Bad Medical Advice: 12 Examples of Why YOU Should Always Be Your Top Advocate
Have you ever felt perplexed and doubtful when receiving advice from a healthcare provider you trust? While doctors are generally regarded as paragons of knowledge and proficiency, there are moments when even the most experienced professionals can make mistakes or overlook the broader context.
In an online community, users shared stories about some of the most misguided guidance they’ve received from doctors, highlighting that even experts can occasionally err and emphasizing the significance of being your own strongest advocate.
1. No More Light Duty
Can you believe medical negligence in uniform? A user said, “My doctor advised, “The pain you are feeling in your right foot is normal, no more light duty for you” – US Navy doctor. My Achilles ruptured the next week during a PT run (I was in the Marine Corps). Thank you, sir!” What a horrible experience!
2. Stop Using Google
A user shared a distressing incident when his concerns about sharp back pain after drinking were brushed off as alcohol intolerance. Google’s warning about a serious health condition was disregarded. Tragically, just nine months later, the patient discovered bumps on their neck, leading to a stage IV diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. How traumatic and life-altering!
3. Close Call
Second opinions can save your life sometimes. A user shared, “My gyno said I had a genital wart and brought the stuff to burn off. I said I would get a second opinion. I had razor burn folks… Razor burn. He was going to burn off razor burn. That would have scarred my lady bi**! No clue how he could not tell the difference. My new doc wanted to report him.”
4. The Lethal Mix
Drug interactions are real and life-threatening. A user wrote, “I was given two different pills for gout by a doctor because my family doctor was out of town. I started to get sick a few days after taking the pills but pushed through it for another couple of days, hoping that the horrible swelling/pain in my foot would die down. I went to my family doc, he took one look at my prescriptions and flipped out. I was going through the early stages of organ failure because the two pills I was given should never be taken together.” Shocking.
5. Smoke Cigarettes to Kill Bacteria
Medical malpractice or misguided advice? Someone said, “I went to the doctor with the flu and later discovered it was pneumonia. During the first visit, my doctor advised me to smoke cigarettes because they would kill the bacteria in the throat and thus ending my flu. Just wow.”
6. You Should Be Off Medication
A user said, “I go in because I’m diabetic and have trouble keeping my levels down. No tests, nothing. The student doctor tells me she’s taking me off the meds because I can control this with diet and exercise. I have already been trying, but she won’t listen. Six months later, I’m in the hospital with sugar levels over 900. The ER doctor does some simple tests and determines I am not type 2 but type 1, and my body is no longer producing insulin. I was in ICU for three days and was on the verge of going into a coma.” Like seriously?
7. NY Times Recommended Stretches
It has to be the laziest medical advice ever. Someone said, “I went to a doctor about my bad back. “She said, “Here, do these stretches I read about in the NY Times,” Writes NY Times Stretching on Rx pad.” It would have been helpful for them to get some insight into the cause, send them to an expert physical therapist- anything but a vague prescription of the internet.
8. Visit the Amazon Rainforest
A user said, “Visit the Amazon Rainforest. Then you’ll know what life is about”. Jeez, I was coming because my shoulder hurts, not to be weirdly lectured for 45 minutes.” Doctors that make patients feel guilty for their complaints should not be in practice, that’s what they’re there for!
9. Running is Not Good
A user wrote a doctor told them, “Running isn’t a good form of exercise. It jolts your heart, and you’ll live miserably .” Seriously? Hilarious and sad at the same time.
10. Ignoring Mental Health
A user shared insensitive remarks by her doctor, “Depression? I don’t know about that… My son’s your age, and he isn’t having any issues. Yeah, doc, because I, a female, have the same medical needs as your son. I just walked out when she said that. Found a doctor who took me seriously.”
11. Jumping to Conclusions
“My daughter’s doctor told me at her 1-year checkup that she was ADHD because she didn’t want to sit still in the exam room for 15 minutes. We got a different doctor after that.” A user said.
12. You are Getting Older
Someone shared, “The pain in my hip was because I was “getting older.” After many doctor trips, I finally got referred to an ortho, and it turns out I had a hairline fracture. By the time it was found, it was pretty much healed.” Thanks for nothing.
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