Bone cancer, the woman told her doctor.

She just knew she had it because she'd read the symptoms on the Internet.

It wasn't, of course. It was a bruised knee that needed six weeks to heal.

Her doctor, Fort Lauderdale orthopedic surgeon Paul Meli, like countless South Florida physicians, routinely calms patients who equate surfing the Web with graduating medical school.

This surge in self-diagnosis is so familiar to doctors that it has a name: cyberchondria. People devour mountains of medical information off the Web and, as a result, some think they're much sicker than they are.

Dr. Richard Luceri, a cardiologist who now is vice president of medical services for Deerfield Beach-based JM Family Enterprises, says he saw it all the time.

"They'd walk into my office with things underlined and highlighted," he says. "They'd point to Page 2 and say, 'I must have leukemia,' when the only thing wrong was that they were tired and their boss was driving them nuts."

Smart, tech-savvy people can be the worst offenders, doctors say. In fact, in the early years of medical school, students often think they have the diseases they're studying, says Dr. John Wright, a Wilton Manors pediatrician.

"And these are bright, intelligent people," he says.

complete article - http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/sfl-fit0917googledocssbsep17,0,6779332.story

How many of you have self diagnosed yourselves into a frenzy to find out it was nothing? How many of you have made correct diagnosis?

haven't been ill in a decade or more......

Superfood rocks!

Is cyberchondria contagious?

winx -- not sure, you think I have it? should I research it? what are the syptoms? where to look? tell me what to do?

I think doctors feel somewhat threatened by net savvy people who self-diagnose. I'm sure there are many hypochondriacs that find even more things (not) wrong with themselves. But the net can be a great tool when the doctors are stumped. I had a neurological problem surface a couple of years ago and the neurologist was complete miffed as to what it was. I went to the web and and found a diagnosis that fit my symptoms precisely. I printed out what I found and gave to to the neurologist. He reaction was anger telling me; "Don't tell me how to do my work!" Right after saying that he concurred with what I found and stated that was what he had suspected all along. Like yeah, sure doc! He then put me on the medication suggested in what I found and the problem was corrected.

Well, if you have it - I need to do some research to find out if you can give it to me.

Last year I had a problem and looked it up online. I ended up in the ER and they wanted to admit me. I ended up on meds for a month. So....it's not all bad.

Last year I had a problem and looked it up online. I ended up in the ER and they wanted to admit me. I ended up on meds for a month. So....it's not all bad.

It's definitely not bad, gaining information, insight and understanding is great.

3 years according to Web Dr I should have been dead so I went for a second opinion and my Doctor said-No you should have been dead 2 weeks ago.
What amazing advances in the medical field we have.

PS At last check I was still alive.

think you should have a second opinion

Awwwww....man. I think I have it now.

I looked it up and it is contagious via the internet.

you rock

Why, thank you. You rock too.