Aibu about armchair medics?

[GoneForFood]

I see so much medical misinformation on some threads it’s starting to worry me.

On a recent post in the pregnancy topic a woman was worried about some spotting she was having. Cue 10s of posters ‘ah it’s nothing to worry about, it’s ‘old’ blood you’re not going to lose your baby’

This is not always true (personal experience) but it could reassure people when they genuinely need medical opinion.

Another thread about a low heart rate and posters ‘oooh you must be really fit, it’s normal’ when they absolutely don’t have any knowledge of the posters state of health.

Why do people find the need to try and diagnose posters when they don’t know what they’re talking about?

We, the low heart rate thread: posters were appalled the OP wasn’t seeking medical attention and only the OP was attributing it to her fitness!

It's not just medical misinformation. There are thousands of barrack room lawyers; spurious benefits advisors; HR experts; car mechanics; construction and other engineers. The place is positively heaving with self-diagnosed experts. It's a gas. It's always obvious which threads the various specialist are going to flock to and makes for very entertaining reading.

Disclaimer- I'm not an expert in any of the above sectors but you can spot the fakers a mile off, usually because when they're corrected they respond with "oh sorry, I'm leaning on knowledge I gained when working as a cleaner for an eminent QC as a teenager 30 years ago and I'm sure that was the case back then, must brush up my knowledge" .

I actually think the pregnancy forum is pretty sensible about this kind of thing. Most posts asking for medical advice get a majority of responses saying “if in doubt ask your midwife”.

With regard to bleeding in early pregnancy I have seen people say well this happened to me and my baby was fine/I miscarried but I have never seen anyone say “you’re not going to lose your baby”. Again most of the advice given is to contact the GP/midwife/EPU.

I think in most cases people aren’t looking for medical advice specifically, more some reassurance and to feel they are not alone.

Fortunately, there are enough genuine, qualified doctors, lawyers etc here on MN that misinformation tends to be rapidly corrected!
Also, where there is diagnostic doubt or the possibility of a serious condition, I think you’ll find a veritable chorus of professionals strongly advising the OP to seek medical help via their GP or A and E as appropriate.

I suppose the pregnancy one hits home as I’ve miscarried myself. I’ve seen lots of posts ‘ as long as it’s not red and you’re not cramping it’s nothing to worry about’ and I want to scream No that’s not true but in the same vein don’t want to needlessly worry the poster.

Well there you are then. You don't want to worry the poster, and you are basing your opinion on your own previous knowledge.
So, what are you complaining about again?