One of the most powerful
applications of the Internet is its ability to bring together patients
from all walks of life, to share experiences, advice, and support
with one another. Find links to online support and discussion groups,
usually carried out through message board or chat technology, in
this section.
Acne/Rosacea
CureZone.com: Acne, Rosacea, Blackheads, Scars, Face, and Skin Forum
With more than 630 messages and 165 topics, this site from CureZone
(“Educating Instead of Medicating”), contains a forum
for sharing success stories and other experiences with others who
have gone and are going through the same ordeal you are. Providing
a username and e-mail allows you to respond to messages with comments
on the forum or via e-mail, or start your own topic.
Rosacea Support
Join a group e-mail list to offer support to other list members who
suffer from rosacea, view testimonials of sufferers, find encouragement
through profile pictures of those who’ve found successful treatment,
join a mailing list, read the latest book reviews on this topic,
and much more through this site. Though some of the pages are no
longer maintained, the information found here is still useful.
ADD/ADHD
ADD Consults
Those who suffer from attention-deficit disorder, or have children
who do, can stop in at this site at any time to chat informally or
to participate in one of the scheduled chats: “ADD Adults Informal
Support” on Mondays, and “Women With ADD Informal Support” on
Thursdays, both from 9:30pm–10:30pm EST.
CHADD Chat
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
offers monthly moderated “Ask the Expert” chats,
which allow CHADD members to post questions to be answered in real-time
by a guest expert. A schedule is provided for these chats through
the end of 2004. CHADD also provides discussion boards; topic headings
include “In the News,” “CHADD Chat,” “I
Am New Here,” “General Parent Discussion,” and
more.
Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers Alzheimer’s
Association Message Board: Care Partners
This site will require you to create an account (just a name and
password) in order to post and view messages that all relate to the
care of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Recent topics include “Can
the weather affect how they feel?” “Intruding” and “Care
for the Care Giver.” As of this writing, there are more than
1,000 postings dated from August 2003 through present.
ALZwell Caregiver Support
At the bottom of this site’s main page are seven caregiver
support resources from which to choose, including a forum message
board, caregiver stories, tips and suggestions, a caregiver support
network, a teen resource center, and “The Anger Wall,” which
allows caregivers to vent their frustrations by writing their feelings
on the virtual wall (those who enter here may want to be wary of
the occasional four-letter words of previous visitors).
Asthma
HealthBoards.com
Register to post new topics and replies or simply view the information
other asthma sufferers have to offer through this site. Recent postings
include those of people looking for comments on whether others think
they have asthma, what to do about dizziness with Advair, and COPD.
Yahoo! Health Groups: Asthma
This site contains nearly 7,000 messages and is meant for asthmatics
and anyone affected by asthma. Discussions cover causes, problems,
and treatments. Click “View all Messages” to see everything
discussed in the past or join the group, open to the public, to post
your own messages.
Heartburn Forum
Recent discussions at this site include sleeping with Barrett’s
esophagus, GERD and IBS, and big lifestyle changes. General discussions
or those specific to treatments, complications, helpful hints, and
more can be navigated.
Med Help International: Reflux Forums
Check out the “Q&A from [MedHelp’s] Ask the Doctor
Forums” at this site. Alphabetically listed, the forums are
extensive and cover everything from acid reflux to Schatzki’s
ring.
Hypertension
Pulmonary Hypertension Association Support Groups
Take part in any of several current message boards for parents, caregivers,
and patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), discuss what’s
on your mind in real-time in one of several scheduled chats, find
a support group in your area, find a doctor, sign up for a newsletter,
and gather information on a number of other topics related to PH
at this site.
WebMD Hypertension Message Board
This site allows persons with hypertension and their loved ones or
any others who are interested to post their questions and concerns
and share their experiences and feelings. Most recent messages (of
more than 3,500) include discussion of the drug Cozaar, fast food
breakfasts, trans fat, and lowering blood pressure.
Psoriasis National Psoriasis Foundation Community
With more than 50,000 members, “the Psoriasis Foundation is
the world’s biggest community of people with psoriasis and
psoriatic arthritis.” After becoming a member (the site suggests
donating $27.00), access is granted to information on more than 300
treatment options, a host of resources others have found helpful,
answers from a medical expert to common questions, connections to
supportive resources at the local level, and participation in online
community discussions, including message boards and chat rooms.
PsoriasisSupport Message Boards
Find support, inspiration, advice, and friends through the message
boards provided by PsoriasisSupport.com. The top forums include “Moderate
to Severe Psoriasis,” “Newly Diagnosed,” “Tips
for Living With Psoriasis,” “Just for Fun,” and “For
Women Only.” Most of the forums contain more than 100 topics
and nearly 1,000 messages.
Stress/Anxiety
Support4Hope Forum: PTSD
With no registration necessary, visitors to this site can jump right
into any of the ongoing conversations about post-traumatic stress
disorder. To participate, click on “All Topics,” scroll
down, and click on the folder labeled “PTSD.” Links are
also provided to forums on related diseases and disorders.
Stress Management Forum
This online forum is a place to ask questions of a “Stress
Management Guide,” solicit others’ opinions, share tips,
and find a sympathetic listener. Messages can be read or posted 24
hours a day. Recent discussion topics include physical symptoms,
divorce, and coworkers who won’t pull their weight. Other topics
include parenting stress, yoga, relaxation, and stress and your health.
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