Does anyone google their symptoms?

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

My wife is on my ass all the time to at least go get a checkup. I guess I'm flying by the "I'm young" regime.

How old are you?

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

How old are you?

Old enough to know better.

[Our03z4]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

You think you have a brain tumor?

Not me the Dr. It has to do with the levels that showed up on my blood tests, issue is the type would be so small they usually don't show up on scans. So for now I'm just being watched, it won't spread even it is.

[DocL]

I love it when patients come to my office with their self diagnosis made from Google. I let them talk and I smile. After I'm done with my exam and taking radiographs I politely ask them how much they paid for their own diagnosis. Because invariably the person is usually wrong.

I also love it when a patient brings in an OTC or appliance they bought on Amazon to treat their sleep apnea. I do an ultrasound with the appliance in their mouth, and it actually causes more of a restricted airway. Not so good when you can die during an Apnea event.

There's a reason why I have still spent 30+ years studying and learning medicine, but it's not by asking google questions. I spend the time and money in continuing education.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

Old enough to know better.

Gotta go to at least primary care annually and GI every 5-10 years. I need to get a dermatologist into the rotation too as I get older

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by DocL

I love it when patients come to my office with their self diagnosis made from Google. I let them talk and I smile. After I'm done with my exam and taking radiographs I politely ask them how much they paid for their own diagnosis. Because invariably the person is usually wrong.

I also love it when a patient brings in an OTC or appliance they bought on Amazon to treat their sleep apnea. I do an ultrasound with the appliance in their mouth, and it actually causes more of a restricted airway. Not so good when you can die during an Apnea event.

There's a reason why I have still spent 30+ years studying and learning medicine, but it's not by asking google questions. I spend the time and money in continuing education.

I agree, which is why I want to see a doctor, not a PA or nurse practitioner, when going in for a checkup. They are fine for minor illnesses and to assist doctor. But I like talking to a doctor. I switched primary care a few years back because I never saw the doctor.

[floridaorange]

Yes. Because it can lead to discovering some homeopathic solutions - sometimes. I had an issue a few months back that I am glad I did not go to the dr for, but was able to find a home based natural solution that fixed the issue.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Gotta go to at least primary care annually and GI every 5-10 years. I need to get a dermatologist into the rotation too as I get older

Had a 10 year colonoscopy just a few months ago and I see a dermatologist once a year. Yes, I'm an 'older.'

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Had a 10 year colonoscopy just a few months ago and I see a dermatologist once a year. Yes, I'm an 'older.'

Well I have a 5 year one coming up and maybe also another endoscopy, so also getting into the "older" category. Gotta do that stuff to give yourself a chance of early detection.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Well I have a 5 year one coming up and maybe also another endoscopy, so also getting into the "older" category. Gotta do that stuff to give yourself a chance of early detection.

Yes sir.

Had a benign polyp removed this last time so I'm recommended to have the next one done in 5 years.

Belongs in the "You know you're old when..." thread. lol

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I agree, which is why I want to see a doctor, not a PA or nurse practitioner, when going in for a checkup. They are fine for minor illnesses and to assist doctor. But I like talking to a doctor. I switched primary care a few years back because I never saw the doctor.

PAs and NPs can still be decent for the initial consultation. When I was referred to my GI doc via my PCP, I saw the NP for the practice before I ever met my GI doc. I only met him the day of the colonoscopy that found the 3cm tumor in my descending colon. The NP I saw was very good at tunneling through the various questions and didn't screw around with getting me scheduled for a colonoscopy. When all of this was happening I was 42. So I could have been brushed off as having symptoms from other causes. It pains me to see case after case of young patients being brushed off with diagnoses that it's something else without just getting in there and finding out via a colonoscopy. And many of these situations were by doctors that kept thinking it's anything else but cancer.

Also, I'm a bit biased as my brother is a PA. Based on what I've seen, PAs and NPs are pretty necessary with how many practices need to run patients through per day.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

PAs and NPs can still be decent for the initial consultation. When I was referred to my GI doc via my PCP, I saw the NP for the practice before I ever met my GI doc. I only met him the day of the colonoscopy that found the 3cm tumor in my descending colon. The NP I saw was very good at tunneling through the various questions and didn't screw around with getting me scheduled for a colonoscopy. When all of this was happening I was 42. So I could have been brushed off as having symptoms from other causes. It pains me to see case after case of young patients being brushed off with diagnoses that it's something else without just getting in there and finding out via a colonoscopy. And many of these situations were by doctors that kept thinking it's anything else but cancer.

Also, I'm a bit biased as my brother is a PA. Based on what I've seen, PAs and NPs are pretty necessary with how many practices need to run patients through per day.

That is fortunate you had a solid NP who was an asset in the process (and that you got to the issue when you did). I do think the odds of better care from a NP or PA are greater at a specialist than a PCP.

I also agree they are necessary the way primary care practices are run but have found more times than not, when I meet with a PA or NP in a PCP office, they often (but not always) seem not nearly knowledgeable enough, and are pressed for time themselves. Fine when going in for a sinus infection, sore throat or other minor issues, but when I take the time to go in for an annual physical I like to talk to a doctor and I am fortunate to find one with whom I spend a little time each year now. He still uses PAs and NPs for various things, but he examines and talks with me, and personally I think that is an important part of the physical vs. just being pushed through the process by someone who probably won't be there the next time I visit.

[xander_g]

whenever i google symptoms it usually comes up as some kind of cancer or something incurable

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

That is fortunate you had a solid NP who was an asset in the process (and that you got to the issue when you did). I do think the odds of better care from a NP or PA are greater at a specialist than a PCP.

I also agree they are necessary the way primary care practices are run but have found more times than not, when I meet with a PA or NP in a PCP office, they often (but not always) seem not nearly knowledgeable enough, and are pressed for time themselves. Fine when going in for a sinus infection, sore throat or other minor issues, but when I take the time to go in for an annual physical I like to talk to a doctor and I am fortunate to find one with whom I spend a little time each year now. He still uses PAs and NPs for various things, but he examines and talks with me, and personally I think that is an important part of the physical vs. just being pushed through the process by someone who probably won't be there the next time I visit.

I think it really boils down to the hiring process that the practice goes through. A friend of mine owns an urgent care practice. I have had to use them twice because my PCP's overarching management put in some stupid rule that if I haven't seen him in 3 years that I'm automatically defaulted as a new patient. Never mind that through all that time, I've been seen by cardiologists and oncologists which SEND my PCP's office all my medical reports.

A few months ago I had some allergic reaction thing going with my skin. Spread all over. Called my PCP's office and found out about above said stupid rule. They said the soonest they could get me in under a new patient appointment was 2.5 months out. F' that. I went into my friend's urgent care. First NP I saw, I have nothing remarkable to say. Skin issues started to clear up but after I finished the Prednisone, the rash came back with a vengeance. I went back in and saw another NP. He took the extra step in consulting a dermatologist he knew. Sent pictures and things to her. Next thing I know, he got me an appointment with this dermatologist.

I know my friend. I'm sure he made sure the medical staff he hires are good at what they do; hence my positive experience with my visit to his practice.

[T0RM3NT]

Being prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones, I've used Google for self-diagnosis and basic treatment more than once. Note to self...no more foods high in oxalate like spinach, almonds, cashews, beets, chocolate, and many more. Quick tip for any others with this issue...increase your water intake and maybe add lemon to your water as the citrate helps mitigate kidney stones.

Kidney Stones suck, especially those over 5mm. My last one a little larger than 8mm!

[DocL]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I agree, which is why I want to see a doctor, not a PA or nurse practitioner, when going in for a checkup. They are fine for minor illnesses and to assist doctor. But I like talking to a doctor. I switched primary care a few years back because I never saw the doctor.

I'll only see a PA if it's a follow-up appointment. Some are very good, but not for me if I need a diagnosis.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by T0RM3NT

Being prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones, I've used Google for self-diagnosis and basic treatment more than once. Note to self...no more foods high in oxalate like spinach, almonds, cashews, beets, chocolate, and many more. Quick tip for any others with this issue...increase your water intake and maybe add lemon to your water as the citrate helps mitigate kidney stones.

Kidney Stones suck, especially those over 5mm. My last one a little larger than 8mm!

Ouch! Never had them. Hope I never get them.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Ouch! Never had them. Hope I never get them.

Come on, you're sounding with 10mm, 5-8mm won't even tickle.

<shudders>

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Come on, you're sounding with 10mm, 5-8mm won't even tickle.

<shudders>

Well, when you get them you can tell us all about it, tough guy.

Or maybe you’ve had them but I haven’t and I’ll go with what everybody else says, that they hurt like a motherf**ker.

[dreamingat30fps]

I'm sure if you live long enough Google will eventually be right.

I try not to Google basic stuff, however I will say I had a condition for many many years that many many doctors told me it was one thing and finally one day I had enough and did a deep dive in Google. Ended up figuring it out myself and then went to the correct specialist to confirm which they did. So yeah I don't have much trust in your average family doctor and even many specialists.

[Watching The World Burn]

.

[3.0L]

I only Google other people's symptoms.