Poll What Do You Do When You Have A Health Question?

[Nemo38]

Curious as to where or who you turn to first with your ptsd or other health related questions.

 

[712xx]

I don't like bothering people if I don't have to -- so the internet, medical textbooks, my own college textbooks, and I have a copy of past medical records ... those are what I turn to first before asking people.

I don't like turning to people for help. I have had bad experiences in the past, that prevent me from being comfortable. Plus, I have a very independent nature. The next thing I go for is forums to ask questions. That way, I'm not asking one specific person, it is less personal, and I get a broader range of feedback.

 

[Meadowsweet]

I turn to this forum with questions about ptsd, because it is here more immediately that a therapist. But I will also discuss the problems with my therapist too.

Any other health issue, I would see my GP if I didn't know what it was. Online resources give such a long list of what a symptom could be, its impossible to really find out whats wrong from them.

But once I have a diagnosis, I will read lots about it to understand it (or to double check the doctors word). I was treated for eczema for several years before I saw a specialist dermatologist, so I don't always trust the first assessment.

 

[anthony]

I go to a health care professional. Unsure why I would come to this forum when I have a health issue... this forum is about PTSD, not health.

If I have a PTSD issue, I do research or come here for feedback.

 

[Nemo38]

On another forum I was looking at, a similar question was brought up years ago, and a substantial part of the respondents said they would check forums first. Though this is a PTSD forum, if I understand correctly, PTSD can affect one's general health, so I thought that 'this forum' might be a viable option.

 

[Anna]

I tend to look my symptoms up on the internet. Then go to my doctor. I hate having to take antibiotics when I am ill, so quite often look up alternative ways of dealing with illness.

 

[Lucycat]

As a health professional myself I still tend to Google my symptoms before seeking 'proper' advice from my GP etc.

If it is not too big a problem I might 'bounce' it off colleagues before seeking an appointment.

 

[Britt.f7]

Depends on the type of medical issue. I put the healthcare one first, but I might talk to my husband first. Or my mom when she was alive, she was a nurse, or look it up on line to see if I should even be concerned.

One thing though, I do not take a diagnosis without a test. At least not one that will have me pop more pills, or surgery, or anything, without tests and without facts. Been misdiagnosed a few times in my lifetime and went through some bad things that just made me sicker. Refuse to do that anymore.

I guess that is why I have surrounded myself with doctors who don't pretend to be all knowing and work well with one another, despite their different fields. I know I pay them, or the insurance does, but I do feel very well cared for. Nice to have that in some area of my life.

 

[piratelady]

If it is a general health question, I search the internet. However, I have learned to be careful what sites I get my information from on the internet. There is a lot of bad information out there. If the symptoms don't subside, I will go to the doctor.

PTSD Health / Mental Health, I come here first. Once I tried googling in general internet about something PTSD related, and wound up back here, LOL. A lot of PTSD stuff, if searched on Google, this site is towards the top. That is good. There are a couple of other sites I will read some stuff on.