Thanks for helping me clarify my thoughts about this issue. I know that we all have sensitivities when it comes to our bodies — and I now realize that my HYPERsensitivity is about being overweight. At least it’s good to know that I’m not alone — even if it’s horrible to know that this sort of treatment is not uncommon, across the board.

Like you, I pretty much don’t go to the doctor unless I absolutely have to. There’s nothing worse than going in with a list of symptoms and have them either find nothing wrong or downplay how you feel until you feel like an idiot for going in there and wasting the doctor’s precious and highly paid time.

That’s why I love my girlie doctor. She always sits and listens and she never rushes me. She’s a firm believer in minimal discomfort and genuinely makes you believe she cares. She’s a rare breed!

And STOP telling fat people they’re unhealthy because NOT ALL OF US ARE! I know plenty of thin people who are always sick–I almost NEVER get sick. I’m talking, I go YEARS without getting sick. So who’s unhealthy? EH?!

But I will say this: I think a lot of doctors treat a lot of people this way, regardless of weight. Yes, too many doctors have said cruel and ridiculous things to overweight people (I’ve read many horror stories online), but I think the whole “not believing you” thing is across the board. After I went through a similar ordeal, I don’t think it’s a fat discrimination thing; it’s a superiority complex kind of thing. I’ve never been more than about 25-30 lbs. overweight, and thankfully I’ve never had weight come up with a doctor’s visit. But I have had doctors discount my pain, my input, and my knowledge about my own body. Many times.

When I was having severe abdominal pain, I was told it was an ulcer, and to take some Prilosec. My internist saw me for a full five minutes, tapped my stomach a bit, and said, “it’s the beginnings of an ulcer.” Not until a year later when the pain was so severe I thought I was dying did anyone bother to run any actual tests. And yet, the first thing I had said to my internist when I had seen him a year ago was, “I think I have gallstones.” Guess who was right all along?

I think with all the information we’re able to get online these days, some doctors are defensive; they think that as people most likely bored with our lives we’re trying to make an ocean out of a puddle. It’s like a) they don’t want us to guess what’s wrong, because that’s their job and not ours apparently, and b) I wouldn’t be surprised if a little laziness or over-scheduling may be at fault. How easy is it to scribble on a piece of paper and tell someone to get some acid-blocking meds? Takes a lot less time then getting some blood drawn, or an ultrasound, or scheduling any other tests. They’re thinking about getting you out the door as quickly as possible because they have 20 other patients to see that day.

I think as patients we all have to fight, not just those who are overweight. I’m not trying to minimize the unnecessary and cruel words that doctors have given you about your weight, but in a way I’m trying to make you feel better about it since I experienced near matching circumstances in having my pain and my own research ignored. (I’ve also been reading http://sccsdecker.blogspot.com, and in some of the earlier posts, the husband of the woman hospitalized had to fight for anyone to listen to any of his suggestions.)

Another thing of interest: I read this article recently about how over-prescribed acid-blocking drugs are. Doctors used to be very frugal with prescribing them; now they hand them out like candy. The doctor who wrote the article explains that because of all the acid-blocking drugs people are taking, it’s actually producing bad results on their digestive health altogether. And being that we both had such similar experiences, I don’t doubt that plenty of people are taking acid-blockers when they don’t need to, simply because they have been misdiagnosed.

Here’s the link to the article: http://www.experiencelifemag.com/issues/september-2008/health-wellness/functional-wellness-part-3-digestive-health.html

I hope they get to the bottom of this, and that you are treated respectfully and gently. Take care.

All I can say, in regards to your symptoms, is that it sounds like pancreatitis. I am in no shape or form a doctor, but your symptoms bring back a lot of memories. I’ve seen what it can do, and I’ve heard a multitude of stories of people who’ve had to deal with it.

I just ask that you keep fighting to get the diagnosis you deserve – because you are a person first and foremost – not because of who the doctors think you are. Don’t let their prejudices keep you from the treatment you so obviously need.