Friday, August 9, 2019

Dr. Google

Last week, I had an MRI to gather more information about possible causes for my trigeminal neuralgia. An MRI is a common diagnostic tool these days, so I'm sure many of you are familiar with the experience I'm going to describe.

I was apprehensive before I went because I answered yes every time someone asked me if I were claustrophobic. But with some good strategies in place, I did okay in the confined tube. However, I had a hard time believing the machine had to be so loud to do its job. It was like someone figured out the most obnoxious sounds they could, turned up the volume, and put them into a MRI machine. But it was what it was and I survived the noise, too.

Image result for dr google funny
A few days later, I met with the doctor to go over the results. All was good and more options for treatments opened up. And it's always good to have options.

So all was going well with my latest endeavor until the MRI report showed up online which, of course, I immediately read. Even though I consider myself fairly well educated in medical matters, the report, that was meant for doctors, had several things in it that I didn't understand. I immediately went to the expert in all things--Google. After a short while, Dr. Google had me convinced that there were some major blood flow problems in my brain. I was also convinced that I had had or was going to have a stroke soon. It all made sense to me. This information of course explained why I sometimes forget someone's name or what I had for dinner last night. It didn't matter that the doctor didn't mention any problems because I assumed that he only looked at the part of the report he needed.

Pretty soon I told myself that my relationship with Dr. Google was turning me into a hypochondriac which surprised me. But after a few panicked moments, I did something very smart. I told Dr. Google that I wouldn't be seeing him again any time soon. Then I closed Google and went to fill the bird feeders.

Do you ever scare yourself with Dr. Google? Or am I the only one? :)

Until next time...


13 comments:

  1. I like Dr. Google. I'm fond of it. I call Dr. Google "it" rather than assigning Dr. Google gender. Dr. Google hasn't an attitude, like humans do. Some of what Dr. Google has to say is very human however, since humans are behind Dr. Google's helpfulness or uselessness. I take Dr. Google with a grain of salt. Dr. Google is just a tool and you can take its advice or leave it, without repercussion, which is why I maintain our relationship. I can dump Dr. Google and Dr. Google doesn't even know let alone care. Oh brother, I've taken this too far. Good luck L and L.

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    1. Dr. Google has provided some very good information in the past. That's why I was surprised when he led me down some of the paths he did.

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    2. Shame on Dr. Google. Shame. Lol.

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  2. I've been known to consult Dr. Google, every now and then. Knowledge is power, they say. It's good to have an awareness of what is going on or might be going on. I figure I could always ask my doctors about something I found out from Dr. Google, if I was concerned about it.

    I'm glad your MRI results were good and opened up more treatment options. I hope the new options will help.

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    1. Part of my problem was that Dr. Google was ready to see me but my other doctor won't be available for a few weeks. However, you're right. Knowledge is power--if it is the right knowledge.

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  3. Live and learn,
    Dr. Google can be something of an alarmist. I know one individual who upon suffering hearing loss for a few months, went online and self-diagnosed themselves with ear cancer. This person went to the doctor, only to be told they had a build-up of earwax.

    I hope you now have some options for your neuralgia. It sounds like it can be debilitating at times.

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    1. That's the classic joke. No matter what you consult Dr. Google on, you end up with a cancer diagnosis. That must have been very scary for you friend.

      I have decided on a treatment for my TN. It is not without risks, but at this point, I'm willing to take them.

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  4. I prefer Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush to Dr. Google. Pretty much same results, but you get so much more from Dr. H.

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    1. A visit to Dr. Hackenbush is on my list for the weekend. Thanks for the reminder.

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  5. Yes, I had a sore throat and ended up being diagnosed by Dr. Google with mesothelioma.

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    1. Had you just watched one of those commercials about mesothelioma?

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    2. Maybe. They’re on all the time.

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What do you think?