Do GPs hate it when you “self-diagnose” via Google?

[PlinkPlankPlunk]

In my defence, it is really hard trying to get any phone appointment (and not a hope of an in-person one) as they are so busy. So I’ve had a lot of time to do proper research and I want to make the most of the few minutes I eventually get, to ask some specific questions. I have tried some solutions already that have not worked

But it must be galling for a GP when unqualified people think they know everything already; how is it best to approach this? I was going to say “ My symptoms are x, y and z, relevant circumstances a, b and c; I’ve looked these up and wondered if it could be … “

I have a lovely Dr-he'll ask if I've consulted Dr Google!

Probably depends on the relationship & how you go about it.

I look to see what it might be for my own curiosity/peace of mind.

So he knows that I know it could be x,y or z.

He also knows what level of language he can use with me iyswim.

I can see a problem would be though if patients decide thy have something & try to fit their symptoms to it!

Mind you that would have been possible pre internet.

I don't see reading around stuff as trying to do my Dr's job but as informing myself to possibilities & being as prepared as possible for what I might be told.

mixed experience here as well.

dc has a rare bone condition that was tricky to diagnose. the gp was very appreciative of me googling. I am pretty good at googling too
some of the orthopaedic consultants however... they seem to rely on superficial glances on tests and images only.
only after dc saw a physio who then wrote a detailed report did the consultant send the images off for a conference review where they found the issue.

@HorticulturalGraveyard

This did not go well for me last week. I was talking about the condition, all the research I had done, my symptoms and how it impacts my daily life. I asked for a referral so I could obtain a formal diagnosis and was told that the GP would not be referring me simply because of my own "diagnostic curiosity" and he refused to listen to anything I said.

I can see how they might not want o diagnose on your say so as such, but can't see whay they wouldn't look into your symptoms.

My former GP didn't like it at all and also refused my results from private blood tests. Don't ever tell them you have googled anything, in my experience it won't go down well. The reason I paid for blood tests is it was a test the NHS did not provide and I was desperate for answers. I avoid doctors whenever possible.

I saw this once…

My previous GP was grateful for my input. They're generalists in most areas, if I could give him greater detail it saves time all round.

My current GP was outright rude when I offered some information, gave me a lecture on how dangerous self diagnosis can be. Then she prescribed exactly what I suggested!

I appreciate they don't have much time, but if they treated us as individuals and acknowledge that most of us are capable of some level of research, they'd save even more time in the long run. Plus, we'd get treated more quickly.

I'm 3 out of 4 with DDs medical stuff, and if Dr Google hadn't helped me, she'd still be undiagnosed and bedbound with appalling mental health issues (as a best case scenario ). It wasn't so much the GP(s) who dismissed us, as the paediatrician and consultants at our local hospital who were incredibly unwilling to see DDs physical symptoms as anything other than "teenage girl mental health problems" combined with a good does of over-protective mother syndrome, veering towards FII. Thankfully I got her in front of a consultant who actually knew what she was talking about (with the help of the most amazing woman at a charity for the condition), and from there we navigated our way to the top doctor in the country for this condition, and via him to various other specialists for different bits of the syndrome.

And I'm not upset to not have got the 4th condition, as even the consultant was surprised when he realised what the problem was .

But generally I find GPs are either quite dismissive of self-diagnoses, OR they start the appointment with "so what do you think the issue is?", and until you get to know them, it's difficult to work out which way they'll go.

My old GP didn’t mind at all. Not sure about my new one tbh.

I've had quincy before. I knew it was that as the symptoms matched completely those on the NHS website. I went to the doctor 3 times and was dismissed. I then dragged myself to a and e where I was admitted for an overnight stay and pumped full of antibiotics....because my doctor wouldn't listen to me.

I cost the NHS a lot more money than if they'd listened the first time.
I don't understand why the NHS have a website if the doctors don't like you looking at it.

@Bythemillpond

So what happens to those who haven’t read the DM and who genuinely have the symptoms. Are you saying they don’t get diagnosed and are left to get on with their illness

It's a bit of a leap from GPs being prepared by knowing what the medical issue of the week in a tabloid newspaper is, to 'saying' those presenting with genuine symptoms would not be treated at all.

I often do, and have always been right, but I'm a nurse so maybe that's not so bad.

I've suggested gallstones for repeated severe stomach pain (gallbladder with 200+ stones removed yesterday), nocturnal cough pre-covid as being acid reflux (poo test was positive for hyliobacter which is often present in acid reflux, and symptoms responded well to lansoprazole) slightly embarrassingly painful pooing and blood on tissue as either anal fissure or piles (examined by GP, diagnosed with anal fissure, self help and OTC treatment), vague symptoms of tiredness, dry skin, low mood as underactive thyroid (borderline for a while, one "officially" underactive and on tyrosine.

The only diagnosis which properly surprised me was a large fibroid needing a hysterectomy. I didn't have any gynae symptoms till after diagnosis. My symptoms were related to my gut and were unusual but I think the fibroid was pressing on something. Certainly my gut symptoms reduced by about 95% after the op.

I don't know but my GP always asks what I think it is. I'm never sure if that's because he's trying to find out if I'm a hypochondriac or if he thinks I might have some useful input (although I don't go frequently, maybe every 5 years or so)

Tyrosine =thyroxine. Damn autocorrect.

Ps the whole fibroid thing I didn't self diagnose as anything.

I think there's a difference to informing yourself about possibilites & self diagnosing though.

@mewkins That happened to DD, 111 said "We'll call you back in two hours", thanks to Mumsnet I knew what it was and said get in a cab to A&E as her throat was nearly closed and within 30 mins she was on a drip with a doctor stabbing her throat with a big needle! Nasty, you have my commiserations. She was in two nights.

Some doctors love a well informed patient, some absolutely hate it and will go out of their way to ignore anything you bring to their attention. I once saw a pituitary expert who refused to entertain the idea that I might be salt wasting to the point where she tested everything but the sodium content of my urine in my regular tests (it's a very standard thing to test, she probably had to uncheck a box on the order form to do that).

I had this recently and mine told me she was pleased. I was 99% sure I had a gallbladder issue and told her as much when I arrived for my appointment. I then apologised, saying it probably wasn’t helpful for me to google, and she said ‘not at all, you know your own symptoms best and it gives us a helpful starting point’. She was then able to confirm within a couple of minutes that it was almost definitely gallstones, and send me for a scan.

I think as long as you’re not struggling with health anxiety or inclined to see quite generic symptoms as evidence that you have cancer, it can be quite a useful exercise in narrowing down the possibilities.

The one time I did go to the GP with a good idea of what I had, the GP who is usually lovely, gave me very short shrift.

I'd already been to an Osteopath with shoulder pain. He had examined my shoulder and back thoroughly and declared there was nothing wrong, but could he check my abdomen. He said he could feel that my liver was slightly inflamed and it was likely referred pain, I should see GP.

GP would not listen at all, "what can an Osteopath know about the liver?". He wouldn't even examine me. Osteopath was right though and the problem was eventually fixed with antibiotics.

The same Osteopath also found a friend's cancer. He'd been to GP on numerous occasions with neck and shoulder pain and been prescribed increasingly strong painkillers for a muscular issue. Osteopath didn't "diagnose" cancer, but he knew. He told friend to go back to GP and insist on scans. Again (different) GP didn't like it, but Osteopath was right. Friend is dead now

My GP used the write that column in the Mail (maybe still does for all I know).

In my experience, doctors are very annoyed if you have any ideas about your own body and your own health. I no longer trust anything they say, after them having missed various diagnoses which I'd managed to find out for myself with the help of various patient support groups. There are some subjects, e.g. thyroid, where doctors are taught nothing and know nothing. They should be ashamed of the suffering they needlessly put patients through, but most are too arrogant to ever consider that they might need to know more.

I hope your experience is better, OP! Some doctors surely must be wise and humble enough to listen to their patients. I've never found one, but I'm willing to believe they exist!

the nhs website is there, it is available.
the GPs who are anti folk reading it need to change their attitude.

I’m trying to get a GP to rest me for diabetes.

I’m overweight though I’ve lost 3 stone. I’m still exhausted, joint pain, skin conditions are majorly flared up and I can’t get under control.

With my family history of diabetes (both types diagnosed at all ages) my weight and despite the weight loss and activity I’m doing it’s logical and relatively cheap to rule out diabetes or pre diabetes as my issue. I have other symptoms that fit.

GP has decided I’m ‘doing too much’ and I’m ‘stressed’ and ‘eating the wrong foods’

I can’t be eating the wrong foods if I’ve dropped over 3 stone in weight. I’m not doing too much as I’m not working, unpaid carer (I have space and time to rest) I’m no more stressed than anyone else (and have space an time to rest when DC at school)
I’m not exactly sure how I can get the Gp to take me seriously and I don’t have much faith anyway as they diagnosed me with IBS rather than do an abdominal ultrasound which would’ve picked up the mahoosive gallstones I had.

I think it depends on how you use your research and present it to your gp. Someone telling their gp I've checked my symptoms on google, dignosed myself and just need you to prescribe this treatment or refer me to this specialist is being unreasonable and may not get a good response. On the other hand if you say I had xyz symptoms which didn't seem to be getting better so I had a check to see if there was anything I could do to help myself or if I needed to see a gp. Google NHS website advised me to see my gp to rule out these ilnesses/conditions so here I am you are likely to be taken more seriously and not annoy a gp who has invested years in study and ongoing training and professional development to keep up to date with new diagnostic tools and treatments.

Depends how you phrase it. But most of us do it, surely? At least look it up, investigate?

when my dc were little i found if i said the HV told me to come they took notice,
i guess saying the NHS website pointed me in this direction would soften them up also