain which ones weren’t! He said he would send me for a scan to ‘set my mind at ease’ for the risk of fibroids.

I am fully aware that I need to lose weight, but I went as I’m experiencing a lot of pain and worrying symptoms that I can’t fix myself. I left feeling really stupid for going.

he’s a senior member of the practice and I sort of feel like I want to complain.

AIBU? Or does this sound ok?

Ugh yanbu, I understand the advice to lose weight, which I think they’re obliged to give now, but he should have examined you properly and taken your symptoms seriously.

I get this every single time I go. Im actually not going anymore because it is pointless. If something bad does happen to me such as cancer, they wouldn't diagnose me for so long I'd be done for anyway. They literally will not do anything apart from tell you to lose weight.
I find it pretty disgusting really because being overweight increases the risk of cancers and various other things so surely they should actually look for those things more in an overweight person?

I read an interesting article a little while ago about how medical professionals judge overweight patients subconsciously and the negative impact that can have on their health - I'll see if I can find it!

I will say complain, I had lower back pain post my first pregnancy and I was referred to physio, yes it was weight related but it was still an issue that wasn't going to sort itself just by me losing weight.

I would go back, state you know your weight is part of the problem but you want x,y,z examined.

I did get a referral from my over 40's MOT to Slimming World to help with the weight which helped me get started.

I’m sorry you are sensitive about it, but s/he’s right. Obesity is not only a cause of cancer but causes and aggravates many other things. I know it’s hard.

I'm a 20-22 now, but I used to be 'normal' sized and had all the same problems I have now, except that not one GP listened and it all impacted my activity level so badly that I've ended up overweight and if I try and do anything about it with GPs, I get the weight story. They don't listen that the problems all existed before the weight existed. But the weight, which I am struggling to lose, is making things worse.