The Danger of Self-Treating

Recently, I spoke with a woman who was convinced she had diverticulitis after developing abdominal pain following a hamburger meal. Before seeking medical advice, she decided to treat herself using leftover antibiotics she had at home—taking both ciprofloxacin and metronidazole (Flagyl). When her symptoms persisted, she sought help at work, where additional medication was administered by nurses, including more metronidazole and ketorolac (Toradol).

When Patients Become Their Own Doctors

The internet has made medical information more accessible than ever. Patients can search symptoms, read discussion boards, and find treatment recommendations within seconds. While education is valuable, information without proper medical training can lead to dangerous conclusions.

Abdominal pain is a perfect example. Many patients assume that lower abdominal pain automatically means diverticulitis. In reality, abdominal pain can result from dozens of conditions, including:

• Viral gastroenteritis

• Food poisoning

• Constipation

• Kidney stones

• Urinary tract infections

• Appendicitis

• Gallbladder disease

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Gynecologic conditions

• Colitis

• Intestinal obstruction

The correct diagnosis often depends on a detailed history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and sometimes imaging studies.

Leftover Antibiotics Are Not a Treatment Plan

One of the most concerning aspects of this case was the use of leftover antibiotics.

Patients frequently save unused medications "just in case." Unfortunately, this can create a false sense of security and encourage self-treatment when professional evaluation is needed.

Taking antibiotics without a confirmed diagnosis carries several risks:

• The diagnosis may be wrong.

• The antibiotic may not be appropriate for the condition.

• Side effects can occur.

• Serious drug interactions may be overlooked.

• Antibiotic resistance can develop.

• Treatment may mask symptoms and delay proper diagnosis.

In many cases, antibiotics are not needed at all.

Diverticulitis Has Changed

Many people are surprised to learn that treatment recommendations for diverticulitis have evolved significantly.

Years ago, antibiotics were routinely prescribed for nearly every case. Current guidelines recognize that many cases of uncomplicated diverticulitis can be managed without antibiotics, depending on the patient's clinical condition and risk factors.

This makes self-treatment even more problematic. A patient may be exposing themselves to medication risks for a condition that may not require antibiotics—or may not even be diverticulitis in the first place.

More Medication Doesn't Mean Better Care

Another common misconception is that if one medication doesn't help, adding more medications must be the answer.

Medicine doesn't work that way.

The goal is not simply to suppress symptoms. The goal is to identify the correct diagnosis and provide the safest, most effective treatment. Adding medications without understanding the underlying problem can increase the risk of side effects while doing little to address the actual cause.

A Lesson Physicians Learn Early

There is an old saying in medicine:

"A physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient."

The quote is often attributed to William Osler, although versions of the saying existed long before him.

The point is not that doctors lack knowledge. Rather, it recognizes that objectivity disappears when we become our own physician. We may overlook important details, jump to conclusions, or see only the diagnosis we expect to find.

If trained physicians are cautioned against treating themselves, it is easy to understand why self-diagnosis can be risky for patients.

The Better Approach

When symptoms arise:

1. Avoid using leftover antibiotics or medications prescribed for a previous illness.

2. Seek medical evaluation before starting treatment.

3. Understand that symptoms can have many possible causes.

4. Ask questions and participate in your care, but recognize the limits of online information.

5. Seek urgent or emergency care for severe pain, fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, dizziness, or worsening symptoms.

Patients should absolutely be active participants in their healthcare. However, there is an important difference between being informed and becoming your own doctor.

The woman I spoke with was trying to solve a problem and avoid a medical visit. That's understandable. But medicine is often more complicated than matching a symptom to a diagnosis and taking a medication.

Sometimes the safest decision is not deciding on your own at all. Instead, it is seeking an objective evaluation from a healthcare professional before reaching for leftover medications in the medicine cabinet.