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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be upset and peeved with this doctor......

8 replies

yorkshirepudding · 28/02/2008 10:09

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
milkymill · 28/02/2008 10:21

Seems odd for him to call you 'grossly overweight'! I am 5'6" and weigh 12st 4, but I'm a size 14 top and 16 bottom. No gp has ever had an issue with prescribing me the pill. Some people just carry weight differently. I know I could do with losing a stone, but any more than that and I do not look healthy!
Yanbu

nickytwotimes · 28/02/2008 10:23

YANBU. Cheeky fecker!

RedJools · 28/02/2008 10:32

YANBU!! I had an a*hole doctor discuss the 5lbs I had put on since I was last weighed, and went into a big lecture about watching your weight when you were on the pill. I cut him off and said that I had struggled with eating disorders for a lot of my teenage years and preferred now not to be made too aware of my weight- he back-pedalled at speed! I really hate that attitude. if you exercise and eat healthily, what does it matter what you weigh- you are probably far healthier than someone who survives on crap, smokes and does no exercise! I would be tempted to change to a different doctor in the practice.

doricgirl · 28/02/2008 16:50

The problem is that the pill is a risk factor for DVT and blood clots in the lungs which can be fatal. This risk goes up significantly if you are overweight, smoke or have high blood pressure. This doesn't excuse the way the doctor went about it but they probably had that in mind.

Last year, as a young, relatively fit woman who was not overweight, a smoker and didn't have high blood pressure I had an pulmonary embolism - blood clot on my lung. There has been NO explanation for this, although it is possible it is because I was on the pill.

I don't think the way the doctor went about it was helpful, but this might be why - I really never thought I was at any risk until this happened.

Lyra75 · 28/02/2008 20:28

Sounds like he was rude and didn't handle the consultation well, but on the medicine front he is correct if your BMI is 30 or more.

When prescribing the contraceptive pill drs have to take into account the presence of risk factors and are advised that the pill should not be prescribed if two or more are present. One of the risk factors is weight, the others include smoking and age over 35 - that's why he mentioned those two. The full list of factors are:

Risk of blood clots
Use with caution if any of following factors present but avoid if two or more factors present:

  • family history of venous thromboembolism in first-degree relative aged under 45 years
  • obesity?body mass index above 30 kg/m2
  • long-term immobilisation e.g. in a wheelchair
  • varicose veins

Risk of arterial disease
Use with caution if any one of following factors present but avoid if two or more factors present:

  • family history of arterial disease in first degree relative aged under 45 years
  • diabetes mellitus
  • hypertension?blood pressure above systolic 140 mmHg and diastolic 90 mmHg
  • smoking
  • age over 35 years
  • obesity-body mass index above 30 kg/m2

I'd be annoyed about how he discussed your weight with you, but it is something that should be considered.

Lyra75 · 28/02/2008 20:29

ps if your BMI is less than 30 then he needs to review the criteria!

MargeSimpsonMyAlterEgo · 28/02/2008 20:56

Yorkie - you could get some body fat scales (in shops everywhere nowadays). If you are fit & exercising regularly then this is a better measure of health. And waist circumference as other people have said. I don't think you can blame the boobs - after all fat is fat wherever it settles...

love2sleep · 28/02/2008 22:10

About 5 years ago I had a similar experience with a very rude matronly practice nurse. She made me feel like a silly naughty school girl. I was so **ed off with her. How dare she tell me I was fat.

12 months and 2 stone later I was very grateful for what had happenend.

I have no idea whether this doctor was right about his assessment but I'd say you should try and put his unecessary rudeness to one side and try and make an objective decision about whether you need to do anything about your weight

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