Migraine & Headache Awareness Month: New insights from a recent study

It’s National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, so let’s help spread that awareness by sharing the results of a recent survey that 300 members from the migraine community on PatientsLikeMe took. For this study, we defined chronic migraine as having had 15 or more headaches in the past month. Here’s what members helped uncover: High level… Continue reading Migraine & Headache Awareness Month: New insights from a recent study

PatientsLikeMe Co-founder Ben Heywood reflects on a recent visit from Dr. Jill Biden

Last month, PatientsLikeMe was honored to host a special visitor — Dr. Jill Biden was in town as part of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative announced by President Obama in his 2016 State of the Union Address. She made time to stop by our office to learn more about how PatientsLikeMe works and how members use… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe Co-founder Ben Heywood reflects on a recent visit from Dr. Jill Biden

Patients as Partners: Cyrena talks empathy and assertiveness

We’ve been talking to 2015-2016 Team of Advisors about the Partnership Principles they put together and how they use them in their personal health journeys. Next up is Cyrena, who’s living with bipolar II and lupus and recently completed her PhD in pharmacology. Below, she talks about managing multiple conditions, getting on the same page… Continue reading Patients as Partners: Cyrena talks empathy and assertiveness

Patients as Partners: John and David share their clinical trial experiences

We’ve been hearing from members of the Team of Advisors about how they’ve used the Partnership Principles in their health journeys. Recently, we sat down with John (Dockstoy), living with ALS, and David (Davidgewirtz), who’s living with lung cancer. John and David are both interested in research and have been involved in a few clinical trials. Below,… Continue reading Patients as Partners: John and David share their clinical trial experiences

Patients as Partners: An open letter from Craig to the “normals”

We’ve been hearing from members of the Team of Advisors about how they’ve used the Partnership Principles in their health journeys. For Craig (woofhound), who’s living with fibromyalgia, it’s important to forge strong relationships with “normals,” or people who don’t know what it’s like to live with a chronic condition. By talking openly about illness, Craig believes,… Continue reading Patients as Partners: An open letter from Craig to the “normals”

Patients as Partners: Gus and Maria talk partnering with your caregiver

The 2015-2016 Team of Advisors recently introduced the Partnership Principles. They’ve been sharing personal stories about these principles in action to kick-off conversations on partnering with all sorts of people — medical students, clinical trial coordinators, and “normals.” Today, Team of Advisors member Gus along with his wife and caregiver, Maria, share about their special relationship and how… Continue reading Patients as Partners: Gus and Maria talk partnering with your caregiver

Patients as partners: Member Peggy on the diagnosis journey (Part 2)

Earlier this week, member Peggy (peggyznd) illustrated the 2015-2016 Team of Advisors’ Partnership Principles by sharing how to advocate for yourself and work with your doctor in your diagnosis journey. Here, she talks about finding a specialist, questioning your diagnosis and switching doctors. Peggy reminds all patients play an active role in their health: “Be like the… Continue reading Patients as partners: Member Peggy on the diagnosis journey (Part 2)

Patients as Partners: Member Peggy on the diagnosis journey (Part I)

Last week, Team of Advisors member Jeff kicked off a series of conversations about the Partnership Principles with his thoughts on partnering better with your care team. Today, Peggy (peggyznd) digs deeper into one area where strong relationships are key: getting diagnosed.  Peggy draws from her own experience with kidney cancer and breast cancer to… Continue reading Patients as Partners: Member Peggy on the diagnosis journey (Part I)

Patients as Partners: Member Jeff on teaming up with your doctors

This year, the Team of Advisors has been thinking about partnerships in healthcare. They introduced the Partnership Principles, outlining ways to make the most of your relationships with the many people you encounter in your health journey — medical students, clinical trial coordinators, and “normals.” Now, they’re each sharing personal stories about these principles in… Continue reading Patients as Partners: Member Jeff on teaming up with your doctors

“Adapt, improvise and overcome.” — PatientsLikeMe member Dana shares her experience for Sjögren’s Awareness Month

In honor of Sjögren’s Awareness Month, we connected with PatientsLikeMe member Dana, a New Jersey-based poet and screenplay writer who was recently diagnosed. This isn’t the first time we’ve interviewed Dana — she was a member of our 2014 Team of Advisors! Here, Dana talks about the daily challenges of living with Sjögren’s, an autoimmune… Continue reading “Adapt, improvise and overcome.” — PatientsLikeMe member Dana shares her experience for Sjögren’s Awareness Month