to think that if you consider a medical problem to be URGENT you find someone else to consult about it other than Mumsnet?

[nameymcnamechange]

Gawd knows I love Mumsnet and I think it is populated by fab people.

But if you were seriously worried about someone in your family, why would you post here for advice? Wouldn't you phone your doctor straight away?

We're mostly a bunch of amateurs on this site and we can't see the patient...

Aibu?

Anyhoo, I'm off to bed. Got to get up bright and early to neglect and injure my children and fail to provide them with adequate medical attention so can't be on here all night.

What wuktar said. It's no different to asking a bunch of people in RL for their 'opinions' which you then have to assess yourself.

You have the benefits of people with possibly similar experiences and of annonynimity, (should that be an issue).

I have called NHS direct about 5 times in my life. Each time took ages for someone to call me back, go through all my details and every single call ended with them saying 'Probably best if you pop down to A&E" - so I don't bother calling any more. Just make my own judgements and if someone else who has experienced something similar, can help me form a better judgement then great.

Caveat. I am not referring to obviously urgent situations where you should clearly call DH/DP/Mum/Ambulance!

I wouldnt post about 'first aid' situations but I would rather MN than call NHS direct, as i know if I'm asking about headlice/worm/pains in legs I won't get asked 20 scripted, ask every caller, questions like, Is the patient concious? Are they breathing? or Are there vaccinations up to date? I am treated like I have an iota of common sense, and of course i understand why NHS direct do it but it stops me calling them

I know GPs dont like the internet diagnosis thing but I managed to get a pretty convincing diagnosis of giardia 6 weeks (and miserable they were too) before my GP after who physically examined us,a barrage of tests, misdiagnosis and incorrect prescriptions came to the same conclusion.

OP- YANBU.

There are rare times (like Charlotte)when someone doesn't realise they ought to go and get checked out, but some of the "I've just cut my right arm off with a hacksaw, WWYD/The baby is crowning-is it time to call the ambulance?" type questions are absurd. I think they are an indictment of the FacebookVirtualReality reality we are now living in.

Some people can't have a shit these days without needing to update their status/start a thread about it.

MadameDeathStare: What was the outcome? Are you howling at the moon or did it just turn you into a puddycat?

Thanks flyingzebra