Hi Valerie, It can be scary wading through an Internet search for medical conditions or symptoms. Just thought I would pop in to let you know we have a couple of discussions members may find helpful when doing searches.

--- How do you identify trustworthy health information?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-identify-trustworthy-health-information/
--- How to Avoid Quacks and Snake Oil Treatments: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-avoid-quacks-and-snake-oil-treatments/

Valerie - I think part of my Dr. Google “issue” is that since my disability now limits the time on my feet so much, the computer has taken over much of my old aerobic activity, so I try to use the computer for fruitful activities. I found a symptom checker one time… some site where you type in your list of symptoms and it spits out your possible diagnosis. I first jokingly thought how doctors could be using that type of app. Then I started seriously wondering if they use those types of (hopefully much more enhanced) software. With the speed needed in the medical “business” these days, it makes sense to get to 80% of the population’s diagnoses and treatments for the masses. Unfortunately we’re in the 20% of the population that got kicked into the Idiopathic bucket, but I’m hoping the resources eventually get freed to develop the software for the next level drill down of symptoms to keep lowering the Idiopathic number 😄😄

Valerie (@lacy2), Sue Ellen (@SueEllen66),

Only this morning, Valerie, I'm feeling the very feeling you describe. Tomorrow, I've my annual checkup with my PCP. I know she'll begin by asking how I am. In years past, my reply would be a simple one: "Good," or "I have occasional sleepless nights" (something specific). When she asks how I am these days, my inclination is to reply, "How much time have you got?" or "Where shall I begin?" At the same time, I'm fully aware that my PCP has a day-full of patients, and she's on a tight schedule. Besides, she's a PCP, not a specialist.

However, I often have the same Q&A with my specialists: "How are you?" followed by the desire to say, "Where shall I begin?"

For years now, I've had this growing suspicion that I have a "parent" or "Ur" problem over-arching all of my highly localized problems (flat feet, arthritic joints, low red blood cell count, poor balance, unreliable gait, etc.). I had thought that my peripheral neuropathy might be my Ur problem, but now I'm not so sure; now I'm beginning to wonder if my PN is another of my subordinate problems and my Ur or parent problem is yet to be found.

Ray (@ray666)