Cautionary tale of using ChatGPT instead of a clinician

[Chronicworrier123]

I'm posting this because I've seen plenty of posters using ChatGPT as a replacement if many things, including medical professionals.

As a bit of context, I suffer from chronic constipation. I actually posted about this in February, and ended up in AE and was prescribed Resolor in case it ever happened again.

Fast forward and now I'm on HRT, the progesterone has made super uncomfortable and bloated and extremely constipated.

So I ask ChatGPT if taking Resolor is a good idea. Or said yes it was.

Well now I'm in bed with horrendous pain, and have lost at least a litre of fluid (if not more) via liquid stool.

I'm nauseous and feeling like fainting.

It would have been best to just suck it up (@!_ tell my GP about the progesterone intolerance).

Well whenever I've tested family members symptoms in Chatgpt it's given the correct diagnosis straight away. This is after a prolonged period of being dismissed by doctors before finally being diagnosed.

Including a case of appendicitis in a teen that was ignored by doctors for days of repeated visits to A&E resulting in rupture and complications that lasted months.

I put the symptoms into chat gpt afterwards and it suggested tests that the doctors initially didn't. I wish I had known at the time to push for them.

I don't think this is an AI issue.

Not that I agree with asking it for medical advice.

You've already been prescribed this and you took it.

But you're blaming AI???

I've taken movicol continuously for months (the regular dose) and it didn't solve it.

Have taking senna, too - no change.

I always end just with cramps and trap wind, and it's constant, so that's much worse than the "detox" (with movicol 8 sachets for a few days) and gradual build up again.

I've even changed my diet to include 30g of fibre and those kiwis (that make want to puke) and still no difference.

My 5yo has bigger poos than me!

It's not a motility thing, it's a blockage this why the hematologist seems to be correct (but gave no solution).

Tbh id expect you to be feeling the way you are on something that brutal. You'll probably feel a stone lighter tomorrow.

I don't get asking AI for anything me. It's weird.

A friend of mine who’s a doctor has a wife with a really complex serious medical history across different disciplines. He put all her data into ChatGPT the other day to see what it came up with and he said it was terrific.

I reminded him as a medic he would know precisely what to input, and the quality of the output would depend a lot on that.

Have you had a colonoscopy to identify the blockage?

@Chronicworrier123 have you thought about colonic hydrotherapy?

I've had a colonoscopy for the iron deficiency but nothing abnormal was found.

Why did you ask ChatGPT about a medical matter? You could have asked your local pharmacy (I want to say 'chemist' here, tbh) or phoned 111 - either of which would have given proper advice!
I use AI to draw me pictures and work out an alien calendar (me giving all the necessary data), not to ask if I should go to the doctor.

Sounds to me as if you need to pursue a diagnosis for the 'iron build up' and get that managed. I don't want to do the armchair diagnosis thing, but a lot of perimenopause symptoms overlap with hemochromatosis symptoms and often occur at similar age. Assuming you are a northern European white person, it is not an uncommon condition, although other things could cause similar symptoms.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/haemochromatosis/#:~:text=Haemochromatosis%20is%20an%20inherited%20condition%20where%20iron,body%20slowly%20build%20up%20over%20many%20years.

I don't think you can blame ChatGPT.

As pps have said you were prescribed that med by a HCP.

ChatGPT doesn't know your personal history and an hour-by-hour account of your bowels.

I thought they had a disclaimer on the site anyway about medical info?

Being blunt, you'd already had one massive loose poo but you took more of the laxatitive.

I can't have that because I have a very rare genetic condition that means I don't absorb iron.

I have to have via IV every 6/8 months thus why it build ups in my gut.

To the PP who said I already had massive poo, yes but in order to "unclog" I need like 6/8 of them

I've even changed my diet to include 30g of fibre and those kiwis (that make want to puke) and still no difference.

30gms of fibre is the standard amount for an adult so maybe you need more?

And at least 2 ltrs of fluid daily and an hour of brisk walking.

Have you been examined for bowel prolapse? Many women who have had vaginal births have rectal prolapses that need surgery.

Progesterone relaxes muscles so that's why you're worse on your HRT. During the progesterone phase (if taking it on a cycle) you need to increase your fibre, fluid and exercise to compensate.

You are very muddled in your comms which will also impact the quality of what you get from Chat GPT and it's very unlikely to me that it would have known all the issues or been able to figure it out.

More importantly, as I bang on and on and on about, AI is a TOOL. It's not supposed to be used as a know-it-all-god. It's a tool that, like any tool, is only as good as the person who wields it. I'm sorry you feel really ill but I think you need to work on how you prompt chat gpt if you are going to use it for medical advice and, as importantly, you should seek ACTUAL medical advice.

the problem is that GP are impossible to access, A&E are stretched past breaking point so people are desperate.

Very high dose probiotics. Go to a good health store to buy some. Take daily.

I've not read all your posts but the most recent one talks about IV iron every 6 months.

If this is the first time you have mentioned this (sorry if it's not) it changes everything. You can't expect standard advice on bowels to cover rare genetic conditions.

You need to see a gastroenterologist who specialises in your disease- not all do, so you need to find one who does, maybe even privately.

I already exercise for at least 8 hours every week and drink at the very least 3lt.

The fiber amount was recommended by a dietitian based on my needs (and bowel symptoms).

You need to see a gastroenterologist who specialises in your disease- not all do, so you need to find one who does, maybe even privately.

Have you seen anyone like this ^^?

You need to get your fluids topped up. See gp about the meds and hormones. Sip tepid water for a bit and just do toast or crackers for a few hours if you get hungry. If you can tolerate hydrators try them, if not suck salty plain crisps, if you think it may be a bug sip flat Coca-Cola from this evening. Tomorrow try a daily date or a prune but keep your water up....hope you feel better op.

Do you have any idea what chatgpt is?!

AI didn't write the prescription. A Dr did.
I'm sorry that you're feeling uncomfortable but AI is not to blame in this instance.

I'm being seen by one of the best hematologist in the country and I'm under his care at UCLH (at the Macmillan unit) but they really don't think much of the iron build up in my gut. It goes in circles because they tell me the GP should channel/treat me but only keep giving me all sorts of laxatives

I don’t understand what progesterone has got to do with this either !

Progesterone acts as a muscle relaxant (it's a side effect.) So it can make a bowel work more slowly.