It's been a rough week, I'm not gonna lie. I went to the doctor yesterday just to get a referral for an eye disease I have had for the last 8 years (long boring story). I was so excited to go and have them notice how much weight I have lost. And I was curious to see how my blood pressure was doing. It's been in the 138/85 range since I was in college. I just knew it was finally going to be at healthy levels. I have so many friends doing Beach Body programs that have gone off high blood pressure meds, cholesterol meds, stomach meds, anti-depressants ... you name it!!
My blood pressure was 143/88. So they took it again ... 138/83
So after talking with the doctor about my eye I just asked "I'm a little concerned that my blood pressure is still so high..." She looks at me and says "well you might need to shed a few pounds and start exercising and eating better."
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| SOAKED in sweat and flaming red face!!! |
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" was my first thought. So I told her "I don't know if you looked at my chart before you came in here ... but I HAVE lost a lot of weight. And I workout EVERY SINGLE MORNING." She just looked at me ... then said "well, what do you do for exercise??" And I could tell by her voice and her look that she thought I was a big fat liar. WHAT THE FREAK??? I workout so hard every morning that I'm covered in sweat, and I have had sore muscles somewhere in my body every day for the last 14 months. 14 months!! I have been building muscle for the last 14 month and her answer was ... "maybe you need to lose a little weight and change your diet and exercise." *sigh*
She told me I need to not eat any sodium so I told her ... "I really don't." She said "uh, sodium is in lots of things like canned goods and pre-packaged meals." DUH!! I don't eat ANY of those!! I know she didn't believe me. She told me I could come back in after a couple of months of trying to change my diet and exercise and see if the blood pressure had improved. Um, If nothing has changed in the last 14 months is 2 months really going to be life changing???
Please someone tell me I'm not the only one who gets treated this way when they see a doctor ... Please?!?
Evelyn sent me your way- loving your story, and I hope mine is the same in a year. As for the Dr- that is just plain ridiculous. I would be furious!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I'm getting all fire-ry over here for you! What freaking right did she have to behave like that?! After working in the medical field myself I can testify that medical people tend to get really calloused. They see so many liars they just start pre-judging everyone I think. Tangent: I'm curious what shape that lady was in herself. Also, almost the exact thing happened to me with an internalist. Months before he had told me that I had a "fatty liver" and could really only solve it by exercising and eating better. I'm grateful he said it because the humiliation was part of motiation to get off my butt and do it. But when I went back to see him for a followup he hardly looked at me or my chart and told me the exact same thing. Jerk. I didn't go back.
ReplyDeleteI would try to find another PCM if you can. The fact that she hasn't even bothered to review your history and the fact that she treats you like you're a liar are both completely unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteAs for the BP, yours isn't awful and as you continue to lose weight, I'm sure it'll go down even more. I wouldn't worry too much about that right now. You're on the right path, you're doing everything just as you should!
Gwen
I would be devastated, that is weird though why it has not changed. Hmmmm. U r an inspiration. I notice the amazing life changing work u have done and continue to do.
ReplyDeleteI agree that you should find another primary care provider. Someone who will celebrate your success with you! It should have been obvious from your chart that you had lost weight and are working hard.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that you should change to a new doctor. Not only was that woman rude, but she was not looking at you on an individual or personal level and was only giving you layman's answers for your questions and concerns. First, there are many reasons why your BP may still be high. For instance, is there any family history? Because a hereditary link can cause elevated numbers despite your best efforts in diet and exercise. Also, some people suffer from what's called "white coat syndrome" where subconsciously your BP is higher in the doctor's office and hospital even though it may actually be at normal levels otherwise. Next, BP readings should not be examined from any one reading alone. Instead it should be examined by looking at trends and tracking different readings at different times of the day and in different settings. Last but not least, I am wondering if they took your BP manually or with a machine. Something as simple as improper cuff size, or poor technique could also be a contributor. In short, do not get too discouraged about this particular reading. You are on the right track with a healthy lifestyle and you should continue to focus on that for now. The BP will likely even out and follow suit. Your number is also not grossly high. You are able to maintain a very active & athletic lifestyle without symptoms or difficulty, and that is the most important thing. Remember, your entire body is changing and has been for the past year and it's not doing it overnight. The heart and blood vessels will change too, but it's all a process. Do not become too fixated with the numbers right now. Just keep being healthy and fit! The rest will work itself out. The truth is, there are bad doctors out there (and rude and inconsiderate constitutes "bad" in my eyes). You have the right to choose who's managing your healthcare needs and it should be someone that you believe in and feel good about. It should not be someone who demeans you and makes you doubt all your amazing progress and hard work. You deserve better than that! Also, a quick side note, I think that Walgreens is doing free BP screening for this month. If there is one near you, you should stop in to see what kind of readings you get there. But, again, don't get too caught up in the numbers right now. You are on the right track, so just stay focused on what you know works and don't get discouraged! Tiffani
ReplyDeleteWow! That is super frustrating! I agree with everyone else that you need a new doctor, one that can see the progress you've made, which any dummy could see by the way, and say, first of all, "wow! Look at all the weight you've lost! Right on!" and then say, "Oh, you're worried about your blood pressure? Well, let's talk about that." And then to talk down to you like that and not listen to you? I think my blood pressure is going up - I'm so angry right now!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone!!! It was REALLY deflating. It's good to be reminded that there is another reason I am still trying so hard to change my life. Because it makes me happy and I get to share my journey with so many amazing people!! Thanks again!!!!
ReplyDeleteAmy I am so sorry. I have been there with my thyroid issues they just say I don't know how to eat that is why I can't lose weight and that I am depressed. Well that is true. I have met some real jerks and started crying in the office. I am so sorry that you were treated like that you have been through alot! jolynn
ReplyDeleteI had a horrible experience similar to this when I went in to an OB/GYN to talk to him about starting our family. He basically told me he wouldn't treat me unless I lost 50 pounds. And he wasn't nice about it. My husband and I will never go back. Hugs to you. I know how it feels.
ReplyDeleteIt may have been different if it had been a doctor that you have seen consistently over the last 10 years or so. But being that your military, that's not going to be the case. It totally sucks that she did that. I wish I could give a better answer. I have always changed doctors when stuff like this happens, when I feel like they are just not listening. Again, being military, you probably don't have that convenience.
ReplyDeleteOh- if you did go back, I would totally call her out on how she has been treating you. Nicely of course, but let her know that your not one of those liars.
ReplyDeleteI've been there for several issues, and I don't return to those kinds of doctors. When I was pregnant with Lydia, when I was like 8 months pregnant, my dr. told me that if she didn't flip, I'd have to consider a c-section. This was after I had already scheduled the c-section since I had discussed with that dr. that there was no other possibility after 2 previous c-sections. And I was supposed to trust this guy to cut me open?!? Any dr. that doesn't take the time to look at your chart and history is not worth the money you're giving him or her.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy - I found you through The Turquoise Piano and your blog is fascinating. I lost 100 pounds and have been at my goal weight for about 4 weeks. I still can't believe it and I have those days where I just want to slip back into my old habits until I look at an old picture. I have a few BB workouts (ChaLean Extreme, TurboFire, Les Mills Combat) and I love them, but I lost most of the weight before I discovered BB with Cathe Friedrich. If you decide you want to mix up your workouts, she's definitely worth a look. Good luck! I will be following you now and I can't wait to read more about your progress!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, first, let me say, those numbers are not much out of normal range. A lot of things can factor into the number though, things that have nothing to do with bad behavior. Blood pressure tends to be highest in the mornings. Blook pressure raises as you exercise, so if it had not been that long since your workout, it could still have been a bit elevated from that.
ReplyDeleteI test my blood pressure every day (morning and night) and it can be radically different even in a 10-minute period of time. But I can also say that it ALWAYS tests higher when I go into the doctor. Because although I really like my PCP and she is very gentle with me, I still hate the whole doctor experience! :)
I would take my menu and workout program to show her, and hopefully she'll think twice about blowing you off.
ReplyDeleteWas she a military doctor? I had my worst appointments with military doctors- they always made me want to go home and cry! I think what you are doing is awesome and I am so impressed! I wish I had your will power and determination. You are beautiful and amazing! I hope you don't mind I am commenting on this a month later! I just hate uncaring doctors who don't really listen.
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