Gift guide: Gadgets for people with health conditions

Who needs another scarf or coffee mug? With the holiday shopping season upon us, PatientsLikeMe members are crowd-sourcing a list of handy products and tools that can actually help people living with pain, fatigue and other symptoms of chronic illness or aspects of aging. Check out the list below, for starters, and then join PatientsLikeMe or log in to… Continue reading Gift guide: Gadgets for people with health conditions

Lupus Diagnosis and Lupus Self Test: Member Hetlena’s Pointers For Her Old (Newbie with SLE) Self

What would someone who has lived with lupus (SLE) for decades tell her younger, newly diagnosed self? PatientsLikeMe member Hetlena (@TheLupusLiar), who was diagnosed with lupus in 1993, recently answered that question for us in the following personal essay reflecting on what she’s learned through the years… Tips For A Newly Diagnosed SLE Patient “This… Continue reading Lupus Diagnosis and Lupus Self Test: Member Hetlena’s Pointers For Her Old (Newbie with SLE) Self

“This’ll make you feel better!î About Depression Advice from people who don’t have depression

Martha Mills, a writer for The Guardian, candidly wrote a piece called “’Just go for a run’: testing everyday advice for depression,” where she reviews tips that people unfamiliar with depression have offered her to “keep the blues away.” Check out her assessment of different kinds of advice, plus hear what the PatientsLikeMe community has said about mental health–related tips… Continue reading “This’ll make you feel better!î About Depression Advice from people who don’t have depression

Why these 5 Olympians with health conditions are #1 in our hearts

The 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games have come to a close. Did you happen to catch any of these 5 Olympians with health conditions (recently highlighted in The Mighty)? Their performances were inspiring — but their perspective on living with illness is what’s really golden. U.S. pairs figure skater Alexa Scimeca-Knierim developed a rare, life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder that caused episodes… Continue reading Why these 5 Olympians with health conditions are #1 in our hearts

Light therapy for depression: What is it, and how does it work?

Bright light therapy is a treatment that’s become increasingly common for treating seasonal affective disorder, a condition that impacts many during the winter months. We sat down with our in-house research specialist to discuss light therapy – what it is, how it works and if it can help treat other types of depression in addition to… Continue reading Light therapy for depression: What is it, and how does it work?

“We are all connected”: Check out this new video starring the 2018 Team of Advisors

Have you had a chance to meet the 13 members selected to join the 2018 Team of Advisors? Get a glimpse of the dynamic group in this new 2-minute video, and keep an eye on the PatientsLikeMe newsfeed and Facebook page for their individual videos and stories. This group will be collaborating with us in the next year to offer… Continue reading “We are all connected”: Check out this new video starring the 2018 Team of Advisors

In the market to live better: ALS members weigh in

Over the years, the PatientsLikeMe ALS community has shared what products help them manage their new normal with ALS. From eye-gaze devices to elevated toilet seats and alternating pressure mattresses, we compiled a list of some of the products that you, the experts, are talking about in the forum. Check it out: When it gets… Continue reading In the market to live better: ALS members weigh in

What Would You Tell Yourself 10 Years Ago?

The beginning of a new year is always a time for reflection.  You look back, you look ahead and you try to find the big picture.   For patients living with chronic health conditions, a new year can be an opportunity to implement and share lessons learned along the way – about how to cope, manage… Continue reading What Would You Tell Yourself 10 Years Ago?

Not Recognizing the “New Me”

For many newly diagnosed patients, accepting help can be as difficult as accepting the diagnosis itself.  According to some of the members of our Parkinson’s disease community, here are a few signs that you may be struggling with the idea of becoming someone who might need help. Have you found yourself feeling resentful when family,… Continue reading Not Recognizing the “New Me”