Many of you have seen our “Spotlighted Blogger” series, where we talk with people who are sharing their personal health experiences to help raise awareness of disease and change healthcare for good. Well for the first time on our blog, we’re talking with a “Facebooker.” Kim started her Facebook page, Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness, after her… Continue reading “Make memories starting now!” An interview about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with Kim Durand
“Not in this fight alone.” An interview with multiple sclerosis patient Monica
Say ‘hello’ to Monica. Some of you may know her on PatientsLikeMe as msajstall. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) back in 2005 and has been a member of the PatientsLikeMe community for 6 years now. She recently took some time to talk with us about her diagnosis, finding the right healthcare coverage and… Continue reading “Not in this fight alone.” An interview with multiple sclerosis patient Monica
“I choose hope.” Interview with Multiple Sclerosis Blogger Tricia
In our “Spotlighted Blogger” series, we’re talking with people who are sharing their personal health experiences to help raise awareness of disease and change healthcare for good. For our latest interview, we’re talking with Tricia who’s writing about her journey with multiple sclerosis (MS) on her blog Love My MS Life. Some of you may… Continue reading “I choose hope.” Interview with Multiple Sclerosis Blogger Tricia
Keith & Sarah’s personal journey with rare lung disease. Part I, “Fine”
As part of our “Spotlighted Blogger” series, we’re talking with people who are sharing their personal health experiences to help raise awareness of disease and change healthcare for good. For our latest interview, we’re talking with Sarah and Keith. Sarah started writing about her fiancé Keith’s journey with a rare lung disease back in July… Continue reading Keith & Sarah’s personal journey with rare lung disease. Part I, “Fine”
Finding Peace, Confidence and Lifelong Friends: An Interview with Psoriasis Patient Erica
Erica was hit by this highly stigmatized autoimmune condition the earliest – she developed visible symptoms at the tender age of 9. Now 21, she shares her decade-plus journey from being the girl that people avoided in school to an increasingly confident young woman who has finally started meeting others like her, people who are… Continue reading Finding Peace, Confidence and Lifelong Friends: An Interview with Psoriasis Patient Erica
“Stiff Lungs” -Ian’s Personal Journey from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis to Lung Transplant
“Short of Breath? See your Doctor,” said the poster in the pharmacy. I’d been short of breath for some time, but put it down to an unhealthy lifestyle, being 58 and being overweight. The poster encouraged me to visit my doctor, which I did. He sent me for a chest X-ray and I could tell… Continue reading “Stiff Lungs” -Ian’s Personal Journey from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis to Lung Transplant
Psoriasis and Bullying
Teasing.Physical violence.Staring.Social isolation.Name-calling. Many of our members with psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that can produce red, scaly patches and other skin symptoms, report experiencing various forms of bullying while growing up. One relays the story of a teacher who repeatedly sent her to the nurse’s office, assuming that she had a contagious condition. Another… Continue reading Psoriasis and Bullying
A Good Surprise: An Interview with Fibromyalgia Member DarkAuburn
We decided to interview PatientsLikeMe member, DarkAuburn, who joined in 2009. She’s shared complete, in-depth information about her fibromyalgia symptoms, treatments, quality of life and much more. In addition, she has opted for a public profile, which means that anyone on the Internet (whether a PatientsLikeMe member or not) can learn from her detailed condition… Continue reading A Good Surprise: An Interview with Fibromyalgia Member DarkAuburn
Coping with Changes in Physical Appearance
When you are diagnosed with a life-changing illness, your doctor may prepare you for how the disease will affect your physical functions. But as our members point out, patients also need to be prepared for the changes in physical appearance they may experience. For example, how do you deal with hair loss, facial swelling, weight… Continue reading Coping with Changes in Physical Appearance
A Patient Poem for the Modern Age
Can you be friends with someone you’ve never met in person? The members of our online health community think so. In fact, many of them say they depend on other members for support and encouragement, and for the all-important reminder that they are not alone. As evidence, here is a touching poem written by a… Continue reading A Patient Poem for the Modern Age