thread locking in personal issues.

The Troll

I posted a thread this morning, looking for advice RE: the treatment of tinnitus. It is a problem that my mother has had for an extended period of time now and causes her major discomfort.

I asked other board members if they could give advice on this matter.

Mod locked the thread saying it wasn't a medical board and that the board couldn't give advice on medical issues.

Here's fact number 1: I never asked for medical advice. I said that accupuncture had been suggested to me by one of my friends. This would hardly be a doctors advice and would be more along the lines of alt. medicines

2. I agree, the board members aren't doctors. We're also not psychiatrists, counsellors, sex therapists etc etc. How can we be allowed to give advice to people who are suicidal, on the verge of breakdowns, clinically depressed and in need of other forms of professional help.

There seems to be dual standards in place here and IMHO I think the closing of my thread is unjust.

seamus

Giving medical advice or asking for advice on a medical condition is specifically against the charter because it could lands boards in a whole pile of ****.

This is the second time you've posted a grievance on Feedback caused by your failure to read the charters before you posted in the forums.

Shabadu

There is a difference between giving someone moral support for an emotional problem, and advice on how to treat the symptoms of a medical condition. If you were given bad advice and took it, boards.ie may be legally responsible. It's a privately owned website, and the owners do *not* want a law suit.

No-one is out to get you

Gordon

What seamus said.

Also posting the same thread again on PI after the previous one had been locked wasn't a good idea.

Oh and asking for "advice RE: the treatment of tinnitus" is asking for medical advice. I can't fathom what planet you live on if you think otherwise.

The Troll

seamus wrote:

Giving medical advice or asking for advice on a medical condition is specifically against the charter because it could lands boards in a whole pile of ****.

This is the second time you've posted a grievance on Feedback caused by your failure to read the charters before you posted in the forums.

If you read the personal issues forum there are numerous posts relating to medical issues everyday! Fact.

Should i go on the pill?

I think I have an STD!

What should i do before i have sex with this guy?

Havn't seen any of these issues locked.

Your remark on me not reading the charter is also assumed rather than having any basis in fact. I'm not going to quote the charter as doing so is against boards.ie rules. I may be wrong on this one, but i don't remember any part of the charter saying that questions pertaining to medical issues *cannot* be discussed in that particular forum.

The Troll

Again correct me if i'm wrong but doesnt the charter encourage people to post for advice from other board members. I think the phrase "feel free" might be used.

whiskeyman

I have to agree somewhat with "The Troll" here.
He wanted to hear from others if they've heard of treatment and other peoples experiences.
I dont see why his post got locked so quickly (without warning.. he could have been given a chance to explain further), but many others roam free.
Perhaps you've a bad username...

(Dont agree on opening 2nd thread on PI though.)

Gordon

The Troll wrote:

I may be wrong on this one, but i don't remember any part of the charter saying that questions pertaining to medical issues *cannot* be discussed in that particular forum.

So you haven't read the charter, well done troll.

seamus

The Troll wrote:

If you read the personal issues forum there are numerous posts relating to medical issues everyday! Fact.

Should i go on the pill?

I think I have an STD!

What should i do before i have sex with this guy?

Havn't seen any of these issues locked.

Link with examples please. Putting "Fact" all in its own fancy sentence doesn't make it so. The first two of yours, will depend on circumstances. The last STD thread *was* locked. The third thread again would depend on circumstances.

I'm not going to quote the charter as doing so is against boards.ie rules.

No it's not.

I may be wrong on this one, but i don't remember any part of the charter saying that questions pertaining to medical issues *cannot* be discussed in that particular forum.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=94275

The Troll

Ok well i'm going to break the rules here, apologies in advance. This is taken directly from the charter. This is being posted to prove my innocence on this matter:

feel free to post up problems as people may have personal experience, but don't expect miracle cures.
Only post on this forum if you have an actual problem, the more detail you give, the more accurate the advice will be.

Beruthiel

you were looking for "treatment of tinnitus"

that is asking for medical advise
if you read the charter properly, you would know that isn't allowed.

Should i go on the pill?

show me the link to that thread

I think I have an STD!

I have locked threads on this and told the poster to see a doctor.

What should i do before i have sex with this guy?

how is that asking for medical advice?
also,
show me the link to that thread?

Beruthiel

The Troll wrote:

Ok well i'm going to break the rules here, apologies in advance. This is taken directly from the charter. This is being posted to prove my innocence on this matter:

perhaps, you also didn't bother to read the sticky posted up by this boards Admin

DeVore wrote:

Guys and gals, I'm glad this board seems to help people who want to get a head-check or whatever but we are NOT licensed to give ANYONE medical advice and with the number of jokers round these parts you shouldnt take any medical advice on this board without checking with your personal GP first.

If you have a specific medical question like "X is wrong with me, what should I do" then take it to a doctor or free medical advice clinic. If you want to ask "I have X wrong with me, anyone else share this?" to find people who might be having the same problem as you, thats fine.

Please please please do NOT GIVE medical advice out on these boards, no matter how well intentioned you could put the entire admin team in jail

DeV.

The Troll

Beruthiel wrote:

you were looking for "treatment of tinnitus"

that is asking for medical advise
if you read the charter properly, you would know that isn't allowed.

Should i go on the pill?

show me the link to that thread

I think I have an STD!

I have locked threads on this and told the poster to see a doctor.

What should i do before i have sex with this guy?

how is that asking for medical advice?
also,
show me the link to that thread?

They were generalised examples.

A person asking for advice on things to before having sex for the first time should consult an expert, be it a sex therapist or a doctor. Both could give sound advice on the matter.

You'll say that board members can give advice on it from experience.

Therefore, why can't board members give advice on tinnitus?

The Troll

Beruthiel wrote:

perhaps, you also didn't bother to read the sticky posted up by this boards Admin

Perhaps the first sticky needs editing then. Seems to be a contradiction between one sticky and the other.

seamus

The Troll wrote:

Perhaps the first sticky needs editing then. Seems to be a contradiction between one sticky and the other.

Hardly an excuse. If you have half a brain you can see the point.

Seeing as they were generalised examples, you can't really make any points with them. Give actual examples, and why they breach the charter, and make your case.

BuffyBot

Ooh, look. Another day ending in y.

Basically, you yet again failed to read the charter and have come to have a moan. Seldom was a username more apt.

WizZard

You asked for advice on the treatment/treatments of a medical condition.

Giving such advice is explicitly banned on the PI forum, and therefore threads asking for advice are summarily locked to prevent potentially inaccurate advice being given.

Read the charters and the rules before you post, this will help you in future.

In future I would advise asking yourself the following questions before posting:

• Is what I'm about to post against the forum charter?
• If not explicitly defined in the charter does it contravene sitewide boards.ie rules?
• Am I reposting something that just got locked?
• Is my question already answered in another thread?
• Can I prove that the universe is expanding with only a slide rule?

If the answers to any of these questions is no, then I would advise you not to post.

The Troll

seamus wrote:

Hardly an excuse.

Yeah no excuse. Two conflicting stickies. Don't know how that could ever be seen viewed as an excuse. One moderators sticky says by all means go ahead and do it.

The other says no you cant do it.

If you had half a brain you'd see a perfectly valiud excuse.

Beruthiel

The Troll wrote:

They were generalised examples

then of no use whatsoever

A person asking for advice on things to before having sex for the first time should consult an expert, be it a sex therapist or a doctor.

is that what you'll be doing when you grow up?

The Troll

WizZard wrote:

You asked for advice on the treatment/treatments of a medical condition.

Giving such advice is explicitly banned on the PI forum, and therefore threads asking for advice are summarily locked to prevent potentially inaccurate advice being given.

Read the charters and the rules before you post, this will help you in future.

In future I would advise asking the following questions before posting:

• Is what I'm about to post against the forum charter?
• If not explicitly defined in the charter does it contravene sitewide boards.ie rules?
• Am I reposting something that just got locked?
• Is my question already answered in another thread?
• Can I prove that the universe is expanding with only a slide rule?

Is the answers to any of these questions is no, then I would advise you not to post.

I understand now that this is correct. Ovbiously, the issue i was raising was a personal one and wasn't intended to flame/insult/have any other negative affect.

unfortunately, i had read the sticky that condoned the posting of threads relating to medical issues in the hope of receiving advice from other board members who have had experience with the same issue.

This sticky is obviously outdated and needs amending.

The Troll

Beruthiel wrote:

A person asking for advice on things to before having sex for the first time should consult an expert, be it a sex therapist or a doctor.

is that what you'll be doing when you grow up?

That will be my quote of the week. Pointing out an assumed lack of maturity through blatant immaturity. Bravo.

dudara

The Troll wrote:

That will be my quote of the week. Pointing out an assumed lack of maturity through blatant immaturity. Bravo.

Oh dear!

Beruthiel

The Troll wrote:

That will be my quote of the week. Pointing out an assumed lack of maturity through blatant immaturity

Au Contraire
it is a very valid question,
how many people do you think go to a sex therapist before having sex for the first time????

Beruthiel

dudara wrote:

Oh dear!

I know
the ironing!!

The Troll

Au Contraire
it is a very valid question,

A valid question if your assumption was correct. Therefore, invalid garbage.

how many people do you think go to a sex therapist before having sex for the first time????

How many people do you think go to a counsellor when they're depressed or suicidal????

Talliesin

We do not want boards to be sued into a big crater in the ground.

The rule is based on that.

It will continue to be enforced.

The Troll

Anyway, I could continue with this crap all day. Enough is enough. I only posted to get help for my mum cos I feel sorry that she has to deal with such a crippling affliction and I get depressed as a result of her having to suffer. It was never intended to instigate this ridiculous flaming war.

Thx.

WizZard

The Troll wrote:

How many people do you think go to a counsellor when they're depressed or suicidal????

How many stars in the sky?

Troll, you are not arguing a point here, you are simply rebutting the posts of other, who are offering valid advice and reasons to you, with inconsequential bull.

And in answer to your question above, when someone is feeling depressed simply talking about their problems can give a kind of release, whether it be on an internet forum such as PI, or to a registered counsellor.

Shabadu

/me waits patiently for RopeDrink's post blasting this being out of the virtual water.

seamus

Actually, I think the better way to phrase it is - "Do you actually think it's necessary for someone to go to a sex therapist before having sex for the first time?"

Basically, the way it is, boards.ie is not licensed to give out medical advice. If it did, it would find itself in a whole pile of ****. That's for specific advice. If someone came on asking "I have clinical depression, what do I do?" the thread would similarly be locked.

Then you have the threads in the grey area. Someone coming on saying "My eye hurts and my nose is half hanging off", isn't looking for specific medical advice, though the issue is clearly medical. However, someone who says, "I find myself feeling lazy and generally unhappy all the time. I can seem to find the energy to do things", doesn't have a specific medical issue, nor is the issue obvious. The moderators will still give cautions to people telling them to take drugs a, b & c, but the thread won't be locked because any advice given could a) be valid and b) be useful.

The Troll

seamus wrote:

Then you have the threads in the grey area. Someone coming on saying "My eye hurts and my nose is half hanging off", isn't looking for specific medical advice, though the issue is clearly medical. However, someone who says, "I find myself feeling lazy and generally unhappy all the time. I can seem to find the energy to do things", doesn't have a specific medical issue, nor is the issue obvious. The moderators will still give cautions to people telling them to take drugs a, b & c, but the thread won't be locked because any advice given could a) be valid and b) be useful.

I understand this now. In fairness, I had read sticky 1 and not sticky 2. Perhaps, sticky 1 should be amended to take out the misleading part I quoted.

I fully understand now the legal implications of allowing discussions relating to medical issues and problems that could arise should any misleading advice be given.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused, as it was a genuine, unintended mistake on my behalf.

"My eye hurts and my nose is half hanging off",

When did Michael Jackson join boards.ie?

Gordon

I'd agree that if one took that precise phrase you quoted, Troll, the semantics of it do lead to a slight ambiguity. However, concerning the "this is not a medical board" line previous to it and the blatant sticky by DeVore explaining what has been explained here - it's saddening that people aren't reading them. The best thread to give an example of what the charter states is the Crohns disease thread. This, in my eyes, is a thread that embodies the 'legalites' of the charter in the phrase that you quoted. It is a thread in which sufferers of Crohns disease talk about their relations to it, and even organise meetings through boards.

Next time PM the mod that closed your thread if you have issues with their decision, that goes for the whole of boards.

amp

The Troll wrote:

Doing exactly what it says on the tin

:eek:

WhiteWashMan

amp wrote:

:eek:

:eek:



:mad:

:rolleyes:



:cool:





its the eight stages of acceptance that people go through when they start to fight the system

1) surprise!

2)confusion????

3)TEH ANGAR!

4)cynisism - yeah, really?

5)unhappiness - general unfairness in life

6)apathy - perceived....

7)embarassed acceptance

8)happiness because 6 months down the line, they now know all the admins by name, and have been spoken to personally by ecksor.


also works for divorce cases.
with the exception that ecksor normally isnt involved.

Shabadu

Circle of Life, WWM.

regi

Must resist urge to lock thread...

BigCon

A person asking for advice on things to before having sex for the first time should consult an expert, be it a sex therapist or a doctor.

is that what you'll be doing when you grow up?

Quote:

"My eye hurts and my nose is half hanging off",




When did Michael Jackson join boards.ie?

Can someone move this to the humour forum:D

RuggieBear

Potm Wwm

Pighead

YaaP RB

sceptre

The Troll wrote:

Perhaps the first sticky needs editing then. Seems to be a contradiction between one sticky and the other.

The sticky doesn't "condone" the seeking of medical advice. It doesn't self-contradict, it's just not clear enough specifically for you when you're specifically quoting bits of it. Charter says "feel free to post about problems", later says "not a medical board, no looking for medical advice". One's a general rule and the other's a specific prohibition that overrides the general rule where it applies. It's rather clear unless you're the sort that tries hard to be a finicky hoore. Don't be a finicky hoore. I'm a finicky hoore, though I try hard not to be one day at a time. I'd recommend that method, though obviously that isn't a medical opinion.

WizZard

WhiteWashMan wrote:

and have been spoken to personally by ecksor.

This really happens?? :eek:

seamus

WizZard wrote:

This really happens?? :eek:

Occasionally, the admins will assume corporeal form to ingest alcohol or help the kiddies. It is a hallowed event.

monkeyfudge

I had tinnitus...

guess what?

I went to my GP and got medication that cleared it up.

GoneShootin

The Troll wrote:

I asked other board members if they could give advice on this matter......

Why though? I mean I just googled tinitus there and got about 2,290,000, the first five being:

American Tinnitus Association
Tinnitus FAQ
British Tinnitus Association
Tinnitus Home Page
MedlinePlus: Tinnitus

Why would you need to ask on boards about it with such a massive amount of info out there already?

The Troll wrote:

I only posted to get help for my mum cos I feel sorry that she has to deal with such a crippling affliction and I get depressed as a result of her having to suffer.

Talk about melo drama, it's only ringing ears. Nothing fatal! Unless of course she fails to hear an oncoming bus and steps out in front of it due to ringing ears. Then that could be a problem alright.

monkeyfudge

GoneShootin wrote:

Talk about melo drama, it's only ringing ears. Nothing fatal! Unless of course she fails to hear an oncoming bus and steps out in front of it due to ringing ears. Then that could be a problem alright.

That's a little unfair... when I had mine it disturbed my sleep paterns and affected my mood greatly... luckily mine was treatable... but generally it can be permenant...

But this doesn't change the fact that YOU SHOULD TALK TO A GP!

DublinWriter

The Troll wrote:

I posted a thread this morning, looking for advice RE: the treatment of tinnitus. It is a problem that my mother has had for an extended period of time now and causes her major discomfort.

I asked other board members if they could give advice on this matter.

Mod locked the thread saying it wasn't a medical board and that the board couldn't give advice on medical issues.

I had just seen this and had come into feedback to post about it, but you've beaten me to it dude!

IMHO, boards.ie is now running the risk of becoming a self-serving irrelevance.

Between the recent loss of new-post browsing and certain mods standing like the garda who has the unfortunate duty of policing the junction box at Fairview during rush hour, I find the whole boards.ie experience is becomingly increasingly depressing these days.

I don’t visit half as much as I used to and judging by the amounts of new posts in threads, neither do others.

While I do agree that there does need to be policing by mods to limit the legal exposure of boards.ie to defamation/libel actions, I think the locking of your thread was very, very poor judgement.

I’ve suffered from tinnetus for the past four years brought on by a serious ear-infection. There are several vitamin and alternative remedies I use to minimise its effect in my daily life that I think would have been beneficial to your Mother. All these are available over the counter at your local pharmacist without prescription.

Why your thread was locked I really don’t know. Your mother won’t be able to access any potentially damaging medication unless prescribed so by a GP.

Maybe the catch phrase of boards should be changed to “ ‘now yer talkin’… but only while a mod allows you to’.

Gordon

DublinWriter wrote:

Why your thread was locked I really don’t know.

Try reading this thread, it gives a pretty good explanation.

DrIndy

The issue isn't really about medical advice, but wrong medical advice which can result in harm to a person and hence leave boards.ie medicolegally liable. Can a solicitor member of boards reference if a website has been sued for incorrect information ever before?

The issue is if someone makes a inappropriate diagnosis or recommends an incorrect medical therapy - which cannot be determined from the small amount of information in the original post or the lack of expertise of the respondents.

Talking in general about medical issues and how they are diagnosed and treated are more than welcome and it subtly different from diagnosis in a specific incident.

Here is a classic example: OP - how do you KNOW your mum has tinnitus? Who made the diagnosis?

DublinWriter

DrIndy wrote:

The issue isn't really about medical advice, but wrong medical advice which can result in harm to a person and hence leave boards.ie medicolegally liable.

On that basis, if someone gives me unsound medical advice down the pub tonight, then I can sue the publican?

I've never heard such nonsense in my life.

Let's just presume that we're all adults here for a second. Now, I know if I have a serious medical issue then I'll head straight off to my GP with my cheque-book in hand.

For lesser, niggling stuff, I might consult the web.

As for someone advising an incorrect therapy, well, anything taken in sufficient quantities can kill you, even water or Vitamin C.

DrIndy wrote:

The issue is if someone makes a inappropriate diagnosis or recommends an incorrect medical therapy - which cannot be determined from the small amount of information in the original post or the lack of expertise of the respondents.

In that case they better close down the "Personal Issues" forum. There's plenty of advice being given there by people who aren't qualified counsellors or psychotherapists.

What ever happened to common sense? Are we all so law-shy now that we're afraid to say anything to anyone in a public forum?

CuLT

DublinWriter wrote:

On that basis, if someone gives me unsound medical advice down the pub tonight, then I can sue the publican?

I've never heard such nonsense in my life.

You are, characteristically, talking out of your ass once again DublinWriter.
Boards.ie is legally classified as a publication under Irish law, which means that it would be "printing" advice of dubious reliability.

It is nothing like "going down the pub".

Let's just presume that we're all adults here for a second.

Second massive mistake in one post. Why presume based on blatant untruths?

WizZard

DublinWriter wrote:

Let's just presume that we're all adults here for a second.

Against such a large amount of evidence to the contrary?