Internet Support Groups for PWCs

I think support groups are valuable for PWCs because contact with fellow sufferers brings support, advice, and eliminates the feeling that you are alone in having this illness. Housebound PWCs are particularly hard-hit by loneliness and feelings of isolation, and access to the internet and the many CFS support groups on it can help alleviate some of these feelings.

CFS-Y is an e-mail group for young people with CFS, up to the age of 25.
To subscribe, send the message:
SUB CFS-Y yourfirstname yourlastname
For example: SUB CFS-Y Anelie Walsh
to LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU.

OZME is an e-mail group for Australians and New Zealanders with ME/CFS. To subscribe, send the message:
subscribe ozme
to majordomo@tertius.net.au.
Or subscribe via the web at the page http://www.tertius.net.au/lists/.
The OZME web page is located at: http://www.tertius.net.au/lists/ozme/.

CFS-P is an e-mail list for parents of YPWCs, providing support and understanding to parents who are carers and sometimes PWCs themselves.
To subscribe, send the message:
subscribe cfs-p
to majordomo@tertius.net.au.
Or subscribe via the web at the page http://www.tertius.net.au/lists/.
There are two CFS-P web pages, one is located at: http://www.ypwcnet.org/parent/index.htm.
And the other is at:
http://www.ypwcnet.org/parent/.

The CF Pen Pal Alliance is a free, international pen pal program for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, M.E. and Fibromyalgia sufferers of all ages, as well as their families and caregivers. All information is kept strictly confidential and pen pals are matched by gender, age and interests.
Please mail info request or completed pen pal application with a SASE (if outside of the USA, send an International Reply Coupon) to:
CF AllianceÊÊÊ
PO Box 9204ÊÊ
Bardonia,
NY 10954
USA
Print an application from
Visit the CF Alliance website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CFPenPal/

CFS-L is a CFS Patients discussion group, gatewayed to the alt.med.cfs newsgroup. It is a wide-ranging patients' discussion group on CFS which deals with medical treatments, disability benefits, coping and other issues. The group can be accessed either through Internet e-mail or through Usenet as newsgroup alt.med.cfs. Read the newsgroup's Topics FAQ for the rules of participation.
To subscribe, send the message:
SUB CFS-L YourFirstName YourLast Name,
For example: SUB CFS-L Anelie Walsh
to LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU.
There is a CFS-L web page at http://www.cais.net/cfs-news/cfs-l.htm.

CFS-W is the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Writers Mailing List, an e-mail forum where writers with CFIDS/ME, FMS and other related illnesses can talk about writing, share their own writing, and exchange ideas on coping with the symptoms of CFIDS (brainfog, fatigue) that can make writing difficult.
To subscribe, send the message:
subscribe cfs-w
to majordomo@tertius.net.au.
Or subscribe via the web at the page http://www.tertius.net.au/lists/.

CFS-NEWS is an Electronic Newsletter which is issued between 1 and 4 times each month and focuses on medical issues. The newsletter is also available through the Fidonet CFS echo, available on many BBSs, and is transmitted through the USENET newsgroup bit.listserv.cfs.newsletter. For instructions on obtaining back issues, send the command GET CFS-NEWS INDEX to the address LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU.
To subscribe, send the message:
SUB CFS-NEWS YourFirstName YourLastName,
For example: SUB CFS-NEWS Anelie Walsh,
to LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU.

Co-Cure is a mailing list that disseminates articles, reports and papers relating to CFS and FM. It is not a discussion list but rather a source of up-to-date information on research on these illnesses.
The address of the list is CO-CURE@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU
The Co-Cure web page can be found at: http://members.aol.com/CoCure/co-cure.htm.

FIBROM-L is a discussion list for sufferers of fibromyalgia (FM) and Fibrositis. It is gatewayed to the alt.med.fibromyalgia newsgroup.
The list address is FIBROM-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU

Bear in mind that news gets around the online community fairly quickly, so you don't really need to join every single group to get all the information available - frequently, if one member of your group sees something important on another list, they'll pass it along. So choose one or two lists at first and see how you go.

I don't wish to do any 'netiquette' lecturing, but the general rule is to join a list, lurk for a while getting to know the way things are done there, and if you like, introduce yourself politely. I've found e-mail lists to be very friendly places where people are always happy to meet new members. However, differences of opinion do occur, and it's important to remember there are always two sides to an argument - try not to storm off in a huff, chances are whatever caused the argument will all blow over and everyone will be friends again very rapidly. Online groups are as valuable, supportive, fractious and unpredictable as off-line groups.

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