I don't believe the person that made this topic gave any indications that they weren't listening, and that was the first reply regardless. It's not as though the OP was pretending to be out in some fantasy world that forced a reality check, was just a very kind and honest post met with a mean reply.
A person who continues to wonder if they have ALS when they have been cleared by all the neuros that have examined him is living in a fantasy world, jimmy5. The original poster here is in exactly that position. Did you even bother to read his post?
He has been cleared by a local neurologist (Fall 2010), one neuro at the Cleveland Clinic (March 2011), and a Cleveland Clinic neuro in June of 2011. Three neuro evaluations at two different facilities in a nine month period -- all normal. No loss of function, no weakness, no paralysis, and very little change in "symptoms" over the course of a year -- not much evidence of ALS in that story, is there?
no, and no one went directly to him either. There was nothing to pussyfoot around there. What is realistic about asking someone if they want ALS? Like they're really hoping they have it?
When a person has been cleared of concerns about ALS by doctors who are competent to make that determination and still insist that they might have it, wanting to have it is one possible explanation for their bizarre beliefs. They've already shown themselves to be irrational by ignoring the conclusions that their expert gave. Asking the question directly puts the issue squarely on the table so that we know, one way or the other.
Do I actually think that they want to have ALS? No, I don't. But asking the question that boldly is often the "attention getter" we need to break through to them and show them that
they are the
cause and the
cure of
their own fears.
You don't like that question? Don't ask it!
And, as to the "hatrack" remark that I sent your way that seems to have offended you so, that was also an attention-getter. It's very interesting that you've chosen not to reveal that you were the target of that remark. Almost like you were trying to be the "compassionate" and "concerned" outsider defending everyone from that mean old trfogey, rather than be open and honest about the personal bone you're choosing to pick here.
As a prospective RN in training, you've been taught the dangers of performing your duties on patients when you cannot maintain professional objectivity. And, when it comes to your own symptoms, you've clearly demonstrated an inability to objectively consider the picture that your symptoms present, which is why you are here in the first place.
What advice do you think your nursing instructors would give to people that show the level of anxiety about symptoms that lead folks to reject the advice of their doctors? I challenge you to show that thread of yours to one of your nursing instructors and identify yourself as the original poster and see what advice he/she gives you. I'm sure it will differ in tone (maybe not, if you are as hardheaded with your instructor as you were with the early respondents in that thread), but the substance of the advice will be the same -- see your doctor when you have a health concern, especially if you think it might involve a serious disease.
That's all for now, but I expect to hear more from you. You might want to choose better cases the next time, though.