Googling your symptoms is so much more effective than seeing a doctor

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Jill_Schramm

I’m sorry, I haven’t had time to read the entire thread, but over the years seriously researching my various conditions online (the term “googling” makes it sound less serious, but, you know, high quality journal articles can be returned with a google search) has helped me:

1) Accurately self-diagnose reflex sympathetic dystrophy/complex regional pain disorder after visits to many specialists in more than one country failed to turn up anything. Once I had the self-diagnosis, I could self-treat effectively. I could also find the appropriate specialist and make my case to him. He soon diagnosed me with atypical RSD, then prescribed me the medication I needed to get better.

2) Find a really good and ultimately effective therapist for repetitive strain disorder after all my local therapists had failed.

3) Accurately self-diagnose with Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease. Knowing I most likely had this allowed me to really push to see the appropriate specialist (my local ENT did not have a clue and did not refer me) and get necessary medication to stop the disease before I went deaf in both ears.

4) Eased my fears about having pancreatic cancer after my PCP suggested I might have it (due to strange blood tests results). My research online showed me that the abnormally high pancreatic enzymes results were not a sign of possible pan can. My doctors insisted that I get various scans done, but nothing turned up. Another win for Mr. Google.

I may have also given myself unnessary scares along the way. But the funny thing is I can’t even remember these — I just remember the health and sanity-preserving benefits.

and by doing to much googling, you start thinking you have everything. There is too much possibility of miss diagnoses. Reading, after you have been diagnosed is not a bad thing, going to the computer with systems can be dangerous or if nothing else scary. There are way too many ailments with similar systems.

I will trust my doctor or get a second opinion; they have a little more education than I do or than a few articles on Googles has. I don't even think Google went to college.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by nmnita

and by doing to much googling, you start thinking you have everything.

Medical students are famous for doing that. It's called the "sophomore syndrome." The second year in medical school is when they start learning about diseases.