Still curious about calories

anabell31
anabell31 Posts: 268
edited November 10 in Food and Nutrition
Ok, I've had it explained to me several times but my brain just doesn't want to accept it. I'm eating my 1200 calories a day (sometimes I feel like I have to force myself to eat to get enough) and am indeed losing weight.

But before I found MFP, I went to my doctor with concerns about my weight and she gave me a prescription for phentermine, which she described as legal crack. It was supposed to kill my appetite and rev up my energy levels and I would be losing an insane amount of weight. There were plenty of safety regulations to go along with it: I could only take it for a month and had to go in and be weighed once a week.

Well my doc is a quack and didn't check it against my other meds and I nearly ended up in the emergency room after the first dose. But I digress. My real question is why are products like that offered? If your body will just end up hoarding everything it can when you start eating normally again, why would doctors offer a pill that pretty much makes you quit eating altogether?

Replies

  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I'm sorry you had to go through that!

    Honestly, most doctors don't understand nutrition or fitness very well at all. This is something few of them really get a good education in, and yet they think they understand it. Many just throw medication at the problem instead of helping to support you doing something for yourself.

    I had the same experience with my first family doctor who also told me my heart condition was "stress."

    There are good docs and bad ones. Just like in any other profession.
  • fitobsessed
    fitobsessed Posts: 74
    What I've realized, is that doctors don't make any money if you're HEALTHY. Get it?
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Far too many doctors go for the money instead of the well-being of their patient. In addition, doctors may offer quick fixes to make you happy because it's easier than explaining that it's better to do it slow and steady.
  • anabell31
    anabell31 Posts: 268
    Elizabeth: Yeah, I've been to a few different doctors about some sort of arrhythmia and they do a few tests and pretty much say "lol I dunno" and send me on my way. That's also why I've started using as many home remedies as I can

    fitobsessed: That did come to mind! I wish the world wasn't like that...
  • lisa28115
    lisa28115 Posts: 17,271 Member
    What I've realized, is that doctors don't make any money if you're HEALTHY. Get it?

    I agree....:bigsmile:
  • KarmaxKitty
    KarmaxKitty Posts: 901 Member
    Unfortunately, LOOOOTS of doctors are still wrong about a lot of things. Also, when you get pills, the medical industry gets money. When you end up in the emergency room, same thing. I'm not saying this is a conspiracy, but simple observation.

    Also, a lot of doctors jump to prescription pills like reflex... I still don't get how it's easier to give out a pill instead of CLEARLY LAY OUT the whole "eat healthy, work out" thing. I NEVER went to my doc about weight for that exact reason. Wait...I did once. But he was homeopathic based, that one, and told me the same thing. Eat better, move more. XD

    Also agree with fitobsessed...healthy patients is a giant oxymoron. What's a doctor supposed to do with a HEALTHY patient? :laugh:
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    Elizabeth: Yeah, I've been to a few different doctors about some sort of arrhythmia and they do a few tests and pretty much say "lol I dunno" and send me on my way. That's also why I've started using as many home remedies as I can

    fitobsessed: That did come to mind! I wish the world wasn't like that...

    I would suggest going straight to a cardiologist and bypassing the general docs. The medication I'm on via my cardiologist has been a godsend for me. Knowing (finally) what the issue is has been great also.
  • KarmaxKitty
    KarmaxKitty Posts: 901 Member
    Far too many doctors go for the money instead of the well-being of their patient. In addition, doctors may offer quick fixes to make you happy because it's easier than explaining that it's better to do it slow and steady.

    Ohhh, I hadn't thought of that one. Protecting themselves from "not being helpful" because it's not happening fast enough for the patient's opinion. I can understand that...I used to be that person. XD
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Far too many doctors go for the money instead of the well-being of their patient. In addition, doctors may offer quick fixes to make you happy because it's easier than explaining that it's better to do it slow and steady.

    Ohhh, I hadn't thought of that one. Protecting themselves from "not being helpful" because it's not happening fast enough for the patient's opinion. I can understand that...I used to be that person. XD

    It's the same reason why doctors prescribe way too many antibiotics. Patients demand it because they think it'll help. Doctors know better, but they comply. Eventually, we end up with antibiotic resistant bacteria thanks to overuse. YAY MRSA!
  • anabell31
    anabell31 Posts: 268
    Bah... Humans make no sense
  • anabell31
    anabell31 Posts: 268

    It's the same reason why doctors prescribe way too many antibiotics. Patients demand it because they think it'll help. Doctors know better, but they comply. Eventually, we end up with antibiotic resistant bacteria thanks to overuse. YAY MRSA!

    I'm so paranoid about antibiotics!!!! To the point that I refuse to take them unless I'm dying
  • FitLink
    FitLink Posts: 1,317 Member
    Ok, I've had it explained to me several times but my brain just doesn't want to accept it. I'm eating my 1200 calories a day (sometimes I feel like I have to force myself to eat to get enough) and am indeed losing weight.

    But before I found MFP, I went to my doctor with concerns about my weight and she gave me a prescription for phentermine, which she described as legal crack. It was supposed to kill my appetite and rev up my energy levels and I would be losing an insane amount of weight. There were plenty of safety regulations to go along with it: I could only take it for a month and had to go in and be weighed once a week.

    Well my doc is a quack and didn't check it against my other meds and I nearly ended up in the emergency room after the first dose. But I digress. My real question is why are products like that offered? If your body will just end up hoarding everything it can when you start eating normally again, why would doctors offer a pill that pretty much makes you quit eating altogether?

    Your doctor prescribed you phentermine even though she considered it "legal crack?" Wish I could answer your question, but I'm at a loss. I think some doctors Rx less safe medications when patients pressure them to, but if you didn't ask for it, I can't imagine why she'd Rx you something she considered dangerous.
  • anabell31
    anabell31 Posts: 268
    FitLink, I had actually asked about an advertisement she had in her office for some kind of diet plan/workout regime thing because I was concerned. She said it was expensive and time consuming and this and that and hey lookie here I have a pill bottle!
  • KarmaxKitty
    KarmaxKitty Posts: 901 Member
    FitLink, I had actually asked about an advertisement she had in her office for some kind of diet plan/workout regime thing because I was concerned. She said it was expensive and time consuming and this and that and hey lookie here I have a pill bottle!

    There it is. Translation: "You're just like all the rest and you're not going to like the fact that this is slow. So to save your time AND my sanity, have some crack!!!"
  • anabell31
    anabell31 Posts: 268
    Then why advertise iiiiittttt???? -frustration-
  • fitobsessed
    fitobsessed Posts: 74
    And docs/nurses make mistakes too - after all, they are just as human as we are! Two examples:

    Last month I was very sick and I knew it wasn't a cold, I KNEW it was a virus. Went to my primary care and he said it WAS a cold and gave me Rx cough medicine, which didn't work. I said okay, no problem. A week later, I went to the ENT (ear, nose, throat) and lo and behold, he told me I DID have a virus and it was trying to end its course.

    Another example: my mother had kidney cancer a few years ago. While in the hospital with her after they removed her kidney, a nurse came in to give her some medicne. MY MOTHER BEING A NURSE HERSELF, asked what it was first and turns out it was anti-depression medication. My mother said "I had my kidney removed, I'm not depressed!" Turns out, they made a MISTAKE and then came back with the correct meds.

    Can you imagine if that were you - someone with no knowledge of meds. We just take what these doctors say as fact. Who knows that those meds could have done to my mother. SMH!!!
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Then why advertise iiiiittttt???? -frustration-

    Money. As long as there are people out there who want quick fixes, companies will capitalize on it. There will always be diet fads and scams.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    I have a hard time trusting doctors. A lot of them are more concerned with money or selling certain drugs than they are about the well being of their patients.
  • cbl40
    cbl40 Posts: 281 Member
    There are good and bad doctors everywhere. Just like teachers, lawyers, police officers, etc....But a lot of doctors are not in it for the money. Primary care physicians and pediatricians make very little money, compared to specialists.
  • plushkitten
    plushkitten Posts: 547 Member
    Hahahha wtfff, I wouldn't listen to my doctor if she's like "oh here take this, it's like legal crack."
    I never would want to hear my doctor, who has a ph.d in medicine and holds a high scholarly position in society use any vernacular that I can hear on the streets.


    O.o ahahah
  • janeite1990
    janeite1990 Posts: 671 Member
    I have a hard time trusting doctors. A lot of them are more concerned with money or selling certain drugs than they are about the well being of their patients.

    No offense, but I don't think most of this drug overload is due to doctors going after the cash. My husband is a doctor. Every day, patients walk in and tell him what they want like it is a buffet line. When he nicely explains why he must decline, they cuss him with every name in the book. You wouldn't believe what he has been called because he wouldnt

    *give someone Xanax who didn't need it but like it a lot
    * wanted antibiotics for something that was clearly a virus
    *provide a doctor's excuse for someone to miss work for no reason
    *confirm that someone should recieve disability when there is no reason for the person not to work.

    Some doctors aren't as strong-minded as he is and just go ahead and give it when someone asks. It's dumb, but it doesn't really make them that much money or lose them that much money either way. Lots of docs are getting $2-$15 out of the office visit you are paying $120 for. You wouldn't believe where all the other cash goes, but it isn't all to the docs.

    Sorry, that ends my rant.
  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Posts: 242 Member
    Some doctors get commission or kick backs from certain drugs they prescribe. That should be illegal! My sis was prescribed twice the legal limit of adderoll and it almost killed her... more than once before the pharmasist caught it.
    My advice is do the research yourself, the info is out there and accessible. BUT you have to be careful about your sources. I'm glad you are here on MFP. When deciding my course of weight loss action, I asked myself 2 questions:
    1. Is this getting me ALL the results I want?
    2. Can I keep doing this forever to keep ALL the results I want?

    Keep up the good work and dont' worry about how fast it works... just focus on building the habits and the fact that it does work. :)
  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Posts: 242 Member
    Some doctors aren't as strong-minded as he is and just go ahead and give it when someone asks.

    Where does he work? Can I make your hubs my new family doc?
  • LilRedRooster
    LilRedRooster Posts: 1,421 Member
    Honestly, I know a lot of doctors, and what a lot of them have heard over and over again from people is "I do what I can, and I can't lose weight!" They say "Well, cut back on your calories, work out, etc.", and give the usual advice, and people say "That hasn't worked for me. There must be something else." So instead of waiting to hear people make up excuses, a lot of the time they'll prescribe something just to make people feel like they're getting a tangible help. For some people, that is what kicks them into a diet and exercise, like a mental push.

    Not that it's a good idea, but you'd be surprised how many people go to doctors about weight loss, and don't want to hear "Cut back on what you're eating and exercise", because they're just CONVINCED that that can't work for them. A lot of people just want pills to do the work for them, so a lot of doctors just give it to them.
  • superjae5
    superjae5 Posts: 64 Member
    I agree with Janeite. People are too sue happy, so instead of recommending what they normally would, some docs go the "safe" route and those that don't people complain about and hate/pester/etc. A large part of the problem is many of us don't have any skin in the game (i.e. what do I care, I'm only paying $XX for this visit, all these tests/medications will be paid for by my insurance). It's okay to civilly push back on what a doctor suggests, since they're likely used to the cry baby drama ppl that come in regularly for the common cold. Questions like what will this cost? Is this really necessary? Are there other things I can try first? What is it your prescribing me and what exactly is it for? These are all questions we should be asking on a regular basis. Even if your insurance is covering you 100%, you should still ask why it's necessary.

    There are probably some doctors who are in it for the money, but the vast majority of them went into the field hoping to cure and/or improve people's lives. They don't want to see you in their office again, if you understand my meaning (i.e. because you're well). Those that don't, well, maybe you should consider going to another doctor.

    Sorry your doc was wacky though. Yeah, I think any doc who said this is "legal crack" I'd be asking quite a few questions to and reconsidering ever coming to them again.
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    Honestly, I know a lot of doctors, and what a lot of them have heard over and over again from people is "I do what I can, and I can't lose weight!" They say "Well, cut back on your calories, work out, etc.", and give the usual advice, and people say "That hasn't worked for me. There must be something else." So instead of waiting to hear people make up excuses, a lot of the time they'll prescribe something just to make people feel like they're getting a tangible help. For some people, that is what kicks them into a diet and exercise, like a mental push.

    Not that it's a good idea, but you'd be surprised how many people go to doctors about weight loss, and don't want to hear "Cut back on what you're eating and exercise", because they're just CONVINCED that that can't work for them. A lot of people just want pills to do the work for them, so a lot of doctors just give it to them.

    ^^THIS.

    And as far as how the pills get to market despite having so many risks...they are intended for people who are obese and beyond, such that the risk of being overweight is greater than the risk of taking the medication. That is how they are tested, that is what the FDA approves (if you are in the US), and that is what the manufacturer is allowed to promote.

    That said, your physician can prescribe whatever they want to whomever they want. If your physician wants to prescribe Viagra for the common cold, they can do that as far as the FDA is concerned -- it's just "off label". Your health insurer or pharmacy benefit manager may be unwilling to pay for it, but the doctor can write the prescription.

    So, physicians write prescriptions for pills for a lot of patients who don't fit the original criteria. Sometimes in combinations that were never clinically tested or approved by the FDA (such as phen-fen).
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