to think you shouldn't seek or take medical advice from strangers on here...

[pinkr]

Several times recently I have seen people on here requesting medical advice and wwyd type questions for pretty serious complaints. Surely any adult with any sense wouldn't ask people on here to diagnose breathing difficulties in a young child etc.
It is worrying how people come on here for advice from people with non medical qualification. 'Oh yes I'm sure...half an onion on the chest and he'll be fine' etc.

Am I the only one who thinks that the only response to potentially serious conditions is seek medical advice be it an appointment,OOH,a & e.

People please think carefully before offering advice.

I have never seen anyone make a diagnosis or give medical advice in any kind of "doctor-like" way on a thread. What tends to happen is someone is worrying about a symptom and people tell them what it could be in their experience, and to see the GP. But those examples of what it could be can help to soothe someone who's in a state of anxiety.

Classic example is lump in breast, if they describe it others will reassure them of all the non-cancerous things it could be and give examples from their own experience. Bit they'll still say go to the GP. In fact that process may make it easier for the anxious person to go to the GP.

I've seen plenty of threads where replies quite rightly say "go to A&E right now". Also those where people are comparing experiences of a drug's side-effects or how long it takes to work (such as ADs). All that support and pooled knowledge must have much more positive effects than negative.

Plus, you can diagnose any symptom on the web and find all kinds of advice (correct or not) by looking at all the medical sites, not to mention all the alternative and woo sites. So starting a thread about your worry is no worse than that, except you will get real, sensible people telling you to see the GP.

YABU, I had the cause of my persistent cystitis and utis identified on here. After suffering for months, and one nasty bout of pyelonephritis, I was better within 24 hours of following the advice on a thread in General Health

I've had some fantastic advice and support here when suffering with a really upsetting long term health problem. I've seem loads of people receive similar. Yes, agree the on the odd occasion I do wonder why someone hasn't already left for the hospital but I also know how very difficult that decision can be.

yabu

the collection of ideas and suggestions is a good thing. things like eczema aren't life threatening but gathering suggestions to try can make a real difference to someone's life.

New diagnosis can be scary and overwhelming for people. I think it's great that they can come on here ask questions and find out all the positive outcomes.

If someone is scared to go to the Dr then people posting all the non serious things it could be could well calm a person down enough to make the call.

shared experiences and passing on information can be an absolute god send.

and given how people so often feel they are wasting a drs time fifty people posting to say, actually see a Dr right now cab be reassuring to a person that they aren't over reacting.

not once have I seen any one advise onions for breathing difficulties

Well MN has saved several lives - ectopic pregnancies, thrombosis, the "MNer who couldn't wee". All told "dial 999 NOW" when they were dithering about whether to bother anyone.

In particular, if someone's a bit impaired or in shock, their decision-making won't be the best.

So while all advice on here should be taken with a pinch of salt, it's still no bad thing people are posting.

Saved my life. Pulmonary embolism.

"In particular, if someone's a bit impaired or in shock, their decision-making won't be the best."

That.

Sometimes there's no-one to tell you whether it's an emergency or if you're overreacting and yes in a normal rational moment you'd know the answer yourself...sometimes you need a nudge.

I needed that nudge to go to my GP, who sent me straight to A&E. I find it hard to talk about the rest but if I hadn't been told by MN to do that, I wouldn't have done it in time.

I think it depends on the situation really.
I'v spent last 10 years with the docs saying theres nothing really wrong with me, and now they've only just discovered what's wrong with me, far too late too do anything. Whereas i had other people telling me what they thought was wrong with me, they were right.

Does any one remember the thread by the mnetter asking if they should worried that their toddler age dc had been asleep for a ridiculously long time.
It was a while ago so the details are fuzzy but she honestly thought she was silly to be worried. Kid had been asleep for 14+ hours and wouldn't rouse when she tried. Breathing normal.

There were dozens of messages saying dial 999, 101, get thee to a n e.

Right enough her dc was in theatre within hours and was lucky to live.

I get what your saying op though. This is why I like the 101 service you can call them even if you think you are being ridiculous just in case.

YABU. We have lost the 'collective wisdom' of society around us for the most part - back in the day, people would have asked relatives, friends and neighbours for their advice based on experience and only troubled the GP or hospital if necessary.

I see MN as fulfilling this role if 'community connection' and (most people's) opinions are thoughtful and helpful.

A while ago there was a poster on here with a child with chicken pox. GP had said it is chicken pox, go home and give calpol etc. She posted because child was asleep and had been all day. She asked if that was normal in a poorly child, temp was up but not very high. She was at home no car and other dcs.

It seemed like a very innocent situation. In her place I too would have just been thinking, OK, poorly, asleep, shall I wake him etc.

But a poster came on and said can you do x or y? She said no and poster (not a medic) said call an ambulance.

Child had rare complications of chicken pox. I honestly think that most of us would not have had a clue the child was that ill.

It saved the boys life.

My toddler fell and cut his chin. It didn't bleed for long so I assumed this meant he didn't need stitches. Someone on MN advised differently so I took him to GP and he needed four!

It's also a very supportive site for people with chronic conditions such as psoriasis.

I was just about to mention LineRunners thread but I see she is here before me.

YABU I think op.

There is a disclaimer at the top of the health boards isn't there saying not to rely on advice?

Even someone who says they're a Dr, nurse, midwife might not be who they say they are on here.