Why do some poeple always have to 'google' it...

pmduk

I have always googled my medical ailments, but then been very picky about the sites I choose to trust. The Knowledge I have gained has always been helpful in keeping things in perspective, I'd otherwise imagine the worst every time. Only the individual can decide what's best for them.

paddyrg

Olokia wrote: »

I have a condition that affects 1 in 10,000 people. The NHS don't like sending people for tests if they can help it to save money. They just assume with those odds I can't have it and don't bother sending me for the tests that I need to confirm it, especially as its a specialised test.

So did you pay for the tests yourself, then go back to your GP, and the NHS are paying for your treatment? Or have you not had the tests (in which case when you say 'I have a condition...' you may not actually have it yet?)

Azari

Olokia wrote: »

I have a condition that affects 1 in 10,000 people. The NHS don't like sending people for tests if they can help it to save money. They just assume with those odds I can't have it and don't bother sending me for the tests that I need to confirm it, especially as its a specialised test.

Please don't think I'm unsympathetic to your plight, but that is the fault of the bean counters at the NHS, not the individual doctors involved.

imaginarynumber

vyle wrote: »

My mum's doctor is useless, whenever my mum goes to see her, she say, "You've got the internet, look your symptoms up on google." And that's it.

Well, the few times she has given any form of opinion, or diagnosis, it's been wrong... I've been telling my mum to change doctors, but she seems to have an unnatural loyalty to this one.

How does one change doctors???

My GF's GP is crap- she went to him, explained her symptoms- he told her she had acid reflux and that she should eat ice cream even though she had lost two stone.

A visit to A&E the next day and a week later they were removing her appendix. She's fine now but too many GPs are utterly crap and other than moving house to a different area (which we cant afford to do) I cannot see what she can do.

Getting back to the OPs point- I do google everything and noticed one day that I have arcus senilis- most of the sites told me to check my cholesterol levels/liver function. None of them said- "sometimes it just happens but we don't know why".

i guess the problem is that we don't have an understanding of the medical basics and our anxieties allow us to be drawn to the worst case scenarios.

That said I am glad that I have the ability to use google and TBH I would not have had my double hernia operation if I had been aware of the outcome (no pain before, frequent pain 2 years later)- my GP sent me to the NICE site which doesn't warn you about the pitfalls. I really should have had less faith in the person performing the operation...

With regard to the SIL- I guess she was trying to be helpful

Arg

Azari wrote: »

Please don't think I'm unsympathetic to your plight, but that is the fault of the bean counters at the NHS, not the individual doctors involved.

I doubt they'd be too bothered so long as they get their fat paycheck which could be put to better use especially if google and websites with all their flaws are at times doing a better job than they are.

pmduk

It's important to remember that the NICE website doesn't give medical advice. It is aimed at the bean counters who have to decide which treatments are financially worthwhile. (It's unfortunate that they are necessary, but without them the NHS would be bankrupt overnight.)

Olokia

paddyrg wrote: »

So did you pay for the tests yourself, then go back to your GP, and the NHS are paying for your treatment? Or have you not had the tests (in which case when you say 'I have a condition...' you may not actually have it yet?)

I haven't had the tests but my brother has. If he has it, then there is a 50% chance that I have it and with my symptoms I'm sure I have it. All I need the doctors to do is give me the test to determine which type I have. Without this test, I can't start a family as it may be too dangerous for me. That is one thing Google can't do.