Self diagnosis via internet

Cassaundra · May 19, 2009

I think it shows you're taking responsibility for your own health. You're intelligent and know enough about your body to not do something completely off the wall and decide if the remedies are working or not. When it gets scary is when you get the ones who have just guessed and not done any research or have no idea how the body could react to different things.

chicookie, BSN, RN · May 19, 2009

Guilty!

When I started having IBS problems I KNEW it wasn't my gallbladder. I just knew it after looking it up on the internet I figured out what I had. When I saw a third doctor he came up with the same thing I had figured out. And now he is my primary doctor.

(and the treatments are working great btw)

Sometimes doctors can overlook little things that make a difference and as a patient who knows our bodies better than ourselves. But I also think we should listen to reason and don't just say oh I have this; I HAVE TO HAVE THIS, like I have seen so many patients say and they aren't even close.

poodlicious · May 19, 2009

As a patient today, this is soon going to be unavoidable. We are surrounded by health information in the media and for good reason, our health is at stake. We are becoming a population diagnosed by webmd. Within reason, I think it is harmless.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · May 19, 2009

I would imagine most of us do this. I have an injury and "self-diagnosed" two specific things. The surgeon I just saw diagnosed me with those two exact things, so I must research well. He did diagnose me with a third problem due to something the x-ray revealed. I didn't even see that diagnosis coming, and wasn't familiar with it, but it does make sense.

I guess I'm trying to say yes, I do research and tentatively self-diagnose, but I'm also open and appreciative of the physician's expertise and ability to see things I am not aware of.

netglow, ASN, RN · May 20, 2009

:thnkg:

Yup, self diagnosis, hunted down a world renown surgeon (whose research I read), and got it done!

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · May 20, 2009

Guilty!
When I started having IBS problems I KNEW it wasn't my gallbladder. I just knew it after looking it up on the internet I figured out what I had. When I saw a third doctor he came up with the same thing I had figured out. And now he is my primary doctor.
(and the treatments are working great btw)
Sometimes doctors can overlook little things that make a difference and as a patient who knows our bodies better than ourselves. But I also think we should listen to reason and don't just say oh I have this; I HAVE TO HAVE THIS, like I have seen so many patients say and they aren't even close.

That was my problem. I'm using fennel tea, careful diet, and primadophilous capsules. The internet also says to reduce stress.

morte, LPN, LVN · May 20, 2009

and dont forget celiac disease, not as rare as some docs still like to think, the current estimate is as high as 1:133 i believe ...that at least have the genes to develope

eriksoln, BSN, RN · May 20, 2009

There are two ways to answer your question too:

1. The way most people are taking it, meaning people with a medical background doing research on something bothering them, which is not big deal.

2. People with no medical background who want to avoid the costs of healthcare. Which has the potential to be dangerous.

I used to frequent a Q and A forum before coming here. It was for general questions about anything (cars, computer issues, driving directions, opinion polls). From time to time, a medical question came up. Most of the time, people were smart enough to stay out of it and just say "see a doctor".

Then the economy got worse. The frequency of medical questions increased a good bit. And people with no place giving advice were posting their opinion on what the person should do. There was one thread where a diabetic who had figured out a way to not have to check her sugars was sharing info. The system she dreamed up was obviously not going to help (something about drinking lots of water with meals and such). But, people who didnt know better were all up in arms saying they were going to take themselves off insulin and try it too. Then there were the people using the dietary bowel cleaners "evercleanse" or something who said they were going to use double the dose cause they had to "fit into a dress by wedding/prom night" or "wife just told me she is not as attracted to me".

So, you can see how this sort of thing goes for people who are just seeking simple/quick fixes. Very dangerous.