Who do you trust more - your doctor or what you read on the internet? I see so many posts where a doctor says something - test results are fine/within the normal range, LO's development is on track, that huge bump/bruise/red mark will go away on its own - that Dr. Google contradicts, which leads to a lot of confusion and fear. I am totally guilty of over analyzing test results and of recommending my own course of treatment to my doctor, so I am curious: Do you trust your doctor? Does it make a different if it's your health v. LO's? How about if you like/picked your doctor v. had one assigned to you?
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I think a combination. My GP tested me for a few things regarding my fertility and determined that I did not have PCOS... but based on info I read online I wasn't so sure about that. I had many of the classic symptoms, but my doctor assured me that my ultrasound showed conclusively that it wasn't PCOS. I then went to a Fertility Clinic where they confirmed that, yep, I did have PCOS based on very comprehensive tests (including an ultrasound which very clearly showed cysts).
ETA: Also later my RE opted not to put me on Metformin at first to treat my PCOS (for silly reasons IMO), but after doing my own research I insisted on it and I'm happy I'm taking it.
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I think that if you don't trust your doctor more than google... you need a new doctor.
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@loveisstrange: This is exactly. I don't understand people who continue to see a doctor they don't trust.
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@pui: That's interesting. I am much less likely to trust *my* doctor - I feel like I have a pretty good sense of my body, so I am pretty good at knowing when something feels "off." For DD, I really trust my pediatrician and try not to Google things - my ped knows a lot more about kid's health than I do and the stuff Dr. Google spews out about kids is enough to make you want to hide your LO under a rock.
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I think it really depends on whether or not the doctor has experience with a particular field. If they do, then my trust level will be much higher than if it's something that they don't see that often!
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I trust my doctor, but most times I turn to Dr. Google it's because I'm not patient enough to wait to hear from him!
I do think you make a good point about trusting your body though. Sometimes only you will know when something is "off"
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@MamaMoose: Maybe because they live in Canada and it'd be nearly impossible to get seen by another doctor lol?
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I trust my doctor, but not blindly. If I'm diagnosed with something I do my best to research it (using reputable sources) and be an informed patient. I might read about something that she never even considered. I ultimately defer to her - I selected her as my doctor and know that she is far more educated on it than I could ever be (even with the power of Google on my side).
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@loveisstrange: and @MamaMoose: This is my thought, too. When we were TTC DD I just knew something was wrong. My doctor kept saying everything was fine and that I was being "dramatic." I know you are supposed to wait 12 months before seeing someone, but I just *knew* my pain was related to my TTC struggles... so I found a new doctor. She listened, she tested, she found the problem.
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@loveisstrange: those were my same thoughts.
I trust my doctor 100%. I have yet to question anything she has told me.
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I think that it's important to find a doctor you trust and respect. I may bring up concerns if I still don't "feel" right, however I trust my doctor over Dr. Google.
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@BakerBee: I agree with this. It's not really that I trust Google over my doctor(s), it's more that I think it's important to be informed and be your own advocate.
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I usually trust my doctor, but when I don't talk to her about certain things (ie bloodwork) and just get results from a nurse, I tend to look to Dr. Google.
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@pui: One of the many reasons I'm not in favor of America going to Nationalized Health Care
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@pui: I agree with this too. when I was pregnant I chose my midwife because she was huge on education and making my own decisions. She gave me a ton of information on so many different things and we were equal partners in my care. I wish more doctors instituted that model.
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@LAZB: I *hate* when they have a nurse call you with results. Especially since my nurse always says, "I can't tell you what any of these mean." Uh, thanks? My doctor's practice recently went to a 100% electronic system and it is AMAZING - not only can I email my doctor whenever I want, but she just sends my results directly to me with an explanation, then she follows up with a phone call if I have questions.
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My doctor. I try not to google symptoms.
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I defintely trust my doctor over google, but the worrier in me thinks of the what ifs. Doctors aren't perfect and I'm sure it's possible for them to get things wrong. I'm not saying Dr's should be perfect but the worrier in me thinks I should be aware of the other possible reasons. Though, I know it's not good to listen to the internet, who could very well be a 12 year old making up stuff. I don't get medical advice online but I do like getting their experiences with a disease, condition, medication, etc.
Definitely going to feel more comfortable talking to someone who went to med school over someone random comment on the internet.
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@Mrs. Pen: LOL. My MWs have a really strict diet that they ask you follow, but there is nothing on it about deli meat, sushi, raw eggs, soft cheeses, etc. When I asked about that stuff, she said, "There is a small amount of danger in each of the standard recommendations, but not enough for us to warrant imposing restrictions. You should do some research (and then she gave me some good resources) and make a decision you feel comfortable with." I felt so empowered at that moment, it was great (my reason for seeing a MW in the first place was that I didn't want my pregnancy to be treated as an illness).
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@loveisstrange: what she said.
I'm all about being my own advocate, but I've yet to see Dr. Google's med school diploma and trusting my own instincts on complex health issues I have no instinctual knowledge about is something I do with a heavily weighted grain of salt.
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Changing doctors is not always that easy. In my old town there were three medical centers and I have been through all three and chose the least worst. But she fought me tooth and nail that my kid had a speech problem. Less than. 5 months later he has a speech problem. Because that just happens suddenly right?
In new town there are many options and I will shop but it wasn't feasible to drive hours away just to see a pediatrician
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Who do I trust more, google or my doctor? My doctors--that's why I go to them in the first place.
But have they been wrong before? Yes.
So it's a balance for me--trusting my doctor's expertise, but being informed about things as well.
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I trust myself to be well informed so that I know what my doctor is talking about, and I do rely on Google for a lot of my research. But ultimately I trust my doctor over Dr. Google.
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I'd rather see my dogs' vet than my doctor. Im voting for Dr Google.
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i trust my doctor, but i haven't major stuff recently. the one time i really pushed my doctor for a referral because i was getting sick all the time, i saw the ENT and he told me within a minute that i needed to get my tonsils out... which i had been asking my doctor about for years... so i think you need to trust yourself, but get a second opinion!
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