ASKING FOR ADVICE FROM MEMBERS

hileena111
hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
edited 17. Oct 2011, 05:48 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi
Just to clear this up a bit. I think all members know that if they ask us for advice or what does this mean {as I have many times} it goes without saying that they know it is not an opinion from anyone qualified just our own personal opinions that they will get.
I remember when I was having my THR....fairly new to the forum....I think I had joined a year or so before this but then lost the site and that was it....until the THR was due.
I had no idea what a hip replacement involved, beforehand, during or afterwards. I really appreciated all the info I got from members even though I knew it wasnt coming from medical people....it was coming from people qualified because they had been through it.
Love
Hileena

Comments

  • Poppyg1rl
    Poppyg1rl Member Posts: 1,245
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Absolutely agree with you Hileena, when I first started Humira I was less than a year diagnosed with PA, I had no idea what to expect, what was 'right' or not, it was DD here who I pm'd with a question about it as she had been on it for much longer than me. I will be forever grateful because she told me to get down to A&E and she was right, I was suffering a reaction that would have been very dangerous had I left it much longer.
    We are not medics no, we always make that clear, and that they should seek proffesional medical advice. We only give our opinions based on our experiences.
    'grá agus solas'
    'Love and Light' translated from Irish. X
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I believe that 99.9% of us are aware when seeking advice from other members whether about drugs, ops or interpretation of a gp letter for example, appreciate that the replies are either from people who have been on the drug, had the op or similar, are familiar with the medical jargon or look up the words being queried, to explain to others what the letter is saying. Usually we add the words "in my case" or "I found that" "but I am no doctor". We often give our view/experiences but at the same time clarify that by stating that the person asking should seek medical advice/ask the medic concerned in certain scenarios.

    Nevertheless it is good to be reminded every now and again, that we should be careful when dishing out advice to others. Giving totally wrong advice could be dangerous.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well said , Hileena , I value advice and opinions offered on here and also talk about my experiences to hopefully help others . Even though it's not medically based ; it helps to know that others have been through the same things and are able to understand . Jillyb
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I honestly think if we have been through a particular op that we can discuss that with somone who is going to go through the op and help them
    A doctor can tell you but a lot of the time it is jargon so you are none the wiser :grin: and they dont always have the time {depending on the consultant/doctor} to discuss it with you. This is where we come into our own on this forum.

    Love
    Hileena
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I ask questions to see if someone can understand something i may not..
    Although i fully understand that the people on here are not trained medical proffesionals i appreciate their imput and their opinion on the understanding that it is based on there opinions..I try to say that on some posts so it doesn't look like i think i know it all .. :lol: i most definately don't.. :lol:
    th_tn_TisFORTIGGER.jpgxxTracyxx
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Totally agree regarding operations because it is only a patient who has had the op that knows what it is like but even then patients who have had the same op,often have completely different post op experiences to others. On the other hand it is good to hear different angles of post op experiences to get a general idea. It definately helped me with my TKRs, foot and spine ops.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • marie48
    marie48 Member Posts: 189
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I often come here for advice on a particular issue and really appreciate it when somebody can understand and relate to my problem. It is nice to share experiences and how other members are coping. Thanks
  • jean123
    jean123 Member Posts: 642
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks, Elna,

    Your post is spot on.

    Jean123
  • tonesp
    tonesp Member Posts: 844
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I really trust any advice I get here It is usually based on personal experience I think all the members of this forum are mature enough not to give out advice on topics that they are not 100% sure about I had great support when I had my THR and knew then that there were so many people rooting for me :grin::grin::grin:
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i always ask here first because then it it stupid i will know from replies and not ask doc also there are questions you feel to small to ask gp but just wonder if it arther or something else we do understand that forum members are not qualified but they do understand and help in ways those qualified can not as they do not live with it as we do val
    val
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Hileena

    I second what jean has said

    Your post is spot on

    Juliepf x
  • oneday
    oneday Member Posts: 1,434
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think peeps know it is peoples own experiences they read about and not advice. Sometimes the general info out there e.g. leaflets you read doesnt go into detail and sometimes you forget to ask the doctor something so asking on here does help and reassure people. We know its not advice.
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I usually say 'I'm not a medical person' or words to that effect, especially answering someone new or who I haven't answered before, if its medical advice. Often also saying why not dicuss this with you GP etc, as sometimes people want reassurance that they are not wasting the docs time, (I know that need to be reassured that a medical opinion is best, but I need a push to do anything about it.) Also, when you see docs they often hurry through the talking bit and tell you in medical terms which can confuss me. Someone who's got similar experience can be very reassuring, often thats the important too. Love Sue
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Of course we are aware the advice we get is not medically qualified just advice from people who have been through the situation or the operation or who are taking the meds. And to be honest with you I would rather ask someone who has had the life experience rather than a medical qualified people who haven't!! But good point in bringing it up! :smile: