This is why I rarely go in for physicals...

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Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.

Hey everyone, just a rant here. I know this is more for the Break Room, but I just started back working and can't quite pay for a premium membership yet. It's not really a rant, more a pathetic whine :p

Today I finally get my rear in for a physical. With 4 kids, sometimes I forget to take care of myself. So, I'm feeling good about going in to get myself checked out. First thing when the NP comes in, she looks at my kids and says, "Couldn't you get anyone to babysit for you?" Well, if I could, I would have done that, instead of dragging a 5 year old, a 2 year old and a 5 month old in here. So, she asks her nurse to play with them while I get checked out. Because, you know, that is what we nurses do.....babysit.

So, I get on the scale. I'm pretty happy to see that I'm back to my pre-preganancy weight. Now, granted, I can stand to lose a few pounds (okay, I'll be honest, maybe 15 or 20), but I just have to watch my eating habits....nothing major. My NP sits down and we start talking. She says to me, "So, what do you want to talk about, besides the fact that you're overweight." Well, thank you for that. But what I really want to talk about is me quitting smoking. I ask about trying Wellbutrin but I get shot down because I'm breastfeeding (okay, get that) and that I should "just do a program because you have to really want to quit, you shouldn't need any meds or patches." If I didn't feel I needed that, I wouldn't ask for it. I also asked about medication for my migraine. Since I was pregnant and now breastfeeding, I haven't been on my regiment of Neurontin/Relpax. The answer I got was just to try other things instead of meds. Once again, if they worked, I WOULD DO IT! :uhoh3: While filling out my lab slip for blood work, she says to me, "they just have an obese dx code here, I wish they'd have one for overweight" OKAY, I GET IT ALREADY!!!

In the end, I walked in hoping that I'd get relief from my headaches and on my way to quitting smoking, and walked out of there feeling like a fat, nicotine addicted loser, no better off than when I came in, except now I feel like my image of myself has been horribly distorted all this time and I should be really concerned about getting this weight off. I never thought of myself as really overweight, and I fit in the same size I have for years. But, I guess the truth hurts, and that's what's really bothering me.

Anyway, like the eternal optimist I am, I walk out of there, get myself some Nicorette gum, and go on the Weight watchers website to check out what they have to offer. And then, after hearing my DH won't be home until late, struggling with my kids who are just fighting all day long, getting them all out to Vacation Bible school and volunteering there while trying the nurse my 5 month old, I go out and get myself a BLT hoagie and a pack of smokes.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day.....

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Specializes in Critical Care / Psychiatry.

My gosh - that lady was a JERK! :angryfire

Let me at her! :smiley_ab

You sound like such a sweet and normal lady. It makes me furious you were treated so poorly! Now go and seek out a PCP that isn't a heartless piece of scum and try your best to brainwash yourself of everything she said to you.

And if you truly want to quit smoking on your own accord...good for you! I've heard excellent things about Wellbutrin. And if you honestly want to drop a few pounds, I can personally vouch for Weight Watchers as I dropped a surprising 20 pounds there in a few months. I can't say enough good things about the program.

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Specializes in Adult SICU; open heart recovery.
Hey everyone, just a rant here. I know this is more for the Break Room, but I just started back working and can't quite pay for a premium membership yet. It's not really a rant, more a pathetic whine :p

She sounds horrible. Can you find a new PCP? It's probably best that you try to forget that you ever saw her. Good for you for trying to quit smoking! I'm so disgusted to hear of a health professional not appreciating how powerful tobacco addiction is.

Seriously, find someone else. You don't deserve to be treated that way :o

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Specializes in Geriatric/LTC, Rehab, Home Hhealth.

I am so sorry the NP treated you so badly. Is she your regular provider or is there someone else in the practice you usually see? I went through a lot of providers before I found a physician I liked (doesn't really tell me what I want to hear but, he's right :) ). Have you ever heard of 5-HTP? I actually asked my MD about it on the last visit and he just raised his eyebrows at me ---but he didn't say stop. I had tried everything for migraines including peppermint oil on my temples (he DID say to stop that). Many other nurses I know suffer with migraines and only a handful have found a regime that keeps them out of the ER on occasion...I wished I could say I was one of them. I've tried beta blockers and Imatrex haven't found the right meds yet. As I read your post I kept thinking "she's not providing her care". With the smoking cessation, I hope you are able to get a provider that will listen on your needs and be willing to formulate a plan of care that includes the things you are willing to try...after all, its your health. I have heard great things about weight watchers, too. We've all reached for the "sandwich and smokes" so don't feel bad (that'll just make you want some cake to go with the sanwich). Sometimes, when I am trying to change "bad" habits, I write at least 3 things down in the morning that are in contradiction to the habits....like "salad for lunch" or "no smoking after 10pm" then I promise just to myself to do only one of those things...It might sound silly but when I do this, I actually feel strengthened. And I keep my journal between me, myself and I....so there is no shame....its just that one time that I treat myself like a good friend. I hope this rather lengthy :rolleyes: response has helped some.

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

((((((((jkaee))))))) I'm so sorry you had to go through that!! That is one bad NP - an embarassment to all of us nurses. Definitely find another - if you can.

1. Try pilates. It's free (except for the tape/CD) and will help with pregnancy left-overs. It's my favorite - I lost 10 lbs (not much, I know) in about a month just doing that.

2. I'm in the same boat with the smoking. I decided to quit for my son's HS graduation. I've been on the patch for about a month. I have cheated a few times (on the way home from work!!) but I don't kick myself about it. I feel like I've accomplished a lot just having 1 every few days.

Anyway, my computer time is up according to my lovely daughter, so just hang in there!:)

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Good luck with the smoking and weight loss. Do it without that silly, rude NP.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I agree, find another more useful, supportive HCP. This one is NOT for you. ((hugs))

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Jkaee - I went to Dr. Thomas Hale's site and checked out Wellbutrin and it is safe to take when breastfeeding. The only very slight risk I could find was the following:

"The incidence of seizures with bupropion is extraordinarily low, around 0.4 percent or lower. While it can occur in "non-seizure" patients it is almost always seen in patients with CNS tumors, trauma, or in patients with undocumented seizures. Thus we always warn patient with seizure disorders to avoid this drug.. . . . . Lastly we have rather good data showing that the transfer into milk is minimal."

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/

steph

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P.S. A really good book to buy most physicians and NP's is Dr. Hale's Medications and Mother's Milk. I'm amazed at how uninformed these medical folks are. Next time you go, bring in the book or download some info from the website.

steph

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Reminds me of the mammogram from hell i'd had. Some people REALLY do not belong in positions that put them in contact with the public.

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Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm feeling better today, and as for the NP, I know of other people who have the same complaints about her, so I'll just go to the other docs in the practice. She good with the kids when they go in for checkups, but she's just the kind of person that can make you feel real small or dumb, but I don't think she means to.

Nursewendy...that sounds like a good idea about choosing one goal a day to try to reach.

Pricklypear...I've never looked into pilates. How long is a typical workout? My problem is getting enough uninterrupted time to do a workout. I'm going to try the gum again, but the drive home from work after a 12 hr shift is when I know I'm going to have the most trouble, too.

Steph...you always come through, as usual! :) Thank you for your information, and if I really have trouble with the gum, I'll go see another doc in the practice and show him the info on that website, if I need to.

Marie, Deb and Tweety, thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

I decided to slow down a bit (I can get so impulsive) and set a stop smoking date within the next week. I'm going to do the smoking thing first, then worry about getting rid of these extra pounds. I will make more of an effort to sit down and make something decent to eat for myself rather than grab a snack to eat and run with. Even if the baby has to cry it out a bit, which I hate doing. But, one step at a time.

Thanks again!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Smoking is tough to give up. I can personally attest. I agree with setting one goal at a time. Perhaps, you can raise your activity level---I found when I worked out and did physical activity, my desire for cigarettes really decreased! I was able to give them up by decreasing the amount and times I smoked. I am not a cold turkey kinda gal.

Be kind to yourself. I say, gently increase your level of physical activity. Go for walks every day, increasing speed and distance as time goes on. Find things that cut into your smoking time/habit----movement, or becoming engrossed in a really good book can help.

Gums and patches are good, but you have to CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE and HABITS to make a permanent change in a big thing like smoking. You need a cessation program and real support, not just medications, kwim?

Anyhow, lean us anytime you need a friend or to talk. We are here for you.

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