Dr. called me fat(128lbs.)then gave me more Prednisone!

Ok, so I am frustrated!!  I went to the doctor because my abdomen was swollen hot and very painful (Crohn's is in upper intestine).  I also had swollen painful joints.  She checked my stomache and said yes your very destinded and swollen...but some of it is fat too.  Well, I can't remember the exact words...but after that who cares!  I am 5'4 and 128, yes not rail thin, but come on.  Why would she say that to me knowing she is going to turn around and give me Prednisone for my joints and Crohns?  Then she proceeded to tell me about portion controll.  Does she know that during a flair I can hardly eat at all except maybe chicken broth and bland food?

I left wanting to cry.  I needed something for pain too but didn't even bother to ask because next thing she might tell me I am a drug seeker or something.

yes, I guess that I am being sensitive, just felt that she should, like you said, be a little more understanding that when you are feeling like you are going to die you don't need to hear about portion control.  I thought I would get over it faster but I'm still mad. Every time I go to eat something I feel like I don't know what to choose because I love vegetables but when I hurt like this it really only feels good to eat mashed potatoes or something.....and then, I guess I am back to  being a fatty according to her.

Did I mention, she in a Nurse Practiotioner, I guess I shouldn't call her Doctor.  Do I sound bitter or what???

The fact is that prednisone makes us all want to eat (which is a good thing when we've dropped too much weight), and I know that when I'm on pred, I just eat all day long! ;-) So the portion control is definitely an issue. The problem is that the effects of prednisone seem nearly impossible to control!

Hi meg I don't think that is fat at all and I think we need some fat to get us threw those days when we cain't eat .Hope your cooking those veggies good raw or not well cooked can kill me .Don't let her get you into eating things that will hurt you. The pred. can sure get the appetite going but for me that was better then pencil thin when I was 124 I was very thin and not well at all I needed that extra weight I had, because I had lost so much when I was really sick.So hope your cheeered up and hope you feel better soon.lol gail

Hi I think that was very ruid of your doctor to say that. Because pred. has bad side effects and puts
on weight on people. I would consider finding a new doctor with better manners.

I'd hate to think what she'd say of me at 5'1" and 135! I at first thought she meant that she was feeling the omentum fat (which you couldn't have much at that weight) but with the portion control comment, she must have meant it how you took it. Sounds like SHE has a problem. My GI once told me when I complained about my weight climbing up to a "whopping" 118 (what I'd give to get back to that!) while on pred, that he'd rather me have some extra weight on me for when I flare and start dropping it fast. I commented about my current weight recently and he just said, "you're not fat". So, if I"M not fat, then YOU can't be fat!

Seriously, you're not even close to being overweight by any standard weight chart.

If you took offense and it hurt your feelings and left you unhappy w/this doctor she should be made aware of it. She may NOT have meant to be offensive nor to hurt your feelings but she did.

MAYBE she brought up portion control BECAUSE of starting you on pred but what she meant and how it felt to you indicates she needs to be a bit more sensitive to how YOU are feeling. By all means just tell her that her comments were hurtful and offensive to you. You are in pain, not doing well and may be more sensitive than usual BUT she must have other patients who are also in pain, not doing well and they are going to be sensitive too.

For some reason, my gastro's NP always goes on the defensive most any comment I make whilst my gastro knows me well and we don't have that problem. She speaks her mind and I speak mine and we pretty much mutually respect each other. While her NP may be a good addition to the business end of running of the office, frankly, I find her a detriment to the relationship between my gastro and me. I sometimes wonder if I'm not speaking English to this NP or something because she never seems to "get" what I am saying or trying to say before she cuts in w/some defensive remark.

Cooking fruits and vegetables breaks down the tough fiber matrix and should make them easier to digest. I was confused by gachrons' post, too.

wow if you are fat then I am obese!!! I weigh 138 and am 5'5.....granted I had a baby 7mths ago but I still havent lost the weight and havent really tried too hard cuz I get sick so dang much!!

my stomach constantly looks huge and distended...she should keep her mouth shut!!!

I've gotta be absolutely disgusting. I'm shorter than most of you -- 5'2" -- and heavier, too -- 136 pounds.

she may have mentioned portion control, also, as a way to not overload your gut. I know, especially when I was on pred, I tried to have no more than a fist sized portion of something at a time. The next portion might be a half hour later, but it kept me taking breaks so I wasn't taking in food like a muzzle loader. And eating those smaller portions more frequently did seem to help. I kinda broke out of that at dinner time, and would try to eat a little more, but I knew that while I was on pred, I was never REALLY gonna feel full, too.