These doctors blamed the woman’s exhaustion on her weight

In a viral video, a woman shockingly revealed that her doctors blamed her weight for her severe fatigue and migraines. Read on for the full story.

Allison DeGrushe – Author

Article continues below ad

In November 2023, TikTok creator Sam Hart (@thesam_show) took to the social media platform and dropped a major bombshell about how her doctors had taken this classic move and attributed her symptoms solely to her weight and disregarded other factors.

Read on for the full scoop and stay tuned for the internet’s take on Sam’s journey.

A woman is stressed during a doctor's appointment.
Source: Getty Images

Article continues below ad

One woman said her doctors blamed her weight for her fatigue.

Sam’s ordeal began a few years ago. When she expressed concern to her doctor that she felt “tired all the time,” he attributed it to her weight and suggested that losing a few pounds was the solution.

A winter visit to the same doctor linked her exhaustion to “seasonal changes,” while a visit to the gynecologist took a more dismissive turn with the comment, “Oh, darling, you’re just getting older.” Welcome to the club.” “OK, can you believe the audacity? Who tells anyone that?!

Article continues below ad

After many failed appointments, Sam finally found a primary care doctor who listened to her and took her symptoms seriously. She told him: “I don’t want to talk about my weight. I’m so tired. There’s something wrong.” And do you know what the doctor did? He ordered a sleep study.

Article continues below ad

When the results came back, Sam was diagnosed with sleep apnea.

“It turns out I wasn’t crazy. “It turns out it wasn’t because I was overweight,” Sam told her 36,400 followers. “My body didn’t sleep at night. I woke up about 80 times in the middle of the night because my body decided to stop breathing.”

In the end, Sam highlighted the years of misdiagnoses and claimed her doctors had been “giving her hell” for years. She also opened up about her current condition, explaining, “I’ve been treating my sleep apnea for about three months. My migraines are gone. …I haven’t taken a nap in the last two months. “That’s not necessary.” More naps. I’m dreaming again.

Article continues below ad

"They always blame weight for all problems, but never consider that “extra” weight could be due to other problems"
Source: TikTok

TikTok collectively expressed its consensus that medical gaslighting is terrible.

Sam’s video has been viewed more than 3.7 million times as of this writing; It also received over 11,300 comments from other TikTokers supporting Sam’s cause.

“Medical gaslighting is the worst,” one person said. “I’m glad you found someone who will listen.”

Article continues below ad

A second user wrote: “Excessive daytime sleepiness is literally the number one symptom of sleep apnea. As a doctor he should know that.” I’m not a doctor, but even I knew that!

“I don’t understand the doctor’s weight comments,” a third TikToker added. “You `re not fat. That’s crazy.”

Another person responded, “If you tell a doctor you’re feeling overwhelming fatigue and their first reaction isn’t to order blood tests, run.” Listen, me to hate Blood work – but that’s it very correct.

Article continues below ad

"The way I made an appointment with this old doctor and had him read the results and tell me why he wasn't taking my concerns seriously"
Source: TikTok

Others suggested Sam file a complaint against her original doctor.

“Please file a complaint with your state medical board,” one TikToker demanded. “Ugh. I’m so sorry you had to deal with this.”

Another user commented: “Drop the doctor’s name and complain wherever you can; that person should not practice.”

“My pettiness would lead me to make an appointment with the original doctor to go over the other doctor’s test results and notes,” another hilariously advised.

Gary B. Graves

Gary B. Graves is a Worldtimetodays U.S. News Reporter based in Canada. His focus is on U.S. politics and the environment. He has covered climate change extensively, as well as healthcare and crime. Gary B. Graves joined Worldtimetodays in 2023 from the Daily Express and previously worked for Chemist and Druggist and the Jewish Chronicle. He is a graduate of Cambridge University. Languages: English. You can get in touch with me by emailing: GaryBGraves@worldtimetodays.com.

Related Articles

Back to top button