Online Support for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

In a previous article I wrote for Associated Content, How to Develop and Maintain a Positive Attitude with Chronic Illness, I discussed the five stages people with chronic illness go through when first diagnosed. These stages include denial and fear, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Most patients with illnesses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia will go through these stages several times throughout their life because their illnesses are recurring. It is usually during the first stage, denial and fear, where Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia patients will begin frantic searches online to find out all they can about their illness. They are desperately looking for answers, reasons why they are sick and they want to know that they are not alone. These patients will often find great comfort in knowing that there is someone they can talk to and someone who can relate to what they are going through.

Through my many years of being chronically ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, I have found many outlets to lean on for support and resources. People who are healthy and do not have these illnesses cannot possibly understand what it is like living with these illnesses every day. This is why finding online resources become so valuable to us. If you can't lean on your family and friends for support during your illness, you need to go somewhere. I developed a list of some great websites, message boards and forums where you can reach out to others who have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses.

ProHealth ImmuneSupport

The ImmuneSupport.com website, message board and forums attracts over 5 million visitors a year due to their up-to-date research information, nutritional supplements they sell, and their popular message boards. ProHeatlh and ImmuneSupport were started by Rich Carson, who at 23 began his battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. While learning about his illnesses, Rich went on to start one of the largest, and one of the first, support groups online CFS in the United States.