To think my doctor is wrong and also shit?

[PipGirl404]

I'm aware I do not have a medical degree, and she does, but I can't help but wonder.

2/3 months ago went in saying I have extreme period pain, and I'm sweating constantly at night. Cold sweats and I'm drenched so I have to get up about 4/5 times in a night to either wipe myself down or change etc.
She asked how my bowels were, I said fine, she then proceeded to diagnose me with IBS and give me peppermint capsules ??? I insisted on blood tests and they all came back fine.

So as of today, I'm still sweating buckets at night and it's at the point I'm delirious with lack of sleep. I phoned and explained everything, told her (new, different doctor) my periods are still extremely painful etc. She asked about my weight (so I gave her it, and my height) and she said my BMI is close to 30 so I'm obese, and that's what is causing the sweating. I said I've been this weight for years and I'm more muscle than fat etc and she said "I would recommend you lose 15kg and this should fix your problems. If not, come back"

That's it. End of story.

What the fuck?? I can't even register with a new Dr for a second opinion and there's only the 2 above doctors at my practice 😭

[converseandjeans]

I had similar & it went on for a while. Doctor was really thorough and sent me for internal scan to rule out fibroids. I was getting horrible periods with stabbing pains & losing lots of blood. She put me on the pill and I've been fine since. However I am 47 and had PCOS when I was younger. I can't recall painful periods of night sweats though. If anything I had really light periods.
I would ask for hormonal tests once this coronavirus crisis is over.

[TheArchSorcererofContwaraburg]

If you're a weight lifter/power lifter/cross-fit aficionado you will find it quite hard to lose 15kg. That's over 2st.

[TheArchSorcererofContwaraburg]

People on here, and the NHS, are very wedded to BMI and fixated on weight as the be all to end all in terms of fitness.

[Blackredblack]

@SleeperSloth I printed out a symptom list from the thyroid UK website. I had more than half of the symptoms. I also asked him to read up on the link between endometriosis and thyroid disfunction.

You might find this interesting
www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/thyroid_articles/myths.html

[Lumierecandle]

Do you have any itching or respiratory symptoms? Maybe a cough that won’t go away or shortness of breath.
Highly unlikely but I always think of lymphoma when I hear night sweats.

[Fromthebirdsnest]

I was about to say try the weight loss actually you do not look at all like you've got a bmi of 30 you look actually quite a nice size (my BMI is around 18.5 I think it's all crap I'm a very small framed person id look obese if I had a bmi of 25)I would have said your a size 12 at most ! Change doctors don't let them dismiss you it's clearly a hormone thing xxx I'm sorry your poorly op , I really how you get it sorted x

[PipGirl404]

Just in case anyone comes across this or wanted an update (doubt it 😂)

Extreme pain during periods still an issue, night sweating seems to have upped and disappeared (and I've actually put on weight rather than lost it, whoops!)

Given up with the doctors after phoning again about a month ago, and being told again to either lose weight or give peppermint capsules a go 🤦🏻‍♀️

Asked for a nurse this time, she (in a much nicer and more diplomatic way) said the doctor was speaking utter rubbish - she's prescribed naproxen for the pain and she's getting me a referral to Gynae. Thinks it might be Endo!

Thanks to everyone for the advice when I needed it x

[SarahMcDonald]

Thanks for the update, glad to hear the nurse is on the ball.

[Regularsizedrudy]

Please please keep pushing them, can you change go practice? I had a friend pass away of ovarian cancer. The doctors didn’t believe here for ages it’s terrible.

[Regularsizedrudy]

I have just seen this is an old thread! I hope you get further with the nurse, good luck!

[amijustparanoidorjuststoned]

OP I don't have the answer but I sympathise.

Doctors are incredibly fatphobic at the best of times. One of my friends who was on the overweight/obese borderline of the BMI chart went in to her doctors with earache. Actual earache. And the first thing her doctor mentions is her weight.

BMI is an incredibly outdated method of measuring someone's health. My fit and healthy uncle is in the "obese" category due to muscle. In this current climate I know it's difficult, but when you can I would try to look for a new doctor. I am so sorry you're dealing with this

[Savingshoes]

So pleased you've got your referral into gynae, well done that nurse!
It does sound like endo but suprised that with "painful periods" anything gynae wasn't initially ruled out first.

[DoingMyOwnThing]

Peri-menopause - can start really young in some people?

New doctor needed to go through the symptoms and try to help

[LouiseTrees]

Has anyone mentioned PCOS in the thread yet?

[Namenic]

If you have sweats at night at a young age, please get a second opinion as it could be many other things.

[Bookoffacts]

Nights sweats could.be to do with your lungs.
I had empyema and had terrible night sweats.

[Graciebobcat]

And endometriosis (and the hormonal treatments for the same) make it bloody difficult to lose weight. I've been nowhere near normal BMI for ten years, have been between BMI 27 - 31. Often losing and gaining the same stone every year. Before I had two kids and got endometrosis I was BMI 19-23. I would having gone mad at a GP for dismissing me on weight grounds.

[grassyhillocks]

Well done for sticking to your guns and seeking another opinion.

[Pugsrus]

Agree yr doctor is shit

[ShastaBeast]

Any chance you are doing less exercise at the moment? I was definitely hotter and sweatier at night when I was working out a lot.

For comparison, I’ve had irregular/more frequent bleeding plus bloating during lockdown and was immediately sent for scans and now have referrals for gyne and (surprise) gallstones in a few months. My BMI is 23 but no gym for six months plus so not muscle.

[teraculum29]

Mefenamic acid for period pains (prescripion only) can help with cramps and pains.

[pinktaxi]

Early menopause? Ask for a hormone level check. As you weightlifting's I am going to assume you don't do anything mad like take steroids!

[ShouldISurrogate]

There’s a free app called Ada you can use to symptom check and it’s not as life sentencing as google, it’s been right with the twice I’ve used it.