What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU? - PaleoHacks.com

What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-16T17:12:05Z

On Thursday, I went to the doctors, because I want my bloodwork done. I was prediabetic, but my last AC1, a year ago, was great. My doctor's office is a teaching office for new doctors, and I got a resident. After taking a history, she measured my waist and said, "You still have a ways to go, we recommend all women have a waist under 81cm (31inches)."

I was annoyed, because I've lost over 100lbs in under a year. Plus, I can't stand standardized body expectations. My regular doctor would not have said such a thing to me.

Later, I told my sister's gf about this. She's a nurse in a heart surgery unit. I told her that my caloric intake is consistently between 900-1500, and she said, "The recommendation for women is 1300."

%^(*&!! Seriously? My BMR is 1769 at my current weight. WTH is wrong with them? I bike, walk 5 miles a day, weightlift regularly. 1300 for all women, regardless of size, activity? If anything, I've been concerned that I'm not eating enough.

Anyways, I want to know what the stupid things medical professionals have told you? And given my BMR 1769, and my activity level's high, what is your opinion on what my caloric requirements are for safe, consistent weightloss?

Answer by Crowlover for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-16T17:36:09Z

Crowbar, Im sorry about these stupid and insensitive comments. It annoyed me too, for you!

What's wrong with them, sadly, is that with very few exceptions, medical doctors know almost nothing of importance about nutrition and exercise and what is required to prevent disease or get back into good health.

The surgeon's comment is funny. Isn't 1300 between 900-1500?! Anyway, she is a surgeon, and perhaps a good surgeon. Surgeon's don't do a lot of primary care.

As for the resident - that's a good teaching moment for her. I wish you would have said something like "Since you are learning to be a doctor, it will be important for you to think about what you say to patients. I've lost over 100 pounds in the past year and I exercise 5x a week. My A1C was excellent last time (throw out other labs she will "get") and it really doesn't help me at all when you point out that I have a ways to go. I am working on my health every single day. Please don't try to put me into your standardized box. Clearly I know I have a ways to go and Im working my butt off to get there." Something like that. Teach her a thing or two about why what she said was not helpful.
Its not too late to write a letter!

Also, think about perhaps sharing less details and protecting yourself from scrutiny since most people are idiots on this stuff compared to what you know. Just a thought. Or have a good comeback like "Well, lets see....I've lost over 100 pounds, I exercise everyday, I feel great and my labwork is stellar so those calorie charts clearly don't apply to everyone".

As for whether or not you are eating enough - are you hungry? Is your hair and skin healthy? Lots of people have slow metabolism/sluggish thyroid. Has that been checked?

Keep up the fabulous work.

Answer by Matt for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-16T17:42:13Z

Recommendations, as you received, just cover the most people. Without a detailed medical history and measurements, the standard line is usually good enough. Is a 31 inch waist too small for you? I doubt it, then again, I don't know your background and nor am I a doctor with experience enough to make such recommendations. I certainly don't think it was rude of the resident to say that to you - maybe it lacked a little sugar coating.

As for your energy intake. BMR is coma-level energy, required for basic function and upkeep. If your BMR is approximately 1700 calories, eating 900-1500 calories is starvation. By the time you apply a fairly active activity modifier (1.3-1.5), your maintenance calories are somewhere around 2400. You're talking 1000-1500 calorie deficit daily, seems aggressive to me.

Of course, everybody wants to think they're some unique snowflake, but lets face it, most snowflakes look alike. More often than not, generic recommendations are applicable.

Answer by TruthinessInc for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-16T18:43:21Z

"I want to know what the stupid things medical professionals have told you?"

When speaking with a doctor in the office I have to repeat to myself…general practitioner…general practitioner …general practitioner …this person is just PRACTISING right now…practise practise…the problem is they never seem to practise a bedside manner …meaning…focus on who’s with you now, not on who’s next, and most importantly listen and let it absorb.

I went in to have my big toe looked at because I was having an odd pain and wanted to make sure I hadn’t done some major damage to it after a 60 pound dumb bell rolled off a bench and smashed it…My GP told me I was fat ……I blinked wondering how that was effecting my toe pain… I told him I lost 40 pounds …he told me to lose more…I told him… keep practising. He didn’t understand what I meant at first, but then it clicked and he seemed pissed, but it was quickly apparent that I wasn’t the first one to have said something similar to him…

I respect the field of medicine, I respect the amount of time and effort that goes into what is a field that can be one of the most stressful jobs in the world, and I respect the amount of sheer knowledge that is stored away in order to help diagnose what might be wrong with an individual on any given day...BUT…given the amount of medical errors resulting in deaths that occur EACH year (6th leading cause of death in the USA by some estimates)…I refuse to be treated as though I don’t know ANYTHING and that my questions and opinions are somehow negated because you studied a whole semester on diet and nutrition and the topic I’m discussing was never covered, ergo...has no value...and that if something is wrong with you, it’s because you’re fat…it’s gotta be it!

The stupidest thing a doctor has ever said to me wasn’t his words… but his assumptions

Truth.

Answer by JeJ for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T01:25:46Z

I think that the point made by Crowlover is a good one- if you can, let the person know! I've had a couple run-in's, the most traumatic of which was a young resident telling me that I didn't actually have a heart condition and that I probably was just quite anxious and should be put on anti-anxiety meds. This was AFTER I'd already had a heart surgery. Not helping the "delicate female" label that had just been slapped on me, I burst into tears and proceeded to get very upset and leave the appointment. After taking a few days to compose, I called the office and had a long conversation with the receptionist who then passed me on to my cardiologist who apologized profusely. At the next appointment the receptionist told me that the incident had inspired the cardiologist to bring in a group that taught all the staff (cardiologists, LPN's, RN's, residents) about prejudice and gender bias when treating patients. My cardiologist brought the resident in to apologize to me, and it all ended up being a good experience overall. My cardiologist was always wonderful to me, and still is- he even teared up when he had to cancel one of my surgeries. This incident impressed me as one of the few that ended up with a positive resolution. I wonder, however, if patients were more vocal about their feelings, if this would happen a lot less. I think particularily what you are talking about, which would be the very sensitive topic of weight, needs to be drilled into physicians and dietitians (as a future dietitian, holy crap do the students need to hear WAAAAAAY more about this) how to approach it. Right now it is dealt with so insensitively or awkwardly, or just not at all. It is truly horrible some of the things I've heard about that doctors have said to even modestly overweight patients- I can't imagine the harassment (and it many cases it could literally be called harassment because it is so disrespectful and condescending) that any obese patients must undergo.

Another incident was a very odd remark that made me extremely uncomfortable during a pelvic examination- young guy, I think he had no idea that it freaked me out. Thinking back, I kick myself for not mentioning it directly to him or to the receptionist (who I even knew) on my way out. Could have saved the doctor making that same weird comment to dozens of other women before someone down the line pointed out to him that it was a very odd thing to say at totally the wrong time. We get really frightened of policing other people when they get out of line, I wish that it was easier and we had more avenues to do so without worrying about being offensive or picky, even though we deserve to be picky when it comes to our comfort and health.

Answer by Chinaeskimo for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T01:43:04Z

When I was inititally diagnosed with cancer, during a very painful pelvic exam, the dr kept saying over and over, " I am not hurting you, I am not hurting you." I wanted to kick him in the face. I had also asked him why he had chosen to be a gyn oncologist and he told me, "I like to do surgery and the money is great." I never went back.

My oncologist at Sloan Kettering (supposed to be the best and the brightest, right?) has told me not to take vitamin c because it causes cancer.

Oh, and my original surgeon prescribed estrogen for me, even though he left in my ovaries, despite the fact that many cervical cancers have estrogen receptors and are estrogen sensitive.

You really need to be your own advocate when it comes to medicine. My father is a doctor ad my mother is s nurse and the horror stories they could tell you about other doctors are unbelievable.

Answer by Caveman formally known as Dan for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T02:10:18Z

It's what they told me and what they didn't tell me. About a year ago, my Endo had me do an endoscopy to determine if I had Celiacs. I ended up doing it and have had digestion issues ever since. I just found out from my PCP that at that time they found out I had gastritis and a stomach ulcer but failed to tell me until two days ago. Now I have to due some heavy damage control and try to kill off the H. pylori that is causing the ulcer as it seems to be the cause of my digestion issues.

Answer by YoungPaleoLover for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T02:22:18Z

The dumbest thing I've ever been told by a doctor is when I got my blood work back and I had HDL 100 and LDL 121 so total cholesterol= over 200! She had a freak out and said, "Wow your bloodwork is in bad shape, I highly recommend seeing a nutritionist." Pshh, and then she wanted me to get a flu shot!

Answer by Victoria for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T04:23:02Z

Stupid things people say...I have a good friend who is 58; walks everyday; does pilates and yoga a few times a week; and jogs frequently. She's as slim as can be, bordering on skinny. When she got her blood work results, they told her that her LDL was high so she should lose weight and do more exercise. Seriously?

Answer by scottts for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T04:37:51Z

Stupidest thing my doctor ever told me was that supplementing with T4 thyroid hormone is better then T3 because T4 is the active form of the hormone.

It's not that I have a problem supplementing T4 it's just that he's so stupid he doesn't understand the relationship between T4 and T3 properly.

Scary.

Answer by bachcole for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T05:29:39Z

When it comes to health, conventional doctors are useless and often dangerous. My worse experience was one telling my wife that she needed a radical hysterectomy because my wife had endometriosis. I had every intention to not listening to their treatment plan; I just want a diagnosis for her, not a treatment plan. We tried homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine. We now have two lovely children that anyone would envy.

Answer by staceychev for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T12:41:02Z

My daughter's pediatrician told me that her eczema couldn't possibly be related to any food allergies, because eczema isn't a symptom of allergic response. (This was after the allergist told me that the foods causing eczema were difficult to pin down because eczema is usually a result of combined multiple immediate onset and delayed onset allergies.)

Answer by EDubs for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T12:54:52Z

My bloodwork was showing that I was anemic and my PCP said that it was normal for women to be anemic, because we lose so much blood during menstruation. First of all, it is not normal to be anemic, even if you are menstruating. Second, I hadn't gotten my period in about five months, so it is doubtful that this would be the cause of the anemia. On top of that, after learning about my lack of period and my concern over it, she did nothing to look into the cause.

Answer by Ebice for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T15:00:45Z

When I was in college I came down with a nasty cold. I'd spent half a day alternating between freezing and melting. I stumbled my way to the on campus clinic. Despite there being no one there, I was told I needed an appointment and the first opening was the following tuesday, 6 days away. I got a friend to take me to the ER. I got checked out, and left alone for almost 20 min when a nurse came in and congratulated me, I was pregnant.
I asked for a second opinion because I'm male. Another 20 min wait and she comes back, I have the flu.

Ever since then I don't trust doctors.

Answer by bachcole for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T15:24:17Z

Doctors have a monopoly by way of restricting the number of graduates of medical schools and using governmental power to maintain their monopoly, like suppressing homeopathy, slamming divergent ideas, like Gerson, etc. etc. etc. It probably stems from the fact that we have an archetype of the Priest in our subconscious, and since religion is sort of out these days, doctors have become our "Priests". Consequently, there is no market force to keep doctors honest or competent. If you go into the local grocery store, the store owners know that if they do not give you value for your dollar, you will go elsewhere. Where are you going to go when you are dissatisfied with your doctor? Another doctor? But they are all colluding to give basically the same treatments. If a doctor seems like he/she cares and is doing a good job and perhaps hopefully is looking for solutions outside of the box, it is only because of their good character and heart. It is NOT because market forces have encouraged them or selected them to care and to listen and to look outside the box.

Answer by Jen for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T17:11:19Z

"I'm really not sure what the symptoms point to. Come back in the next week if it persists. In the meantime, can prescribe you something if you want."

WHAT!? You don't know what's going on and you want to prescribe me something?! No thanks! I ran outta that office.

Answer by Paleomofo for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T17:43:57Z

A doctor told me to drink more juices and whole grain bread. I always had malnutrition problems as a young child. :s

Answer by Tessa Jo for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2012-06-17T17:52:31Z

I work at a Women's shelter that is owned by a hospital so when I got hired I had to go through hospital orientation as well. When the CEO of the hospital did her presentation she proudly said "Our goal by 2013 is to be doing 30% more surgeries, because that is where the money is at and that is what gives you all job security" So much for preventative medicine.

I was in the ER not too long ago and I told the Dr. that I did not want Dilaudid for pain, for whatever reason it is ineffective for me. I get lots of side effects from it but no pain relief, I explained that I would rather have a weaker medication, but I DID NOT want Dilaudid. Without my knowledge he gave me the appropriate dosage of Dilaudid for a 300 pound person. I am 130 pounds, when I discovered this (because I still had pain as well as a host of other discomforts now) he said that he figured Dilaudid was ineffective because I just hadn't been given enough before and that it was the BEST pain medication they had. Too often patients are not looked at as individuals but rather as a case study from a text book. Guidelines are just that, they are generalized guidelines, they are not hard and fast rules for how everyone will respond.

Answer by Fang for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2013-02-10T02:12:34Z

A physicians assistant dx'd me with celiac disease and failed to tell me that rye and barley contain gluten. She also said the paleo diet allows grains, except corn and wheat.

Answer by jimmy for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2013-02-10T03:47:32Z

i had a lot of sweating on my palms and under my arms...i was told that i need botox

Answer by Janknitz for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2013-02-10T04:42:46Z

My daughter has a PCOS diagnosis, as do I. Last time we had to go to urgent care the doctor who saw her said she couldn't have PCOS because she is thin. So was I until my mid thirties, but I've always had severe PCOS. There's a presumption that obesity causes PCOS, but that's a myth and the doctor should have known better.

An endocrinologist told me that diet could not affect thyroid.

Answer by Rose for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2013-02-10T09:57:21Z

I went to the doctor about digestive issues about 3-4 weeks after starting paleo. I told her that I had cut out all grains and was only eating meat, vegies, fruits and some dairy. She said, 'but you can have rice, yes?'

I had to remind her that rice is a grain.

Answer by Lazza for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2013-02-10T14:00:22Z

I went to a dermatologist and told him I cleared my severe hand-foot psoriasis through diet, in particular Paleo/SCD diet. He didn't inquire further and just said I was "lucky".

Lucky? Lucky is someone who wins the lottery. I don't consider healing a medical condition through a means that others have reported success with as "luck". The derm's comment simply reflected his ignorance wrt the power of diet and nutrition.

And no, I didn't go back to that dermatologist.

_Lazza

Answer by Karen for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2013-02-10T14:04:01Z

Your blood glucose is high. Here is some info from the ADA, go check out the diet on their website.

Answer by Swati for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2013-02-28T12:24:56Z

I used to have severe hairloss due to PCOS, now its somewhat under control. Then, I had decided to visit a derma to get some multivitamin to give a push to my sluggish hair growth. I wasn't looking forward to any anti-androgen that would require me to have BCP (not a fan of it)

When I said I have PCOS, he said 'what?' After repeating again, I realized I have to tell the full form. It took him one good minute to think n say 'ooh, ok.. taking medication from a gyn?' I said no and he said 'GOOD!'

That sucks, you stupid doctor!

I showed him my ferritin and B-12 levels that were obnoxiously low. After knowing that it was self-tested, he said 'You think you are a doctor, self-proclaimed doctor, huh?'

My ears were steaming in anger.

Finally he rx'ed me biotin tablets telling my low levels are not related to hairloss.

Even if they are not, they are anyway low!

Answer by juju for What Stupid Things Have Medical Professionals Told YOU?

2013-02-28T12:42:01Z

While I completely agree that medical professionals often say ridiculous things I can't help but wonder what kind of responses they would give if we asked "what stupid things have your patients told you?" Just a thought.