Thanks be given that I have the web.

In America, you get in too much trouble if you give away your medication for those it was not prescribed to (I think it's cool you want to share though). Of course, that does not include over the counter meds, which is perfectly legal. So I'm kind of afraid to admit this, and maybe I shouldn't, but on one occasion did give a prescription I no longer used to a family member who also took it. It just makes sense considering how expensive medication is. But you know how the law is, and I don't ever want to be arrested! I used to trust Webmd a lot, but it always turned out wrong. I think we all have a tendency to look on the internet nowadays for what will cure our ails.

We're supposed to destroy any prescribed medication we can't take for whatever reason... When I became allergic to one of my blood pressure meds, I gave the two bottles I already had to a friend who took the same med/strength... Just don't tell on me, please. I keep a list of my current medications in my phone because every doctor I talk to wants to know exactly what has been prescribed and at what strength. (I list what the medication is for beside the med in the list.)

Yes, when I am wondering about a particular disease I do.

I do get help from the internet. I am glad you are clearing out those meds. I did not know your Dad was a doctor Marguicha.

Some supplements can be very helpful.

Yes, as Amber says--in the US you can get in a lot of trouble for giving away prescription meds. Most towns and/or cities have places you can take old medications to for proper disposal, as well as places to drop off the containers that hold needles and injections, insulin sticks, etc. We are not supposed to put any of that in our trash or give it away.

I've never visited an online doctor but, I have had my visit with my regular doctor via video chat. I don't give any of my meds away. It's just not a good idea unless you are a professional. I'd hate to have something bad happen due to a bad reaction to something I gave them.

I do not take any meds but from time to time if I am feeling not too well I will look online for some advice from medical websites,

I do, but my background is in medical research so I know where to find trustworthy information, how to double-check it, and how to interpret the data. There is a lot of very useful information out there (for example as you say, identifying exactly what a medicine is used for) but it is also easy to be misled by some self-styled 'expert' or 'lifestyle coach'.

We check out stuff on the web but try to remember that sometimes it might be wrong.

We have collection centers for old meds; and we can be prosecuted if we share medications. My husband has a bunch of old meds that he needs to go through and get rid of.

I don't mean to come across as a know-it-all, but I must admit that the internet has proven helpful to me on several occasions. I vividly recall an incident from a year ago when I was dealing with a genital disease. I felt too embarrassed to consult a doctor, so I took matters into my own hands and conducted thorough research to identify the disease and explore potential treatments. According to my findings, the recommended treatment was a single dose of a specific tablet. However, I hesitated to make the decision and administer the medication on my own, fearing any potential risks. Eventually, due to the worsening condition, I mustered the courage to visit a doctor. During the check-up, to my surprise, the doctor prescribed the exact same medicine and confirmed the diagnosis I had uncovered through my online research. Nevertheless, I still firmly believe that self-diagnosing should be approached with caution, as there is a risk of misidentifying the issue and reaching inaccurate conclusions. It's essential to exercise prudence and not solely rely on online sources for diagnoses, as professional medical advice and examination are crucial for accurate assessments.