This is how bad Google is...

[MrMoleHill]

I was trying to look up a daytime cold and cough medicine for kids.

So, I google the words, "children's daytime cold and cough".

This is what Google came up with. The second item in the list says, Parkinson's Disease!

To see how bad the entire results are when googling the words "children's daytime cold and cough", here is the complete results list in order:

1. Bronchial Irritation
2. Parkinson's Disease
3. Thyroid Disease
4. Asthma
5. High Blood Pressure

This is why google sucks and HA peeps shouldn't do it.

Now, step away from the keyboard! 

[MrMoleHill]

...and just for the record, I'm probably one of the biggest offenders.

[ceh1354]

The sad part is, we ALL know it and still do it anyway. (well, a lot of us). How many posts do you read that say, "I know I shouldn't have, but...." or "I made the mistake of...."
When oh when will we learn!!? 
And that is crazy the results you got from that search!!

[MrMoleHill]

Swollen lymph node = lymphoma, and that's how this all started for me. This downward spiral. This deep pit.

Although, I will state, via googling I did eventually land on this website. It has helped me so much. It has put the whole anxiety problem into perspective.

[ceh1354]

Yep!!
You know, it's just better not to do it at all. Mine started by my Googling "IBS" when I was having digestive/bowel issues. I thought "never heard of IBS, maybe that's what I have" .
Yeah, all fine and good until I discover that some of the symptoms (according to Dr. Google) are similar to colon cancer. Then off I went....

So, even Googling what you think is a "benign" illness or disorder can be dangerous for HA's! Just don't!!!

[Slangevar]

That's hilarious... three of those are things that children aren't even at risk of getting. Parkinson's and children's cough syrup?  Wow.

[Allochka]

Amazing!!! Smth to keep in mind all the time.
I do not Google these days, because I know the consequences. But recently I had what I thought was a chronic tonsillitis (absolutely not dangerous, just annoying thing. maybe I even do have it, no idea :-)). Was sure it's pretty safe to Google this one. Googled. Got " diagnosed"  with lymphoma and oral cancer ... 

[JuneFly37]

MrMoleHill, this is a funny, brilliant post and a much needed slap in the face for some of us.

I'm not sure I'll stop Googling, unfortunately, as that is my OCD part of Health Anxiety, but I appreciate you sharing this.

I am one of the worst googlers I know, and yet for the most part, I have never been a big fan of technology! I always encourage my students to go to the library instead of just doing research at home. We think we can learn everything from the internet because there is so much info readily available, but that doesn't mean we should. Like everything, there is a good use for it and also one that is less beneficial. I seem to have trouble taking my own advice.

[SighNoMore]

Thank you for this! Great reminder about the harm Googling can do! Trying to remember that!

[bridetobe]

Google tuned what should have been one of the best days of my life into a nightmare! My husband and I were trying to conceive a child. I was a few days late so I bought a pregnancy test (actually the box of 3) I took all three and got three positives. I was so excited. Unfortunately I started to feel like my "friend" was coming. I googled (dun dun dun) and asked what else could have caused the positive tests. One site said cancer and had people who had cancer and had positive tests. Well needless to say I developed a ton of symptoms and I went to my drs appt almost in tears. She asked what was going on I said I think I have cancer. She looked at me and said what makes you think that. I said well I had three positive pregnancy tests. She went ok and  i said well the computer said it could be cancer. She said did you ever think maybe you were just pregnant and tried to hide her laughter.  I was pregnant but spent the whole checkup going "Is everything ok" "Does everything look ok"

[savannahgirl]

To Bridetobe: You are the MASTER!!!! That is the best Google horror story I've heard and the funniest.  Please don't think I'm making light of your fear,not at all. Its just I would have LOVED to seen the Dr's face when you told her the pregnancy test and computer told you you could have cancer. Priceless.    I'm glad it turned out good and thank you so much for the laugh, I needed that. 

[bridetobe]

Haha I wish it wasn't true! Lol my husband sat next to me while I pretty rapidly developed cancer symptoms. He just shook his head when I told the dr. Three tests when I was TRYING to get pregnant. Yup must be cancer.  No health anxiety here

[sassparella]

My husband has told me if I google again he's banning me from the internet. I've got myself into a right panic several times recently by looking things up. Google is evil and unreliable and I'm trying very hard to refrain from googling now as I don't want to lose my internet.

[oldtimeocd]

my hub also has threatened to take my pc and net lol .i have an adrenal mass,and an mri monday. im scared to death and keep sneaking to look up stuff i dont need to read.he means well and i really need to leave dr google alone and pray and try to be positive about all of this.OCD is a huge douche...