Isn't it incredible how much we can research on the internet today?

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forward2007

forward2007

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Yes I mean this in a good way. That doesn't mean we don't need to have a Dr. But it's a lot better to go to a Dr. office with as much information as possible to help make better decisions than take the old blind "let the Dr. decide everything" approach. Even just 20 years ago we didn't have anywhere near this much info on Epilepsy and any other medical condition available to us.

:twocents:
 
I agree, Forward! I've learned much more on the internet, including this forum, than I have from my doctor. In fact I say something to my doctor, he disagrees, and I know I've got it right - due to what I've read and/or had confirmed by reliable sources on the web. Ha!
 
Yes, I'm very grateful for the info I can find on-line. Especially when the docs are too busy to explain test results, or warn about med side effects, or are unfamiliar with or unable to discuss non-surgical alternatives to medication...
 
It wouldn't surprise me if the doctors are a bit, um, exasperated (yeah, thats the word) with what WE find out on the internet nowadays :roflmao: It has gotta deflate their ego to no end...
 
I know a few docs that I've worked with that definitely need their egos deflated! A LOT!!
 
Yes, that's true to an extent. The problems lie in the fact that anyone can publish anything on the Internet and most people will only look at the first 10 hits from a Google search. I personally like the idea that one can access news and research on epilepsy much more readily now that the Internet is available as opposed to the past where you have to travel to a major university to get to that information. Does new research actually help you much? Thats debatable and it will probably take years for it to reach your doctor and perhaps have an affect on your own case. But at least it gives you some idea what is going and and where things are heading.
 
Getting closer to realizing the Borg mind!
 
Research helps me. I'm a big fan of Pubmed. I've been known to take articles in to my doc to illustrate a point. Zoofemme is right. It drives him nuts. Problem is, he disagrees with me right away and if I had it to him THEN, it becomes a matter of losing face, which I don't want to do to him. I've got to learn how to whip those puppies out before he disagrees with me. More like, "doc, I found this article that says..... what do you think about that?"
 
I was asked by an ER doctor if I was a nurse.

Far from it, but when you can talk their language, you have a much more effective conversation about the situation.

I have also found my answers via the internet and not from those that are suppose to be in charge of my daughters health care. I am polite to the doctors we see, but it really isn't about them, it is about my daughters quality of life.
 
I think it's important to stay current on meds, side effects, government actions, etc. Unless you have an unbelievably well-read doc, you might find from the web that you're more up-to-date than him.

On the other hand, he may know about important medical studies that we're not privy too. So, it IS a fine balance.

But forums are the best...because they deal with real experiences from real people. They're open and honest, with nothing to lose and nothing to hide!
 
what you forget is that the neurologyst has more real world experience in dealing with epilepsy cases than you do. much much more - my neuro's are all over 50 years of ago or more. the internet studies are intersting, but still..
 
douglas said:
what you forget is that the neurologyst has more real world experience in dealing with epilepsy cases than you do.
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In our case (and we live in a large city with many options) I have not found this to be true. I have only found them to be well versed on tests and anti-seizure meds, and even with those they seem to be guessing.
 
RobinN said:
In our case (and we live in a large city with many options) I have not found this to be true. I have only found them to be well versed on tests and anti-seizure meds, and even with those they seem to be guessing.
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I live in a large city also and go to the University Hospital that has specialists in epilepsy. My epileptologist is also a professor at the University and her daughter suffers from epilepsy, too, so she sees it not only from a doctor's perspective, a researcher's perspective, but also from a mother's perspective as well. Plus, she is only a few years older than me. What more can I ask for?

And, aren't a lot of doctors/researchers still guessing in what really causes one's seizures, anyway, as well as which treatment to use, whether it be drugs, diet, or homeopathic measures? How many opinions does one need to get the correct diagnosis?

I don't trust everything I read on the internet. As far as epilepsy issues, I go to www.epilepsy.com or www.aesnet.org. And to www.drugs.com.
 
RobinN said:
In our case (and we live in a large city with many options) I have not found this to be true. I have only found them to be well versed on tests and anti-seizure meds, and even with those they seem to be guessing.
Click to expand...

sure, they are guessing. as do other GP doctors in things that are non-epilepsy related and are not easily diagnosable.
 
I think a good diagnostian is difficult to find, whatever the case may be. My cousin's step-mother (whom she loved dearly) was continuously diagnosed with the flu and died of cancer 3 months later. :-(
 
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