The Perils of Self Diagnosis

[Big Al]

It's understood that some don't have convenient access to medical services, but the issue is in many case the subject assumes there's something seriously wrong with them without knowing exactly what. They begin reading into all sorts of things and end up thinking the worst.

One may spends weeks, month, or even years convinced they have something- and the anguish alone can create a self-fulfilling non-functional penis. This is seen even in cases where, after a check up, it's shown that nothing is physically wrong.

If something is seriously wrong and the subject requires medical attention then asking questions in a [non-medical] internet forum isn't going to help. It may very well make problems worse since the necessary medical attention isn't being received.

[john74]

< spam post filed away >

[Pegasus]

Since i wrote this .


Administrator Pegasus has some worthwhile 'food for thought':

I agree with all that has been said ,however the unfortunate thing is ,there are areas that the mainstream is not doing well and that includes a lot of what we deal with . A lack of trust in the medical mainstream has developed over my lifetime. Given my personal experiences I can certainly understand it . I regularly advise people to get medical checks and I regularly get situations where guys have sought medical help and it has simply not been helpful .

Has the mainstream medical lifted it's game .?

On the positive we have seen physio start doing male pelvic floor work.

[Dangler]

New, and to supplement/reinforce -

Self-Diagnosing: Listening to Others

~ and ~

Self-Diagnosing: Risks

[Regenerator]

Big Al,

You've spent a lot of time helping guys with injuries and have spoken extensively about seeing a doctor. I'm sure you've realized how little mainstream medicine can do.

I wanted to make a suggestion which may enable you to help others even better going forward.

Would you be open to the possibility of going to a doctor yourself, and telling them that your symptoms are erectile dysfunction and numbness after jelqing wrong? The doctor would still get paid for their time so no harm would be done, and it would give you much greater insight into the challenges that these men who you put a lot of effort into helping are facing.

The fact is that it would do no harm and enable you to help people more by giving you greater insight, and understanding.

[Big Al]

Big Al,

You've spent a lot of time helping guys with injuries and have spoken extensively about seeing a doctor. I'm sure you've realized how little mainstream medicine can do.

I wanted to make a suggestion which may enable you to help others even better going forward.

Would you be open to the possibility of going to a doctor yourself, and telling them that your symptoms are erectile dysfunction and numbness after jelqing wrong? The doctor would still get paid for their time so no harm would be done, and it would give you much greater insight into the challenges that these men who you put a lot of effort into helping are facing.

The fact is that it would do no harm and enable you to help people more by giving you greater insight, and understanding.

While I appreciate your confidence on my abilities I don't see how this will be helpful. For one, I'm not injured. If a doctor does a thorough check up he likely won't find anything. Second, some of the tests involved (like the cavernosogram) are both expensive and uncomfortable.

To be clear, exams like the cavernosogram are excellent at determining if there are any venous issues, and Doppler exams can usually discern if there are any soft tissue anomalies.

Given your proposal, the best way to accumulate knowledge on this subject is for men who have actual injuries to detail their experiences.

[Regenerator]

Again, if an appointment begins with someone verbally telling the doctor their symptoms, would whatever they do next be any different regardless of whether an injury were present? What kind of check up would the doctor actually do?

Considering how much effort you put into helping guys with injuries and advising them on seeking medical advice, why wouldn't it be helpful for you to have as much experience as possible, especially with such a challenging issue that can cause such harm?

Were you aware that a cavernosogram is not only expensive and uncomfortable, but also risky, and almost never conducted in the United States anymore?

You are clearly dedicated to helping these men with what is a very difficult situation, so why not get the insight that only personal experience can bring?

Plus, it's not just about being able to know the facts, but empathize, which is where going through something yourself is invaluable.

[Big Al]

Again, if an appointment begins with someone verbally telling the doctor their symptoms, would whatever they do next be any different regardless of whether an injury were present? What kind of check up would the doctor actually do?

Considering how much effort you put into helping guys with injuries and advising them on seeking medical advice, why wouldn't it be helpful for you to have as much experience as possible, especially with such a challenging issue that can cause such harm?

Were you aware that a cavernosogram is not only expensive and uncomfortable, but also risky, and almost never conducted in the United States anymore?

You are clearly dedicated to helping these men with what is a very difficult situation, so why not get the insight that only personal experience can bring?

Plus, it's not just about being able to know the facts, but empathize, which is where going through something yourself is invaluable.

Many here have empathy towards the injured and we do our best to do what we can in our power to help. Recommending one seek medical advice shouldn't be construed as a lack of empathy- on the contrary- it's the most prudent course of action for someone who suspects they have an injury. The worst thing one can do is to be left in the dark about something which may or may not need medical attention.

Why would one need to use subterfuge in order to get answers? Those who've had actual issues can and have relayed their experiences about their experiences with medical professionals.

[Regenerator]

By medical attention, are you talking about a prescription for Viagra? By not being left in the dark, are you talking about a doppler ultrasound?

I know you are doing everything that you can to help people with injuries, but I think seeing a doctor yourself about this type of situation will give you perspective that will allow you to help people more effectively. I am talking specifically about empathizing with what it's like to see a doctor about something like this, which, even if you don't actually have an injury, you can experience for yourself by going and doing what I suggested.

I can try to explain it to you in detail but I honestly don't think you'll truly grasp it unless you see it firsthand.

Think about how many years you've spent helping people with injuries and their struggles finding medical help, aren't you a little curious at this point?

You don't have anything to lose by trying out my suggestion. It may open your eyes as you continue helping people in this situation going forward.

[Big Al]

By medical attention, are you talking about a prescription for Viagra? By not being left in the dark, are you talking about a doppler ultrasound?

I know you are doing everything that you can to help people with injuries, but I think seeing a doctor yourself about this type of situation will give you perspective that will allow you to help people more effectively. I am talking specifically about empathizing with what it's like to see a doctor about something like this, which, even if you don't actually have an injury, you can experience for yourself by going and doing what I suggested.

I can try to explain it to you in detail but I honestly don't think you'll truly grasp it unless you see it firsthand.

Think about how many years you've spent helping people with injuries and their struggles finding medical help, aren't you a little curious at this point?

You don't have anything to lose by trying out my suggestion. It may open your eyes as you continue helping people in this situation going forward.

By medical attention I mean a medical professional doing what's necessary to diagnose and/or treat the patient as needed.

You're under the impression my referring those with issues to medical professionals is due to a lack of perspective. One can see how many here complain about the substandard care they get from some doctors. I don't have to have first hand knowledge to understand this, nor do I claim to have a solution beyond recommending an attempt to seek out more caring/competent professionals and doing one's best to not allow anxiety to become a thing unto itself- which often makes things much worse.