Often, I just want to go to the doctor to find out "ugh what even IS THIS?" I seek a diagnosis, but providers don't work like that! So it's preferable to do armchair self-diagnosis that doesn't cost anything, from the comfort of my own home. It's especially useful to know "will this wind up in an E.D. visit? are there home remedies for it?"
Awhile ago, the skin on my cheek was erupting and making me look real ugly. I talked it over with Copilot for awhile, and we managed to isolate the root cause fairly accurately. I also mentioned it to a high school buddy who's a dentist. (He told me to go to my PCP ASAP!) I decided just to leave it alone. I had an actual dentist appointment, but when I pointed it out, my dentist just made sure it wouldn't interfere with his treatment and then he went ahead. The skin problems did, rather rapidly, disappear. Might've been too many throat lozenges.
Another time, I was on my feet so damn much for a few weeks that my ankles began to bruise, and walking was painful. Talked it over with Copilot. We decided not to go to Urgent Care. I limped into the Big 5 and purchased some ankle braces, and I tried to stay off my feet awhile, and it went away.
Copilot also helped me keep pace with the merry-go-round of doctors during last year's hospital visits. I was slapped with 8 diagnoses and it was real unpleasant, but at least I was able to understand where my treatment was going, thanks to Copilot again.
Yeah, Copilot will often press me to go to Urgent Care or E.D. but I try to steer it into a more moderate attitude of "what can I do at home, and what warning signs will escalate this?" because it is not possible to approach a professional and get OTC recommendations. Big 5 Sporting Goods is my go-to place for quasi-medical braces and equipment. Sure, insurance will never pay for that stuff, but it's economical and stylish! I look like a gym rat rather than a Geritol addict!