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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be blindsided by doctor's comments about my alcohol consumption?

385 replies

omafiet · 13/08/2019 15:13

I am 42 and overweight. Since having my third child and injuring my back I've gained 2.5 stone. The weight gain hasn't been linear - in fact this time last year I was in reasonable shape and doing a triathlon - but I know I need to do something. Now.

I have been having some unusual stomach symptoms recently and after my friend was diagnosed with ovarian cancer I figured to be on the safe side I should get checked out. I have a great reply with my doctor and respect her advice.

After doing the physical exam she asked me about my drinking habits. I replied that I drank half a bottle of wine, two or three times a week. So, up to 1.5 bottles a week. She put her pen down and told me that this was really excessive and I needed to cut down, if not stop completely for a while.

I'm a little freaked out and have decided to do a 90-day booze-free challenge. But is 1.5 bottles a week really so bad? When I was in my twenties I'd drink that in a night Blush. How much do you drink?

OP posts:
leghairdontcare · 13/08/2019 15:41

(disclaimer that I am one of the hysterical about booze posters)

You told her you drink above the recommended amount. Most people under report to the doctor so she (and me) assumes that you probably drink more - maybe 2 bottles a week? Either way, She correctly described your drinking as 'excessive'.

Your response is to seek validation on an internet forum so you can reassure yourself that you don't drink 'too much'. You'll get numerous comments from people who drink more than you but you are still drinking too much. I hope you are able to cut down because there are major health benefits to reducing alcohol intake.

Holidaysmoliday · 13/08/2019 15:41

@Mileysmiley so you lied and said you smoked purely as you were annoyed you were being asked?

So your records now show you as a smoker.

I wouldn’t be laughing about that- it can affect your insurance, ability to access certain treatments and will affect other test result calculations like your risk of a heart attack after measuring cholesterol.

They don’t ask to be annoying they ask so your records can be correct with vital info about you and you can be given appropriate advice.

Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 15:42

I think because obviously drinking alcohol is popular in the UK, a lot of people just don't want to hear that they may be drinking too much. It hits a nerve with people.

Op has did she's overweight, having unusual symptoms, and a doctor has advised that she cut down, but everyone on mumsnet knows better l.

Cheeserton · 13/08/2019 15:43

I also think that she probably misunderstood you. It's really not that excessive.

Jellybeansincognito · 13/08/2019 15:43

I think that’s a lot!

TrickyD · 13/08/2019 15:44

GPs are reputed to mentally double whatever a patient claims as their alcohol intake. So your half bottle two or three times a week turns into several bottles a week.

Are you underestimating and would her supposition be correct?

StCharlotte · 13/08/2019 15:44

Are they happy? Of course *NOT. Because I'm a binge drinker.

I blame the gin...

verticality · 13/08/2019 15:45

Come on, it's CLEARLY a misunderstanding on the GP's part, people.

Also worth noting that there are health hazards to having a stick rammed up your ass about negligibly small risks. Seriously, worry - and the cortisol it releases - is BAD FOR YOU! Grin

Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 15:45

^GPs are reputed to mentally double whatever a patient claims as their alcohol intake. So your half bottle two or three times a week turns into several bottles a week.

Are you underestimating and would her supposition be correct?^

Wow, not only do mumsnetters know better than the ops doctor. They are also mind readers and know what the doctor was really thinking.

Bluntness100 · 13/08/2019 15:46

She correctly described your drinking as 'excessive'.

Give your head a wobble, it's one unit over. She's pretty perfect..

Op I suspect she thought you said a bottle two or three times a week.

Ignore the hysterical ones. Who often have their own vices, and will be sitting over weight or something whilst throwing bricks at someone who drinks safely like they are some sort of alkie.

LiveInAHidingPlace · 13/08/2019 15:46

stcharlotte you can win though, by cutting down on drink.

People on here will allllways say that their drinking habits are fine when they're not necessarily. No one needs to drink, it's really not that life enhancing and once you give it up, you realise how much better off you are.

TheDarkPassenger · 13/08/2019 15:47

@Mileysmiley

You’re playing about with your life insurance there

Mileysmiley · 13/08/2019 15:47

@Holidaysmoliday

Lighten up ... I don't have or need insurance ...

My cholesterol is 3.5 which is low .. something to do with my metabolism.

somethingfancy · 13/08/2019 15:47

The wine I always buy has 8.6 units per bottle, so OP's consumption would be just under 13 units a week.
I don't think it's too bad. But then I love wine too.

Justgorgeous · 13/08/2019 15:47

About 2 drinks a month.

LiveInAHidingPlace · 13/08/2019 15:48

bluntness it's not hysterical to disagree that that is a fine and healthy amount to drink.

I'd feel like shit if I drank that every week.

But keep on justifying your dependency.

BillieEilish · 13/08/2019 15:48

verticality Grin

BossAssBitch · 13/08/2019 15:48

Why are people posting telling the OP that they are teetotal or have one sherry at Christmas, totally irrelevant (not to mention dull as fuck) Grin

m0therofdragons · 13/08/2019 15:48

I'm 37 and barely drink that much in a month. I've found my body can't tolerate alcohol like it used to. I practically stopped drinking from January to now with very minimal/occasional drinks and have lost 1st 8lbs. I also work in a hospital and regularly hear the negative impact alcohol has. 1.5 bottles a week seems loads to me. Even in my drinking days (not including early 20s binges) I rarely drank on week days. People regularly normalise excessive behaviour like eating cake everyday seems normal now... it's not.

megletthesecond · 13/08/2019 15:48

Yes, it's too much Flowers.
But if you were mentally and physically capable of a triathlon a year ago you will be able to rein it in and gradually get some fitness back.

Needmoresleep · 13/08/2019 15:48

I am older than you but possibly carrying the same amount of extra weight. (Came on during pregnancy and never left.)

I am facing the results. Cholesterol too high, blood pressure too high. The DR has given me six months to solve it through diet and exercise before he starts me on statins.

A combination of Michael Mosley advice on gut health, some long walks and swims, and a Mediterranean diet, seem to be working. Curiously my interest in drinking has dropped off completely as has my general sugar intake. I now think my wine consumption, probably about the same as yours, was about sugar cravings.

CookPassBabtridge · 13/08/2019 15:48

I barely drink nowadays (couple of outings a year) but even I don't think it's excessive. Weird that she had a strong reaction.. maybe she's teetotal or she's assuming you're under exaggerating? I doubt dropping that wine would cause weight loss, unless it also makes you eat a load of junk food alongside it.

Pipandmum · 13/08/2019 15:49

I think she may have heard wrong and that you either did three bottles a week or a bottle and a half a day! One and a half bottles seems fine by me and less than what I drink.
I have heard some doctors automatically double what a patient admits to...

Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 15:50

^*Op I suspect she thought you said a bottle two or three times a week.

Ignore the hysterical ones. Who often have their own vices, and will be sitting over weight or something whilst throwing bricks at someone who drinks safely like they are some sort of alkie.*^

I'm not overweight, but even if I was, even if I was an alcoholic myself, doesn't mean you can't have an opinion.

Op has said that she is overweight and has had some unusual symptoms, her doctor has advised her to cut back on drinking.

How do you know that her weight and drinking aren't harming her liver?

formerbabe · 13/08/2019 15:50

I'm 37 and practically tee total. Would have a small glass of wine very occasionally at a party or a meal out. Very rarely though. I'm still overweight though!