Coping With Diseases

There is nothing more desolate than a debilitating disease and social isolation. Sometimes people stop talking to you because they don't know what to say - they can't imagine what it would be like to have your condition. Sometimes it is too depressing for other people to think about it, so they avoid you.

Yet you very likely don't have any other friends with your condition. Furthermore, those friends have their own disabilities, and can't easily get out of the house to meet with you.

Here we offer you another chance to find those who understand your situation, and can share the experience with you. This also may be a chance to exchange ideas that have worked with you. How do you get access to home health care when you can't afford it? How do you work with the regulations and paper work? How do you get your doctor to listen to you? To change your medications? To tell you the truth about your medical condition? Is it OK to say "no" to your doctor's advice when it doesn't seem right to you? Will you lose your doctor that way?

Note regarding medical information: These communities are not coordinated by health care professionals. Instead they are self help groups. Therefore, don't treat the information you get here as medical advice. View these as ideas to be explored and confirmed with other licensed medical resources

Hepatitis C
People walk around with this virus for years with no problem, and then it can become active and debilitating. The treatments are like cancer chemotherapy and can be frightening and exhausting. Yet, you probably have no friends with this condition. Find patients and spouses/sons/daughters of patients here, and share your concerns and ideas for surviving this challenge.
Cancer
Cancer is one of the most common problems, and support groups are widespread. Yet your cancer may be rare, and your limited mobility may prevent you from getting access to support groups. Come here to find a group that understands your situation or create a new group if none exists.

Multiple Myeloma
This is a fairly rare form of cancer, that is non-the-less well defined and well known. Come here to find what others have done to cope with this unique form of cancer.

Cystic Fibrosis
Your doctor told you that you have Cystic Fibrosis. You know you become breathless easily. Now what? What can you expect? How do you take care of yourself? Are there any medications offering promise for the future?
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
Lupus is a condition that can alter many parts of the body and yet can be largely hidden from public view. Share your experiences with other victims of Lupus.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This debilitating and disfiguring condition is a constant source of frustration to the many people who suffer from it. Come here to exchange ideas on how to cope.