ED: Weighing at doctor's appointments

[just]

For non-ED people: Too much? Sorry if I'm taking over the board ... let me know if this is inappropriate. 

For ED people.

Do you refuse weigh-in at medical appointments? 

I haven't weighed myself in about 18 months. It's been a HUGE element of my recovery. I used to just not look - but it turns out it's logged on my online chart so when I go to check test results its there.

I find that nurses/medical assistants are much more resistant than doctors. I always say that if it's necessary for treatment/medication, I'll come back to the nurses station, but I know that the process is important in many clinics. As an aside - I've never had to come back!

It's a huge stressor for me prior to all appointment - even dermatological! - but long term I'm happy that I do so.

Do you do so? How do you find it? Do you have any tips to make it easier?

[spedrunner]

I have actually asked to be weighed backwards and tell them to please not tell me bc I am in recovery and it will affect me

I dont care. I have to do what is best for me. I dont want to know, bc its just a number. No harm. Easy. They have their stats and im happy

[cinnamoncox]

I would do what sped said. If they are resistant or don't comply with your requests tell your doctor. It's not an unusual request and shouldn't be met with anything but cooperation.
Good luck.

[malibu]

Not too much at all. You need recovery just as anyone with a chemical addiction needs recovery. That's what the board is here for

As far as the online test results - do you think asking for results the old fashioned way (phone, mail, email) rather than checking the online deal would help? I use MyChart to get results, I'm guessing you must have something similar that your doctor's office uses to communicate test results.

Since I don't have experience with ED (other than the fact I'm now looking at my eating habits and considering the possibility I have a food addiction), I can't comment on anything else. Just wish you luck with your continued recovery.

[cinnamoncox]

Oh ladybug please don't neglect your health care
If you don't want to tell them not to tell you, close your eyes. For real. Mine doesn't say the # I just see it on the scale.
If you can't do that (if they do say it aloud) mention to doctor you don't want to know the #. You don't have to tell nurse or med assistant or anything. Doctor will be much more understanding and treat it more sensitively.
Good luck everyone.

[flex]

I'm a non-ED person, and it bugs me to weigh in at the doctor's office too. Sometimes I can get out of it if I ask if it's really necessary.

But if I do have to get on and I don't like the results (which happens 90% of the time lol), I tell myself at that very second I cannot do anything about it. I can't wish the numbers away, etc., and I just resolve to continue to watch what I eat, etc., etc.

[caffeinezzz]

Your weight is an important tool in your recovery and is used to guide your treatment. You have to be weighed, but you can weigh backwards. My doc also makes sure my weight is NOT part of my online results, so you can ask if it can not be placed there.

[just]

Jul 16, 2014 13:16:08 GMT -5 caffeinezzz said:

Your weight is an important tool in your recovery and is used to guide your treatment. You have to be weighed, but you can weigh backwards. My doc also makes sure my weight is NOT part of my online results, so you can ask if it can not be placed there.

This is a really good point, and I should have clarified my situation. 

I suffer from bulimia (actually ednos with bulimic tenancies) and my weight was never a concern for me, my doctors, my family. I also never verged into malnutrition due to my purging. As a result, my weight has never been need for my treatment for my ED. It's usually at different doctors appointments - derm., gyno, etc - and just for checkups, that I've requested no weighing. 

Obviously for those with malnutrition or severe weightloss issues, weighing will be a much more important part of the doctors visit.

[caffeinezzz]

Gotcha. I would still say that weighing is important, for everyone. EDs aside, sudden changes in weight can signify problems: cancer, etc., so it is an important part of your health record. I would request blind weighing and see if you can have it taken out of your online records. OR, you can use it as part of your therapy: learning how to not have it be a trigger. I know you said its a big part of your therapy, but I don't believe its something you can avoid indefinitely. As I said, its actually an important health factor.

Personally, as I've recovered, I have found it doesn't bother me at all. Changes in weight used to really bother me (up or down, didn't matter) but now it means relatively little.

Good luck. Its hard.

[aba]

Typically I get weighed backwards until recently. My old doctor knew I had a history with ed, so they didn't even give me a choice.

I actually had a medical emergency on Friday and needed to go to urgent care. They of course don't know my history so the nurse weighed me facing forward. I actually prefer this now because I feel weird having a nurse know my weight and not telling me. Plus, I weigh myself everyday anyways (I know, not good). Friday the nurse actually adjusted the scale down by the 50 lbs and had to add it back on haha. Apparently I look much thinner than I am;)

*50 lbs. less would NOT be healthy. I knew I didn't weigh that little. It was just kinda funny. Thankfully I'm in a good place this week and it didn't trigger me:)