4 ms·

HN is really not the place to offer medical advice. Anyone reading this with a therapeutic need should see a doctor, preferably more than one.

GiorgioG 7y ago
That's easy for someone who isn't grappling with this "non-existent" illness as most mainstream doctors would have you believe. I spent 3 years (and thousands of dollars) trying to find out what was wrong with me until a neurologist tested me for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It came back positive, he gave me 2 rounds of doxycycline and sent me on my way. Anyone with experience with prolonged tick-borne illnesses can tell you, that's not going to fix it. I went and got an appointment with a lyme-literate doctor (there's the typical 2-3 month wait for an appointment to see any of these doctors - if you're lucky.)
- eigenloss 7y ago
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20496393 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20496393 I don't need to be told that tests are unreliable or that doctors can be as misinformed as any of us. I am encouraging anybody in this thread who is personally affected to seek medical advice, not the advice of random internet commenters. Congratulations on beating RMSF.
  - GiorgioG 7y ago
    My point is people are desperate - and for some it's difficult to find (or pay) a LLMD. There are groups on FB (one of the only uses I have for FB) with thousands of members who give/get advice. No they aren't doctors, but I wouldn't discount their lack of certification - they have experience. Unfortunately I have not yet beat it (or whatever other disease(s) the tick gifted me.) I'm still on 3-4 different antibiotics and feeling generally like crap. But it's 'only' been 3 months.
    - eigenloss 7y ago
      Good luck!
beagle3 7y ago
Many people see many doctors, and find no cure and no improvement. After seeing doctors and not getting better, it is useful to get an idea of what worked for other people because it might lead one on the right path. Personally, I consider advice - both from doctors and on Internet forums - as advice, not gospel. I do research what doctors recommend, because they too are wrong or implicitly optimize for different criteria than you do (cost of treatment or their own liability vs your well being)

GiorgioG 7y ago

That's easy for someone who isn't grappling with this "non-existent" illness as most mainstream doctors would have you believe. I spent 3 years (and thousands of dollars) trying to find out what was wrong with me until a neurologist tested me for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It came back positive, he gave me 2 rounds of doxycycline and sent me on my way. Anyone with experience with prolonged tick-borne illnesses can tell you, that's not going to fix it. I went and got an appointment with a lyme-literate doctor (there's the typical 2-3 month wait for an appointment to see any of these doctors - if you're lucky.)

eigenloss 7y ago
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20496393 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20496393 I don't need to be told that tests are unreliable or that doctors can be as misinformed as any of us. I am encouraging anybody in this thread who is personally affected to seek medical advice, not the advice of random internet commenters. Congratulations on beating RMSF.
- GiorgioG 7y ago
  My point is people are desperate - and for some it's difficult to find (or pay) a LLMD. There are groups on FB (one of the only uses I have for FB) with thousands of members who give/get advice. No they aren't doctors, but I wouldn't discount their lack of certification - they have experience. Unfortunately I have not yet beat it (or whatever other disease(s) the tick gifted me.) I'm still on 3-4 different antibiotics and feeling generally like crap. But it's 'only' been 3 months.
  - eigenloss 7y ago
    Good luck!

beagle3 7y ago

Many people see many doctors, and find no cure and no improvement. After seeing doctors and not getting better, it is useful to get an idea of what worked for other people because it might lead one on the right path. Personally, I consider advice - both from doctors and on Internet forums - as advice, not gospel. I do research what doctors recommend, because they too are wrong or implicitly optimize for different criteria than you do (cost of treatment or their own liability vs your well being)