The healthcare market has always been susceptible to fraudsters. In the 1800s they were called snake oil sellers. In the 20th century they used the name holistic medical practitioners.
While some holistic medicine has proven effective, a vast majority just made charlatans rich. In the digital age, medical misinformation is rampant, with people “doing their own research” via YouTube and TikTok.
A teen whose mother isn’t licensed to practice medicine, but does anyway, turned to the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subReddit for feedback after pushing back on her mother’s overdose levels of supplements.
OliveComprehensive75 asked:
“AITA for embarrassing my mom in front of the doctor?”
The original poster (OP) explained:
“So I (16, female) and my mom (51, female) went to my neurologist appointment yesterday because my migraines have been acting up like crazy lately. My mom is really into natural stuff and has given me soooo many vitamins and random ‘natural’ stuff she has found online for me to take.”
“She gets upset if I refuse to take them.”
“The thing is, I’m not doing that out of disrespect. I do my own research and some of the stuff she has me taking either won’t do anything for my migraines, or is too much.”
“Like she has me taking almost 700 milligrams of magnesium a day—that’s insane. I brought it up to her after doing my own research and finding that I really shouldn’t be having more than 400 milligrams a day and she got pissed at me.”
“I’m chronically constipated which is a side-effect of the overdoses of vitamins and minerals she is giving me daily.”
“She also gets mad when I refuse to read the ChatGPT ‘articles’ she sends me, but I don’t think it’s all that accurate. Especially cause it suggested I take 850 milligrams of Magnesium daily.”
“So when she was talking about all the prescriptions and medicines with my neurologist, my mom mentioned one of the pills she has me taking. The doctor suggested I stop taking it when my new prescription comes in because it also has magnesium in it.”
“I decide to ask how much magnesium I should be having a day and she says exactly what I have been telling my mom. Around 350 milligrams.”
“Here’s where I was a little petty… I turned to my mom and said ‘I told you so’ and I was playing around, but she got for real butt hurt. When we got in the car, she was pissed and didn’t talk to me.”
“I don’t think I’m really the butthole because I had been telling her, but she doesn’t wanna listen to anything that ain’t ChatGPT or anyone younger than her. It’s about my health and I was just trying to show her that I know what’s good for me as well.”
The OP summed up why they might be the a**hole in their situation.
“I think I might be the a**hole for saying ‘I told you so’ to my mom when she refused to listen to my argument that turned out to be correct. She said I embarrassed her in front of the doctor, but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.”
Redditors weighed in by declaring:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Redditors decided the OP was not the a**hole (NTA).
“NTA… I’m an RN, we NEED to know everything you’re taking, including supplements, because dangerous interactions can occur. And magnesium is one up need to be careful with. I also take it for migraines, but too much can really affect the heart. Please be honest with your doctor, it could literally save your life.” ~ Broad_Application_55
“OP should only be taking what her doctor tells her to take, & the doctor should know everything she takes, even supplements & OTC meds. Mixing & matching without doctor’s direction/knowledge can be dangerous. Mother’s actions are reckless & she needs to stop.” ~ NYDancer4444
“I wonder if the mum is using essential oils too. The smell of some can trigger migraines so this would need to be ruled out as part of working out migraine triggers.” ~ RosieAU93
“I will never forget the guy taking goldenseal as his ‘natural’ erectile dysfunction remedy and ended up in ICU in renal failure. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe.” ~ Cutmybangstooshort
“I remind patients (I’m also an RN in an ER) that cyanide and arsenic are also ‘all natural’ whenever they try to hit me with ‘supplements aren’t harmful because they’re natural’ bullsh*t.”
“Even too much water is toxic, but people think that you’re wrong for saying so. We are in desperate need of better education in the sciences because of crap like this.” ~ wexfordavenue
“It’s called water intoxication. Your body can only process so much water at a time anyway. If you try to drink all the water you need for the day at once, most of it will go straight through you without doing you much good.”
“Unless you’re trying to pass a kidney stone or you need a full bladder for medical testing, you’re better off drinking a few sips occasionally throughout the day instead of chugging a whole bottle at once.” ~ CryptidCricket
“ER is my background and I say that too… The extremely deadly toxin ricin is 100% natural and can be used for biological warfare and is simply made by grinding down castor seeds.” ~ Broad_Application_55
“Hemlock is natural, organic, non-GMO, and vegan. And just 6-8 leaves will kill you faster and better than overdoses of many man made ‘unnatural’ medicines.”
“Natural remedies, vitamins, and minerals are all dangerous at the wrong dosage. Some will kill you, some will just make you wish you were dead.” ~ MohawMais
“NTA. I’ve had migraines my entire life and started seeing a neurologist at your age. You need to go by what the doctor says, not your mother. Taking too much of anything can have the reverse effect than that your mothers good intentions are.”
“Please join the subReddit r/migraines—it may be useful for you with different things to try or getting a better understanding of some medications.”
“One thing I might suggest, is talking to your pcp or gynecologist about a non-estrogen birth control (if not now, down the line). It was a game changer for me when I was your age.”
“The hormones from my menstrual cycle triggered the worst migraines in me for 3 weeks of the month. I wish you the best of luck, migraines suck.” ~ Cookies_2
“Every medication, every therapy, every supplement, and even doing nothing carries a certain amount of risk, and a potential benefit. Yes, some studies have shown that birth control can increase the risk for breast cancer, and that may be higher for those with a familial cancer risk.”
“However, that MUST be weighed against the potential benefits that the birth control might bring. These are serious discussions you need to have with your doctor, and you may want to do a trial run of the medication to see how well it might work before you decide if the risk is worth it.”
“Never dismiss a potential treatment without gathering evidence. Life is risk, and the best we can do is find a balance between risk and comfort.” ~ PhilosophyFit5726
“NTA. Your mom has been bulldozing you, forcing questionable supplements along with your prescribed medications. I suggest that YOU call your neurologist and ask about every supplement your mom tries to add. Don’t argue with your mom. Don’t rely on ‘your own research’ either. Check with your doctor every time.” ~ curiousity60
“You should be telling your doctor ALL the supplements your mom is having you take. Seriously, natural stuff can have real nasty side effects and your doctor needs to know everything you are taking. NTA.” ~ K_A_irony
“NTA, taking excessive amounts of some supplements/vitamins can do damage to your body. She should feel a little embarrassed for allowing basically Siri to give medical advice.”
“Granted it sounds like she is trying to help, but ChatGPT is trained to be agreeable, not accurate. It will confidently tell you information that’s not correct and it sources from anywhere so it’s giving medical advice sourced from both reliable and pseudoscientific sources and tailoring it based on the user’s preferences.” ~ cheesepoltergeist
“NTA. I’m gonna be real with you: over-medicating you with pseudo-scientific crap is a form of child abuse. She may think she’s being helpful, but you’re right to be concerned with taking anything above the recommended dosage for a medication, vitamin, or supplement without a professional’s oversight.”
“Medications don’t work better just because you take more. It’s about finding the right dose for your body and needs.”
“Taking an excessive amount of anything can lead to build-up of things in your body or over-working your organs to get rid of it. It’s not a good thing and I recommend if she tries that again to phone your doctor or pharmacist directly to ask for their advice on how much to try, as well as if it’s safe to take with the other medication(s) you’re on.” ~ souleaterevans626
Self-medicating holistic medicine practitioners who graduated from the school of YouTube love to tout their home remedies as 100% safe because they’re 100% natural.
All things humans ingest should be done so in moderation. If you don’t know what dosage is safe, you have no business handing out anything for anyone to ingest.