Doctor Doctor

I am not the kind of person who enjoys going to the doctors. Who does right?  I try to avoid going if at all possible; choosing to just deal with issues myself and look for remedies online.

It probably doesn't help that my doctors have the same answer for any of the issues I have presented anytime I have gone.  Got a migraine?  Lose weight.  Hurt my ankle after tripping?  Lose weight.  Depression?  Lose weight you won't be sad any more.  I'm not sad dude, my head hates me sometimes.  There is a very major difference.

That last one was the one that made me turn away from my doctors.  I am a body positive person and a generally very happy one.  I know what my triggers are and they are nothing to do with what my weight happens to be that day.

I think this may have been my expression.

My other little foible is that I don't really like to take pills.  You get prescribed x, y and z at the doctors but you don't actually know what is going into your body.  You don't know what side effects will be or what others have experienced with the medication.

For this reason, when I have a minor issue such as the odd migraines that I get, I use an online pharmacy*  For each item that you wish to purchase, you complete an online doctor assessment to see if it is suitable and after a go head from their doctor, you are sent the medication. 

You get much more information about the medication you are taking, the possible side effects and also customer reviews about what they have experienced.

It is also useful to check out things that your regular doctor has suggested for me.  For instance, I asked my doctor about something that could delay my period whilst I was on holiday next year.  He suggested that I use a period delay pill.

After looking it up with my online pharmacy, I was shocked to see some of the side effects and on researching further, the side effects experienced by many (such as terrible stomach pain when you stop using it!) made me decide not to use this pill at all.

When it comes to your health, it is really worth doing your research and looking at all possible options.

*Obviously I am not advocating boycotting your doctor or suggest that you do so.  I use an online pharmacy for minor things such as my occasional migraine, travel sickness etc.  Anything that is not a minor condition or is persistent and you should always consult your doctor

Don't Be A Dick

I have received various different versions of the same article from various friends and people I know lately.  Which one?  The "Fat shaming does not help people lose weight, study finds".  I know that the intention of passing these articles to me was good, but what has actually happened is that I swiftly became irate. 

After reading various incarnations of the same kind of article, I confess that I am at the erupting volcano stage so rather than vent my anger on an unsuspecting friend or colleague, I will write here instead. 

So, fat shaming does not help people lose weight; no shit Sherlock!  I do not need a study to tell me that.  I also do not need a study to tell me that discrimination against fat people is a real thing.   

Is there actually anyone out there that does not realise that fat people are discriminated against, victimised and bullied?  The Times have reported in a recent article that " Fat-shaming is one of “the last socially acceptable forms of prejudice”, and should be viewed like racism and sexism" and I wholeheartedly agree.

What was laughable was the amount of articles that I read that clearly had no idea as to the extent of fat-shaming that goes on.  I read in this article in the Guardian that "Research suggests even doctors can unwittingly harbour negative attitudes and assumptions about fat people".  Are you FUCKING KIDDING me?  UNWITTINGLY?   

Have you met any fat people who have spoken to doctors?  

I'm depressed and need counselling  - lose weight and then you will be happy

I fell over and broke my toe                - lose weight that will help

I strained my wrist                               - just lose weight it will feel better

I see purple people                              - diet and I am sure that they will go away 

If you are fat, every ailment that you may have is put down to how much you weigh.   

I went to the doctors to ask about counselling.  I knew what my issues were which was nothing to do with the fact that I was fat.  I was told that if I lost weight, I would be happier and therefore not need counselling.   

I was not aware that a medical degree also enables you to read minds and see what people are thinking.  I also was not aware that a medical degree gets you a free bonus psychology degree either. 

How dare you to presume to think that I am unhappy because I am fat?   

How about instead of "Fat Shaming does not help people lose weight" the title was simply "Don't fat shame".  Concise, easy to remember, to the point.  Another way would be to quote one of my favourite shows The Last Leg. 

DON'T BE A DICK!