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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Using MN for nedical advice. Why?

53 replies

wtaf37 · 26/01/2022 06:35

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...

OP posts:
cherrytree63 · 26/01/2022 08:29

I haven't started a thread about my health but I do read the board and have gained information which is helpful.
I have fibromyalgia and arthritis and it's easy for me and my GP to write off any new symptoms as part of my chronic health problems.
My GP is lovely, but it seems that after heart conditions/stroke/cancer is ruled out then basically it's get on with it.
So sometimes it's useful to see how other people have managed to cope with similar.

DysmalRadius · 26/01/2022 08:53

Because women are consistently treated poorly by the NHS and have their problems dismissed as 'women's issues' or 'mental health problems' when they are describing very real symptoms of illnesses that can and should be treated. Having a bit of an idea of the kind of condition you may be seeking a diagnosis for makes it easier to be assertive when seeing a doctor who is trying to dismiss you, and anecdotal information from others who have experienced the same can be the missing piece of a puzzle that leads to a proper investigation and diagnosis.

TirisfalPumpkin · 26/01/2022 08:55

Perception that the NHS is now the National Covid Service and unless you're dying or have covid they don't give a toss. Crippling depression? Been in pain for months? Not bothered.

Because some of us are socially isolated and don't have IRL people to sense check our symptoms with and see if we're having a health anxiety moment or if something is actually wrong.

Crowdsourcing info so when you do see a HCP and they ask you the (everyone's favourite) question, 'what would you like me to do for you?', you can suggest some courses of action other than the default 'go away and if it hasn't gone away in a month, battle to get an appointment again'.

Honestly, looking how some of the threads have panned out with mildly worried, downplaying-it posters sent to A&E and their problem did turn out to need immediate attention - I think MN ought to get an honorary medical degree.

MirabelM · 26/01/2022 08:57

I've just posted yesterday for some advice and ideas and received fabulous support. I didn't ask "please diagnose me" as I understand that the people on the other end of the message may well not be doctors. But I posted for reassurance, ideas and advice. I've read all the posts but will obviously wait for a qualified medic to analyse my results and report back to me.

Narutocrazyfox · 26/01/2022 08:58

111 is so dangerously inept I think I'd rather turn to mumsnet!

SleepingDoglets · 26/01/2022 09:02

I can think of a few occasions where someone posting on MN has saved their lives. Off the top of my head - an ectopic pregnancy, blood clot, haemorrhage, and more.

It’s not uncommon for women to receive second rate treatment and have serious symptoms dismissed, and as a consequence it’s not uncommon for women to constantly second guess their instincts and genuinely not know whether symptoms merit medical input or not.

There are conditions where patient knowledge can exceed GP knowledge, particularly with tricky to diagnose autoimmune diseases, and having suggestions from others can be very helpful.

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 26/01/2022 09:10

Advice from people here helped me get control over my interstitial cystitis.

MirabelM · 26/01/2022 09:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Whatwouldscullydo · 26/01/2022 09:22

Frankly because these days if you don't go in to an appointment with some idea if what's wrong with you, you Will walk.out worse off than when u went in. It seems to be necessary to be really able to advocate fir yourself

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 26/01/2022 09:22

Lots of the above but I'll add informing myself so that I have a clear set of language to accurately describe the problem and suggest a sensible course of action, saving time and effort when I do speak to a HCP.

Youdoyoutoday · 26/01/2022 09:26

@SomewhereOnlyIKnow

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.
This.
RonObvious · 26/01/2022 09:34

I think also because, while the NHS is well equipped for acute illnesses, it is very poorly equipped for more chronic conditions. So advice from people who live with chronic conditions can be very helpful. Plus, one thing that I see over and over again on here is women having to fight in order to get their symptoms taken seriously. Again, having someone say that they had the same symptoms and treatment helped can give the OP some impetus to go back to their GP and ask for more tests / referral.

lljkk · 26/01/2022 21:44

Don't be daft --bodies are weird. Hard to figure out. Good to get support.

The idea I'm gonna bother GP or pharmacist for every query -- setting aside difficulties of even getting to talk to a GP !!!

AsYouWishButtercup · 26/01/2022 21:50

Because how else will they get attention?

If only there was a phone service, say with 3 numbers, which you could get actual medical advice from qualified professionals. If only…

As an aside, I think MN as a rule should ban the medical advice ones. Especially when you get people telling posters to put aloe Vera onto fresh burns

DoTheMerengue · 26/01/2022 21:51

I think most people are looking for reassurance or to ease their anxiety rather than a formal diagnosis.

nocoolnamesleft · 26/01/2022 21:56

I've seen people posting on here when they would have been better calling 999. I actually joined because late at night I saw a post about a baby, that screamed meningitis. By the time the sodding system would accept a name, thankfully other posters had convinced the mum to go to A&E. If she hadn't have posted, maybe she'd have left it until morning, and maybe that baby would have died. This isn't the best source of medical advice. But there are times when it beats not getting advice, and some people aren't very confident about seeking medical help, and need the push.

Cherrybomb197 · 26/01/2022 21:58

Strangely it was Googling my symptoms and finding them on mn that I found out what was wrong and was able to tell the Consultant at A&E what was wrong (on my thurs bloody visit in 3 days)

stayathomer · 26/01/2022 21:59

I know you mean really dangerous conditions, but mn has helped so much with my skin- I have roseacea and a number of other issues, and advice on here has been life changing, my skin used to literally feel fried and the doctors kept throwing out the 'stay hydrated, don't drink tea' bit, and recommend products that burnt. Found great ways to manage it all here

D0lphine · 26/01/2022 22:01

Sometimes there isn't much medical research into certain womens issues.

For example, after having certain types of contraception, women lose their libido.

Because this isn't considered a serious issue my society, it isn't researched. So when you say to the gp your libido is gone they tell you it won't be contraception.

But when you post on here you find tonnes and tonnes of women who have an identical experience to you. And you can take action (and feel normal!)

Mycatsgoldtooth · 26/01/2022 22:01

I’ve had good advice here about my child’s health issues. Had been told there was nothing to worry about by the GP on a call. Pushed me to make more fuss, and there is an issue that he’s now getting treatment for. Posters in here can be incredible knowledgable as they have been through these things. Having a medical qualification isn’t the only way to know things about health.

Freecuthbert · 26/01/2022 22:03

Last year I was at my wit's end seeking diagnosis and treatment from NHS for my medical issues, which were fobbed off (basically being told it was all in my head blah blah) I posted on here and lots had gone through very similar and I did end up getting correct diagnosis and treatment. Smile

The responses did help with my sanity and I felt able to continue pursuing things, as I had gotten to the point I was doubting myself and thought I was losing it.

lljkk · 26/01/2022 22:12

Pfffft... ok... who wants to police this.

Why do I have very cold feet? I've got 3 pairs of socks on but sitting here for 1.25 hours the feet are now frozen. It's annoying. I'll have to fill a hot water bottle before bed or I wouldn't sleep for hours, so annoying, stupid waste of energy. They weren't at all cold when I sat down.

Should I call NHS111 about my cold feet problem and should it be banned me asking MNers if they found a solution that isn't hot water bottles? Maybe that's too much like "medical advice" and my question should be banned or directed to NHS111 or a GP, I dunno. Is that a good use of NHS resources do you think?

Goldilocks99 · 26/01/2022 22:15

One of my biggest regrets is not signing up to Mumsnet or using it before my child's birth.
I received some bad advice around the birth. It had awful, tragic consequences. Having been on here over a year I have seen that posters are without exception always pushed to do the sensible option, especially when it comes to birth. If I had had a push in another direction my whole life would have been different.
So it's invaluable because generally the poster is warned off any risky actions.
I post a lot about it now when I see a similar thread because I want to save others from making a silly fear based decision like I did.

Hawkins001 · 26/01/2022 22:16

@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...
Because a medical person is one person, where as, you can in theory get an educated guess from a large number of people, which at least gives an guided theory. Bit like an intelligence analysis, compare various notes, ideas, theories, then draw the common ones, compare with intelligence already confirmed then plan accordingly as best as possible.
Hawkins001 · 26/01/2022 22:18

@lljkk

Pfffft... ok... who wants to police this.

Why do I have very cold feet? I've got 3 pairs of socks on but sitting here for 1.25 hours the feet are now frozen. It's annoying. I'll have to fill a hot water bottle before bed or I wouldn't sleep for hours, so annoying, stupid waste of energy. They weren't at all cold when I sat down.

Should I call NHS111 about my cold feet problem and should it be banned me asking MNers if they found a solution that isn't hot water bottles? Maybe that's too much like "medical advice" and my question should be banned or directed to NHS111 or a GP, I dunno. Is that a good use of NHS resources do you think?

I use, socks but the thick wolly ones, then slippers which are thick ones or use thermal boots.