Then you're way ahead of me, people. Because I am a big fat hypochondriac.
I think I've pretty much been one all my life. I'm convinced that a brain tumor is lurking behind every headache. And, it doesn't stop there. I actually remember as a kid seeing a commercial for a horoscope/psychic hotline where they listed people's birthdates and upon seeing my sister's birthdate under the title Cancer I was sure that meant she was going to get Cancer. I became obsessed with her health. I think even as an 8-year-old I realized that there was a deep end and that I may have just gone off it.
And when I'm not pregnant? I convince myself every other month that I have gotten myself pregnant unexpectedly. If I could get back all the money I wasted by peeing on sticks I'd have enough for Kai to go to college. I just can't seem to stop myself.
But, with the internet, it has gotten worse.
First, let me say, if I haven't been posting as regularly lately it is because I have felt like death warmed over for the last 3 weeks. I have some horrible cough and cold and have been all shades of miserable for almost a month. And last week, I decided to Google "persistent cough." Word to the wise, don't do it. Ever. Especially don't move on and Google the symptoms of Tuberculosis. That is never a good idea.
Because, for about 12 hours last week I was sure I had TB. The symptoms?
- Common cough with a progressive increase in production of mucus
- Other symptoms include the following:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fever
But, that didn't stop me from being certain that TB was the only answer. Luckily, I have a few people who are guaranteed to pull me out of this insanity. Unfortunately, it only lasts long enough for the next sneeze or suspicious freckle to manifest and send me Google-ing all the possibilities.
So, on I go trying and failing to avoid WedMD and other less reputable sites where people like me congregate to convince each other they do or do not have Bird Flu or Ebola.
What about you? Have you ever Googled medical info you wish you hadn't?
1 comment:
Yes! I have done that many times and got myself all worked up over nothing. But, it has also worked the opposite way for me. Kai had congestion and wheezing for the first few months of his life and when I told the doctor he checked him out and then ordered a test for cystic fibrosis. I was more than a little freaked out. The doctor told me not to go home and google it and get myself all worried before the test...but of course I did. But when I read through pages and pages about cystic fibrosis it convinced me that he DIDN'T need to get the test because he only had one symptom and didn't seem to fit the profile at all. So we saved ourselves hundreds of dollars by not getting the test and he outgrew the congestion within the month. So the internet can be good and bad for us when it comes to our health! (and our pocketbooks)
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