Rrrrrrrr... DOCTORS!

I think doctors have their place when there is something seriously wrong. If I break an arm, ok, I'm going to go to the doctor. My Dad's cancer doctor was great, and what was potentially a death sentence for him has been turned around and he's cancer free for the time being.

That being said, when my wife took a survey and exhibited 90 out of 120 symptoms for a thyroid disorder but couldn't get her GP to run additional tests (when first ones came back "normal") and I had to get irate with his office. She asked for a consultation to a specialist and he refused. Again, I had to intervene, and then when the endocrinologist said her issues were not thyroid related but because she is "lazy and fat" that pushed it over the edge.

Once we found a naturopath that looked at the blood work again, she found that there was an issue, and several more that indicate an autoimmune disorder. NONE of these results were ever talked about before this. After her thyroid got treated many other issues resolved themselves too such as

Insomnia
Anxiety
Migraines
Lethargy
Low body temp
Unexplained rashes and hives
Etc, etc, etc

Of course all of these were because she's fat and lazy though...right?

Your going to see a lot of this type stuff due to new government regulations. Everything is now online and automated. The doctors input your numbers and they are told what you have to work on and what tests to do. If they don't comply then they will get in trouble. All the doctors at my clinic HATE this new system.

Your going to see a lot of this type stuff due to new government regulations. Everything is now online and automated. The doctors input your numbers and they are told what you have to work on and what tests to do. If they don't comply then they will get in trouble. All the doctors at my clinic HATE this new system.

????? Where is this supposedly happening?

I tend to say that doctors are idiots and I mean it fully.

There have been so many issues with SO many doctors that my wife has visited over the last few years that it makes me crazy! I could go through it all and give examples but this post would turn into a gigantic wall of text.

Needless to say that while you still have to be on your toes, we've had MUCH better luck with naturopath doctors actually LISTENING to what she has to say, does the appropriate tests, takes time to interpret them and provide her with treatment options, with plenty of follow up and reliance on drugs only when it makes sense.

Luck and naturopath - two words meant for each other.

Do you know what they call alternative medicine that works?





Medicine

Doctors and, for the most part "weight guidelines" in general do not take into account above average muscle mass, larger frame bone structure, etc. The BMI guidelines do not take above average muscle mass into account as well. Not everyone fits into the "guidelines" . If your friend really has 11% body fat then his doctor is an idiot. (more than likely though the calipers were used inccorectly)

I tend to say that doctors are idiots and I mean it fully.

There have been so many issues with SO many doctors that my wife has visited over the last few years that it makes me crazy! I could go through it all and give examples but this post would turn into a gigantic wall of text.

Needless to say that while you still have to be on your toes, we've had MUCH better luck with naturopath doctors actually LISTENING to what she has to say, does the appropriate tests, takes time to interpret them and provide her with treatment options, with plenty of follow up and reliance on drugs only when it makes sense.

Luck and naturopath - two words meant for each other.

Do you know what they call alternative medicine that works?





Medicine

I would consider alternative medicine more along the lines of hippy nonsense and herbal remedies for everything. At least in my state naturopaths are fully licensed to perscribe perscription medications (my wife is on 2 thyroid replacements synthetics).

The big difference here is that while you may attribute it to dumb luck, I think that they are more willing to test and analyze everything before making a decision, or formulating a plan of no action.

I'm sorry, I would tell him to clarify himself as to what he expects you to lose, then inform him this will be the last time I visit him as I have zero confidence in his education. Just because you can pass a test does not make you competent.

I have had the pill pushing 400lb doctor before. Now I have a decent doctor who is willing to look at info I bring in if I have any, and knows his limits. One of them is not blindly follow scales more suited to third world nutrition than a person who is even slightly muscular.

Lol, he's a friend, not my husband. I am a husband to a female of the opposite sex.

:huh:

<twisting my brain into knots trying to figure out exactly what a "female of the opposite sex" would be......> :laugh:

My doctor literally blaims everything on my weight. Oh, you have a headache? Its cause you're fat. You broke your arm? Fatty. But I've lost 35 pounds and she hasn't even acknowledged it. As if my self esteem wasn't low enough. I don't need this wench telling me all my problems are because I'm overweight when I know they're not.

I have encountered this same thing. One primary doctor I had years ago talked about his sister as though she had some horrible condition, and would never live a normal life. I felt sad for him, so I asked 'What is happening to your sister?' He responded that she was obese. I fired him on the spot, and never went back. Who needs a doctor who sees me as a pitiful case, who is living like those wretched chained Mer-people in that old Disney movie the 'Littlest Mermaid'?

The best doctor-patient relationships are collaborative and honor the intelligence of both people. Unfortunately, I think this will only be available to those who can afford concierge care in the US. The demographics and economic realities in our country make me fear for the state of health care in the near future.

I hate to say it, but a big part of the problem seems to be how we educate our doctors. And I have to say, I will never understand why it's so difficult to get into medical school... we'd be better off if there were more doctors - more supply would mean more time to meet with patients due to reduced patient load, etc. Of course someone is going to make a crack about how if we open the doors to everyone, there would be 'less intelligent/capable' doctors out there giving even worse advice, but I highly doubt it. I'm afan of letting anyone give it a shot, but if they flunk out, then they flunk out. Just because you let someone into medical school doesn't mean they'll make it through. So let them in, give it a shot.

Following my own logic, of course, that would mean we'd need more medical schools, at least for a while... but I think that could be worked out. And to answer my own question, I'm guessing the reason this will never happen is that the medical profession wants to maintain their self perception of being somehow part of an elite group. I wonder if they know how incompetent we think so many of them are?

Getting back to the point of how we educate doctors, how is that, for a profession whose oath is founded on 'first do no harm,' they spend almost no time on exercise, wellness, nutrition, etc? At least for FPs and GPs - I can definitely see why a neuro-surgeon, etc., would have to focus on other things. But a general practitioner should be *all about* the health. And health means nutrition and exercise, first and foremost.

Edit to add: No, I am not a frustrated ex-medical school applicant who didn't get in, and now I'm taking it out on the profession that rejected me. I have never wanted to be a doctor, no way , no how. Not my bag. But, for those whose bag it is, I wish they were better trained.

You ask a good question, and one that is highly complex.

1. A doctor is a business. They have to turn a profit. They are profit maximizers. Therefore, they try to do things in an efficient way. That efficiency requires looking at common factors and applying those common factors to all. IMO, this is always a mistake... however, everyone makes it all the time, businesses, government, etc. Typically services that handle each and every client liek an individual tend to be higher-end business and those clients pay a premium for that kind of customized service.
2. When you look across at a population, there are going to be certain things that pop out. Like, most people do not eat right. Most people do not exercise. Most people do not want the answer to be, "I am not going to give you blood pressure pills, I am going to put you on a diet. When you lose about 20 lbs, I predict you will no longer have high blood pressure. So, you will no longer need pills. When you lose the balance of the unneeded weight, you will no longer have any medical issues and will no longer need me at all." Now, that's the right message, but most people will not accept that. Most people just want the pills. When someone goes in for sleep problems, what doctor tells you, "You need to figure out what is bothering you in your life. Resolve it. And, then you will get sleep"? Mine told me that. I go to a more holistic doctor, and he will not issue perscriptions easily. But, I'm weird and I like that kind of advice. It's not always what I want to hear at the moment, but he was right. Most doctors will just prescribe pills to help with sleep because most of their pateints want that.
3. Because of the for-profit nature of being a doctor, it is not in their best interest to make people healthy.
4. Pharma companies now advertise directly to patients who go in and demand medication. Doctors prescribe antibiotics all the time when they knwo for a fact it does nothing, but a paying client is demanding the drug. Doctors should say no. But, they are a for-profit business. The patient will just go somewhere else and get it. So, they give in.
5. I have to get backl to work now, but there's more.

I told my primary in June, right about the time that I started really getting serious on MFP, that I was eating better, frustrated that I could not exercise because of health problems and asked about how much effect menopause had on trying to lose weight. Her first response was to suggest weight loss surgery. No offering suggestions abt. eating or any encouragement that I could do this on my own! I was floored, yes I have quite a bit to lose but also have bad side effects from anesthesia and it's hard to for the anesthesiologist to intubate me! She knew all this because of my previous rotator/bicep repair surgery! Since June, with the help of MFP, lifestyle changes and many supportive friends on here, I've already lost 17 lbs. and a few inches! This is where I learned about chair exercises and chair yoga, which have helped immensely since I'm recovering from foot surgery. I didn't get any good advice or help from my primary. The only reason I haven't switched doctors yet is because I want to show her she was dead wrong when I do go back next! Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of good doctors out there. I have encountered a few, both were specialists. My podiatrist and my orthopedic doctor. Boy, did it feel good to vent! Thanks for listening! Also, I'm not bashing weight loss surgery either. I know it does have good results from some people. It just was never an option for me.