Be wary of 'Dr.Google'

I'm putting my hands up here and admitting I am a bit of a DR Google fan but after reading your post FRANBERN I'll be more careful now...

I used to use Dr. Google until I had cancer. Then Googling my specific cancer was so terrifying I stopped. It implied I wouldn't survive a year. And 12 years later, I'm still here so...

Same here GagaJo steer clear of Dr Google

Franbern was this some kind of decongestant, such as Sudafed? Personally, I wouldn't touch it anyway.

yes i believe decongestants such as phenylephrine should not be used by people taking BP medication.
but to be fair, the same thing could happen by someone picking something off the shelf in poundland.
anyone taking prescribed medication should study the PIL carefully. patient information leaflet.
to check for incompatibilities, or discuss with HCP.

I have found that whatever your symptoms at some point it will say cancer is the diagnosis.

I agree with you welbeck. They're available on supermarket shelves. It's not just Google which is responsible. People with the following conditions shouldn't take decongestants:

people with diabetes
people with high blood pressure
people with an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
men with an enlarged prostate
people with liver, kidney, heart or circulation problems
people with increased pressure in the eye glaucoma

www.nhs.uk/conditions/decongestants/

thanks for the information/reminder Growstuff.

I'm a great believer in Olbas Oil for congestion. AFAIK it's harmless, but it smells horrible when it's stale, so I avoid getting it on my pillow.

If it wasn’t for Dr Google I wouldn’t have know that Antacids interfere with Thyroxine.
Also Vitamin B12.
I take Thyroxine and have B12 injection. I will be having a chat at my next appointment.

I think that most of us here would encourage a Poster to see their Doctor, rather than offer Medication advice.

I rely on Dr Google because it’s almost impossible to see an actual doctor. As with a real one, you have to check, mistrust and use common sense. The days are long gone when a GP knew you, cared about you or could be relied on.
Of course you can be scared by reading a long list of possibilities but that’s the same as the scary list of possible side effects in a packet of tablets. They cover them all, however rare.

growstuff Yes, absolutely correct it was Sudafed. I know that all medications do carry a leaflet with appropriate warnings, but how many of us rally read through all of that.

I had no idea that decongestants like this would be dangerous for me to take. Thank goodness for wonderful pharmacists - really think we should all use their knowledge and assistance so much more.

People are so quick (meant kindly) to recommend ointments, pills, etc. etc that have worked for them. I would never purchase, or use ANY over-the-counter items without first having had it checked out that it is okay for me with GP surgery or pharmacist. Do not need to see a Doctor for this, practice nurse will be just as knowledgeable. Query on Ask my GP will get an answer.

Same here Gagajo. When it comes to things like cancer, if we have questions, we should ask the specialists dealing with us, NOT consult generic websites that tend to convey worst case scenarios.

I only check the NHS website for advice. Need to be careful with self medication.

I think google has its place, but it's important to not take all results at face value and start all kinds of homemade "remedies".

I was treated for asthma years ago when I had dreadful cough after a cold. I always read the leaflets with any medicine, and there are a remarkable number of over the counter medicines that shouldn’t be taken if you have asthma!

Home-made remedies on Google BEWARE.
I know of an instance where a homemade remedy using what appeared to be innocuous substances was tried in a blocked toilet and it made a chemical reaction that could not be controlled.

I have seen lots of questions raised on here about the use of statins.
Where has the doubt regarding their safety originated from?

I used to apply Voltarol gel a lot to my joints (arthritis) but discovered recently that one should not use Voltarol if you have heart problems. Pharmacist recommended Flexiseq

All of my medication is prescribed, but I know that lots of them aren't supposed to be taken if... or if... or if....

Google has been very useful for me. I was able to self diagnose HypoThyroid and Gall Bladder Stones when GPs kept fobbing me off with Anti Depressants for Thyroid problem and indigestion when I was having extreme,painful Gall Bladder Attacks.
Of course it still needed GP to agree to test for these conditions before I was able to access treatment.

Ah, yes, the old "anxiety" was my diagnosis via gp.