Not So Good Doctor Report

lisashorter
lisashorter Posts: 7
edited October 5 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, so yesterday I had my physical exam and the doctor is really not happy with my body right now. First, off I am 60 pounds over weight. Which I already knew that but hearing it from the doctor makes it worse. I'm showing signs of Fiber Cystic Breast Disease, I have lost sensation in the lower part of my left leg, I may potentially have Meniere's Disease (or however you spell it) going to a specialist tomorrow), I have IBS, and since I have had some bone issues w/ no explanation (such as one breaking) he ordered a bone density test this AM that came back really really low for my age. I had blood drawn this morning but I haven't gotten those results yet. I'm sure they aren't great because the last time it was ran my cholesterol was high and I did nothing about it. So, I'm sure it's worse.
So, this is the problem. My doctor has giving me two choices on what he wants for me. I can either A. go to Weight Watchers because he likes the structure and the new points plus plan, or B. I can go cold turkey on ALL carbs for the next two months, and he means ALL carbs...not even the good ones. When I asked him if he was talking about the Atkins plan he said no that Atkins allows fats that he doesn't want me to have. I mentioned to him that I was on this website and he didn't seem to thrilled w/ it. He believes I need to go to the meetings that WW has to offer.
I know myself enough to know that I will never give up carbs. It's just not in my nature. I love all carbs. I can cut back on them but giving them up all together is ludicrous to me. I've seen friends go on low carb plans and lose weight but they lost other things too...such as their hair and complexion.
So, what to do? Any suggestions? Should I listen to him and go to WW, should I do the no carb diet, or should I stay here and attempt to go at it my way? My way hasn't worked in the past...just so you know.
I understand that at 29 all of what I have mentioned above is bad. I know that, I do, but what I don't get is how it doesn't shock me into getting on that bandwagon ASAP? I swear I think I'm missing a brain cell or two.
Thoughts?
Oh, and sorry if I'm rambling but I'm going a mile a minute on the thoughts train.

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    You need some carbs. You can eliminate things like treats - stop eating sugar, go easy on fruits, limit your bread and grains.

    I wouldn't go to WW myself - but I don't like group things and this site is free and works the same way.

    Doctors will try to shove stuff at you. It's your choice how much of it you implement.

    I know you must be scared right now, the most important thing is to get your test results and change your calorie intake.

    _________________________________________________
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    WW isn't a be-all-end-all. I'd ask for a referral to a dietician or nutritionist and build a plan with them.
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    Weight watchers is one of the most successful programs out there, but for me it was too much to track conversions, group mtngs, cost etc. I joined this site, spent a lot of time reading up on nutrition, lowered the carbs and fat some along with the exercise. I got the best results in 20 years of trying various methods. Your dr. may give you 2 choices, but it is ultimately up to you, not your dr. to get your health back on track. He is here to assist you and educate you. However, not a lot of drs. know a lot about nutrition. Educate your self and get healthy! You can do it.
  • igora_soma
    igora_soma Posts: 486
    I'm sorry to hear that you had so much tough news thrown your way. I would maybe ask the doctor for a referral to a nutrition specialist?

    What do YOU feel comfortable with? The meetings might help you stay on track and at least you wouldn't have to give up carbs...

    I wish you luck in your decision and hope you heal quickly!
  • Alexagetsfit
    Alexagetsfit Posts: 313 Member
    “If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting.” seems appropriate here. If you don't think you can stick to a no carb diet, don't do it. But you need to do SOMETHING.

    It really comes down to you. YOU have to decide if your health is important to you. No plan is going to work if you don't follow it.

    As to plan of action, you could try the WW thing or you could decide to kick it into gear here at MFP. Maybe set a date that if you haven't improved here at MFP by yourself, then join WW.
  • paulwgun
    paulwgun Posts: 439 Member
    Have you looked at the Dukan diet ? I did it for 7 days and lost 14 lb im now on the second phase but not as strict and keeping my carbs as low as possible with a balanced diet and exercise
    Ive got a lot of weight to loose 70/80 lb
  • GreenGettingLean
    GreenGettingLean Posts: 252 Member
    If you are set on taking his advice and either 1. joining WW or 2. going cold turkey on ALL carbs, I would choose option 1 in a heartbeat. Rarely does going cold turkey on anything - especially yummy delicious carbs - actually work out in the long run, even for the most strongwilled of individuals. However, WW promotes a healthy lifestyle change and an "everything in moderation" policy, similar to this site. You may find that the face-to-face interactions with others also struggling (or succeeding!) to lose weight is actually very motivating for you. Good luck to you, and let us know what you decide to do!
  • Laurieann137
    Laurieann137 Posts: 95 Member
    WW is a good program. I lost over 20lbs on it. It was very similiar to this website actually. It helps you make life style changes instead of dieting. You don't HAVE to go to the meetings because you can do it online...but to me that is just like what you see here, except they give you a little more guidance on what to eat. I went to the meetings...but not all the time. I went on Mondays so I had the pressure of being good over the weekend because they DO weigh you. They don't don't say a word if you have gained , but they will celebrate if you have lost. I would look at the program...it doesn't take anything away from you eating wise...it just makes you accountable for what you eat. You get some flex points too and that is something you don't see on here. That's extra points if you go over on a given day. They have a lot of tools you can use too and books that have points for food at different places you might go eat at. I'm sorry to hear about your medical issues and we are here to support you any way we can. Good Luck!!
  • CathiAnne
    CathiAnne Posts: 193 Member
    I was scared into health by a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. I immediately lost 30 lbs. Now, here's the interesting part, I regained 20 of those pounds. Why on earth would ANYONE do that? Heard about MFP in July or so, been here since, and have lost those 20 pounds again (and don't care to find them). I have now gone 1 little pound below the orignal 30 lost so I am definitely in new territory. I have cut my meds in half. It's about diet and exercise.

    I would not suggest cutting out ALL carbs. Even diabetics get to eat carbs; you just have to choose the healthier carbs. I have done WW before and was very successful but I am just stubborn now and refuse to pay money to lose weight.

    MFP has been incredibly helpful for me. What I've always needed to do was log my food intake and I was just too lazy and too confused and disorganized on keeping all of that straight. Now MFP does it for me. I. LOVE. THIS. PLACE.

    I have also gotten hooked on exercising and just about can't go a day without doing something.

    You have to do what is right for you but if you stay with MFP you will have all of the support and encouragement you can possibly get and need. Oh, and you get to GIVE support and encouragement and that is helpful on our own journeys.

    Good luck.
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    Lisashorter, if you can afford to go to Weight Watchers, then do so. At least give it a month's try. If you can't afford it or don't want to spend the money, then how about eating low GI foods under 55 in moderation and portion size, drinking plenty of water and exercising. You can find lists of GI foods online. Print them out and follow them. The food pyramid is a healthy way to eat. I would not cut out carbs. Your body needs carbs.
  • Hoppymom
    Hoppymom Posts: 1,158 Member
    Okay, so you're freaked out right now. It's ok to do a brain dump like this. Fibro Cystic disease often occurs as a result of too much caffiene. I'd completely cut it out. It's not as hard as you might think. I did it and never looked back and I was addicted. IBS won't kill you but diet and destressing will help a lot. No caffiene again, no gum, no fatty/fried foods. Do research as everyone has different triggers. The leg is an issue for the doctor to sort out as is the Meniiere's disease (an inner ear issue causing vertigo or dizziness). You can Google that. Cholesterol is again a diet issue; though heredity can be a cause. If you go to Weight Watchers you can still come here. Many people on MFP are on WW. Weight Watchers may be good for you if you have not had the motivation to fix your health before. They usually only meet once a week I think, so MFP can be your daily check-in system. Good luck whatever you chose. :flowerforyou:

    I think you should see a dietician about the diet. Too say NO carbs is kind of counter to what most doctors would say. You need carbs for energy and you get vitamins and fiber from fruits etc.
  • PrincessEliNa
    PrincessEliNa Posts: 524 Member
    Awww...*hug*
    That's all tough, and If It scared me just to read it, I can't imagine how you feel.
    I love MFP, and would reccommend it to everyone/anyone, but i wouldn't be so quick to shoot down another program, such as WW, it really depends on you though. What are you comfortable with? What's going to be your motivation? Are you gonna put your all in?

    In the end, nobody picks for you, all I can say is don't give up. Fight for your health, because it will truly be worth it. You can do it.
    I was just talking to one of my students, who's failing a class because he says he can't practice for 30 minutes. It's too long.
    I told him to start with ten, and move up. He doesn't have to do everything at once, especially if it's too overwhelming, but as long as he does SOMETHING, then he has something. My same advice to you. Good luck sweetie!
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    Do you trust your doctor? Do you think that maybe you should get a second opinion? I see a couple things in your list of diagnoses that give me pause. If I heard the things you heard, I would make an appointment to talk to someone else.

    1) Fibrocystic breast disease is a commonly used phrase to describe painful, lumpy breasts. The word "disease" makes women worry that their breasts are abnormal, but this is not really a disease. It's just the way some women's breasts *are* - mine included.

    2) I have Meniere's disease. It's given me occasional vertigo, but it does NOT interfere with my life - at all. It is something I have learned to manage and deal with.

    It sounds like your doctor has given you a lot of overwhelming health information at once, and some of it likely sounds scarier than it actually is.

    Regarding the weight loss - you can do it! I don't think you need to follow a specific plan, but maybe you could talk to a registered dietitian and get some advice for a healthy, portion-controlled diet with moderate calorie restriction.
  • nsdodge
    nsdodge Posts: 20 Member
    You need to find the diet that YOU (not your doctor) can stick to until you have lost the weight and got your numbers where they need to be. For me at least it was more of a mental thing than about this diet or that diet, carbs or no carbs - you need to convince yourself that you CAN succeed and that you are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make that happen. No matter what diet you are on you are going to have to change the way you are eating and lower the amount of calories you eat each day, thats a fact you can't get out of. You will feel so much happier and healthier though, concentrate on that instead of what you are giving up.

    MFP is good but it may be good to be on a diet like weightwatchers or whatever for a while, so you can readjust to your new lifestyle with the help of others and a set amount of food each meal. I personally am on the fresh diet, its expensive because meals are fresh made and delivered to you every day. But its worth it to me because I love the food so I never want to cheat, and I tell myself its saving me money in the long run because I am so much healthier.

    Good luck!
  • ceeceesmom
    ceeceesmom Posts: 9
    I think WW is a fabulous program, but like any other program you have to work it. So if you are the kind of person that likes to get face to face support, then perhaps you should try WW. I have many successful friends on it. I personally found the last program too limiting for me [insert I didn't follow it] and therefore wasn't successful.

    but , being as you are just 29, it's time to look in the mirror - say I am doing this! and Start doing something today. Every step you take towards YOUR health, your Dr and you will be happy with.

    I love tracking my stuff here, but I find that on days I cheat I don't track - denial!!!! I'm now tracking everyday, and it helps!
  • Eleanorjanethinner
    Eleanorjanethinner Posts: 563 Member
    I've tried WW and it's okay. It does work if you work it but you have to find a group you're comfortable with and I think there's much less accountability and daily support than there is here. I found our group leader a bit of an idiot, so that didn't help. Also, they try and sell you gross low cal 'treats' like fake chocolate biscuits and I don't think that's helpful.

    Tell your Dr that MFP works on exactly the same principals as WW, but has more accountability (if you share your diary with friends, which I think you should) and support.

    Some folks love no carb diets, but I don't and I personally don't think it's that healthy or sustainable (ducks and runs for cover)... (just my personal opinion!)

    On a positive note, you can help your health a great deal. see the success stories for inspiration. It'll take time, blood, sweat and tears, but it's very do-able if you focus on small steps and just keep going!

    Good luck on your journey!
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    There are three types of macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats and proteins. There are some amount of carbs in most foods. That means vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc. If you completely cut out fats and carbs that leaves you with proteins and no one can survive on protein alone for any length of time. That kind of diet can actually kill you because you'll eventually "starve" from a lack of essential nutrients. The fact that your doctor is telling you you would be eating zero carbs throws up a big red flag for me because it means he doesn't entirely understand what he's talking about.

    I'd tell him that you aren't comfortable with Weight Watchers and request a recommendation to a nutritionist. Most health insurance plans will cover a couple of visits to a nutritionist per year when it's being used to treat or cure an illness. Don't let your doctor dictate a nutrition plan for you, especially one who tells you he wants to put you on a no carb diet. Most doctors aren't that well versed in nutrition anyway.
  • xxthoroughbred
    xxthoroughbred Posts: 346 Member
    Can you go to another doctor for a second opinion? It took me a long time to find a really good one.

    There are definitely doctors out there who will shove bad ideas down your throat, but there are also those who have seen trends over the years and know more than you about this stuff. I would trust a doctor over anything I read on an online forum.
  • May63
    May63 Posts: 162
    Do you trust your doctor? Do you think that maybe you should get a second opinion? I see a couple things in your list of diagnoses that give me pause. If I heard the things you heard, I would make an appointment to talk to someone else.

    1) Fibrocystic breast disease is a commonly used phrase to describe painful, lumpy breasts. The word "disease" makes women worry that their breasts are abnormal, but this is not really a disease. It's just the way some women's breasts *are* - mine included.

    Same with me on the breast. not really disease.
  • bexominglex
    bexominglex Posts: 130 Member
    I am wondering if anybody out there has read or knows anything of the PH miracle diet (making the body more alkaline- most people have highly acidic blood and urine PH but 7.35-7.45 is ideal). I am struggling with addiction issues so I couldn't keep on it, but I managed to stick on it for a few days and did lose some weight. Also, I have interstitial cystitis and noticed that as my body PH became more alkaline the IC was less prominent. It's not touted so much as a weight loss diet, but I figure anything that promotes global health will help people to lose (or gain, if they need to), weight as energy increases.

    Oh, and for PH strips, I got some from the health food store, but I used to use the drops meant to test aquarium water (much cheaper). Also, there haven't been any large scientific studies done on it in Nor Am, but there were some interesting soviet studies done on oil pulling (swishing oil through the mouth to remove bacteria, viruses and other nasty stuff from the blood stream through the mucous membrane in the mouth). I can't say for sure this works, but I have noticed I get more stuffed up when I do this and have spoken to people who say oil pulling really helped them. If it doesn't work, you have just wasted a few dollars and a a few minutes of your time, since swishing oil in your mouth on an empty stomach is not dangerous.

    I hope your health improves. Do you get enough essential fatty acids in your diet?
  • geeksrule
    geeksrule Posts: 143 Member
    Your getting a lot of good information from lots of people here!!! If you can afford WW for a while then maybe give it a whirl - however to save yourself some money try using MFP at the same time as WW until you are comfortable with making healthier decisions. Being an X-WW member - this site is so more real as you can imagine because in the real world there are real calories not points - the available information on this site far surpasses anything WW has to offer about food/nutrition/exercise (you will be very hard pressed to find a portion of the restaurant information or nutritional info about foods on the WW site) - and most of all SUPPORT.

    Lots of great suggestions to about seeing a nutritionist about setting up a specific plan for your needs (which can still work on MFP - again so flexible).

    Most of all know your not alone - there are lots of people here with lots of health issues who are more than willing to help through the tough times.

    Best of luck in making your decision. Hope to see you around and find out how things are going!!!
  • saffir27
    saffir27 Posts: 68 Member
    I have been on WW and was quite sucesful. The key is to find a meeting that you like the leader. If you don't like the leader you will never attend. But I agree with a number of other people ask for a referal to a dietician. Most insurance companies will cover the cost.
  • NickyCat101
    NickyCat101 Posts: 69
    Is this an old doctor? These seem like very old ways of thinking, if you ask me.

    You should look at the glycemic load diet :) I have insulin resistance and I do a combination of the Insulin Resistance diet and the Glycemic Load diet.
  • debussyschild
    debussyschild Posts: 804 Member
    Wow... no offense, but your doctor sounds like an a**hole. Why is he being so inflexible with you? I get that you have some major medical concerns now and he's trying to get your attention, but he doesn't seem to be going about it in a very professional manner. If I were in your shoes, I'd seek out a second--and hopefully more tactful and professional--opinion on all of your diagnoses and on choosing/designing a weight loss program that suits you.

    WW is great, for many people, but it's one of many weight loss strategies that are effective. WW isn't the only way to go and since MFP is FREE to use by all, it seems very unreasonable for him to ask you to start forking over your hard earned cash for services that are entirely way too costly. Pay money to lose weight? Yeah, right. If you want to pay to seek the advice of a QUALIFIED nutrition and fitness expert, by all means, go for it. That is never a bad idea. WW representatives are not experts on exercise, physiology, and nutrition; only sales, recruitment, and marketing. No offense intended to anyone who is a WW rep.

    Cutting carbohydrates out of your diet completely is not the answer. Replacing simple carbohydrates and sugars not naturally found in foods (like high fructose corn syrup; bad stuff) with complex carbohydrates and more naturally occurring sugars (like fructose, found in fruits) is the best route I think. Carbohydrates are the easiest source of energy for your body to break down, next is fat, and the hardest is protein. Complex carbs (whole wheat, corn, oats, brown rice... any grain products that is "whole grain" without being enriched with an additive) take longer for your body to break down and are better for you (they don't spike your insulin like sugary foods do). Sorry for rambling... Anyways, your doctor is on CRACK. Be wise and get another opinion.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Like someone else said...If you can afford WW then it is a highly successful program. As far as your Doc saying to give up all carbs if you decide to go it alone - I'm not one to tell someone to go against their Doc's advice but that sounds a bit extreme. I would get a 2nd opinion from a another Doc or at least a nutritionist or dietician. Best of luck to you! You are moving in the right direction by taking this first step!!
  • jamk1446
    jamk1446 Posts: 5,577 Member
    WW isn't a be-all-end-all. I'd ask for a referral to a dietician or nutritionist and build a plan with them.

    +1 A good dietician or nutritionist will tailor a plan to your needs.
  • lisashorter
    lisashorter Posts: 7
    Thank you everyone for the advice. However, I do want to take a quick second to defend my doctor. He's really an excellent doctor, and I apologize if I made him sound bad. I had no intentions of doing so. I'm just a little overwhelmed at the moment.
  • DonnaLFitz
    DonnaLFitz Posts: 270 Member
    Eliminate all carbs except light fruits and vegetables (see the 17-Day Diet for a good list) while you lose the weight. Do NOT eliminate all fats -- be sure to include at least one serving of olive oil or similar fat. Otherwise, you will get ridiculously constipated and your skin will dry out.

    WW doesn't do the no-carb thing. They keep "good carbs" in. It never worked for me. Grains are my enemy, and could contribute to the IBS.

    Fibrocystic disease is generally caused by stress and hormones. I've had it for years -- never had surgery or any treatment. Cutting back on caffeine and taking Vitamin E helps with the pain, which mostly occurs in the latter half of the cycle.

    I'm not thrilled with doctors and their knowledge of real life right now. It seems all they are interested in is heavy-duty treatments, like drugs and surgery. So I admit, my bias flared when I read your post.

    You can use MFP, but you need a plan. I suggest the 17-Day Diet. It worked well for me as long as I stayed on the Accelerate Cycle (cycle 1) while losing weight. Then you can add carbs back in slowly to see what your tolerance is. If you follow the food choices of the diet for 7-10 days, you will lose your cravings for carbs.

    Good luck.
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