There are five reasons why putting your symptoms into a search engine is a bad idea:
1. Dr Google can't do anything for you, except make you feel paranoid
Dr Google can't write presciptions, or even examine you verbally or in person. Also, search engines can't actually think, though they are programmed very cleverly. If you search "my arm hurts" you could come up with a whole number of diseases, syndromes and ailments, some of which may be very rare, and/or very scary. Dr Google has just informed you that you have muscle death. You start to feel unhappy - but where's his bedside manner?
2. If the symptom is bothering you that much, you should go to the GP
Obviously the symptom(s) you or your loved one have are painful or uncomfortable enough that you're looking for them online. Therefore, it is stopping you from being a happy and productive person - which is the definition of health, isn't it? Therefore you are in some way unhealthy. Therefore, you need to see a doctor.
4. If you're unhappy with your GP, it's not that hard to change GP
Obviously this becomes more difficult depending on where you live, but to register at a new GP, or even go to a different GP at the same clinic, might mean a minor scrape with bureaucracy, but it's well worth having a family GP that you and your family are comfortable with.
5. If you're stuck (it's late, or early), call NHS Direct, go to their website, or if something's really bad, call 999.
NHS Direct (0845 4647) is genius. You call them, trained health professionals verbally examine you, and then usually advise you if you need to go to the GP as soon as you can, dial for an ambulance, or stay home in bed with some nice chicken noodle soup. Similarly genius is out-of-hours GP telephone surgery - check the NHS Directc website to see if one is available in you area.