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 usually say "I've done some reading about ....xyz.....and thought this might be worth looking into, what do you think?"

But yeah, they know people google and they do it themselves. As long as you don't go in saying "I know what I'm suffering from because Google says so" they don't mind!

I've been asked on at least two occasions if I am a doctor, nurse or midwife or training to be. On one occasion I'd mentioned what the NICE guidelines said. I was surprised as thought most people would research their condition - for one thing I wouldn't be at the doctors if I'd learned it was something to be completely unconcerned about. From that question I assume I'm coming across well informed enough not to annoy them. Yes doctors train for many years (have close relatives working in medicine) but for many everyday problems, a person of average intelligence can have a good stab of understanding a problem if they do some careful research - you're using the same skills as you would in many other careers.

My mum died of colon cancer at 41 because she was told for six years that she had IBS, was too young for cancer, and was refused referrals, and was instead referred to mental health as they insisted she had a mental illness as she was so distressed.

My dad took out a loan and she went to see a private consultant who hit the roof (in my dads words) and she was operated on the same week. Too late to save her though.

As soon as I was 18 my dad made sure I took out private healthcare and I’ve prioritised paying for it over everything in my life, I don’t have any other luxuries, certainly not well off - minimum wage.

I too, have started to have symptoms, ironically at age 41. Saw my private GP yesterday, just asked for an open referral, got it approved by insurance
this morning and am waiting on the consultants secretary to call me back with an appointment later on.

I don’t mess around with the NHS or GPs for anything important.

Mine wouldn’t listen, even though I had had the problem before and therefore knew the symptoms. He wouldn’t look at the problem and told me it would get better on its own (strep B infection). A month later I was in critical care with sepsis caused by an untreated strep B infection. If I had got to hospital 2 hours later I wouldn’t have made it.

They get annoyed when you say 'my mother is law is a GP and she says.....'

On my experience its how you talk about it. I have a few long term conditions and I'm fairly well educated. It would be odd for me to not try to learn more about my conditiona and ways to with them.

I generally say I know this can be annoying but these are my thoughts.

I think it's a lance between not blindly demanding something which won't help and actually advocating for yourself.

Yes GPs are well educated professionals but they don't have time to be experts in every area. Also a good GP should be asking you what you want from treatment or want to try.

Sorry if anyone has heard this before, but I think it's worth repeating. (And it's long too, so apologies.)
DC1 was taken ill several years ago and was admitted to hospital.
Discharged after three days with no real diagnosis, but a whole battery of blood results (mostly abnormal).
There was a suspected diagnosis on the bottom.
Our GP at the time referred them as non-urgent, so a hospital appointment was made for six week's time.
Having googled, I knew that if the suspected diagnosis was correct, treatment was needed urgently to minimise the damage the disease could cause.
I spent every free minute over the next ten days phoning around trying to get someone to listen. Eventually the receptionist from the hospital clinic did and went to speak to the consultant. The upshot was that DC got an appt the next day, and then was admitted to a regional centre the next day where a biopsy confirmed they had the disease.
Ultimately DC would have died within four months if treatment wasn't started - and the GP knew it because I told her. But, apparently she knew better than me (and the experts). 🤷🏻‍♀️

@mineofuselessinformation

Sorry if anyone has heard this before, but I think it's worth repeating. (And it's long too, so apologies.) DC1 was taken ill several years ago and was admitted to hospital. Discharged after three days with no real diagnosis, but a whole battery of blood results (mostly abnormal). There was a suspected diagnosis on the bottom. Our GP at the time referred them as non-urgent, so a hospital appointment was made for six week's time. Having googled, I knew that if the suspected diagnosis was correct, treatment was needed urgently to minimise the damage the disease could cause. I spent every free minute over the next ten days phoning around trying to get someone to listen. Eventually the receptionist from the hospital clinic did and went to speak to the consultant. The upshot was that DC got an appt the next day, and then was admitted to a regional centre the next day where a biopsy confirmed they had the disease. Ultimately DC would have died within four months if treatment wasn't started - and the GP knew it because I told her. But, apparently she knew better than me (and the experts). 🤷🏻‍♀️

OMG what a horrible experience!! Thankfully your child had a superhero mum

Did you try talking to a different GP? I know, sometimes it feels unpolite but it could be lifesaving to ask for a second opinion or to speak to a different doctor

I had a different experience as Google told me my symptoms often meant nothing and not to worry. Turned out my symptoms meant EXACTLY what all the old wives' tales had suggested so I wish I had ignored Google and gone with Granny's wisdom instead.

I'll give them a breakdown of symptoms, what makes them worse, any other snippets - and say 'I looked and obviously, after Dr Google gave five diagnoses of imminent death, I saw...., which I thought would be worth asking you about'

They're usually laughing at that point and quite happy to go ahead (along with a 'well, we probably should make sure that imminent death isn't on the cards whilst we're at it').

Where it's something more serious, I often say 'Because of w, x and my history of y, I am wondering whether it's worth excluding z first of all'.

Seems to work for me, anyhow. But perhaps that's because they can pull up my records and see I definitely have particular diagnoses which I do know a lot about, so there's less 'fannying about' and it gets to the point quite quickly.

@grey12, I kept getting referred back to the original GP who insisted they were right....
When I came across her in later years (I've moved now), she fell over herself to be helpful, but on my part, I had to resist a strong urge to punch her.

I recently told a GP I had an ear infection, as has happened a number of times. He insisted it was a jaw issue. Three days later I went back and was diagnosed by a different GP with a double ear infection, sorted with a course of antibiotics. I'd be embarrassed to be so shit at my job.

I think it depends. I've had GPs who don't seem to mind and others who are total dicks about it.

My story is that I went to the doctor to discuss my acne, lethargy and period issues saying I wanted to check whether I had PCOS or hypothyroidism. Doctor said "no, you aren't overweight" and told me I couldn't possibly be right because I wasn't even studying for a medical degree and offered me the pill.

Age 30, having had 3 miscarriages what was I diagnosed with by a reproductive endocrinologist?! PCOS and Hashimoto's.

Wouldn’t have to if it wasn’t like trying to fight with hitler to get an appointment. I watch a lot of medical shows so unless I’m dying I don’t go to the doctors because by the time you get an appointment the issue you had is gone.

@MouseholeCat

I think it depends. I've had GPs who don't seem to mind and others who are total dicks about it.

My story is that I went to the doctor to discuss my acne, lethargy and period issues saying I wanted to check whether I had PCOS or hypothyroidism. Doctor said "no, you aren't overweight" and told me I couldn't possibly be right because I wasn't even studying for a medical degree and offered me the pill.

Age 30, having had 3 miscarriages what was I diagnosed with by a reproductive endocrinologist?! PCOS and Hashimoto's.

This is interesting as I was born with congenital hypothyroidism ( born without a thyroid) I take Levothyroxine which says in the side effect portion of the leaflet weight gain, yet when I was younger I was getting sent to a dietician etc because the doctor said it’s not the tablets. My mum had many arguments with her and finally we found a doctor that knew what she was talking about.

I take Levothyroxine which says in the side effect portion of the leaflet weight gain, yet when I was younger I was getting sent to a dietician etc because the doctor said it’s not the tablets. My mum had many arguments with her and finally we found a doctor that knew what she was talking about.

Doctors are so ignorant about thyroid health, it's unreal. Sorry you've had this experience @Timeisavirtue. Are you on the Thyroid Patient Advocacy forum (TPA uk)? They are brilliant and incredibly knowledgeable people on there. I hope your new doctor prescribed NDT to you - levo is unlikely to be optimal unless you're a good converter of T4 (most people aren't).