Using MN for nedical advice. Why?

[wtaf37]

Just this really. Why on earth would anyone go to the trouble of describing a set of symptoms to an ether full of strangers, most of whom are not medically qualified, asking for a diagnosis? Such a dangerous approach to your health...

I got a lot of good advice on a range of topics on mn.

I agree that it always has to be taken with a pinch of salt, but if your are stuck for an answer and health services are seemingly not listening it's good to have other perspectives.

Normally to get advice when either our friends/family are unavailable or they have no experience of the issue. It's good to talk....(even virtually). A problem shared etc....

Because they can’t get a GP appointment for weeks?

It's the modern equivalent of folk knowledge. Of course it doesn't stand in for medical advice, but someone may have had similar symptoms, and can offer advice or reassurance.

Because not everyone is happy to waste the GP’s time for every cough or pain. They like a bit of reassurance.
And if you spend any time on the menopause board you’ll see that some women are given outdated advice by doctors, and they get armed with excellent advice from MN and then go back to get the right treatment.

It's not really asking for "medical advice", it's canvassing for opinions from potentially thousands of people out there who may have experienced a similar problem. It's basically just a more personalised way of Googling isn't it.

Because our health service is shit.

Well depending on the problem it might help ,reassure or make you realise you need professional help.

However, there is always one poster on these threads giving ridiculous advice, so it could make things worse if you take the wrong person seriously.

I've asked mn numerous times and other times I have searched mn.

General googling sometimes leads to bad advice. Nhs pages are not a specific match. I have historically qualified for both adult and child first aid and even those reference materials don't cover it all. The feeling of something important being missed at a gp appt (this did happen - tonsillitis!) The feeling of being laughed at a midwife appt when someone tripped me (I had mc'ed before).

I do also go to various moms WhatsApp groups as well and mn gives that same feeling of sitting across my kitchen table with a coffee chatting about whatever and through discussion planning some next steps.

Thanks mn-etters!

Mumsnet diagnosed my horrifically itchy neck where the GP had failed.

Nits!

Because it’s nearly impossible to see a gp

Because it’s impossible to speak to a GP

A mixture of reasons.
GPs arent always available or helpful.
Sometimes there isnt anyone else to talk to. (Not everyone has family or a host of friends)
Sometimes other people have suggestions that are helpful.

My GP told me last June my breast lump was nothing to worry about, thankfully someone in similar situation did ask on MN, followed her thread, was cancer needing a years treatment. So went back to gps, got a different one said definitely cancer, referred and yes cancer. So very useful here, caught at stage 3 large lump and in lymph nodes which is not great prognosis but better than stage 4.

When's the last time you tried to see your GP?

Also, they always ask what do you think is wrong with you anyway, when you finally manage to snatch that appointment.

Also, no one would act only on the advice of a bunch of random posters on the internet.

Speaking to people who may have experienced similar is often safer than Google.

Describing my symptoms to strangers led to a diagnosis when my GP had given up and settled on, "the pain is in your mind". Turns out if you ask a lot of people, eventually someone will say, "oh you could be describing me and I'm diagnosed with..."

I often ask medical questions, as I have had lots of new issues in the last couple of years, possibly autoimmune related.
I've no knowledge about these things, so its helpful to speak to people who do.

Best ‘medical’ advice I had in relation to my child was from the woman I chatted to in the waiting room one day- she had 4 children and many grandchildren - this is similar

There was a woman years ago who was worried about her child - who turned out to be seriously ill, I will never forget it, one poster phoned her husband who was a GP who said A and E now- he was so concerned he phoned his wife 20 mins later to ask if poster had done so

I hope snidely posts like this won’t stop people asking for advice

Because when you have a set of symptoms, it can be really helpful to garner opinions from a lot of people who may suggest something that is rare but might be the right answer.

Because other women are a valuable source of information on women's bodies and the health conditions specific to them. There's a world of experience on spotting problems and self care on here. So as part of a holistic approach to your health, why not?

I agree with all of the above..
I had constant cramp in one leg.. Causing me to walk on tiptoe but it eased up the more I walked.. No swollen calf or redness... DVT...? According to Dr Google... No...Really didn't want to go to the Dr's or A&E again as had multiple admissions...
So after a few more days I asked on here.. There was a few.. 'What are you asking strangers on MN for' , and some 'A&E..NOW!'. .one MNetter said she'd had the same.. So off I limp to A&E.. Baffled Dr's decide on blood test.. (after snotty nurse basically telling me off for time wasting.. Remember no swelling or redness).. Multiple DVTs behind my knee... Cue 6 months of treatment...
That's why MN can sometimes help...

Because for some of us getting to see a GP is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack.

Because you may not want to bother the GP and create lots of upheaval with something which you suspect is nothing.

Because you might be scared or anxious.

So many reasons. I don't think anyone thinks MN is offering qualified medical advice. But in a world where getting to see a medical professional can be like climbing Everest it seems a perfectly sensible shortcut. I'm surprised you're so surprised really.

Because sometimes doctors get it wrong or arent interested
Because people cant get an appointment
Because google is full of the worst horror stories rather than the most likely scenario
Because they need reassurance eg waiting for test results and want to hear some good news stories to make them feel better