Differing medical advice from UK to US

[Bea61]

IN MANY POSTS I READ DIFFERING ADVICE AND WONDER WHETHER THE ADVICE SHOULD BE SEPARATED IN POSTS. or we SHOULD STATE WHETHER STATE UK/US/ OR WORLD ADVICE SOUGHT ...AM NOT COMPLAINING BUT THE DIVIDE IN ADVICE AND TREATMENTS AVAILABLE IS VAST... just searching for answers on complex health issues in UK. Thank you!

[Hidden]

Hiya Bea61,

Well TBH I think you may have kicked off a debate. Personally I am quite happy with the way the forum works. That said, I 'd like to see additional input from sufferers in South Africa and Australia, whether it's qualified or not. But - it ain't gonna happen any time soon. I'd be interested in seeing their approaches to problem solving.

John

[Bevvy]

I’m happy with way advice is sought and given. I think we are quite a small group here. Smaller than, for example Facebook and I think it would result in less supportive information.I think when people are asking specific questions about things that only affect a particular country, the post does say this and as a result the poster receives appropriate responses.

[Bananas5]

I would be interested if you had any examples.

We have lived in England, Scotland, and now the Canaries where treatment does differ. However much of the general advice regarding pain and its management is universal.

Often the type of question asked may indicate where the author comes from. Easy to ask in a reply

x

[happytulip]

You can generally see where people are from by looking at their profile. The only problem that I find is when people use the Brand name for a drug instead of the generic name. This is typically a US/UK problem I find, for example saying Lyrica instead of pregablin. But it's no biggie.

[Badbessie]

I always try to differentiate between UK, the USA etc. There are so many differing medical and non medical interventions that it can be difficult sort out the good from the bad. From my experience with pain management what is excepted as a pain management program can differ from trust to trust in the UK. I think putting a location to what's available is a good idea and cuts confusion. However separately dealing with issues cuts out ideas for possible help when dealing with issues.

[katieoxo60]

Think it would help Bea61 if we knew what country the person is seeking advice for not just medical things other things too like services. As many of us have been on UK medical sites before moving to Healthunlock which is worldwide. Its nice to know how other countries do things and results of their research but you often can only get what is available in your country or area.

[Judo1010]

I for one think it’s a great idea to be able to receive and read posts from other countries and people, as I feel that sometimes here in the UK, you do not always get the full picture.

[Blackknight1989]

if you refer to CKD and the variation on advice, medical advice, then that is the nature of the disease not due to geography. In CKD there is no “cure” no absolutes and no one way to treat the vast variations of the different causes or the different body systems that disease affects. Because CKD is a multi body system degenerative illness I won’t react the same way you do. If you really put in the time and read the research medical studies on PubMed in the US or the equivalent site of the NHS across the pond in Britain the conclusions of nearly all studies recommending ways to help slow kidney deterioration the researchers conclude in nearly every study with a statement similar to this…”the exact mechanism of why this treatment is beneficial is not precisely known but…”. I understand your desire but it’s not realistic just as the posts on this site saying how someone “cured” their CKD are not realistic. Additionally, there was a fellow from Ireland who was much like me in that he spent time reading research studies from the Lancet. Because of our renewed commitment in the states to finally address the 1960s technology of dialysis and transplant as the only effect treatment for CKD with efforts like the Kidney Project he confirmed we are slightly ahead of “the old country” in our research. So maybe that can be a good thing for you. Regardless I wish you the best in your quest for knowledge. Take care!