Advice that is usually not welcome, or even ethical?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (40983)
January 12, 2025 5:34pm CST
Start this game with at least one social media site. Facebook, Instagram, here at mylot, wherever you think that someone will ''advise'' you. This part is easy.
State your medical problem(s), issues, ailments, or pains in any site, and bingo, you get lots and lots of miraculous cures. Anything...from herbs to meds to weird things to try you never heard of.
Why am I bringing this up? I think a lot of people seem to be using social media for their main medical advice, rather than go to seek help from a medical professional. I see it every day. ''Try such and such, it cured me!'' isn't going to necessarily fix me or you. And it could actually harm someone, if they neglect their health and they could have a serious condition such as cancer, heart problem, etc. and not even know.
I know, I know...there's that silly Marie, babbling on about medical stuff. I have doctors and nurses in my immediate family. They all say if some people did not solicit medical advice from friends, etc. and just went to see about their problems, more people would be well.
None of us knows the answers to all medical issues, not even doctors, but they do know more than we plain people without medical training know.
Yesterday, I was scrolling through a social media site and someone was complaining about a small cyst on the top of their foot, that was causing them a lot of pain. One lady had the perfect solution--catch a toad or frog, and let them urinate on the cyst for a perfect cure.
No, I didn't make that up.
27 people like this
24 responses
@Scarred4Lyfe (696)
•
12 Jan
I heard drinking 8 oz of albino squirrel urine will cure almost anything! 
8 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
That's it. That's how you can finally make your fortune. I think every squirrel in southern IL. comes to the squirrel tree in your yard, collect the golden and bottle and sell it. Instant cure!
''JJ's Magical Medicine''
Remember, the higher the price, the more people will think it is really magical, and will pay the big bucks!!
7 people like this
@kaylachan (75131)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Jan
That's an old wives tale I've heard over and over again. And, yes I get it. I've shared my and George's medical journey, both good and bad. For the most part, people have behaved themselves. Although I do occassinally get a well-meanng reply from someone on here. Most of it I've already tried/done. Other things, I know won't work. I've done my fair share of it, too. But often tell people to seak help from a medical professional.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
I have been around a few people in my lifetime that suffered from a severe stroke, but they did not get much better. Their wellness journal often stalled out completely. I have been glad to follow George's journey, as he tries so hard, and let's face it, he has a very good, persistent cheerleader to help him!
4 people like this
@kaylachan (75131)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Jan
@MarieCoyle The big thing for me in general, is finding that balance between leaving him alone and doing what I need to take care of him. And knowing when to leave him the hell alone and tell me what he wants. When he has those rare days where I can't get him off the couch, it scares the crap out of me. But then....
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
@kaylachan
You are doing the best you can do, and trying to get him better with your help and encouragement.
4 people like this
@AmbiePam (96068)
• United States
13 Jan
It is somewhat shocking that someone would trust an unseen stranger to treat their ailment than a medically certified physician. Now, I get that some people are scared of doctors, but I’d go down the crazy rabbit hole of WebMD before I let a toad pee on me.
Speaking of WebMD: my brother-in-law once said he wished he could block that site from my sister because when he comes home from work she’s convinced she has diphtheria after being on that site for an hour.
4 people like this
@marguicha (225020)
• Chile
12 Jan
I think that I´ve heard somewhere the frog pee for something. Many people LOVE to talk about their ailments. And there´s always an immediate answer from a "doctor" across the table. People usually are just asking for the advice. And other people can´t help giving it. My best friend, a real doctor, the most he does is to check if there is the same med from a cheaper lab if I say I won´t buy the cream imported from France.
Many people LOVE to talk about their ailments. And there´s always an immediate answer from a "doctor" across the table. People usually are just asking for the advice. And other people can´t help giving it. My best friend, a real doctor, the most he does is to check if there is the same med from a cheaper lab if I say I won´t buy the cream imported from France.4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
Yes, there does always seem to be a ''doctor'' in the house! It's one thing to say''Well, this worked for me'' and that may be true. But everyone is different, and what works for me may well not work for others. We are all very different.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (141814)
• United States
13 Jan
The only way you'll get rid of people offering advice on social media is to close all social media sites and people will still ask for advice via email. *shrug*
4 people like this
@1creekgirl (42449)
• United States
13 Jan
I think we used to hear that frog pee cures warts.
You are so right, Marie. People are foolish to listen to some of that mess.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (141814)
• United States
13 Jan
@MarieCoyle It wouldn't work on my eyelids because they swell up because of a disease. That lady needs to be checked for the same disease.
Some people are ignorant and you need to know how to weed out any advice they give.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
@DaddyEvil
The lady suggesting to put leeches on eyelids, is, in my opinion anyway, certifiably nuts. And I do have to agree with you completely on the ignorance of some people. Often, I don't think their brains are connected to their mouths.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
Some of the medical cures are...well, just weird.
One lady said her eyelids were always swollen. Sensible people suggested she apply a very cold wet cloth, or ice. But one person swore that the sure cure for this was to apply leeches to your eyelids. Um...No thank you!!
@DaddyEvil please do not try that on yourself.
5 people like this
@GardenGerty (162238)
• United States
13 Jan
Now my older sister talked about "ganglion cysts" and called them Bible cysts. Said that people used to take the family Bible or the biggest book they had and slam them on said cysts to rupture and "cure" them. No way. Not me. I also try NOT to give unsolicited medical advice, because we are all so different from one another.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
Actually, I think any big book would smash a ganglion cyst--they are usually on the wrist--and some people swear by that. Personally, if I had one, I believe I would go to the doctor to be sure of what it was and how to get rid of it.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
I agree, but some people are evidently not putting a lot of thought into looking for a good solution to their medical problems!
1 person likes this
@kareng (68240)
• United States
13 Jan
@MarieCoyle They need to rattle the marbles in their heads!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
@kareng
I couldn't believe some of the strange advice some of the people were giving others!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (185371)
• United States
13 Jan
I haven't really noticed that, but I am sure it exists out there.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
The more time people stay inside, and don't get out and about for any medical care, the sillier it gets.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (171528)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Jan
Why is urine always such a great option? Those backwards folk up in the hills have it all figured out don't they?
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (171528)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Jan
@MarieCoyle .....me either. Yuck! I just seem to hear about it a lot.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
@celticeagle
Not to be intentionally crude, but after I read some of that stuff, I was fearful I might see a comment or suggestion to rub feces on an injury...so I stopped reading. People are ridiculous.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
I have absolutely no desire to pour urine on myself. Just a big no from me.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122671)
• Gainesville, Florida
18 Jan
I think many people seek medical advice on social media because they figure if they see a lot of similar responses of home-cure remedies, then maybe--just maybe--it may work. Also, medical insurance is a joke, and co-pays and deductibles are just too expensive for many people to pay, so if they think they can find a "cure" on social media and save themselves an expensive trip to the doctor, then it's worth a try.
I'll research ailments on WebMD first, but I will almost always seek the advice and treatment of a doctor over recommendations on social media. The only issue I have with professional medical service (besides the expense) is that most of them have been paid off by Big Pharma to just prescribe pills for anything. But other than that, I would rather find my answers from a medically certified doctor over some random Joe on the internet.
But I will keep the toad cure in mind if I ever get a cyst on my big toe!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122671)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Jan
@MarieCoyle As long as I don't have to kiss or lick a toad! lol
I'm very good about going to my doctor on a regular basis. I've been with the same doctor for close to 23 years now.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122671)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Jan
@MarieCoyle At my last doctor appointment, I told my doctor that he wasn't allowed to retire anytime soon, because I didn't want to have to find a new doctor. He told me he had no plans of retiring, because he was making way too much money off of me! lol
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
18 Jan
Jeff, I agree, a bit of research on a reputable site is fine, people need to learn to listen to their bodies, and break down and go to the doctor when it's warranted.
Hey, here comes that Jeff guy...he smells funny!!
I hope if you ever get a cyst you don't try to cure it with a frog or a toad!
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10234)
• United States
16 Jan
What I hate seeing are people commenting these cures on those who are in hospice and talking to others about their journeys. There is a lady dying of lung cancer. No hope and she is at peace. Every day someone posts different cures and she should be trying them. I've seen ridiculous comments like your frog one too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
16 Jan
Oh, I know what you mean. Someone will say, try such and such, my Dad was dying and he took that and now he is fine...or somesuch. I hate that, too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
18 Jan
@noni1959
Unwanted and unproven medical advice is not welcome to someone who is dying. A peach or apricot pit is not going to eliminate cancer from someone. And people rarely take in to account that maybe the sick person is in horrible pain and is at peace with his/her passing.
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
13 Jan
It truly is! Just when we think we’ve heard it all, here comes more ridiculousness!
2 people like this
@much2say (57209)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Jan
Wow - that piece of medical advice is seriously "out there" 
! Just no - NO. You cannot entrust your health/life with all the crazy misinformation that is out there, especially from the internet. Toad or frog pee - amazing then that someone has not bottled that stuff up and made their fortunes!1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
19 Jan
Some people will do anything it seems but go to a doctor. So insane....you are correct, it's surprising it's not bottled for sale somewhere. I will pass on that purchase if I see it for sale! Yuck.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (7032)
• United Kingdom
14 Jan
I think someone was taking the p*ss! 
I have read that frogs were used as pregnancy tests. A woman’s urine was injected into a female frog, and if the frog laid eggs in the next 24 hours, the woman was pregnant. Not to be confused with “kissing frogs”. 
I have read that frogs were used as pregnancy tests. A woman’s urine was injected into a female frog, and if the frog laid eggs in the next 24 hours, the woman was pregnant. Not to be confused with “kissing frogs”. 1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
15 Jan
Oh, wow! That’s one I have not heard. So many weird tales of treating ailments with frog urine. Weird, for sure.
@JESSY3236 (20236)
• United States
14 Jan
My mother said the same thing yesterday morning. I was telling her about a Reddit page I have joined.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
18 Jan
Some of those Reddit pages can truly lead you into a rabbit hole, for sure.
1 person likes this
@porwest (96233)
• United States
13 Jan
Advice received on the Internet in general all needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Some of it is good, some of it not so good, some of it downright awful. If I were to ever put a disclaimer on every advice offering post, comment or response, it would be "Do your own research." When I do it, I am simply stating an opinion. It should not be considered THE opinion. It is simply one idea or one thing to consider but is never the end all to be all.
I agree, too many people rely too heavily on what are essentially, armchair experts.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
14 Jan
My own doctor said that a new patient came in for an exam, and when the appointment started, he said, ''Doc, I have cancer. Can you tell me how long I've got?'' He had trolled the internet and diagnosed himself, it turned out he had a hernia. All of that could have been avoided if he had decided to not diagnose himself. Live and learn, I guess.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
13 Jan
I agree with your thought. Yes, we can advise a few tips to get rid of headaches or things. But we can never give them miracles solutions or total fix. For that , yes , they would have to visit a doctor. We cannot be a doctor or a person with medical knowledge. We could suggest certain medicines for things we undewent , but with a caution they need to check with their doctor. And we do often see such medical advices. But the medical advice for the cyst of foot - caught me laughing for sometime. I believe you made that up because I cannot imagine people can be so out of their mind. Take care!
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
14 Jan
@RevivedWarrior
No, I didn't make it up. It's not the first time I have heard people suggest toad or frog urine for a cure for something. Even as a child, some of the old-timers suggested it to remove warts. Um, no one I know ever tried it, or at least, didn't admit to it. But I had no reason to make it up, I was just surprised that it was still a suggestion in the present day.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40983)
•
14 Jan
@RevivedWarrior
Old time “cures” and such often carry on through generations, at least they do here.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
14 Jan
@MarieCoyle
Unbelievable. Even in today's digital era this suggestion still running!
1 person likes this
