GI doctor brushed off pregnant woman’s unusual symptoms as anxiety and a ‘garbage’ diet — six months later, she got a shocking diagnosis
When patients who trust healthcare practitioners for their expert advice are met with snide remarks or dismissive opinions, it can demotivate them from seeking the right diagnosis at the right time. Threads user Carissa K (@rissabbygurl123) felt humiliated after her GI doctor brushed off her unusual symptoms as the result of "eating garbage" or needing to lose weight. However, the shocking diagnosis she later received left her furious. Sharing the story on Threads on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the woman reflected on her disappointing experience during her first visit with the medical professional.
Carissa began experiencing bizarre cardiac-related issues during her pregnancy. When her doctor ran a few tests, they suspected that something could be pressing on her vagus nerve, and advised her to check with a gastroenterologist (GI). However, during her appointment with her GI, her concerns were dismissed as symptoms of "anxiety." Additionally, he asked her to be careful about the "garbage" she ate, urging her to lose weight. Carissa felt humiliated by the entire experience and did not go for a follow-up. Unfortunately, six months later, she was diagnosed with stage 2 liver disease and an enlarged spleen.
Carissa also explained, "While I don't disagree that weight loss is important, eating healthy is important, I'm still mad over that whole attitude towards me." According to Northwell Health, women's health concerns are frequently dismissed and misdiagnosed. Dr. Stephanie Trentacoste McNally, Medical Director and Vice President for Clinical Initiatives and Patient Experience at the Katz Institute for Women's Health, revealed, "There’s still this pervasive belief in the medical community that anytime a woman complains about her health, it’s either related to her hormones or all in her head."
Carissa's post received massive attention from internet users, who called out the doctor's unprofessional attitude. Sharing a similar experience, @tamara0206, who eventually had to get her gallbladder removed, wrote, "I wish I could talk to the GI who told me I needed to lose weight and start anti-anxiety meds and refused to do any testing on me."
@tl.honey expressed, "If a doctor's first assessment is 'lose weight,' they are lazy and don't care to do the job properly. Always be firm, always have a comeback against weight, and always get a second opinion." @mkipps wrote, "Idiocy. We all know it's not possible to lose and keep off weight. Our bodies don't work like that. New research and these doctors are not being read."
For more such stories on women's health, follow @rissabbygurl123 on Threads.