Would you google?

I Google health concerns. (Don’t you just love it that is now a verb!)

But on the advice of a senior (retired) nurse friend she said put ‘NHS’ into the search engine as the advice is more measured.

PALS is the Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/

I do Google. A few months ago I ended up in a Coronary Care unit with a rare reaction to a rheumatoid arthritis medication.
I knew the medication, required fortnightly blood checks due to its toxicity, so I wanted to know all about it, before agreeing to taking it.
It was a last resort, as nothing else was effective.

When I arrived, very ill, in A&E, I was able to tell the doctor exactly what I thought was wrong, as I had experienced similar reactions in the past from other medication.
The doctor had never heard of the RA medication, but after taking advice from a consultant rheumatologist, confirmed it was indeed a severe reaction and then all hell let loose, as it was affecting my heart.
The doctor said she wished more patients were as proactive as me.

If I hadn't Googled, I wouldn't be here today. However, I only use reputable sites like, NICE, which is extremely helpful.

No I would not google, you can frighten yourself if you do not have the knowledge to differentiate between fact and fiction.
When I was ill I did not google my condition but my friend did and kept telling me what the treatment would be, I told her to let the consultant be the one to tell me.

What is Pals?

Kirkubbin, please do complain via the local PALS. They should advise and help you get a fair hearing.

Although you are rightfully cross at the hospital messing up, look on the positives. You should be given a lot more time with your "private" consultation, and be able to ask for more information and get all your questions answered. Sometimes in the NHS we feel a bit rushed and cannot do that.

Hope all goes well for you.

I'm raging, the hospital discharged me when I missed 2 appointments I never knew about.Now I'm having to pay to get the initial consult.

I would probably google reputable sites. There are nhs sites and others which give clear information about a range of illnesses. Not sure it's wise as I may not like the information but it might help me come up with important questions about treatment which I may not of thought of during the consultation. Goodluck kircubbin. Hope all goes as well as possible for you.

Well there’s a huge difference between “would” I google and “should”
I google .

Me personally yes I probably would .

Yes, I'm a Googler.

I wouldn't google it. Apart from stuff on legit medical sites there's so much dangerous mendacious woo out there.