just back from doc's- upset because I can't get anywhere

Liz3yy

boltonangel wrote: »

Hi

The title is a little confusing but I didn't know what to write.

In Sept 09 I went to my old GP (we've moved areas) complaining with constantly feeling tired and gaining weight. She thought that I may have an underactive thyroid because my neck was 'full' looking so sent bloods off to be tested.
They came back saying that I didn't have a thyroid problem but did have a b12 deficiency.

I was then prescribed b12 injections every 3 months. I went for the 1st month.

Felling constantly tired again I went to visit my new GP and asked if I could have another injection (I already have the actual vial of b12) but he said that I couldn't possibly have b12 aneamia as I am not thin enough.
I mentioned that whatever I do I constantly keep gaining weight, for example this week I have started slimming world and stuck to it because the only person who suffers if I don't is me and have gained 4 pounds in less than a week!
I did slimming world in 2008 and lost 3 stones so I know it works.

The GP said that I need to cut to 1000 calories a day and that I should stop making excuses for my weight gain but that he would arrange for more blood tests just to prove I don't have b12 deficiency.

I am so upset. I got out of the surgery and burst into tears in the car park in front of my 2 year old and haven't stopped since.
I just don't know what to do. I have tried everything and nothing is working anymore. I feel so down all the time and have started to stop going out unless it's absolutely necessary.

I am 5ft 4 and now weigh 11st despite weighing 10st 11 on weds.

Hey don't feel down, if it makes you feel any better I'm only 4ft 11 and weight 11 stone too! I don't feel fat though just a bit big round the middle.

Have you tried getting a second or even third opinion? your doctor sounds like a !!!!!

flea72

boltonangel wrote: »

Hi, thanks.

I didn't realise I was obese, feel even worse now! :rotfl:

Thanks I will look into perhaps getting a referral to a dietician, I think that might help.

sarah

i knew using that word would be wrong, lol. i didnt mean it in a bad way, i just meant a Dr cant refer you unless you fall into that category, so was pointing out, that rather than your Dr giving you helpful advice (not) about dropping calories, that you can go back to him, with some ammunition, to get the help you need

Its all well and good him saying you should only eat 1000 calories, but unless hes a dietician himself, he shouldnt be giving out advice like that, as eating too little, can also cause weight gain, its not just about cutting back calories

F

Liz3yy

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

Hi,

I haven't had time to read all the replies made my way through the first page.

I would suggest asking to see if there is a family planning nurse at your surgery. She will be able to help you with the pill.

I have cerazette and it is amazing for me, I don't have a monthly at all any more. But she did say that if this one doesn't suit me there are many other pills she can try me on for avoiding DVTs.

In terms of seeing your doctor, definitely go and see another one, either in the practice, or if the next one is dreadful go to another surgery. Eventually you will find a good one for you.

hth

I used to use Cerazette and I hated it! goes to show different we all are eh?!

Blackpool_Saver

Different labs have different reference ranges for thyroid bloods, you could be just at the edge of a range and would be helped by medication.
In any case you need those results for your base line. I would then see a dr privately. It doesn't cost that much.

Blackpool_Saver

flea72 wrote: »

i knew using that word would be wrong, lol. i didnt mean it in a bad way, i just meant a Dr cant refer you unless you fall into that category, so was pointing out, that rather than your Dr giving you helpful advice (not) about dropping calories, that you can go back to him, with some ammunition, to get the help you need

Its all well and good him saying you should only eat 1000 calories, but unless hes a dietician himself, he shouldnt be giving out advice like that, as eating too little, can also cause weight gain, its not just about cutting back calories

F

The obese category starts at quite a low weight in my opinion. JMO of course.

sandiep

Thyroids levels can go up and down pretty rapidly. I spent nearly 9 months never quite getting thyroid medication and treatment because my thyroid went from severly overactive one month, to normal levels 4 weeks later. Up and down all over the place for nearly a year. Then after 3 high levels doctor sends me off to have the radioactive treatment that kills permanently off a bit of thyroid, and just to be safe, I had a blood test the week before and it had all gone back to normal again.

So, there is no harm in getting this checked on a regular basis.

Exercise may help simply from an energy perspective, go and do something just from the perspective of getting a bit of time to yourself for a bit of R&R, and any weight loss is a double advantage. Would highly recommend swimming because you can take it at your own pace, and never mind how bad your body worries or morale, you can always be guaranteed that there will be someone there in a swim suite that looks one heck of a lot worse than you. Go somewhere with a health suite, and give yourself a bit of a steam room/jacuzzi reward for your swimming.

Food wise, try getting some Brown Rice into your diet. it's my "power food". Whenever i'm feeling crap and low on energy. Works really well for me, and I think tastes better than the white stuff, and the kids absolutely love it.

I also second advice about changing pill etc. I put on a stone over a year when I was on depro.

Finally, if you've got a two year old don't underestimate the amount of your energy that they use up. They are like little black holes for a mothers energy at that age, and you don't realise how much until they get to be three and it suddenly becomes a whole lot easier.

Good luck and take care.

hermanmunster_3

This thread has been a fascinating learning experience for me.

Lobell

Please seek a second opinion about the B12 deficiency...Pernicious Anaemia is potentially very serious. However, I also note that you say you are allergic to diary. B12 is derived primarily from meat and dairy so it could be that you are simply not getting enough from your diet. You really need to establish conclusiely if you have a B12 deficiceny and what the cause of it is as it may be just that you need to adjust your diet.

And as for your Doctor saying that you are not thin enough to be B12 deficient...I was extremely overweight when my pernicious Anaemia was diagnosed. I have lost quite a lot of weight since then (and continue to lose weight) but my deficiency is because I lack the intrinsic factor required to absorb B12 from food.

The fact that I have now lost a significant amount of weight may be connected to the fact that I now have my B12 levels regulated...I can't say for sure as I also came off the Depo contraceptive injection not long after and it is known to cause weight gain. But I defintely had more energy after starting on the B12 injections which makes me more inclined to exercise.

I can't stress enough how important it is that you find out more about the possible B12 deficiency. If you Google 'Pernicious Anaemia' there is loads of informataion about it's side effects and going for a prolonged period untreated is very dangerous. There is a very informatie forum on the Pernicious Anaemia Society website. One injection every 3 months may also not be enough to raise your levels sufficiently...I had to have weekly injections for the first 6 weeks and then moved onto the 3 monthly regime.

You can change your doctor at any time for any reason...if you are not happy with this one (and he sounds dreadful) or perhaps see another in the practice.

Good luck in getting proper treatment.

ceridwen

Swop g.ps.

Its not necessary to go to the trouble of swopping practice if you dont like the one you have (trans: think they're useless) - you just make sure that you find out what times they are in and "can never make it" at those times - so automatically they have to slot you in with a different doctor.

I can certainly see why you're bothered. If I was quite quite sure in my own mind that I was doing all the right things to be slim and I wasnt - then I would be totally horrified at putting on weight because of something that wasnt my fault.

EDIT: Actually if I was overweight and it wasnt my fault - then I would be keeping a diary of exactly what I was eating/drinking and the quantities to prove to anyone that said that I was at fault that I wasnt "overdoing it". But - as I said = change doctor. I think you'll find that many many of us get at least one idiot doctor at some point in our lives and have to swop to get one who knows their job better. I think we all know if its our own fault or no if we are overweight if we are the type of person who is honest with themself. It sounds to me like you are someone who IS honest with themself - so I'd be willing to bet that its your health at fault and NOT you IYSWIM.

Steel_2

Your GP is a pill*ck, just like mine.

I've had chronic fatigue for three years and could never shift my weight which kept slowly creeping up. I'd be yawning by 11am and would fall asleep while eating dinner at 7am. I once fell asleep in my dinner.

My doctor couldn't be less interested.

During an ultrasound for something else it was revealed I am bordeline PCOS, which would account for the symptoms I've been experiencing.

My doctor couldn't be less interested.

After some research on the net, I got some books out of the library on low GI diets and started taking some vitamins and minerals. I cut down on and eliminated high GI foods and within a month felt normal for the first time in 3 years.

My doctor couldn't be less interested.