Re: Well-respected rheumy says I'm just fat: FRANK'S RESPONSE

[Guest guest]

Since it seems I was the match that lit this fire with the original

message poster and that I haven't responded yet, I would like

to thank , in her original response to for defending me.

, I'm glad you read me right.

if you're keeping up with this string: If you will go back to

your orginal e-mail, and take another look at it: From the

information you presented there, and that info only, if you are

objective about it I think you will see (as I did when I responded)

It can easily be taken as from someone (relatively) new to all this.

There was no way to assume (from the post) your considerable

experience with and knowledge of PA, and indications to believe it

was from someone trying to sort out what was happening to them. I

attempted, early on in my response, to suggest (with a little Dutch

Uncle humor)maybe this new person wnated to be right more than they

wanted to be cured... Then I agreed with you about the doc's

attitude, as it seems we all do; I don't think you can interpret my

adjectives any other way...and then I took your word for it that this

doc was well-respected, and, giving him his due based on YOUR

evaluation (of other's evaluations] gently inquired along the lines

of, " Have you stopped to consider, he may be, at least in part if not

in whole, on-target? " You know, your own selection of words--as in

your title, " Well respected rheumy says I'm just fat. " and at other

points, including your pointed enumeration of reasons people don't

grant you gravity, is a bit negatively self-referential. Have you

considered you may be setting yourself up for less serious attention

than you truly deserve?

My task, as a moderator--or, for that matter, as a responsible,

caring, knowing member of this group (and your post/my response has

attracted many of those I'd describe as such)isn't to just join in on

whatever tune the choir is singing (be it a pity-party, a castigation

of some doc or member, or well-reasoned yet controversial), but

rather to point out (continuing the lyrical metaphor) when I think

the choir (or choir member) is off-key, or singing beautifully but a

different song, doesn't really know the words yet, or is too loud

(and so on).

I agree (as with , and others) that being overweight is

both the rewsult of nature and nurture. Each of us is in a different

place, along a continuum that has two axes ( " x " =one's nature or

biochemistry, and " y " one's nurturing, or psychology: behaviors and

ideations). It can generally be said, however--without speaking about

where blame or responsibility (genetics, other illnesses, self-esteem

problems, whatever) lie, and without even saying there are no people

who even benefit from being heavy--that carrying extra weight tends

to exert more force, pressure, stress, whatever you want to call it,

on the body overall, and on the musculoskeletal system, including the

joints. (trying walking up a flight of stairs carrying a 40-lb. bag

of fertilizer. Then climb the same stairs without it.)

Can that mimic arthritis, in some, even just a few people? I'd

say " Probably, " but that's not my field, and, you know what? IT

DOESN'T MATTER. Some of us are bullet-proof: We can (differentially)

smoke, eat raw steaks, get toasted to a crisp by the sun, weigh 333

lbs. (look at the NFL: anyone want to tell those linemen they're not

in tip-top condition? Not me...), or drink like an

alcoholic fish, and our particular constitution is going to protect

us. But in general, weighing way too much is a negative for certainly

the majority of us, and for those of us with disorders involving the

joints AND the capacity to avoid or remedy medical obesity, being a

little lighter on our feet is a good thing.

To sum up: it was not my intention to be condescending.

I go to great lengths (although apparently not enough length for you)

to avoid doing so; whatever actual qualifications I have (and I

understand all moderators do the same) in the fields related to this

forum are left, utterly, at the door: What I write is my opinion

only, as a member who occasionally directs traffic (the postings).

Knowing now that you actually are diagnosed with PA, and have years

of experience with it, and are completing the evaluations, I am no

longer concerned (not that it should matter in the slightest to you,

whether I'm concerned or not) that you may have been put off the

accuracy of your doc's analysis by his unpleasant manner.

D.

> Whoever wrote the heavyweight remark - have you ever been

overweight? If not, you do not know if it would or would not effect

your PA. My weight does not seem to impact mine no matter what weight

I am. I can't stand people who have never had to find weight, and for

some reason believe it's just how much food someone puts in their

mouth. It is NOT that simple. I eat regular healthy meals (certainly

much healthier than my THIN boyfriend), yet I still battle with my

weight everyday. I have a girlfriend that is a size 2 and eats

constantly. I can starve for 2 weeks, and if I am lucky I lose 1

pound. We are not created equal, and people are NOT fat just because

of how much they eat. Nor are they simply LAZY!!!

>

>

>

> In a message dated 5/8/2003 11:02:58 AM Eastern Standard Time,

CND110370 writes:

>

> > > >I know all you heavyweights out there are going to savage me

for this but,

> > > >if you want a sympathetic ear from a doctor, get back to

> > your optimum body

> > > >mass. It might even help with some of the P symptoms

[Guest guest]

,

I agree that weight loss is in all ways a positive not a negative for anyone who

chooses to put in the work to make it happen, but it's just not as easy as so

many naturally THIN people seem to think it is. They tend to think it's just

putting the fork down.... I would like to point out the obvious... there are

MANY people with RA and PA that are fit, thin and fabulous. I know a few

personally that have always exercised, eaten well, and never had a weight

problem, yet are more crippled now than I am even though I am a little chunkier.

Maybe it's the way my weight is distributed, or that I am not MORBIDLY obese,

just overweight, but my weight has never stopped me from doing anything. By the

way, I am size 14/16, and I kind of love my SEXY curves. I can run, walk, etc. I

DO realize not everyone is like me when it comes to weight distribution and life

interference.

In a message dated 5/8/2003 2:36:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, zen124c41 writes:

> I'm concerned or not) that you may have been put off the

> accuracy of your doc's analysis by his unpleasant manner.

>

> D.

[Guest guest]

,

I agree pretty much everything you said. And, personally, I've

always found women of (between ideal weight and) a few extra pounds

(and, as you say, curves) to be my cup of tea, rather than anything

less than that.

And I agree that our disease is not necessarily more aggressive

in people on the plus side of " perfection " (whatever that is).

Also, a little self-disclosure: Although I am of

German/Scandinavian descent and resultantly have a large skeletal

frame, at six feet, one inch tall, I could stand to lose some

poundage (I weigh 225 lbs, and if I gain another 20 lbs, I'll need to

buy my pants in the Big & Tall section at the store).

My ONLY concern is when one's weight is clearly medically or

psychologically pathological. And, even then, I'm willing to back off

and shut up if such a person says, " I know I'm (seriously)

overweight. It's (a) a medical condition, " or " It's my choice, so I

can enjoy ________ (fill in blank). "

I won't back off, however, when morbidly obese people

ignorantly and irreponsibly argue that such a condition has no effect

on anyones' health, or their joint pain, and thereby make it easier

for others--of similar weight, but without medical, or informed self-

determinatory, reasons, to ignore their condition. (I think we agree

on this, too?)

Take care,

D.

> ,

>

> I agree that weight loss is in all ways a positive not a negative

for anyone who chooses to put in the work to make it happen, but it's

just not as easy as so many naturally THIN people seem to think it

is. They tend to think it's just putting the fork down.... I would

like to point out the obvious... there are MANY people with RA and PA

that are fit, thin and fabulous. I know a few personally that have

always exercised, eaten well, and never had a weight problem, yet are

more crippled now than I am even though I am a little chunkier. Maybe

it's the way my weight is distributed, or that I am not MORBIDLY

obese, just overweight, but my weight has never stopped me from doing

anything. By the way, I am size 14/16, and I kind of love my SEXY

curves. I can run, walk, etc. I DO realize not everyone is like me

when it comes to weight distribution and life interference.

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 5/8/2003 2:36:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,

zen124c41 writes:

>

> > I'm concerned or not) that you may have been put off the

> > accuracy of your doc's analysis by his unpleasant manner.

> >

> > D.

[Guest guest]

I don't think people who are morbidly obese argue that it has an effect on

their health--but they do say it is not a simple solution. Obviously, their

weight is a bigger issue and for a longer time than the current diagnosis.

It is easy for people to look at them and say, " Well, if they would just

lose weight. " Weight is a problem, but it is not what caused PA, nor is it

certain that losing weight would cure it. Therefore, weight is not the

determining factor in PA.

I am not obese--just overweight. I know it would decrease high blood

pressure, cholesterol and PA if I would lose weight. However, food is my

comfort. I eat healthy food--no junk food. I grow my own organic produce

and work hard to fix healthy meals for my family. I bake my own bread, etc.

I just love food. Sometimes, it is just not worth it to sacrifice that.

I had PA when I lost 30 pounds. I had PA when I was close to my ideal

weight. I have PA now that I am seriously overweight.

Life is not fair. Don't criticize others until you have walked a mile in

their shoes. Since that is not advisable--just don't criticize!

Ks Di