Nothing irks me more than weirdos online claiming they have a cure for a disease, specifically Crohn’s Disease. I have many thoughts when it comes to these nuts. Do I point out that they are wrong to warn others, but at the same time give them more attention? I go back and forth on this all the time.
I’m not here to give medical advice, that’s not what this blog is for. Speak to your doctors regarding medical advice. I talk about my life with Crohn’s Disease and an ostomy. I recommend that you be skeptical of anyone giving medical advice online, even someone claiming to be a doctor. Look into their credentials, they might not be an actual medical doctor, or they may have gone to some bogus online school. Anyone can call themselves a doctor online, don’t be medically catfished.
Why do they do it? Some are crazy and some are trying to make a profit. The crazy ones just go on and on about all kinds of nonsense. The ones trying to make a profit always have something to sell you at the end of their rant, like some magic pills that will cure you.
Be vigilant and do your research. Random blog posts (yes I know, this is a random blog post, but I’m not giving you medical advice), websites with conspiracy theories and porn ads aren’t to be trusted.
Where can you go?
- Medical journals are a pretty good source of reliable information.
- Universities publish studies.
- For IBD questions, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation has resources available
- Your doctor is a resource, also a good one since he/she knows you and your medical history.
There’s this absurd conspiracy theory that Big Pharma wants us to stay sick and our doctors are in on it. I can kind of see how you can believe this if you’ve never really dealt with doctors who cared. I’ve been fortunate to always have great doctors who cared about my well being.
There are some people who in their own way care but are going about it the wrong way. These distant relatives or random acquaintances mean well but will start talking about their college roommate’s uncle who had Crohn’s Disease and cured himself with aloe vera and acai berries. Cool story bro.
Once I hear you say the word cure, you lost me. I’m not Debbie Downer, but this disease is chronic and there is no secret cure that the government doesn’t want me to know about. I’m not against the idea of getting better, I’m just being realistic about it. All your doing is spreading false hope and misleading people.
I highly recommend that you stop giving unsolicited medical advice. If you want to help, this is not the way. Trust me, we are trying everything within our power to get better. Be our friend, not our doctor.
I understand that many people have some luck with diet changes, but just because it worked for one person, doesn’t mean it will work for everyone else. We are all on a different combination of medications because we all respond differently to treatment.
For those coming at me with your pseudo-science nonsense, go sell crazy somewhere else, I’m not buying.