#NotAlone: On PatientsLikeMe, no one is alone

Our co-founder Jamie Heywood calls it “the big idea my brother inspired.” A community of people learning from each other’s shared health experiences, connecting with people who get what they’re going through, and tracking their journeys to inform new research and help others understand what might work best for them. That is PatientsLikeMe, and that is what Stephen Heywood inspired.

Today, more than 350,000 members are part of the community, and through learning, connecting and tracking, they are #NotAlone.

Over the next few weeks, we’re launching the #NotAlone campaign that’s all about how members continue to learn from and support one another through life-changing conditions.

What can you expect to see from #NotAlone?
We’ll be featuring some inspirational stories to show how members have felt less alone on their journeys. Here’s a preview into the #NotAlone experiences of Letitia, Nola, and Geof:

  • After Letitia learned about an epileptologist on the site and discovered she was a perfect candidate for surgery, she’s been seizure free for 3 years.
  • When Nola’s multiple sclerosis kept her from accessing her shower, Gary, a member she connected with in the forum, stepped in to help from 3,000 miles away.
  • Geof uses Adderall to combat multiple sclerosis fatigue, but, three days before his prescription was up, his insurance company denied the claim. He turned to the community and everyone who had tracked their own experiences with Adderall.

How can you get involved?
Share your own #NotAlone stories – whether in learning, connecting or tracking. Visit the forum to chat about your experience or chime in on Facebook or Twitter using #NotAlone.

And don’t forget to continue adding your data and experiences on the site. Every piece of information can help change medicine for the better and show someone else that they are #NotAlone.

Share this post on Twitter and help spread the word.

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1 thought on “#NotAlone: On PatientsLikeMe, no one is alone”

  1. I have RA and live in a small Eastern Oregon town. The closest Rheumatologist is 76 miles away but Oregon medicaid will not pay for me to see him. They want me to drive three hours each way to see a rheumatologist in Oregon. Talk about feeling alone! People just do not understand this disease, the chronic pain, and exhaustion that accompany it. The Drug company commercials make it seem like if you are on biologic that it all roses and unicorn pooping rainbows! Well it isn’t 4 days out of 7 I’m typically confined to home because of intense pain or side effects if my meds.

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