the perils of self-diagnosis

this is part of an article on msn and it made me laugh:

Picture this: One morning you awake and sense something’s not quite right. There’s a dull pain in your arm. In fact, it’s both painful and a bit numb. So instead of heading for the coffee pot, you sit in front of the computer and search: symptoms + “arm pain” + numbness.

Your heart pounds as you click through the search results. You may have had a mild heart attack. Or even a stroke. There could be pressure on the spine (from what?). Your arm may be exhibiting early signs of degenerative arthritis.

Or maybe you slept on it funny.

Re: the perils of self-diagnosis

I learned my lesson with self-diagnosis on the internet. In the past, I have seriously convinced myself I was dying courtesy of the web and came very close to actually causing said death because of all the stress I brought upon myself over it.

Re: the perils of self-diagnosis

i want to disable webmd from my co-workers computer. all she knows how to do is look up symptoms she thinks she has.

Re: the perils of self-diagnosis

excellent post! As someone who had to go to the ER for chest pains & a numb arm, , I wish I would've read this earlier. I wasted a $300 deductible & my day off from work when I knew nothing was wrong..

Re: the perils of self-diagnosis

Let's put it this way-- Web MD is my enemy.

Re: the perils of self-diagnosis

You cannot understand my obsession with self diagnosis. I have logged so many hours researching conditions I might as well go to med school!! Drs must think I'm crazy