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A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Deltona, FL

I need to avoid surfing the web for symptoms, as this usually results in my focusing on the worst-case scenarios and will send me into a funk for weeks or months. Even my husband knows when I'm surfing medical sites and he'll take away the laptop (smart man). Anyone else do this to themselves??

May 17, 2017
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Answer Summary

Members connected over the habit of obsessively researching symptoms online, with many admitting they've fallen into the trap of reading too... Read more

Members connected over the habit of obsessively researching symptoms online, with many admitting they've fallen into the trap of reading too much and spiraling into worst-case thinking, though several shared that this tendency often fades with age or experience. Practical advice included only researching after a formal diagnosis, sticking to doctor-recommended resources, and remembering that not every new symptom is related to fibromyalgia or means something catastrophic. A recurring theme was learning to accept uncertainty without shame, with members encouraging each other to stop wasting precious energy on worry and instead focus on living in the present moment.

A MyFibroTeam Member

Oh I misunderstood the? The last time yes I always look up medical issues online and every side effect of fibromyalgia I have it is not just in my mind

May 19, 2017
A MyFibroTeam Member

I only look up once diagnosed with things to understand own health. Once I know what's involved don't surf web after that like for example my mental illnesses you can find it helpful but if gets out of control your husband doing good thing for you. as your head be doing cartwheels bless surfing all the time it's like everything else if takes over your life becomes a problem .I like to know and understand all that's wrong but once I do have better understanding I'm like ah ok get it now what do I do for it . Most of the time I'll get websites from doctors to research areas .

May 19, 2017
A MyFibroTeam Member

Apologies folks, I probably should've worded the question differently. "Cyberchondria" being a play on the word "hypochondria". I am NOT insinuating that anyone is imagining their illness. What I meant was "has anyone found themselves trapped in a vicious cycle where you are compulsively researching symptoms on the internet?" A few of you know what I'm talking about. It's an awful, harmful habit that I had trouble stopping.

May 18, 2017
A MyFibroTeam Member

I used to but you will get tired of it after awhile. Believe me. It gets old. Sometimes you come across something you didn't know is happening to your body and the answer is right there and you are glad that you found it. We all have done it because you are in such a state of bewilderment wondering what the heck is happening to me? Why am I feeling this way? I can't believe that I am getting like this when I used to be able to do this.......I don't know if it is getting older or my Fibro or my immune deficiency or what. I got tired of guessing. You just feel like crap sometimes that you don't care then. Am I right?

May 17, 2017
A MyFibroTeam Member

What is that?

May 17, 2017

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