My Trip to the Doctor.

[ErinRachel1021]

OH BOY!
There are extremists on all sides of this matter.
So I went to the doctor on Wednesday to address an issue I seem to be having with yeast (from my best guess). I had never been to this doctor before, so I had no idea what to expect. Boy was I in for a lecture.
Upon finding out my ailment and what diet I am on, this woman proceeded to ORDER me to begin eating whole grains and pasta THIS INSTANT. "You are only eating meat and cheese no wonder your stomach is a mess!" This upon mearly speaking to me and not hearing out my symptoms. When I corrected her and told her that I was in fact, eating mostly veggies in comparison with everything else, she snapped back that "it does not matter, you still have no fiber." Au contraire. I eat 2T of flaxseed daily in my eggs. I eat fibrous veggies like eggplant, squash and spinach EVERYDAY. When I put my info in fit day I am very near having my 100% daily value of dietary fiber. She still ignored this information and continued to urge me to resume eating grains again. There was also a med student there AND the doctor decided to fixate on some personal history of mine (and my families) that has nothing to do with the problem at hand.
In the end she wrote me a prescription for Colace (why when you can buy it OTC, I don't know) and ordered me to get a triglyceride panel because she's SURE my cholesterol has got to be out of control. I have never walked out of a doctors appointment so infuriated in my life! Needless to say I requested a different doctor for my yearly check up next month and I'm taking the yeast matter into my own hands with a regimen of daily-dophilous. But ARGH! The nerve!
Has anyone else experienced this?

[not2late]

That's because the grain industry has brain-washed us into thinking that 1/2 cup of oatmeal has more fiber (4 grams) than an artichoke (7 grams) or a cup of sauteed cabbage( 5-6 grams).

It's like the Florida orange juice industry---they convinced us that oranges have the most Vit C available (conveniently ignoring that a red bell pepper has 3 times the amount.)

Vegetables, unfortunately, get no respect.

[2big4mysize]

glad you are seeing a different doc. SHe gave you a stool softener? did she do any kind of physical exam? blood work

I'm with Megs add some corn and rice and oatmeal into tomorrows fit day and see how much higher your fiber is of course you need to not eat some of your veggies cause you can't or at least shouldn't hold that much more food in your tummy.

[stephbob]

That's terrible! Dr's are supposed to listen to patients and have some level of respect for what they choose. I've come across dr's who flat out yell at me for being on Atkins, and some who have praised me for my successes and getting great test results.

But you'll often find that those who bash atkins will bash anything. The dr that I had the most trouble with over this woe, also critisized my decisions in other aspects of my health, for instance, discontinuing the pill. I put up with her through Atkins bashing and everything, but getting called irresponsible for deciding to switch to something else left me raging to the point that I walked out and filed a complaint about her.

Keep searching - you'll find someone who will respect your decisions in everything you do! Good luck!

[ErinRachel1021]

She was, actually, nitpicking on other things in my life. One example is I have a history of alcoholism in my family. When she got to the point where it asks how much YOU drink, I said 1-2 drinks a MONTH (at the most) She seemed genuinely shocked by this and asked my if I was SURE! YES I'M SURE! What the he11 was she implying!?
She also completely dismissed my suggestion of yeast. And the most investigational work she did was push on my tummy and ask if it hurt (which it did, especially on the right side).
It makes me just want to run back to the warm embrace of my fantastic Ob-Gyn and have her tell me everything is okay.
My s/o (n0matter)...his doctor was THRILLED about him being on Atkins and just advised that he stick to lean meats! He's been trying to get me to go see his doctor, but I'm nitpicky and prefer women...so I guess I'll give it another go. Hopefully the next one will be more understanding and encouraging.
I'm also looking forward to my triglyceride panel coming out perfect. When it does, I will go find this doctor and put it right under her snooty little nose.

[n0matter]

I don't understand why you don't just go see him NOW instead of potentially seeing some other anti-Atkins twit. Apparently many doctors are very set in their ways about this WoE, they've done their half-assed research, think they know everything about it and refuse to hear another thing. But what they often seem to forget is that the negative effects of just being overweight FAR outweight the repercussions of cutting carbs out of your diet. My doctor told me that I NEEDED to lose weight. That it was affecting my blood pressure, a pre-existing heart condition, my knees, my cholesterol, everything. He encouraged Atkins on a short to moderate term basis(yes, he did concede that it was difficult for most people to do Atkins forever and ever and that a healthy low fat diet and exercise would ultimately be better for everyone) and said that losing 30 pounds right away would drastically alleviate some of my conditions.

He didn't give a damn about my family history and only suggested a triglyceride panel several months after I'd begun the diet just as a precaution, not sounding the slightest bit worried about it. He's also young, well-learned and owns his own clinic. I just don't trust bitter middle-aged doctors anymore that haven't been inside a classroom in the 20 years they've been practicing.

Personally, Erin, when it comes to having a doctor who actually knows what he's talking about, supports your decisions, stressing caution where necessary and doesn't try to focus on past conditions or family history that is obviously irrelevant to the issue at hand, the doctor's gender should be the least of your worries. Go see him already.

[staziaw]

Oh Erin! I'm so sorry that you have had this experience! Please find another doctor. See as many as you need until you find one who listens. That's what I did! I literally interviewed 5 doctors until I hit on one who is epic and supportive.

Unfortunately, not all doctors are patient-friendly. Much like your job, your partner, your mechanic, and your friends, you just have to keep looking until you find the right one!

Much love,
Stacy

[BrucesLady]

I live in Virginia and have to go to several doctors, 2 placed me on atkins.... my regular doctor and my liver specialist......... of course the diabeties people said oh no, I weighed the options and picked atkins.......sugar level is in control.....

started may 22 2006 - 237
as of 6-17-06- 215 (yeah what a shock)
mini goal weight - 180 -28 to goal

Erin I love my doctors the ones I work with ... ..but sometimes they can be dorks! the ones I see I picked based on the quality of care they provide for me....my gyn was totally into low carb and did South Beach herself to loose 35lbs she was very cool with where I was with my diet...for family practice I actually see someone I used to work with and he knows better than to question me

if you eat well and exercise and drink your water and find your content and are otherwise healthy...

I had horrible stomach problems so I took pepcid and tums constantly... I blamed on the insane use of ibuprofen to help my headaches I blamed on stress and when I went to be seen there were tests more drugs...they wanted to do including CT scans ..and I just thought "what if I quit eating crap and loose some wt before I go to this level"

I love my profession and I believe in western medicine or I would not be a nurse ..but I do also know that it is consumer driven these days and to be honest most providers are trying to make their patients happy..even if they do believe another way ...

so actually under my own duress I tried Atkins after finally reading the book and not going on impulse from what I heard....when I lost my first 20lbs my stomach got so much better I was stunned! it was reflux I am sure of it now and the pressure of the weight on my tummy caused it..I also know the combination of sugars with fats and refined carbs have caused me problems as well ....the fat was not the problem at all ..

I still get headaches but not nearly as bad or as often and usually it is because I am not drinking enough water ...

anyway my point is ...at least I think I have a point here I am running on empty... ..if you do not connect with your provider ..give them a chance and ask for the rationalle behind the reasoning... and if you still do not like it or feel it is right for you by all means move on ...