Question:

@NO.SPAM.hotmail.com says…  I would appreciate any personal experiences/ stories you have and you would like to share with me regarding physician , internet and newsgroups interactions you have had.

My Dr used to read this newsgroup, I know this because he made some direct comments about the information available.  At times I had the impression that he was worried I might change my medication regime based on comments I read in the Newsgroup.  I would never do that, but I have asked him about other therapy regimes I learned from this newsgroup. When we discuss changing medications, I am familiar with potential side affects and efficacy.  The information has been invaluable in helping me make informed choices.  Drs. have so little time to spend with patients, usually you get a quick thumbnail sketch of medications, disease process etc. Do this, take that and on to the next patient. A quick explanation may be sufficient for a short term illness, but with a chronic illness, that lasts a lifetime, it is different.  I want to be informed and be a responsible partner in my treatment, and I can’t do that without information.   Chances are several physicians will treat my RA; so I need to stayed involved and informed. I have the long-term experience and knowledge of my disease and treatment choices may have lifetime consequences, so I must take responsibility for my treatment.  The information in this newsgroup improves my understanding and savvy in dealing with physicians. There is a Rheumatologist who posts in this newsgroup she has been invaluable in setting us straight on some key points.  She is also careful not to contradict what our personal Physicians have told us.  I wish more Drs were willing to post and share the knowledge and experience. This group is sophisticated, and educated we have no trouble sorting out the real information from the scammers, hucksters, and fanatics that visit.   The other reason I participate in this newsgroup is for support.  Support is a key element. No-one understands the trials of the disease as well as a fellow patient, and Drs. have limited time to offer support.  The empathy we get from each other is real and heartfelt.  A Physician can’t fully empathize unless they have the disease.  It has been tremendous emotional help to share experiences with fellow patients. Our families and friends sometimes tire of hearing our complaints, but here there is always someone who will listen and, understand.  – MZ — website: http://members.home.net/mzuschlag

Response:

The responses you have received about spam, etc.,  are from caring individduals who help others try to separate the wheat from the chaff.  It doesn’t take long to flush out the fanatics and spammers.  If you have lurked here or posted here for any length of time you will find that people can be trusted.  Remember, this is a "support" group, and there is a lot of it once you get to know us. Ichy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I posed a rather simple question and people started saying that I may start spamming them or even send them a virus. A patient-doctor relationship is based on among other things on trust. Can there be trust on the Internet?

Response:

I’m doing an Important Study for a Large Institution. Please photo copy your breasts and send me a scan for our research porpoises.

Dear t

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