Well today I am so fed up, went to gp for review of inadequate pain relief, didn't see usual gp was told that I have no one to blame but myself as I have a weight problem and this illness is caused by my own lack of self control. Is this my fault I suppose it is. I told the dr I am a person just like him with the same feelings as him and hated my weight issues I have tried everything to be the person I want to be on the outside I am not a bad person I try to be a loyal friend and I am always there for friends and family and hate to be judged by others and try to  never judge others, yes I am overweight but I just wanted his help, with that I got up and left, no new pain relief but have booked appointment with normal gp and practise manager to complain about his attitude.I am left feeling this is all my fault I almost feel like this   is payback for not being socially the norm. I should of looked after my body and I didn't.

Lisa, you have every right to be upset at this doctor.  And, he should be brought up for a review in the way he handled the situation.  Yes, obesity MAY be a factor in causing IIH, but, there are too many people who have developed IIH that were not overweight at the time (or female {right Mark!!}, or of child bearing age - like me).  What you need to do is curb the pain before it becomes "chronic" when it becomes even more difficult to manage.  When you can relax a bit, than you can tend to getting other areas of your life in order.  First things first!!  

If your gp is more understanding of the situation, do go to see that doc.  You need to try to reduce your pressure, reduce the pain, then get to work on keeping it better.

Good luck to you.  And keep fighting!  You deserve better!

Lisa, I am so sorry!! I can't tell you how many members have posted similar encounters with these uninformed bigots. The sad thing is that most medical institutions perpetuate this stereotype because it's the easiest solution and least amount of work for them. Some studies have shown that weight loss is effective especially in patients that have had a recent or rapid weight gain, but it doesn't work for the majority. It's always better to be a healthy weight, but it's also really difficult to shop, cook, and exercise when you have debilitating pain. Just do your best to eat healthy and hopefully the weight will come off once you start feeling better.

I'm glad you have a follow up with your regular GP..hopefully you'll get some support there! I would definitely make someone aware of the way you were treated..whether it's a call, a letter, or an email.
Just try not to let it upset you and take care of yourself!

  
Julie

I am absolutely horrified! It is not your doctors role to berate you and make you feel the way he did, it is his role to provide adequate treatment, and to be sympathetic to your health and well being. Sitting in judgement and telling you it's your own fault and that you have no one to blame but yourself, is an opinion he should have kept to himself, as you were there seeking help, NOT recrimination. In future make sure you see someone else. Don't give his personal opinion anymore thought or time because it is not worth your time.

thanks all for kind words still feel very negative and disillusioned by medical profession considering i am nurse it makes me very sad at how awful i have been made to feel  my gp on long term sick leave so trying different gp i need answers and a little understanding the more i read up on iih the more  i understand how badly my condition has been managed thus far all i have had is one phone-call saying this is what you have and we are starting you on diamox and that i will need a shunt no follow up so far no explanation of the illness everything i know is from this wonderful site and researching iih myself wish me luck on yet another trip to my gp i think i should have my own chair there by now and season ticket to match

well sat in usual chair at gps !!!!!!!!! saw locum gp wonderful understanding and honest. Admitted he didn't know much about my condition but would sit with me and try to deal with each symptom he is also going to chase up my neuro  referral to try too see where we are, as last letter they received confirms iih and probable need for shunt but is unclear as to whether i am actually accepted by the neuro team at kings. I am as confused as ever, my last phone conversation with ent consultant, I was told categorically that I needed a shunt and that I would be hearing from kings,that my csf leak could not be repaired without a shunt prior to repair. Not sure where to go from here other than trying to contact my ent consultant.

1) I've heard multiple stories of people who were thin when symptoms started and obesity began AFTER onset of IIH, as if there is something about IIH that CAUSES obesity.

2) obesity is not one of the modified Dandy criteria

3) if you had hypertension as a result of your obesity, would your doctor blame you and refuse treatment for the hypertension?

4) if you had diabetes as a result of your obesity, would your doctor blame you and refuse treatment for the diabetes?

5) if you had heart disease as a result of the obesity, would your doctor blame you and refuse treatment for the heart disease?

6) if you had arthritis as a result of the obesity, would your doctor refuse treatment, including pain control for the arthritis?

7) if you had sleep apnea as a result of the obesity, would your doctor refuse to get a sleep study or treat the OSA because of his claim that your obesity caused it and it's your fault?

8) if a patient causes his own lung cancer by smoking, does his doctor refuse to treat the cancer and refuse to treat the cancer pain because he caused his own illness?

9) if a patient has liver cirrhosis from alcoholism, do they refuse to admit him for complications because he caused his own illness?

I went into pediatrics in part because my perception of adult disease was that a great deal of it was self induced mainly due to smoking and alcohol.  I was disillusioned by that.  THAT IS THE SITUATION IN ADULT MEDICINE.  if this doc didn't like it, he should have gone into a different field.  I don't necessarily believe at all that you have taken care of yourself poorly and that you are to blame for your illness.  I see others with IIH who eat NOTHING and can't lose weight.  there is something else entirely going on in our society that is causing metabolic resistance to weight loss that is beyond people's control.  it is irresponsible for a doctor to blame a patient for this.  it is his HIPPOCRATIC OATH to take care of you, REGARDLESS of his perceptions about your liability for your illness.  pain is a vital sign and needs to be treated acutely, in addition to a chronic management plan.  he can talk to you about the chronic issue, but also needs to address the acute issue.  many docs feel pressured because of the way they are treated by regulating agencies, worried about being accused of over using opioids.  but there are ways around this, small prescriptions and pain contracts.  obviously, this issue pisses me off.

Deb

thanks deb for your response pisses me off too. my weight problem causes me such pain I have tried everything except surgery but have considered this. I eat much less than friends and family I know many overweight people say this but really I dont eat unhealthly and at the moment have very little appetite due to pain and nausea but still I lose nothing I didn't eat anything for 6 days whilst in hospital as felt so unwell and I lost 1 pound but still I am judged I am not Huge just cuddly. I have also found out yesterday I have empty sella syndrome. I join you in being totally pissed off at the lack of empathy or compassion in our chosen field. I just want answers but when you hit brick wall after brick wall with no help it makes you not want to fight for yourself, surely as medical professionals it is part of your job to fight for your patients to take some of the burden from the family and your patient to work alongside them so you become a team. But fight on I will until someone listens