Hi all
Just wondering if anyone knows why doctors are so insistent on checking on my weight all the time ? It seems to be more or less every time I see any health care professional at the moment they want to weight me??
Thanks in advance
Hope you all have a good Christmas and wishing everyone a Happy 2014
L xx
I think they are now focussed on it with everyone as I have had the same and also been questioned on my eating habits although my BMI is within the normal range. Very annoying. I feel like a nodding dog... Do you have 3 meals a day? Do you try and have 5 a day? Do you watch your portion size? Very boring...
I am really rather heavy but you wouldn't think to look at me (size 12) which is probably due to the fact I spent most of my teenage years competing in various sports. The GP didn't believe the scales last time I went and then went on about how she wouldn't think I was that heavy compared to her. Strangely, no one has weighed me since!
Kayla I am the same re weight! Heavier than I look and get not great numbers on the scale but measurements etc ok (well could be improved now am on pred lol). I wondered if it was bones - I know that's an excuse used lol for being overweight but had a bone density scan and even after all the pred I still have super-dense bones it seems! Got congratulated hehe by cons on all the milk I drink (I still like it). PLus I have noticed electronic scales are weird - I got two numbers which were quite a way apart within a week of each other, one on a manual set and the higher one on an electronic set. I highly doubt I'd put on that much weight in a week (with no visible change either), plus once I got numbers 2 kilos apart on the same day in the same hospital on 2 diff sets of scales!
I have seen things saying that there are a lot of problems with BMI and it should be done on measurements, waist-height ratio etc - which on me are fine.
I hope no-one's going to start obsessively checking my weight as a) It's Christmas and b) yes I am on pred, I am doing my best not to eat too much and am lucky as I don't get the munchies too much but even so it seems to creep on.
I always found this weird too - every time I go to see cons I do weight, check sats on the finger thing and do a breathing test regardless if I'm OK or not - I always am when I see them oddly enough.
I understand it at the consultant's unigirl as they can assess you objectively (if you are a classic asthmatic of course) and if any med changes, they know by your weight what dose to give you. It's the healthy diet lecture I hate. I find it quite patronising. If I had asked for advice fine. Even if it was leaflet it wouldn't be so bad but blanket verbal advice, no thank you!
It's just that sometimes I'll see them just a month apart and I'm thinking how much can my weight really change?
You say that they know doses determined on weight? How so? I'm a tiny little thing and on quite a lot - just one step below oral steds and I do have to have them from time to time so I don't really understand what you mean? I thought it was just the necessary dose to maintain (or try and get) control.
Oh dear. Are they supposed to mention so they can tick it off maybe?
Very few meds are dosed according to body weight, none I can think of off the top of my head. Meds are metabolised by the liver and thus body weight is usually irrevant (I'm talking about adults, not paediatrics).
I wouldn't be surprised if it's a target question they have to ask set by government health guidance, given the growing obesity epidemic in this country. A lot of what they do, they are told to do.
Don't also always assume it's about weight gain or obesity. Weight loss is just as important and can be a real problem with significant respiratory disease.
I have my weight checked every time I see the specialist too - here in Auckland nz. I always wondered if it was their way of keeping an eye on me IE if I was losing weight, this could be due to me getting sicker etc x Sue
I didn't think so Nurse Furby.
Oh dear Sue, I do find the more ill I am the harder it is to gain weight. I think my friends thought I wasnt eating last year but it was just because breathing took so much energy.
Ah nursefurby,
I hadn't thought about adults being different to children. I have worked with children for most of my adult life and thought it was the same across the board especially for petite adults. I have learnt something new...
I realise they are focussing on the obesity epidemic but I still find it patronising lol. Now if they offered free or cheaper gym memberships, I would jump at the chance!
Children are a completely different kettle of fish, and have a totally separate prescribing formulary.
The GP exercise referral scheme runs across the country. I don't know what the criteria are though, you can google it for your area.
5 Year old with asthma
TRANSPLANT ASSESSMENT TUE 28TH NOVEMBER 
Asthma and cat ( aka ted) 
