Family Room users from the medical profession?

[Otta]

Strawbs' thread made me think of this.

There is a sticky thread at the top of this section from a GP who is concerned about people seeking medical advise on a forum like this. Whilst I accept the concerns, I also feel that there is often very good advise given on here from parents who have experienced various things with their own kids.

I was wondering whether anyone on here is actually a medical professional? Not that it would / should replace going to the GP / Hospital when required, but would be nice to know that there is someone who's advise you know is coming from a pro.

I am not a medical professional, but there are times when I've left my GP certain that I actually know more than them about some things!

If anyone wants advise about visual impairments, I'm your man! ;-)

[womanofdulwich]

Ok-Otta what can i do to prevent pingueculae getting worse?

[Bouncy]

Why can't I see at night? Seriously: I wear normal-strength glasses and am fine in the daytime - but things are different at night - particularly when driving - to the point that I try to avoid driving after dark if at all possible, because I don't feel safe!

[Otta]

How old are you if you don't mind my asking?

For the record, I'm not an ophthalmologist, I work in the social care / education sector with visually impaired people, but I do have quite a good knowledge of eye conditions, their symptoms, and how one can reduce the negative effects on daily life.

But that's not really why I started the thread.

[Otta]

Bouncy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Why can't I see at night? Seriously: I wear

> normal-strength glasses and am fine in the daytime

> - but things are different at night - particularly

> when driving - to the point that I try to avoid

> driving after dark if at all possible, because I

> don't feel safe!

I'd get this checked out.

The Rod cells are the part of your eye that allow you to see in darker conditions, and if they start to deteriorate you see less well when it gets dark. Definitely worth getting this looked at!

[womanofdulwich]

sorry I thought you were an optician.

I expect a Dr would not want to admit to it on here. :\

[Bouncy]

Yes, I interpretted that as optician / similar too! But thanks - think I should properly get checked out properly!

[Otta]

I'm the person they see (pardon the pn) after the medical people. I help them live with the visual impairment.

[The Nappy Lady]

I think medical people are not going to fee up on here, as there is potential for being sued if people follow their advice and it ends badly.

Sad state of affairs, but you can kind of understand it....

Going back under my camouflage now - all I know about is cloth nappies anyway ;-)

[Otta]

Yeah, I did wonder about that, but equally lots of people on here are quick to offer advise (which is great), but would be good to know what this advise is based on sometimes.

I certainly wouldn't expect a doctor to come in here and say "sounds like your child has such&such, take the following action".

But it would be good if they said those symptoms are consistent with such&such, take them to A&E to be on the safe side.

[Saffron]

I'm not really interested in people's credentials on online forums, because anyone can put anything online. So, to some extent, it's meaningless from that point of view.

Forums can be great sources for sharing experiences from individuals who are not specialists, and also for exchanging opinions from people who are more specilised or have more specialised knowledge. But, ultimately it's down to readers to interpret what they read and decide its usefulness for their own situations. Personally I think it's great when people provide links to other articles and data sources, as it helps put their opinions in perspective.

Actually, considering the amount of rubbish advice I've had from medical professionals, it's a breath of fresh air to get some insightful advice from people who aren't! (Well, they might be, but they're keeping schtum.) xx

[Otta]

Can't disagree with any of that really.