Your stories
The work produced by The Cochrane Collaboration's review authors helps people make good decisions and hopefully, to have better health.
We're highlighting the stories of people in whose lives Cochrane Reviews made a real difference.
Share your story!
Has a Cochrane Review had an impact on your healthcare decisions? Email us at lmcgovern@ohri.ca.
Louise's story
My daughter, Jennifer, suffers from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) and was referred by our dentist to an orthodontist who specializes in TMJ. We consulted with this specialist and were told that if my daughter got braces the problem would be solved. I was very wary about the treatment because braces are invasive and it would require several years of treatments. It would also be a very expensive treatment.
I had attended a Cochrane workshop for consumers and was aware of best evidence health information that I could access on The Cochrane Library so I decided to look up treatments for TMJ and was happy to find some reviews on this treatment. Once I read the reviews it became very clear to me that this treatment would not benefit, and could in some ways cause more problems for my daughter. Imagine my relief after reading the reviews when, just days before, I had lacked the information and the evidence to make the decision about this procedure.
My daughter was saved from a procedure which may have only worsened the condition and which would have been very expensive for us. I feel that I was able to make a very informed and effective healthcare decision based on the evidence in the review. I was grateful that I could make such a good decision and have peace of mind.
Louise Bergeron
Montreal
Kathleen's story
July 2008: My Dad was relocated from a nursing home in Pembroke to Ottawa, when their house sold and Mom came to my place to be close to Dad and her kids. He saw a new physician and had a re-assessment at which time his Levodopa medicine was changed to Dopamine. Mom was concerned that Dad had been hastily assessed and switched from his important medicine, without them getting to know Dad and all his medical issues.
I half listened to her concerns for a few months. Then, CCNC’s knowledge broker, Cheryl Aratoon, forwarded me the link to The Cochrane Library and I played around for a couple of evenings and ended up searching for information on Dad’s illness.
The May 2008 review contained Dopamine agonist therapy in early Parkinson’s disease, which succinctly described the rationale for dopamine. I had Mom join me in front of my laptop and reviewed The Cochrane Library findings with her. It seemed to be the only verification she needed to allay her concerns about the switch in meds and she promptly got up and went into my kitchen.
On hearing a rattling of pans and the mixer I went to see what she was doing. She had started to bake - at 8pm! It was almost her bedtime. What is going on? (I might have asked, but I can’t quite remember) “I’m making bran muffins for your Dad,” she said simply. She went on to say, “Didn’t you read what the Cochrane review said about the side effects of Dopamine? One of the side effects is constipation, and my Darls doesn’t need to suffer with that on top of everything else!”
April 2009: All is well. Dad is comfortable, Mom sees him every day, his kids are happy that they are both close. Mom is satisfied that the universe is in harmony, and Dad chooses bran muffins whenever they are offered.
Thank you Cochrane Library.
Kathleen Feres Patry
Kathleen shares another story
A May 2008 review House dust mite control measures for asthma caught my attention. The review was of great personal interest in that I have recently become asthmatic and my Mom also suffers from asthma. Having moved into my home, my 75-year-old Mom, has been seen shuffling about with mop, dustpan and cloth - sweeping, wiping and cleaning - a sight I find disconcerting in that I’m not a messy person, just a lazy one, when it comes to housework.
Thank goodness for small favours! The article was as clear as could possibly be and my Mom read the plain language summary out loud:
House dust mite control measures for asthma
The major allergen in house dust comes from mites. Chemical and physical methods of reducing mite allergen levels are intended to reduce asthma symptoms in people who are sensitive to house dust mites. The review did not find an effect of control measures to reduce the exposure to mites or their products.
I’m comfortable and not bothered by the well-meaning scurrying about and Mom is satisfied that all is well. Once again, thank you Cochrane Library for your reviews and plain language summaries that are so easily understood by the lay person, including ageing mothers.
Kathleen Feres Patry
