It's because I'm fat???

I have been off daily preventative medicine for over six months, after having no migraines for a year.  Now, I've had two nasty ones wake me up early in the morning, along with vomiting and the whole works, just in a couple of weeks' time. 

I went to my usual clinic, but was seen by an NP rather than my normal practitioner.  I gave my history, and she said, "Well, first of all, you need to lose weight, that would help you a lot."

Yes, I'm fat.  But I had migraines when I weighed 100 lbs, just the same as I do now.  I know there are some studies which have connected CDH to obesity, but I was really floored by this.

I told her flat out that I felt insulted.  I know I'm fat!  I have a mirror and I shop in the plus size section of the stores!  Then again, I lost over 20lbs. this summer, so I'm working on it. 

Has anyone else been treated this way, or am I the only fatty who didn't know this?

I'm feeling really aggrevated, in case that doesn't show.    She did prescribe Topamax, after I brought it up.

Vic

doghouse said...
 I would diagnose that NP with a serious lack of tact and bedside manner!! Boot to the head for her!

I was actually wanting to aim quite a bit lower.......

Vic

   Ok,speaking for myself,some doctors drive me crazy.When I started I weighed 125pds and a few months later,the meds put me up to almost 150,which for me is the most I've ever weighed.However,they had my chart and after putting the weight on,said it might be my weight.Ummm,no.

    I'm not in the medical field.But I've had migraine long enough to say anything needs to be looked into.But weight on it's own,I wouldn't think so.I have a thyroid issue,which I probably had for years before I was diagnosed.I have read that thyroid and migraine go hand and hand.Also,my neuologist at the time said if they can get your thyroid under control,it may help your migaine situation.

    Migraine is a strange disease.There's no one solution.I hope they find something that helps you.

When I said I was offended by her remark, she said, "I'm just saying what research proves".  I said, "I've probably done more research on migraine than you have, HUN", kind of condescending.  I've never spoken to a medical provider that way before, but I really felt she was out of line. 

I found out later my mom had seen this same NP, and when she was giving her history, the NP told my mom her medication "didn't exist".  Mom said, well, I've been on it for twelve years, unless I have a really good imagination.  The woman argued with Mom until she looked in the PDR and found it.  Then she was like, "I didn't recognize it the way you said it".

I think she's just not that bright.

I agree, yet again...

I cut my hair off because they said it was "weighing me down" and making the headaches worse...Buncha lies

Sounds like a few of you have been treated pretty poorly. But a note on weight:

Obviously if you've had migraines and then you put on weight and you still have migraines, the weight isn't the cause (I very much fit into this category ). However, I think I read at least one person saying or implying that weight can't be a factor in the cause of migraines. Yes, thin and heavy people alike get migraines . But if anyone is overweight and starts getting migraines, then it's a reasonable possibility that the weight might be a significant factor. For example, higher weight can cause sleep apnea and we all know that poor quality of sleep can lead to migraines.

Also, being overweight can exacerbate already existing migraines because of its effect on stuff like sleeping, heart health, effects on the neck and spine, etc. So, while in most cases it's wrong to say that migraines are being caused by your weight, don't be too offended if your doctor suggests that the two might have at least some sort of connection. The doctor who DOESN'T look at that connection is the one who isn't smart.