Author Receives 3 Herniated Discs Diagnosis and 11% Scoliosis Curve After Years Avoiding Care
Updated
Updated · HuffPost · Jul 23
Author Receives 3 Herniated Discs Diagnosis and 11% Scoliosis Curve After Years Avoiding Care
1 articles · Updated · HuffPost · Jul 23
Summary
A spine specialist diagnosed the author with three herniated discs and scoliosis after an MRI, confirming that a painful lower-back lump and years of worsening pain reflected a treatable spinal condition.
The author had delayed seeking help for several years after a pregnancy-era back injury, fearing doctors would again blame weight rather than investigate the source of the pain.
That fear stemmed from repeated weight-focused encounters, including a primary-care visit at age 35 when a doctor insisted on recording a weight of 275 even as the author sought antidepressant treatment.
The specialist said the author's weight had nothing to do with the spinal problems, apologized for earlier dismissal, and began an ongoing treatment plan.
The account argues that weight bias in medicine can drive patients away from care, leaving serious conditions undiagnosed until symptoms become harder to ignore.