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).

Actual words from your OP...

I actually posted about this in February, and ended up in AE and was prescribed Resolor in case it ever happened again

😂

Sounds like even the GP and consultants are not managing @Chronicworrier123 's condition well. If the object of the exercise was to relieve chronic constipation then the consultation with ChatGPT has definitely worked! I'm guessing that the Resolor (Prucalopride) didn't come in an unmarked box but would have been accompanied by an advisory leaflet that would have noted side effects (which most commonly are diarrhea, nausea and headaches!).

I had stomach surgery a year ago. I also had to come off the Omeprazole I used to take. The result of both has been chronic constipation.

I hate taking meds if I don't have to, so although I was prescribed Lactulose (which didn't work) I also tried prune juice. I drink 2 big glasses within an hour. Within 2 hours (timing depends on what's already in my stomach I think) it starts working. Sometimes it's just solid, followed by softer poo. Sometimes it's liquid.

Either way, it ALWAYS works due to its high sorbitol content. Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol which draws water into the colon, softening your poo and encouraging your bowel contractions.

The only downside to it for me is that I've drunk so much I've sickened myself on it and it makes me feel sick. But I usually have a cup of tea nearby to take away the nausea (tea is a cure all for me).

I've also given prune juice to a friend that has chronic constipation. She regularly sees a consultant about it, so hers is at a serious level. The juice works well for her too (not sure why she doesn't use it regularly as a result, but that's up to her).

Because you can’t get a GP appointment?
At my surgery you actually have more chance of an appointment with the pope than seeing a GP and that’s as an atheist.
DH tried to see a doctor for nine months before giving up and going private.
Good job his lump was benign and not cancer or he would be dead by now.

That's very odd OP, the one thing that Chatgpt is known for is the fact that it doesn't make mistakes. Every time you use it there's a warning on the page that says "Chatgpt can make mistakes" but I think that's just there for decoration.

There are thousands? of people out there downloading pics of themselves and asking a BOT if they look ok 🤦🏼♀️ They truly believe this tech is a living breathing being.
what hope for the future.

I feel it also depends on how you’ve put your questions.
You dint get the same answer to ‘what do you think k is happening’ vs ‘I’m thinking to take xyz. Is that ok?’

Many reasons

• you can’t see a GP and you’re in pain NOW
• You have illness that has ‘no treatment’ and have to work things out on your own
• your GP doesn’t believe you and keeps telling you ‘it’s just anxiety’ or ‘it’s normal’
• youre too anxious to go and see a GP
• you don’t trust your GP diagnosis

Thats just in the top of my head but I’m sure other people can add to the list. But basically GPs aren’t gods that know everything. And many many if them make mistakes - like in the case of the OP who was given some medication by her GP with very little information on when to use it. That’s on the GP not ChatGPT

I suffer with chronic constipation due to medication (not progesterone). However, if I had done a massive poo I would not have them taken a laxative!

Thats the issue. Did you tell chat GPT that you had just done a massive, watery stool? Also I’d always have a read of any sources AI was using.

Blimey that's it, I cannot unsee the thread title and I think as a race we're probably doomed.

@Chronicworrier123 I’m puzzled by the idea that you think ChatGPT should have known you’d react like this and it should have told you it’s a hormonal issue.

1- it is highly unlikely your GP would link your bowels issues to progesterone into,errance. Theyre much more likely to laugh at the idea (not saying you’re wrong there. Just that’s it’s not mainstream idea)
2- you were given medication with what it seems very little guidance on when to use it. Even wo ChatGPT it sounds like you’d have used it anyway? That’s in your GP not ChatGPT. GP should have been much clearer on when and how much to take

Basically you were let down by your GP. You have symptoms that could actually be linked to impacted stools so your meds migut not be working. But no one is looking at that.
Thats not ChatGPT fault.

Why?

https://radiologybusiness.com/topics/artificial-intelligence/after-seeing-17-different-doctors-boy-rare-condition-receives-diagnosis-chatgpt

People freaking out about the use of AI in patient diagnosis have no idea what AI can do and the direction that health care is going. All your health care providers will be using AI to assist in diagnosis and treatment within the year. Obviously that's completely different to you and me putting our symptoms into an app on our phone.

Honestly, when are people going to realise how ChatGPT is not the be all and end all? I’ve seen it get information wrong on multiple occasions. If you’re not sure, get proper advice.

I hope you feel better OP, but equally I hope you’ve learnt a lesson here.

Yes AI can do amazing things, especially with regards to systems supporting heart care etc, but ChatGPT is one ai system that uses what’s on the internet. It’s not a medically built program. I used it previously and asked it do something. It got the information wrong twice before I had to tell it the right information and it built a response based on that. It isn’t infallible, and no, neither are GPs, but ChatGPT isn’t for this. Anyone using it instead of a proper clinician is mad to me.

Hope you feel better soon OP.
I love AI. It’s so useful. I find it extremely helpful with medical stuff. Every time I use it it makes it extremely clear that it can’t replace proper medical advice and that it has limitations. Ignoring all those clear warnings is a bit daft.
OP, did AI give you any warnings?

Also just be careful as even the owner of openai says there are privacy concerns, so be careful what you are sharing.

Right. Medics can already see exactly how this can be used.

You really need to get the information from your doctor about why exactly theyve prescribed this treatment - otherwise, you’re getting your “advice” from people who’ve had constipation or knew someone who had it or some health-and-lifestyle self-proclaimed expert.

I don’t think all the talk about macros suggesting youre not poo-ing enough or needing electrolytes to facilitate a bowel movement is helpful at all. Nor is people saying it should be senna or movicol or something else.

An actual doctor has prescribed the medication you took based on a long history where you’ve ended up in hospital with constipation - so either trust them and take it or ask them to explain.

what you’re describing could be overflow diarrhea - where you’re very constipated but liquid stool can squeeze around the faeces blockage. This isn’t an uncommon presentation and would require something stronger than senna, etc.

But in the end - the medication DID work. It’s clearing you out. It was always going to be unpleasant (as that’s the nature of a bowel cleanse)!

I think the other side of things is that, when using ChatGPT, you’re still the one DECIDING.
Unlike a GP, where you can argue that they is what they told to do, ChatGPT gives information. Maybe something like ‘yes it sounds like it would be a solution’.

But the responsibility to decide whether to go ahead or not is on YOU, the reader.
In that way, you can’t make it responsible if it goes wrong. It will always be up to you to double check, just like when someone on MN tells you that you should use Senna or any old wife tale.

yes - this!

It’s not like it is using conscious thought - it’s an advanced google search engine!

its accuracy depends on the sources it uses to collate the information it gives you. If that information is wrong - its answer will be wrong.

Right, but it was a dr who prescribed you the medication so how is this the fault of ChatGPT?

And what people forget is that it won’t say ‘I don’t know’.

Of course I do.