Dr. Google

amyjoy18 · November 2012

How do you prevent yourself from playing Dr. Google?

I had an ultrasound done yesterday for one issue that came back clear, but incedently they found something else, and all they told me was there was a "spot" on my spleen. They said they'd put it in the report for my doctor who may recommend that I have it checked out.

I was there for a gyn issue, so I'm guessing my doctor will send me to someone else, meaning it will probably be awhile before I find out what this may be.

I don't want to dr. google and freak myself out, but I hate not knowing.

AmandaJLewis · November 2012

well first of all, I hope it isn't anything to worry about. But as far as your question goes- I don't stop myself from googling. But I do so smartly. I don't read forums, only sites like webMD and the Mayo Clinic sites. I am a bit of a medical nerd in some ways and need to know about stuff. and knowing more helps me from imagining what it could be.

MandyMilller · November 2012

I agree with Amanda totally. It can freak me out, but I'm such a worst-case-scenario person that sometimes it actually eases my mind. But stick to the credible sources. My pedi told me only to look at WebMD, but I agree that the Mayo Clinic site seems to be reputable as well.

Luckystar2 · November 2012

MandyMilller:
I agree with Amanda totally. It can freak me out, but I'm such a worst-case-scenario person that sometimes it actually eases my mind. But stick to the credible sources. My pedi told me only to look at WebMD, but I agree that the Mayo Clinic site seems to be reputable as well.

Same here. I always google. But I am a researcher by nature. I want to know the possibilities. And like Mandy, sometimes that eases my mind. But I think you have to know yourself. If looking it up is going to freak you out, then don't. For me, I like to be as prepared as possible regarding health matters. I've had to be my own advocate at times to have issues addressed and it's mostly because I have researched it. What really helps me is my mom's a nurse. So if I do find something worrisome, I ask for her opinion.

LittleD8081 · November 2012

Not to muck this all up...but did anyone say what they thought it "might" be? I'm only asking because I have a liver hemangioma that was found during a CT scan for something unrelated. I talked to my PCP about it and was told these were very common, blah blah blah. The take home message was to leave it alone since I didn't know about it before now (aka, it wasn't bothering me), and because it's so common and not threatening if you are asymptomatic. Could it be a hemangioma (tangle of blood vessels)? And as far as it being a gyne issue that you were seen for...the report will go to the gyne, but the gyne could certainly tell you what the diagnosis was in terms of that "spot." They then could refer you back to your PCP to take care of the rest...provided that they know what the diagnosis is. If they are unsure, then they'd refer you to your PCP without telling you what it was. So, in short, I would call the gyne and ask what it was that they found and see what they tell you.

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